LENGTHY ILLNESS
Dear Dr.Bear,
I have a 4 yrs and 11 mos old little girl and she is suffering from bacterial pneumonia for over a month. When it started, I thought it was just a common cold. Then, after only couple days, her fever went up to 103 during night time. She couldn't have any sleep. She was having chill, vomiting, coughing, sweat and high fever. When she was having chill, she turned to blue and it scared me so much. When I called her Dr. in the morning (it was Sat), Dr. suggested me to give her enough fluid and it should be common cold. And, it could last couple more days. So, I gave her Tylenol and other medicine for her cough. But, she started having severe abdominal pain several times during day time. She didn't let any one touch her while she was having that pain and she was twisting her body.
I called her Dr. on Monday morning and he suggested to give her Tylenol for couple more days. But, she was continuously having high fever and became so sick (telling meher right side chest bone was hurting), I took her to Dr. Her Dr. said that she was having cold and gastroenteritis - I already told him that she was having pain on her chest bone). Dr. just suggested me to give her more Tylenol and watch her for couple more days. But, from that day, her fever even went over 104 and she was having illusions. That made me so frightened. She was keep vomiting even juice and she became so dehydrated. I decided to take her to ER instead of taking her back to her Dr. and they found out that my daughter had pneumonia. I was so surprised and it scared heck out of me! They showed me her X-Ray and her right lung was about half way cloudy. Hospital gave her Ivy and injected some Anti-biotic through Ivy. Dr. was about to suggested me to admit her, but I was able to bring her home with 5 days worth Anti-biotic since she stopped vomiting once she got some Ivy in hospital. I was pretty upset that my daughter's Dr. wasn't able to find out that she had pneumonia. Her Dr. told me that he only suggested all that bec I didn't have insurance to cover medical bills! I am a single Mom, divorced last yr, gave up everything (house & bank accnt) for child custody. Since then, I was having Medical Assistance but they stopped it due to my raise. I earn $30k/annual, no benefit, but it wasn't good reason for let my child to suffer like that!
Since my baby's first visit to ER, I had to take her two more times due to her severe pain and hospital helped me to apply for MCHIP. Now, I am waiting on approval for Premium MCHIP program which will charge me $46 premium. It seems it was approve and I am just waiting on their letter and card.
My child took Anti-biotic for 10 days and she seems she got better but she was having severe muscle ache for a while, so I was giving her Motrin for over two wks for her pain per ER Dr's order. Now, her cough is back and Dr. said she still has Pneumonia. Per ER DR., it should only last for 1 or 2 wks. But, it's been over a month since her first symptom started and now she is taking different type of Anti-biotic.
Can you advise me if this is normal or she needs to be taken to some specialist? I am very worried if this would create any permanent damage to her.... I am also looking for a good pediatric who would not let this happen, again.
Your advise will be gratefully appreciated and thanks for your time.
Sincerely,
Alarmed
Dear Alarmed,
this type of course is not uncommon. It is good that you went to the ER for care. If you feel that your doctor is not helping , you could ask to see someone else. Money should not be a barrier to getting the correct medical care. You should take her back often enuf to get to the bottom of the problem.
In general, you should try to keep her away from germs, away from smokers, fireplaces and wood stoves to keep the air as clear as possible as she recovers from her underlying problem.
when you go back to see your doctor make sure there is no sign of asthma as an underlying problem. there are other tests that they can do , as well as give certain vaccines to protect against other types of pneumonia.
I am happy you were able to apply for the MCHIP program.. it will give you peace of mind as you continue to give her the care she needs.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bear
