Archive through March 07, 2003
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TV ClubHouse: Archive: 2003 April: Late Nite Social Club (ARCHIVES): Archive through March 07, 2003

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ooh, now you're on to something there with the command center, Tex - I haven't seen the lists yet, but I'll have them memorized immediately. Yes, he's been running a low fever for a couple of days, and when he woke up blistering hot this morning I made him go to the doctor (his fever had been breaking overnight - this time it didn't). He's a good patient, though - he's done everything I asked him to all week, including taking eccenachia and goldenseal, drinking alot of water, getting a good night's sleep, etc. We thought it was a cold, but I told him 3 days with a fever and it was off to the doctor's. And he did it. So I've got that going for me. Otherwise, patience patience. Thanks again - I think I'll make him some homemade potato soup tonight, and we'll wing it from there.

Texannie

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:19 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
He sounds like my little girl! LOL Good luck, lots of patience to you.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:21 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I just don't understand this stuff, Tex - when I'm sick, I want nothing more than to be left alone even if it means I have to crawl on my hands and knees to the kitchen to feed myself. Oh, well. It's a learning curve here.

Meme9

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:24 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
GAL, my hubby love to be pampered when he is sick. Just do everything he ask, and check often just so he knows you care. You'll do fine I'm sure. Then when you notice he has been feeling better for a few days slowly back off, or you may be doing this for a long time.

Texannie

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
LOL..I am that way too and fortunately so are my husband and son. My poor little girl REALLY wants to be catered to and I tend to forget that she needs the hovering!
You can do it. There are lots of ways to make him feel pampered without really spending tons of time doing it! ;) Set up the command center, have all his drinks near by so he won't have to get up (maybe even a little ice bucket or cooler with stuff in it), and then call him periodically on the phone.

Meme9

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I'm like you when I'm sick, just shut the door and leave me alone...much better that way.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:30 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Do alcohol baths help bring down fever? I've been cooling his face and neck with alcohol-soaked washcloths for the past couple of days, and it seems to make him feel a bit better but if it's something that really works, I'm going to go after his chest and back tonight - he was really blazing this morning even after taking aspirin.

Texannie

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:33 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
How high is his temp? Temps aren't necessarily a bad thing..nature's way of fighting off the bug. Is he horribly uncomfortable when it gets high? I think a wash clothe would be best, I had heard mixed reactions to alcohol baths.

Meme9

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:34 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yep, alcohol baths work great. Oh when the stuff in his chest starts breaking up...pounding on his back will help him bring it up.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:35 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Ya, Tex, he feels it in his eyes (?) and it makes him crazy. Maybe I'll throw him in a tub of ice water. Bet he thinks twice about asking to be pampered again (LOL). Just kidding.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:37 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh, thanks Meme - I was wondering about that, too. They've given him an inhaler right off the bat (he's missing 1/2 a lung, so they're not messing around with him on this) so I expect we've got some hard nights ahead of us getting that crap out of his lungs. I'll start pounding on him tonight just to get a head start.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:42 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks much for your help, Tex and Meme - off to the races.

Draheid

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 03:58 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
GAL: Sorry I'm late to this but I have an idea we use with our son when he's running a fever: Crushed Ice!!! Lots of crushed ice both a glass/cup by itself and with liquids such as water or juice - mostly it's a good way to get more liquids in him and gives him something to 'chew' just to pass the time. Plus, the temp of the ice can help cool him a little.

Just another thought. Best of luck to you and him on a speedy recovery! {{{Goddessatlaw}}}

Karuuna

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 04:19 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
GAL, the best meds to bring down a fever (per my pediatrician and Dr. Mom) are motrin and tylenol given at alternate times. So you give the tylenol, and 3 hours later you give the motrin. Then tylenol three hours later, etc. My son used to run frighteningly high fevers when he was a little fella (about 104-105), and this was the only method that brought them to a reasonable range, and made him comfortable.

Texannie

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 04:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Yep, my peed says the same thing about the tyelnol/motrin.
Forgot about the pounding of the chest.

Scootersmom

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 04:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
GAL, don't think I can add much to what everyone has come up with. Just wanted you to know I hope MM starts feeling better real soon. Good luck to you.

Jmm

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 04:38 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Goddess, You've gotten lots of great advice on what to do for MM. The only things I could think of are:

1. Keep him hydrated - lots of liquids with the exception of colas. Nothing with caffeine, it is a diuretic (iced tea is not too bad) and will make dehydration worse. Dairy is also not a great idea, it thickens the mucus of the throat and makes things worse. Outside of that anything to eat or drink is fine. If he doesn't want to eat that's not a problem just so he gets the liquids.

