If you need help, you’re supposed to ask for it.
I struggle with this daily, and I’m far from unique. Too many people simply hate asking for help and more specifically, I think Americans like me have it in our natures to value self-reliance above all else. And while I’m sure a therapist—given enough of her time and my money—could dig out my particular roots for this attitude, the important point here is the way the Internet has sort of revolutionized the whole concept of assistance.
After all, the Internet lets you post an anonymous comment here or ask questions on asthma messageboards as I used to, and if you’re like me you not only maintain your privacy and guard your sense of vulnerability, but you also get a larger variety of answers than you would in your in-person life.
Which brings me to the comments section on this blog. I really like how blogs can turn into mini communities, and sometimes you may get more information or help in the comments than in the actual post. Especially on blogs like this one, where we’re all facing and fighting the same health issue, whether in our children or ourselves. So I’m hoping you guys can help a reader out.
Yesterday I was asked two questions, and I could only answer one. Here’s the first one, on saline nasal washes:
Those of you using them on little kids, how do you get them to do it?
- lpnmom
How about it, Asthma Mom readers? Got any tips for getting children to use nasal washes? AG wasn’t terribly young when she started them, so maybe some of you have some insight that I don’t.
Then, she asked this question in response to one of the Saturday Links, a bit of British research showing that antibiotics don’t seem to help sinus infections very much:
DS was dx’d with a sinus infection on Friday. I told the NP that I had read that antibiotics aren’t needed, and she looked at me like I’d grown another head. Then told me I didn’t HAVE to take the Rx, but his cough would get worse, and he’d feel bad much longer….. grr. How can I not take it when they put it like that?? I totally agree with the saline nose washes, and have been doing a smaller saline squirt with the boy for the last few days, but did start the antibiotics. How can we change the attitude of the medical staff re:antibiotics?
- lpnmon
Ah, now this one I may not have a definitive answer for, but I do have an opinion. (I always have an opinion.) In this case, I’d print out a relevant, up-to-date study to bring along to the appointment. We’ve talked a little about this subject before, especially about the importance of mutual respect in the doctor-patient relationship, but how do we press the point without damaging that relationship?
It’s weird, isn’t it? News about antibiotic overuse permeates the television and print and online media, yet if I do what these stories tell me–not rely on antibiotics for conditions that don’t respond well to them—I run the risk of doctors and nurses looking at me funny or, even worse, treating me like a neglectful parent.
Is there a way to tell the doctor, “Look. I know you’re the one who went to medical school, but in this case I know what I’m talking about and you don’t.” Only, you know, in a polite way?
Maybe the answer lies in a question instead. Maybe just asking, “Okay, I understand your point, but why then do all these articles and studies tell me antibiotics won’t help the sinus infection? Is this well-respected research wrong? And if that’s the case, how it is wrong?”
Then the focus shifts from my medical degree-less self and onto the doctor, forcing her either to accept my point or argue against a credible, solid scientific study. That might work.
In any case, I’m glad LPN Mom asked these questions, and I hope some of you have answers for her. Plus, I hope you feel free to pose questions of your own on this blog. I never have all the answers, but there’s always the chance that another reader does.
This is just my opinion, based on my experience with sinus infections growing up and later sinus surgery. When I would get a cold/virus and if after 10 days, I was getting bronchitis, terrible sinus pressure, pain in my teeth etc. I would take the 10 day antibiotics and I could notice an immediate difference than if I “waited it out” If I tried to wait it out, I usually would get worse and worse until I had to take 20 days antibiotics……..having said that, now if I feel a cold coming on, I do everything I can to prevent it from getting worse/getting a blocked sinus…….so I immediately start NEILMED sinus rinses (brand name that is very easy to use……even on kids if they will allow you) and I take extra VIT. C, take in lots of fluid (water and hot tea), and sometimes use echinacea and Grape fruit seed extract. Since taking these measures, I havent had to take antibiotics for sinus infections. But with our dd who has asthma, sinus infections/drainage really flare her asthma. So right now she is on an antibiotic and saline washes b/c she has had this sinus drainage X4 weeks. I usually try to wait at least 2 weeks to see if her body can flush it out, but just not worth her asthma flaring worse, so after about 2 weeks, if she is still coughing a lot and complaining of pressure in her sinus (even after doing rinses each evening) then we go ahead and ask for antibiotics. So far she has only been on 2 in the last yr. and none before that for 4 yrs. I hope some of this helps you! Pediatric NEILMED is fairly easy to use on kids if they will lean their heads over the sink while you gently squirt the bottle and it goes up one side of the nasal passage and out the otherside. Pediatric NEILMED comes with pediatric size salt packets and great directions for use and cleaning. Hope this helps a bit!
