Its Allergies...RANT!

[Lady's Human]

Just FYI, we had many problems with MJ with ear/sinus infections.

The cause? Allergies. We found a mad that worked, no more infections.

I fail to understand what the problem with the allergy diagnosis is, it happens, and can happen at any time to anyone at any age.

[joycenalex]

when was the last time you changed your furnance filter and cleaned the air ducts? i was appaled at how much crud/fur/and who knows what was attached to the interior walls of the ducts.

[Cataholic]

ACK!!!

Folks, if it IS allergies, it is 'okay'. BUT, I want to first make sure that there isn't an untreated sinus infection (like last year). I don't think 1 week of itchy eyes (though Jonah doesn't say they itch, he says they are watery/wet), makes an allergy. I have not meant to offend any single person that suffers from allergies. Really, it is not a big deal. BUT, to have a doctor tell me, "well, he is just an allergy child" (or something along those lines) inspite of no symptoms to speak of, seems a bit off. It IS a dx used when nothing else matches up.

I do not want Jonah on allergy medication if he doesn't have allergies. Surely, that makes some sense? To begin an allergy medication on top of a second course of antibiotics (which, btw, I didn't ask/seek, it was plain to the md that there is a sinus infection running rampant in Jonah's nose, hence the comment, "your face is a mess"), rules out the ability to ascertain (short of allergy testing) what the problem is.

If things don't clear up, I will have Jonan allergy tested. I swear.

On the filter thingy, I do switch it regularly, but, my furnace is old, the filters are cheap, and I am not sure how effective it is. I could always improve my dusting/vacuuming, too. And, wash in hot water.

[jennielynn1970]

Wanted to mention one thing, since you said he got sick over the holidays. One thing I have found is that with me, or with kids or adults I work with at school, we'll be ok as we're running around, high on adrenaline, at work/school, but when we get to vacation times, we end up getting sick. My doctor said it was because we kind of let our defenses down in our bodies. We relax and we are more prone to getting sick/infections. Something about the immune system isn't on overdrive like it had been at work/school.

Since I've been out on sabbatical, and not dealing with kids and all that, I've been pretty good in the health department. Sinus/allergy issues, yet, but no flu symptoms or anything that my friends at school are dealing with.

I know we all talk about hand washing and all that, but the number of them that actually do it (adults included) is very low. There's a bathroom that the staff at my school uses right in my office, and I'm telling ya, we don't go through very much soap (we buy it ourselves because the school doesn't furnish it). I know the kids always say the soap is out in the student bathrooms as well. They cut budgets way back, and they cut back on the basic necessities.

honestly, it sounds OCD, but have Jonah take a spritzer of hand sanitizer with him to daycare. Ask if it's ok first, and make sure he knows it's only for when he's been playing with others who don't wash hands, or have runny noses. Those toys in schools and day cares are GROSS!!!! I'll bet they're not washed and sanitized anywhere near the amount they should be.

[Cataholic]

OMG,Jenn the L, we are pretty hand sanitzer'ish, and I can just see it now, Jonah with a pocket sized hand sanitizer!! They wash hands as soon as they come into the classroom, and I asked him if they washed up before snack time and he told me no. Ugh. When we went to Chuck E. Cheese yesterday (gross), I had a sanitizer in my pocket and used it on him before he ate. The BR there was disgusting, and washing at the sink had some pitfalls...no stool for him, water on the floor, the counter. It was gross. I saw some little girl in the climb thingy sucking on her fingers, which she then put on the floor. So, so gross. They have said the are studies that have found fecal matter in those things.

I think last year's sinus thing was directly related to his adnoids/tonsils- he was worn down, and caught a cold. I remember that he was sick on Thanksgiving Day, and by mid December, he wasn't any better and in we went for the sinus infection.

It is hard when they are so little, and can't remember to not put their hands in their mouths/eyes. I do kind of go spastic at him when I see him put his hand to his mouth when we are out and about (not that my house is germ free by any standard).

He is coughing less this am, and his nose isn't as packed as it has been.

Again, I thank everyone for their opinions/advice/suggestions/well wishes. No matter what it is, it is nothing serious, and I am very cognizant of how blessed I am to complain or rant over either a sinus infection, an allergy, a cold, and appropriate medical care. If I made it seem like a bigger deal than it should be, I apologize!

[moosmom]

Welcome to motherhood!!!