What are your thoughts on ANTIBOTICS?

CAMSMOM1 wrote: I've read some posts about people's views/thoughts on antibotics. Some are all for it, and other's not.


I don't want to start a debate, but I would like to be informed and understand both sides of this topic.

I'm really starting to get frustrted with doctors in general. It seems like everytime you go in to see them, or take your child, they are always pushing pills.

Cameron has had several ear infections, croup, pink eye, and upper respriatory infections, and has been on antibotics ALOT. His body will no longer respond to Amoxicillin, it just doesn't work anymore. So each time, they perscribe a stronger antibotic. I know that your body can start either rejecting or not responding to antibotics after a period of time. And I'm worried because Cam is only 21 months old, and it's starting to get that way.

Are there alternatives???? If you don't give your child an antibotic, lets say for an ear infection...can't it cause damage? I'm so torn about it. That's why I was hoping to hear some other's views on this.

Annie

luvmykids replied:
If you want hard core research, I'm the wrong girl. BUT my pediatrician told me most ear infections will go away on there own, the antibiotic is more for what's causing the ear infection, like a sinus infection. And also to shorten the duration and give the child some relief. I'm personally a little torn on using them or not for ear infections.

Kylie's just wrapping up a bout with croup and all he said to do then was give her Robitussin DM at a double dose, which is another controversy. He gave her a steroid treatment in the office but said that croup usually runs its course in 3-4 days and he typically doesn't do anything else to treat it unless they're having severe breathing problems, in which case he does more steroids.

Thats all I know!

gr33n3y3z replied: I'm for them BUT depends on the infection

MamaJAM replied: Our peds (and GP) aren't big on pills...unless someone has been sick for a long while - or it's definately something you need to take care of quickly.
Heck - I don't even take my kids to the ped for minor illnesses....a cold, stomach virus, fever, etc (unless its been going on for a while). Sometimes even when I think something has been going on long enough - the ped still doesn't think it's time for antibiotics...which is cool by me.
My kids rarely get ear infections (I think there's been a total of 3 EIs in 13+ years spanning 5 kids)....so on the rare occasions when one of them would get one - I really do prefer the doc give an antibiotic right away. If they were more 'cronic' around here - I'd be more apt to wait some out.

PrairieMom replied: I usually wait things out. Something viral usually goes away within 10-14 days. I don't usually go see the Dr. until We have been sick at least that long. The boy has only been in Antibiotics once in his life.

The main problem with the Antibiotics is that many people don't follow the directions and quit giving the med as soon as they start feeling better, or don't take the proper dosage, so all the bacteria aren't killed. the ones that survive become resistant to that antibiotic. Thats how we get resistant strains like MRSA.

In my experieance (Working closely with Docs. in a hospital setting) Drs. will prescribe all kinds of things that aren't really necessary, (I have seen it especially in Peds) because worried Mommies bring their kids in and want SOMETHING so be done. That is why many kids are started on Nebulizers for croup, and RSV and pneumonia and that kind of thing even tho the meds don't do anyting to help those conditions. It is the same for antibiotics.

MyBrownEyedBoy replied: With Logan's medical history, our ped prescribes antibiotics for ear infections. He has had 8 since he was 3 months old. But the main reason for it isn't my peace of mind, honestly, I'd rather he not be on them. But with a heart condition any infection could damage his valve. Our ped did say that when Logan hits 2 or 3 we may be able to not do antibiotics for all ear infections and just treat with tylenol and ear drops. I sure hope so.

MamaJAM replied:



Our ped is also a little faster to give DS#2 antibiotics because he has 'lung issues' (he had RSV at 3 months old....piggy-backed with the flu -- and shows all the signs of developing asthma). You gotta do what you gotta do.

TeagansMom609 replied: I hate putting Teagan on meds. Any meds, not just antibiotics. But when it comes to ear infections I will gladly give her antibiotics mainly because when she does get one she gets a really high fever of 104. Now thats one heck of an infection if you ask me. I have been told if you let an ear infection go for too long it can cause alot of permanent damage. (much like a UTI etc. ) That scares me. Everytime Teagan gets a bad cold with a stuffy I nose I think, great here comes another ear infection. Her Ped said a stuffy nose will clog the middle ear which causes an ear infection. So if her nose is really stuffy for a few days I will give her a decongestant to avoid an ear infection.

ediep replied: our ped rarely gives any prescriptions to Jason. He has been on antibiotics maybe twice. Once for an ear infection and once for an eye infection. I usually know that his ped gives an antibiotic then its necessary.

