From: sjk@strl.labs.tek.com (Steven John King)
Newsgroups: misc.kids
Subject: Re: Ear infection alternatives?
Date: 24 Jul 92 18:29:01 GMT
Reply-To: sjk@strl.labs.tek.com (Steven King)
Followup-To: misc.kids
Organization: Software Technology Research Lab, Tektronix, Inc.

In article <24855@dog.ee.lbl.gov>, lindsay@sesame.lbl.gov (Lindsay Schachinger) writes:

|> My son David (almost 6 months) had his first cold last week, and
|> now has his first ear infection. The doctor prescribed
|> ampicillin. I've read the FAQ, but I wanted to ask people about
|> alternatives to these antibiotics. I'm not sure I could bring
|> myself not to use them, since my sister had a mastoidectomy at
|> age 3 (with resultant hearing loss) and my husband has a hearing
|> loss that he thinks is linked to many ear infections as a child.
|> (BTW, we adopted David, so if there's any hereditary component to
|> these things, that's not a concern.)  But have people tried other
|> treatments?

I recommend that you read the following books:

o "Is this your child?  Discovering and treating unrecognized allergies"
  Doris Rapp, M.D.  Morrow

o "Super Immunity for kids"  Leo Galland, M.D.  Delta

o "Childhood Ear Infections"  Micheal A. Schmidt (forword by Lyndon
  Smith, famous Pediatric M.D.)  North Atlantic Books

|> David's babysitter just told me that he will have massive
|> diarrhea, and a bad diaper rash as a result of the antibiotics.
|> Is this unavoidable? She also said we should avoid feeding him
|> green vegetables and carrots, and stick with sweet potatoes. This
|> seems wrong to me --- I think the green vegetables don't bind him
|> up so much, and the orange ones loosen his stools. What's the
|> right thing to do here? How about fluid intake? The FAQ mentions
|> yogurt, which I will continue giving him.

He probably will have diarrhea.  Things "to do" include: replacing the
bacteria in his gut (see below), killing the yeast with Nystatin liquid
(available by Rx only -- insist upon it), killing the yeast in the bottom
with Women's yeast infection cream, keeping the bottom nice and dry (lots
of cornstarch powder, drying with a hair dryer during changes, etc.),
find an antibiotic that doesn't produce such severe symptoms (sulfa drugs
work best for our son, amoxy works best for our daughter).  Things "not to
do" include: avoid certains ointments such as zinc, caldescene is recommended
at every visit to the doctor but has no effect on our kids, avoid foods
that irritate their bottom.

Yogurt is usually recommended for the Acidophillus.  The downside is
that the yogurt itself can compound the problem.  You can purchase
Bifidus (which comprises 90% of the bacteria in a child's gut) and
Acidophillus in powdered form and add them to food during the day.

It took us six months, changes in our sons diet, changes in our treatment
(both internal and external), changes in antibiotics and tubes to finally
break the cycle with our son.  We can now clear up a raw bottom within
24 hours, whereas before it would go on for weeks.  Our ex-doctors really
didn't give a rip about his raw bleeding bottom or poor general health.
They just wanted to nuke the bacteria with an antibiotic and sprinkle
caldescene on his bottom :^(.  The bottom line is that it's up to you, 
in most cases.  That knowledge is quite empowering, when you think about
it.

When in doubt, talk to a nurse who has young children.  They gave us all
kinds of practical hints in dealing with the side-effects of antibiotics.

With regard to the Otoscope, ask to look through it on the next visit.
They can teach you what to look for, and then you can use your own at home.
When it comes down to it, the doctors want you to think that what they
know is a big, dark secret -- when in fact 90% of it is rather simple.
(My opinion, not AMA certified medical advice, of course :^)

If you aren't satisfied with your medical help, find a doctor that is
willing to answer questions and treat you like an intelligent adult.
There are people in the medical profession that are condescending and
bigoted, which is not the situation you need when you're dealing with 
a child's illness.  There are some _great_ docs out there, but you may
need to sift alot of chaff to find the wheat.

Good luck!

Steven (sjk@strl.labs.tek.com)

"Sometimes if you have a cappuccino and then try again it will work OK."
(Dr. Brian Reid)  "Sometimes one cappuccino isn't enough." (Marcus Ranum)
"A double vanilla latte always works."  (Me)
Newsgroups: misc.kids