Wendy
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| Sat, 09-16-2006 - 7:24pm |
I called Michael. He said said for severe allergic reactions, they'll give prednisone or something similar, which is a steroid, because steroids suppress the immune response. He said they give prednisone a lot for asthma for that reason. Allergies are a misguided immune response (that's the way he explained it), meaning the immune system thinks something is harmful when it's not, and it goes into overdrive. He says steroids calm down the inflammatory response that happens because of the immune system's attack. Did that make sense? (Barely made sense to me either, LOL!!) He said Benadryl is an antihistamine, which targets the mast cells that release histamine, and doesn't suppress the immune system overall, so is not as broad spectrum.
He said because the doctor saw her, and prescribed prednisone, it must have been a fairly bad allergic reaction, and to definitely take the prednisone. That they may have been worried that it would advance into anaphylaxis, and that's why they prescribed that; or they just wanted to shut off the inflammation/allergy as quickly as possible.
As far as the nasty taste, he was totally sympathetic and felt very sorry for Molly, LOL!! He said what he uses on his pediatric patients (and sometimes adult patients too), and has actually used on our kids, is FLAVOR X. He said you can go and request it from the pharmacist. It comes in fruit and bubble gum flavors. He said maybe take her with you, and get her to pick the flavor she wants. That the pharmacist should give her little samples to see which flavor she likes best, which is what he does at work. He said then just add it to the meds to make them taste better, and they should go down more easily. He said he doesn't blame her AT ALL for hating the taste, and that he himself would gag on prednisone it's so bad!!
Good luck and we're both going to say a prayer. He said please let us know how it goes.
HTH,
Sofia


Thank you so much, Sofia and Michael! Hearing his opinion on the "yucky medicine" really helps. It is amazing - the hives are almost completely gone! I can't believe I have to give it to her for 5 days! I'm going to tho, because I'm afraid they'll come back if I don't! The side effect warnings said she could be hyper and have an increased appetite. Both of those things were true! We had friends over for a bonfire last night and she was doing laps around the house - we have 3 acres and a 2500 sq. ft. RANCH! LOL! she didn't stop running the whole time. And when she wasn't running she was eating, lol! Sheesh - will I be able to live for 5 days like this? Anyhow, thank you so much for all of the advice from Michael. It makes me feel better knowing that she probably was having a bad reaction - I just wish I knew what it was to!
Anyhow, wish me luck over the next couple of days, with Molly in overdrive!!
Hugs to you!
Wendy
You're so very welcome, Wendy! Anytime! :)
You made me LOL with her hyperactivity. Maybe she needs it to burn up the extra calories she's consuming. Poor mom!! My 5 year old son Justin is like that *without* steroids. I swear I could power the house off his energy!! LOL! I wish I had half of it, I'd be much more productive in my life. . .
Hugs (and hang in there, Mom!!),
Sofia