Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Smile's Sweet,Not so Innocent and Oh so Miserable

Mid March right before Scarlet was born Ry started breaking out in hives at first I started freaking out thinking it was bed bugs and how I was going to take care of it before the baby came. I realized if it was bed bugs then Ian would be covered in them too since they share a room. We took her to the dr and it was hives, over the next week after tons of research we thought it could be scarlet fever but that was ruled out and we were referred to dermatology, Amazingly they got her in the very next day. Scarlet fever was ruled out and we were sent home to wait a month because at that point they were only acute (lasting 6 weeks or less) and until they were chronic(6 weeks or longer) there wasn't much else they could do except keep her comfortable taking 20mg(2 tablets or 4tsp liquid) of zyrtec a day and 2 tsp benydryl every 4-6 hours as needed just to stay comfortable. When we went back a month later my poor girl was still covered in hives and miserable at this point it was chronic he gave her a prescription for a months worth of prednisone and told us to return in a month, she took it and the whole time she was miserable and crabby unable to sleep and HUNGRY. When it came time for her appointment in June we ended up having to go out of town for a family emergency so we had to reschedule, they cant get her back in until August. She got about 2 weeks relief from the hives once she finished off the steroids and spent that time in TN with my mom. But on the way home July 11 she started breaking out again on the way home. By Saturday she was not only covered in hives her hands, face. and feet were starting to swell I gave her some Benadryl with no relief, so we took her to the er. They gave us the run around there is nothing we can do for you but give you a script for steroids, you should also watch the documentary "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead", and see one of our dermatologists. I told them over and over I didnt want another dermatologist but they referred us anyway. On Monday I called her dermatologist and they put it in as red flag high priority and the nurse called us and told us that he is to over scheduled and since he is booked into October he cannot fit her in the schedule but reccomends if we have more problems to go to the er(who did nothing) or see her primary(who told us previously when we called theres nothing we can do we have referred you to dermatology). At that point I started calling allergists I was at the point. I want answers before school starts there is no reason she should have to sit through school so miserable again that I am called twice a day to see if its ok to give her benydryl. There were days she was so miserable that I couldnt send her to school because her hives were so bad. All the allergists in our area require a refferal someone on fb told me about one is Springfield (2hr drive) but the schedule just didnt work. So I called Childrens Hospital in St. Louis they were booking into October and don't put priority on patients because all of the children are sick. But they gave me the number to 3 dr's that spend time there but have private practices. I called them and found one that could get us in on Friday the 26 a good day for us and we could spend the weekend with family. We went and were told that we will probly never know the true cause. But they seem to have found some medicines that are working to keep her comfortable. They kept her on the Zyrtec twice a day, they added pepcid 20mg twice a day, Singular 5mg once a day, and Atarax 12.5mg every 4-6 hours as needed. She also told us to call and let her know how it's working before school starts, if its not getting better she said she would order blood work but send to a nearby lab so we wouldnt have to drive 3 hours to get it done. And to come back in 3 months I forgot her medicine the other day we were in a hurry to get somewhere. She asked about it while I was getting the baby ready and then forgot. She started breaking out and swellling while we were school shopping. I felt so bad but also was wanting to test it to see if she had just cleared up or if the medicine was working. Good news is she has only had to take the Atarax twice since they added the Singular the day we went to the allergist and the other day when I forgot her medicine. Sorry this post is so long and thank you to anyone who made it this far. but just wanted to let you ladies know why I have seemed to be MIA and whats going on im our crazy world right now. Hopefully its getting better!

Thursday, February 7, 2013

It Feels Like Forever

It's been so long since I've posted, and things have taken a big turn. Two years ago I was only dreaming about adding another little on to our clan, now its actually happening and SHE will be here in just a matter of weeks (she's due 03/21) its coming up fast. I have been eating rather well this time around we have cut out most of the beef (the ground stuff) and have been using turkey. I actually get really bad gas from ground beef now (eww right). But things are looking up. After the baby gets here and I am cleared by the dr. I plan on starting The Couch to 5k Running Plan to get ready for Color Run in St. Louis this summer I can't wait and am extremely excited.