Treatment plan for Jackson

Last Thursday and Friday were cold days for us in South Louisiana. We had a little freezing rain and ice, but nothing compared to pretty much the rest of the country. It was just enough for Mr.'s office to close both days, but not mine.

With that said, Jackson got a clear runny nose and began coughing again in the middle of last week. I figured that he just had a cold. He was sleeping great and didn't seem sick at all. Between the hot and cold weather, everyone's allergies and sinuses were a mess.

But by lunchtime on Thursday Jackson was refusing to eat and had a fever. Lovely. Just lovely. I called our pediatrician's office, but they had closed due to weather.

So I called Jackson's ENT. I had a little breakdown with the receptionist and she got us into the doctor's schedule!

I went home, grabbed Jackson, and went by our pharmacy {which is another story in it's self. they are no longer our pharmacy. Did I mention I'm a hormonal mess?} to get a print out of every medication Jackson has been prescribed in the past 6 months.

The print out of medications was so helpful.  We've been to our pediatrician, the ENT, and a walk-in clinic.  So it was nice to have one doctor take a look at the big picture.   Jackson has been sick once a month since the fall.  He gets a two week antibiotic, he's well for two weeks, and he gets sick again.

Our ENT is sure that this was all due to his ears.  He would have been well after his tubes/adenoid removal, but feel victim to RSV and pneumonia.  Otherwise, his ears are doing beautifully and his tonsils looks great.

When I say that we had such a thorough visit, it's a complete understatement.  The doctor explained everything to me so well and talked through what medications Jackson needed and why! I think she sat with us for close to an hour.  In her opinion, we should have treated Jackson for at least one month and up to three months.  No one told me this, the two other doctors both said to stop once the cough and wheezing stopped. 

Long story short, the steroids and medication he was on helped, but its been a couple of weeks and they've worn off.  Jackson doesn't have RSV again, but his lungs/bronchial are inflamed and basically really pissed off. 

To fix that, and get Jackson totally well, we're now on a combination of two breathing machine/nebulizer medications, twice a day for at least the next month.  We also have two prescription cough medications that he gets orally, twice a day for the next month.  And a singular tab, once a day from now on. The best thing about this plan, it doesn't include one antibiotic!!!

Jackson can't be tested for allergies until he is two, and we will begin that process then.  Hard to believe my baby is 20-months-old today.  That's just a short 4 months shy of being 2!!! Oh time, please please please slow down.

At least I get so snuggle with my sweet boy twice a day for 25 minutes while he gets his treatments:)

this was from last week.  thankfully, Jackson is a creature of habit and enjoys the treatments much better now:)