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Jen was diagnosed (via culture at the Dr.'s office) with strep last week. She's on amoxicillin and getting better.
The problem is, now I have a very sore throat, headache, fever, etc. My eyes hurt, my nose is a bit runny (but it usually is anyway due to allergies, it's just a different kind of runny).
I'm taking ibuprofen for the fever and pain, and drinking warm tea/sucking on cough drops for the throat.
Is there anything else I can do that doesn't involve a $50 trip to the doctor and a prescription?
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If you call her doc, he may be willing to just write you the prescription without a visit. Many pediatricians I know will do that for the families if they come down with what the kid has.
Strep is one of those things that you CAN'T let go untreated, or it can kill you. If her doc won't do it, e-mail me and we'll figure out what to do from there, ok?
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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(And while you're at it, e-mail me your mailing address, anyway. I have a present and a note for you.)
Posts: 21182 | Registered: Sep 2004
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Boon, if you also have strep, you need to be treated with antibiotics, as ketchupqueen noted. Rheumatic fever -- a form of heart disease -- is a very real possible outcome if you are not treated with an antibiotic within 9 days of the start of symptoms.
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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Do not home-treat strep. Do not rely on homeopathic or naturopathic remedy for strep. It's the only real advice I give, since you sort of want to avoid rheumatic fever at all costs.
Posts: 15421 | Registered: Aug 2005
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I absolutely agree - do not let strep go untreated. I tried it once, and it was a very bad idea.
I do second kq's suggestion - sometimes the pediatrician will write a script for a family member, or you could ask your doctor if he'll call one in seeing as how your child has a definite diagnosis. It's worth a shot.
Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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I wish I could help you with the Doctor visit. Go with Belle's suggestion.
I lucked out with mine, and got a free exam that ended with a prescription. The antibiotics (amoxicillin) cost less than $20.
Posts: 1813 | Registered: Apr 2001
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Penicillin V is more specific and even cheaper.
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Boon
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I called the doc (mine and Jen's are the same, she's a family practice D.O.) 2 1/2 hours ago and left a message with her answering service. I think she tried to call me back half an hour ago, but I was in the bathroom and didn't hear the phone. She (or whoever it was; the name and number were blocked) didn't leave a message and I didn't notice until just now.
Oh yeah, and now my ears hurt. I didn't know strep could turn into such a big deal. I thought it was just the sore throat/fever thing and would go away. If it makes y'all feel better, I now feel bad enough to have called her anyway.
So should I...umm...call her service again tonight? It's now after 10:30pm and she'll lose an hour's sleep tonight anyway, so should I just wait and call her in the morning. I was fine until about 4pm today, so one night shouldn't hurt, right? Right?
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Boon, one night will probably not make a difference. As far as the heart problems go, to prevent them, you need to take antibiotics within the first 9 days of symptoms. You have time.
Do what you need to be comfortable. Try Tylenol, popsicles, maybe some Benedryl to make you drowzy.
If you do call (and you should, if you feel you need to -- especially if she just tried ot reach you 1/2 hr ago), remember that you would at the very least have to go out to a 24-hr drugstore to fill a prescription. Might be better (for you) to wait 8 hours, get some sleep, and tackle it in the morning. Up to you.
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Boon
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Yeah, I think I'll just call her in the morning. I'll still be bugging her on a Sunday, but at least I won't be cutting into her sleep.
I have some of those Similisan earache drops. Think that'd help any?
(CT, how do doctors in general feel about people calling them after hours like this?)
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If it is for someone in serious pain or trouble, I think most are glad to field the call. The trouble (for most) comes when there are calls that don't need to be made at 2am, because the information won't affect the outcome before 6am anyway. Such as, "My daughter has had a runny nose for the last few hours -- can she still go to school in the morning?***" That can wait until 6am.
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***Edited to add: A real call I fielded at 2am one morning.
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Boon, I'm not familiar with Similasan as an eardrop formula. I only know of it for eyes, and more recently, as a nasal spray (I think). Are you sure it's for ears?
Looks like the earache relief formula is a homeopathic herbal remedy. Honestly, I can't evaluate that. It doesn't look like anything harmful to me, though.
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Strep, by the way, is the kind of thing that will bounce around from family member to family member. So, the kid gets it, and gets treated for it and is doing better, but will catch it right over again from you if you are contagious when she goes off the antibiotics.
Sometimes it is necessary to treat the whole family, all at once, with antibiotics to wipe out the plague.
And if they're still getting sick after that, to treat the family dog with antibiotics, too. Sometimes Fido lands up being the silent carrier.
Posts: 10397 | Registered: Jun 2005
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All toothbrushes should be thrown away and replaced. (if that has not been mentioned yet, sorry if it has.
Also, as I learned the hard way, an untreated infection can also morph into other strange things. My illness was not "caused" by a sinus infection, but "triggered" by it. I am not sure what that difference means, exactly, but it bascially caused my body to attack itself.
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Boon
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I'm feeling like...well, I can't say that, can I?
I'm sick. I haven't been this sore, run down, and tired in ages.
I called the doc's answering service again today, and told them that I really need her to call in a scrip for me. Their words: "She doesn't call in perscriptions after hours." I know for sure this is BS 'cause she's done it for me several times. She knows I don't call unless it really is important.
So I asked them if they could pretty please just have her call me back, 'cause I'm miserable. "I'll give her the message."
Still no word.
Hopefully I won't get the runaround from her staff tomorrow morning when I call. I just want to feel better.
Oh, yeah...and Boo's getting it too, and he got up in my bed early this morning and peed all over my sheets, and I don't have the energy to go put them in the washer. And the older two are taking advantage of Mama being sick and really being little hellions.
Good thing Hubby will be home in a couple hours, and won't have to leave again (except to run my errands, 'cause I'm sick!) until Friday morning. I need a break!
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Okay, finally heard from the doc. She's calling in some antibiotics right now and Hubby gets off work in 15 minutes, so I'll have him go by on his way home. I need him to pick up my Sunday papers anyway, since he forgot this morning.
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I know exactly how you feel, Boon. Heck, it's not often I say that, because usually I don't feel I can honestly say "I know exactly how you feel" but this time I do. I remember how run down and miserable strep can make you feel and I've had that exact situation (the kid who wet sheets you don't have the energy to strip off the bed) before too.
So sorry. The antibiotics should help. *hugs*
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