For me....the doc will give an antibiotic for ANYTHING....I had a sore throat over Christmas and I went to the doc, he gave me an antibiotic and after 3 days I stopped taking it because the side effects from it were worse than the sore throat

jcc64 replied: We've talked about this before, Annie- you pretty much know my views on this subject. I just wanted to second what PrairieMom said. More often than not, drs prescribe antibiotics to quell the fears of fretful mommies, knowing they are unnecessary. (my brother is a pediatrician, and I can't tell you how many times I've heard him complain about this) From a public health standpoint, it's irresponsible and dangerous. For the individual child, it disturbs the normal functioning of an otherwise healthy immune system. Antibiotics are awesome when they ARE necessary- my 13 yr old was very ill for almost a week after testing negatively for strep twice. After a blood test revealed he was indeed suffering from a bacterial infection, we put him on antibiotics and he recovered completely in 24 hrs. They are great when used responsibly.
I feel your pain about the ear infections. It's how I first became interested in the subject. My now 10 yr old had chronic ear infection when he was your ds' age. After becoming frustrated and concerned about the excessive antibiotic use, we explored several more holistic alternatives, all of which were really effective in our case. We took Noah for weekly chiropractic adjustments- where the dr basically massaged the head and neck area (which Noah LOVED), helping the lymph nodes in that area to drain. We also put him on PRO-biotics, which encouraged the growth of good, healthy bacteria, and we completely eliminated dairy from his diet, which was no picnic, but I believe it was critical to his recovery. Dairy has a tendency to be a big mucus producer, and if your kid is having issues with too much fluid, you might want to consider it. You can slowly add it back in as he gets older.

jem0622 replied: Nathan was on a lot of antibiotics in his first year. As a result, I have been less inclined to take my kids in now because of the chronic oversubscription of antibiotics. I know that if it is a virus or cold then they can do nothing. If there is something very wrong and mother's instinct kicks in then I will take the sick child in.

Most ailments do clear on their own. I do call the advice nurse if I'm concerned. We are usually on the same page and avoid as many visits as possible.

ilovemybaby replied: I think an untreated ear infection can cause hearing loss... I'm not saying that they will go deaf but it can cause some hearing loss.
I would definitely use antibiotics with an ear infection.
I wouldn't use them for croup. Croup can run it's course and go away on it's own. It's something that comes with colds. And you can't treat colds with antibiotics.
Pink eye... well I don't know anything about that.
Respiratory Infections .... yes. I have had bronchitis and pneumonia. I didn't have antibiotics for the Pneumonia because it's a virus. But bronchitis with the yucky green phlegm can be treated with antibiotics.

It really just depends on what the illness is.

ammommy replied: I was concerned with Alec and Megan, also because it seemed like they were constantly on antibiotics for sinus infections. I've noticed with Alec, though, that now that he is older his body seems to have finally developed the ability to fight them off on it's own
Our ped won't give antibiotics until the problem has been around for a minimum of 10 days, preferabley 14. He's failry conservative when it comes to prescribing meds, so when he does, I comply.

PrairieMom replied:
Pneumonia can be either viral or bacterial. Also, bronchitis doesn't necessarily need antibiotics either. It just depends on what kind of "bug" you have. You would need a sputum culture in both cases to be sure.

fashionmumofboys replied: I try to stay away from antibiotics, and my Ped. doesn't like prescribing them unless its extremely necessary.

kimberley replied: thankfully, i have a ped and a GP for me that are not drug pushers. they actually take the time to make sure it is not just a head cold and give low doses when needed. some docs give it so much, kids are immune to the benefits of it by 10yo

C&K*s Mommie replied: Fortunately, our girls have never had a sickness beyond a cold or a food poisoning (thanks Taco Bell )-- even if they had I would not push any meds into them. I am in agreeance with a few others about letting the body defend itself naturally. I have given them meds in the past to help them alleviate thier symptoms in order to get some sleep, but anything else-- their body can handle on its own.

So that is a negative for me and the antibiotics issue. Homeopathic remedies, possibly. But not artificial drugs.

CantWait replied: Ear infections can definetly have long lasting side affects. It can lead to hearing difficulties, which in turn can lead to improper speech developement, later causing learning difficulties. Only you know how sick your child is. IMO, if you don't think that your child needs antibiotics, don't take him to the doctor (not meaning to sound harsh), but we trust that our physician is going to make the best, most medically informed decision on what's best for your little one.
I'm all for antibiotics if it's for the right reasons. My doctor is pretty good about not prescribing things unnecessarily.