Now that’s a good point—where do you draw the line between being proactive about asthma in children and overusing antibiotics? Thanks for bringing this up! I have to say, now that I read your comment I’m thinking back and yeah—I’m much more likely to request antibiotics for AG b/c of her asthma than for me. She hasn’t had sinus problems in a long, long time though.
Several years ago, I had a terrible sinus infection that I let get out of a control—long story, but basically I’d never had sinus problems so didn’t even realize I had one for awhile—and drs. threw antibiotic after antibiotic at me for MONTHS. I started up the nasal washes in the last month and did them ALL day long–I have no idea what actually ended up knocking it out, but I haven’t had a problem since, either. So I think I’d probably ask for the prescription but not fill it right away.
It’s hard to make the judgment call, with drs. saying one thing, and the news saying another, for sure.
Anyway, thanks!
addendum to my earlier post
………… our dd is now on day 3 of a strong Zithromycin………..I can see 100 % change in her cough (post nasal dranage and asthma flare)………. she is also faithfully using the nasal washes with the antibiotic, so this is helping flush out the infection that was stuck in her facial sinus’s. She was so run down by so many virus’s she has had lately, that I think her body needed that extra boost to help it kill the infection. Her nasal passages were producing soooo much mucus trying to get rid of the infection, and that extra drainage was adding to her already flaring asthma……….so for our dd this time anyway, antibiotics are GLODEN. But, having said that obviously it is a case by case situation based on your own child/adult and what they have been through. Like I said it had been at least 4 – 5 weeks (it is a blurr now) of asthma flaring and using sinus washes without any improvement. And I know it isnt a coincidence in her now that she is improving 100 %. Having said that I am a true believer in trying everything else before trying antibiotics……..b/c obviously if they are overused resistance is developed………I’m just thankful our dd is finally getting better!!!! 
I’m so glad she’s feeling better—now maybe she can have a healthy few weeks for a change (even better–the whole spring and summer).
Antibiotics still work, they’re just not cure-alls. I like to leave it up to the doctors to decide when it is needed, but keep myself informed so that I can follow along with their diagnoses and ask questions when necessary. I agree with the movement towards “waiting it out” instead of soaking our immune systems in unneeded drugs. However, if you disagree with your doctor or need him/her to convince you of the diagnosis and treatment, you should certainly make some noise. I have found a great pediatrician who doesn’t like to hand out antibiotics. He takes a lot of time to assess my childrens’ symptoms to figure out if antibiotics are needed. We also have to recognize that there is a lot of comfort in taking medicine (documented placebo effect) and that is hard for people to give up.
There is a distinction to be made between calling in for more allergy pills and calling in for antibiotics. It seems dangerous that any doctor should prescribe antibiotics without an office visit no matter how well they know the patient. In BlessedMomof4’s case, she will likely spend less time in the doctor’s office because of their good relationship and the fact that she has obviously educated herself. We should all be so proactive.
I don’t have much to say about the nasal wash except that I’ve heard it is very effective in treating nasal and sinus congestion and if that is an asthma trigger, it would seem like a great way to stave off a flare. I know vocalists have extolled the benefits of snorting and gargling with salt water to keep their voices healthy. Seems like there must be something there.