It's not a word anyone likes to use, but yes, Ella has herpes. It's technically Herpes simplex 1. This started last Wednesday morning with a sore neck (throat) and fever or 102. We went to the doctor, he ruled it a virus and sent us on our way.
Friday: fever or 104, we learn we've been exposed to mono, she's complaining that her teeth hurt, we go back to the doctor, they do a mono test, urine test for a bladder infection, rule it a virus again and send us on our way.
Saturday: more complaints that her teeth hurt and we can see a cold sore by her lower molar, so we start using Chloraseptic and Ora-jel as the doc recommended to help ease the pain. We continue Motrin and Tylenol every 4 hours to keep the fever down.
Sunday: I'm not kidding in you Ella's mouth smelled worse than her butt! Her gums were so swollen you could barely tell she had teeth at all, and her gums were bleeding because the teeth were cutting into them. She had stopped eating, drinking, etc... She begged for food, we just couldn't get her to eat once we made it, because it hurt SOOOO bad. Mommy gets on the Internet knowing this is not right and child should not be in this much agony. Since Friday night, Ella has not slept for more than 2 hours straight. She wakes up (sort of) screaming for the spray and swabs on her gums, but this numbing only lasts temporarily. Mommy also calls the nurse at Children's hospital who tell us to have her rinse her mouth with Maalox or Mylanta, since it has a numbing agent, who knew!?
Monday: Mommy drops Alex at Laura's house and head's to Urgent Care at Children's hospital to find someone who won't think she's a crazy lady with a virus that insists her child is in agony!!! Everyone takes a look at her smile and almost cries. It's ugly and she's miserable. She's now lost 4 pounds in 5 days which is a lot when you only weigh 30 lbs. to start with! The doctor takes a look and I throw in "I know I'm not a doctor, but I tried to find some help on the Internet, could she have herpes?" Da da da da!!!!! DING, DING, DING! "Yes, that's exactly what I think she has!" I love this doctor! I am NOT CRAZY! MY CHILD IS IN PAIN, PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND HELP HER! The doctor indicates this does happen to a few kids when they're exposed to the herpes virus for the first time. Most of us would just get a cold sore, Ella now has hundreds of these ulcers covering her tongue, gums, cheeks, tonsils and throat. She is miserable and the doctor indicates she will need narcotics to make it through the next 7-10 days! My POOOOOR baby! They use the magic mouthwash with is the Mylanta the nurse mentioned mixed with Benadryl to help soothe and calm her inflamed gums.
Tuesday & Wednesday: We now do the magic mouthwash rinse 6 times a day and Ella actually looks forward to it, because it helps her mouth not to hurt. We also have Tylenol with Codeine. We've been using that mainly at bedtime, although yesterday she got really upset and mean about half way through the day and she asked for the mouthwash. I checked and her gums were bleeding again, so we used it during the day as well. They gave us enough to give it to her around the clock and said not to be afraid to use it to keep her comfortable, so that's what we're doing. She's been sleeping through the night and is eating soft foods in small amounts if we give her the mouthwash first, we've done Spaghetti O's and popsicles and a banana.
Lesson learned: NEVER let any doctor make you feel like you're overestimating or exaggerating what's happening to your child. I knew she was in pain and something wasn't right with the teeth and gums. I could and should have taken her in over the weekend and gotten her some relief instead of waiting until Monday, but I was afraid to be labeled as that crazy lady with the virus, who just won't give up. I'll never give up when it comes to my kid, so back off! I've got a degree in journalism and I'm not afraid to use it! You haven't seen pushy until you push me!
In the meantime, we're tolerating the stinky breath and hoping the gums will heal back up soon. (the photo is pre-herpes, just a sweet shot of her smile!)
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2 comments:
Sounds like hand, foot and mouth disease that kids get all the time in daycare..they get those sores all over. really bad and painful..........ahh the magic mouth wash. so much fun. :)
tracy
Never let ANY doctor make you feel as if you're overestimating or exaggerating, even when it comes to yourself. Adults are intimidated by that big, flashing, neon M.D. over their heads. They are human, and not God, though some would love to believe they are just so. They're not infallible. One doctor's say is not the final word on the subject. Good for you for doing your research. Most older doctors tend to detest the Internet (whether they admit it), because it provides us simple folk with information that might contradict them. But, do it. You were born with instincts for a reason. Contradict if you don't believe what they're telling you is in you, or your child's, or husband's, or other loved one's best interest. There are more doctors available for consulting than there are irreplaceable people in your life. Good luck, and we're thinking of you and your family. You'll get through all of this. Take care. Victoria
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