On 9/20/2011 8:23 PM, Julie Bove wrote:
> Angela is sick. I don't know what is going on. She restarted the Metformin
> and is now up to 2 pills per day. Will up it to 3 tomorrow. That will be
> 1,500.
>
> It started with diarrhea but I don't really think this is from the Metformin
> because she took that dose for many days with no problem. She was also very
> tired, cranky and had an ear ache, sore throat and runny nose
>
> She already had a Drs. appointment for the follow-up on her hand/arm twitch
> which had resolved. So we mentioned the other symptoms.
>
> Dr. said she had a slightly red and swollen ear and wasn't going to do
> anything about it. Said that things like this resolve on their own in kids
> her age. I pointed out that the last ear infection did not resolve itself.
> It started in May and kept going until June!
>
> So she prescribed Azytrhromycin but said not to give it to her unless she
> got a fever. I did anyway. But not right away. I waited 2 days until she
> was screaming with ear pain. I didn't actually take her temperature because
> I still do not have an accurate thermometer and refuse to keep buying them.
> I have bought dozens over the years. They will show us with a fever and
> then we will go to the Dr. and be found to have a normal temperature. Or
> they show us with no fever and the Dr. says we have one! Anyway she went
> from feeling chilled (it was a warm day) to sweating (and by then it had
> cooled off). She felt hot to the touch. So that was on Sunday. She was
> also sleeping a lot. I had to wake her. And she was going to bed early.
> Neither thing is like her.
>
> She missed school on Friday. I didn't really believe she was sick at first.
> She said she had diarrhea and complained of the ear, throat and runny nose.
> Got right back in bed and ate nothing that day but a few bites of cereal and
> only because I told her she had to eat something.
>
> Since then she has eaten little. Was having one bout of diarrhea a day.
> Seemed to resolve with a store brand Imodium. But then late last night she
> got up from bed, almost crying from stomach pain. Severe diarrhea! Took
> the maximum dose of the store brand Imodium which is 4 pills. First 2, then
> 1 then another 1. She stayed up, hovering over a bowl not sure which way
> she was going to get sick. I finally gave her a can of diet ginger ale and
> then she felt a bit better.
>
> I debated taking her to the Dr. again today but so far no diarrhea. However
> she says she does feel sick to her stomach.
>
> Her Endo. is not in on Tuesdays. Apparently he is there early in the
> morning for some kind of appointment but then he leaves. I don't know if he
> does surgery or what but he does not answer calls today. So I didn't bother
> trying to call to see if this stomach stuff could be from the Metformin.
> But the family practitioner she saw didn't seem to think so. Her
> pediatrician was booked up so she saw another Dr.
>
> She really hasn't been eating much. She had some gluten free fish sticks
> for breakfast and I made her a small amount of plain white rice for lunch.
> Neither of these things are low carb, I know. We may have some yogurt.
> Not sure but if we do it will be the flavored kind. She won't eat plain. I
> am not sure about giving her toast. She can't eat regular bread. Normally
> she eats some made of corn flour which would be bad. I just got the new
> order. There is some made of tapioca. Would that work for her problem? I
> do have a few slices of some mixed grain, high fiber stuff. I know that
> would be bad. We do have all kinds of applesauce. No bananas in the house.
> I do have a couple of chicken breasts I could cook, plenty of canned
> chicken, chicken broth and also rice pasta.
>
> At this point I think I am going to worry less about carbs and just try to
> get her well. Because of her missing 3 days of school she is now flunking
> history because she missed a test. They are making it super hard this year
> for kids who are absent to make up work! Her math teacher was putting their
> assignments online but then she suddenly stopped. So I don't know if she
> was sick or what. Angela said tons of kids have been sick.
>
> So what do you eat when you have diarrhea? Assuming you normally eat low
> carb .
>
> Thanks!
>
>


It is very possible that the diarrhea is from the antibiotics. The
strong ones often kill the good bacteria in the colon. If that is the
case, yogurt is what is recommended. To avoid high carbs, look for one
of the Greek yogurts. Fage brand is fairly low in carbs. They have one
that is 0% fat. If you want to sweeten it, use a tablespoon of jam or
preserves. Don't use sugar-free jam if it contains any sweeteners that
have sugar alcohols as they can make the diarrhea worse.

The most important thing is to keep her hydrated. Lots of clear fluids.
Water, tea (the tannin in strong tea can sooth an upset stomach),
Crystal Light, clear broths, sugar-free jello (watch for sugar
alcohols). If you can find a sugar-free sports drink, like Gatorade,
that will help replace electrolites. I don't know if they make Pedialite
without a lot of sugar.

If she is still running high fevers and can't hold down Tylenol, put her
in the bath tub with warm (cooler than normal bath temp, but not cool)
water and pour it over her body with a bowl or large cup. That will help
cool her down.

And, Julie, I am being kind in giving you some advice. Please do not
come back and tell me why you can't follow it. I'm really more interest
in your child getting well than I am in your excuses. Thanks.

--
Janet Wilder
Way-the-heck-south Texas
Spelling doesn't count. Cooking does.