2. If he is coughing on his own and is able to bring up mucus, then it's not necessary to "beat" the poor man lol. But if he's not then definitely turn him on his side and use sharp but not too hard raps on his back in the area of the lungs. Do this for 5-10 minutes about every 3 hours.

3. Do not let him lay in one position for more than a couple of hours. This can allow the congestion to build up in one area and make things worse.

4. The only problem with the alcohol baths is that it may dry his skin. It works by evaporating quickly and helping to cool the skin (essentially like what sweating does) and helps bring the heat out of the body. However a soak in a tepid (read about room temperature) tub will give the same results without drying the skin.

Now for some questions:

1. Did the Dr. give him any meds? What kind?

2. Were there any special concerns voiced because of his previous lung problems?

Well if you have any more questions that I can help with just give a shout.

Jackie

Squaredsc

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 05:00 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
gal you've gotten some great advice, but i want to add gatorade to the mix. my son's doc and mine and dh's have all said to drink plenty of gatorade or other sports drinks. it does something to electrolytes. so, command center, fluids(with gatorade), tylenol and motrin but only if it doesn't interfere with any prescriptions the doc gave him, make sure the remote and phone and some good books are within reach. my dh and son become babies when they are sick. good luck and i hope mm will feel better soon.

Meme9

Thursday, March 06, 2003 - 07:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Your welcome GAL. Take care of yourself and MM!
MM get well soon!

Goddessatlaw

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 04:53 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Everyone, thanks so much for the advice. It's really going to help me help him. I wasn't able to keep him home from work this morning, but I'm hoping he comes home early afternoon. I do have a question, though - he has been given an antibiotic, codeine cough syrup, an inhaler and a pill he's to take "as needed" for coughing and congestion during the day. He's not sleeping well at all and is physically exhausted on top of being sick. I wouldn't let him take Nyquil last night because it wasn't clear whether he could mix that with his regular meds - but it's the only thing that's going to knock him out sufficiently to get any sleep, apparently. He's really not coughing very much, though when he does it's that deep-racking cough. Is it generally kosher to use a cold medicine like Nyquil when you're taking antibiotics for pneumonia? The man seriously needs to be knocked out for about 12 hours, and I don't see it happening under current conditions.

Ddr1135

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:13 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Goddess, don't let him take Nyquil with the other medications. The cough syrup w/codeine doesn't knock him out? That always works for me. The pill is probably a decongestant so it may a good idea for him to take it. As for sleeping, he may want to try sleeping in the lazy boy. That might help with his breathing. The breathing treatments should be done religiously, that will break up the mess in his lungs. Make take a few treatments for it to start working though. Good Luck!

Goddessatlaw

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 05:32 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Hi Ddr - nope, the codeine syrup didn't knock him out at all. At one point I was considering hitting him across the back of the head with a board just so he could put 60 minutes of sleep together in one stretch. What's worse, I can hear the infection squealing and bubbling in his lungs without even putting my ear to his chest (maybe that's normal with what he's got - I don't know from pneumonia). It's kind of creeping me out. If he doesn't start coughing up some of that junk by tomorrow night, I'm taking him back to the doctor. I know I'm hyperreacting, but better safe than sorry.

Squaredsc

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 07:45 am EditMoveDeleteIP
gal, the coedine should have knocked him out. is he taking the correct dosage? definately don't give him the nyquil we don't want to put him in a coma. but make sure he is taking all of his meds at the right times too. if he doesn't sleep well today, call the dr tonight or tomorrow. good luck.

Wargod

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 08:11 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Gal, what type of meds is the inhaler? Most of them are steroids, and I know for a fact that when has to hers..and use it alot, she won't be going to sleep anytime soon. It makes them hyper..though I'm guessing MM isn't running through the house or bouncing off walls, but that is the effect of children. When Dakota's having a bad asthma day, or sick and needing the inhaler on a regular basis, we make sure that the last dose is an hour or two before bed...that way theres a fighting chance of her getting some sleep.

Ddr and Square are also right. Sleeping propped up is the best way to sleep with pnuemonia. Either with alot of pillows or in a recliner, it does help. If he doesn't sleep well today or tonight, definitely call the doctor...he might tell you its nothing to worry about, but he might also be able to give you some more tips.

Hope MM feels better soon, pnuemonia is a pain in the...well chest. Keep getting as many liquids down him as possible, because he needs to stay hydrated.

Grooch

Friday, March 07, 2003 - 08:29 am EditMoveDeleteIP
GAL, here's a thought and you need to figure out what is best, if it does apply to you.

Since it is winter and cold up where you are, do you think he needs a humidifier in the room to help with his breathing?

I know central heat sucks out all the moisture from the room, and when my niece had croup years ago, we took her in the bathroom and steamed up the room to make her breath easier.

I am not sure if this applies to pneumonia.