Tuesday, February 14

Hmmm, a lot to consider.

Well, I'm still digesting today's visit. We won't be going back to this doctor, that's for sure.

In the meantime, she prescribed colloidial silver for Emily. I've been doing legwork on it all afternoon, and am still not 100% certain how best to proceed. For any of you who *have* used colloidial silver, I would like to hear your experiences, input, and recommendations. This isn't something we've used before.

It might well be RSV that she has. That was, unfortunately, my thought yesterday. The doctor suspected as much, as well. A lady from church arrived at the baby shower on Wednesday after spending the day caring for her two grandsons who've been laid up with RSV, so it's quite possible that she contracted it then. Ah, okay. It's treatable. We'll take it step-by-step, day-by-day.

I've got to find my almond oil tonight and do a eucalyptus rub on Miss Em. That'll help her sinuses, at least. She's nursing happily, and I'm going to see if I can get her to increase her feedings - it can't hurt in the meantime.

There's some digesting to do, like I said. I'll blog more later, when I've thought out my words better.

Kiss those babies!
~Dy

16 comments:

hornblower said...

My opinion about colloidal silver is not positive - esp. for an infant.
I'd keep her upright as much as possible (you might need to sleep just gently reclined, with her lying on top of you), continue with the chest massages as you're already doing, and nurse her constantly. Remember you've been exposed to whatever virus or bacterium she's battling & your body is already making the antibodies required for her to fight this. The more she nurses, the more of these antibodies she'll get. Ideally, I'd say she should be feeding at least every 2h around the clock. Keep yourself well hydrated & get lots of rest so this doesn't get you next.
(did'ya know Hornblower is an IBCLC?)

Melora said...

Sorry the doctor's office was unsatisfactory. I don't know anything about colloidial silver. I'm glad Emily is nursing happily -- I find a good appetite very cheering in a sick child. You and Emily are in my prayers.
Cordially,
Melora

Stephanie Ozenne said...

When I googled "colloidal silver" the first link that came up was quack watch. http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/PhonyAds/silverad.html
NIH also has an info page about colloidal silver, and it's not complimentary: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/alerts/silver/index.htm

Especially since you weren't comfortable with this doctor, I'd get another opinion before giving that to sweet little Emily. From what I've read, it's not harmful in small amounts. I'd still get another opinion, though.

Jules said...

Oh poor Emily! And poor Dy! I am sorry to hear the doc thinks it's RSV. That can be scary stuff.

I will keep you all in my prayers!

melissa said...

Thought about you gouys today, and said a prayer. I'll be praying for Em......and mom.

Emily said...

Oh Dy, I am sorry Little Em is so sick. Q was diagnosed with RSV when he was about 6 weeks old. He was our first and we were so green, but we learned so much.
I will shoot you an email with the tricks and tips we have gathered through the process.

~Em

Dy said...

Thanks for the prayers, guys.

Hornblower - I didn't know you are an IBCLC! That's awesome! And thank you for the tips. I have been sleeping reclined w/ her lying on me - it's the easiest way for her to nurse. Will try to get her to nurse every two hours - should I wake her if she's sleeping and try to get her to latch on, as well?

Stephanie - LOL! I did the same thing (don't you love Google?) I thought I'd ask for input anyway, though, as I'm not a big fan of the FDA and don't trust the gov't to approve many things that are good. While they DO approve a great many things that are downright detrimental. *sigh* It's hard to find good information. But I'm w/ you on feeling hesitant to give it to an infant.

Em - anxiously awaiting your tips and tricks! This is the first time we've encountered this. Weeee!

Dy, off to kiss my baby a little more - I love the healing power of touch. :-)

H said...

Awww, poor thing!

The daughter of a good friend of mine caught RSV when she was 4 weeks old. It was very scary. My friend says to keep treating the symptoms.

LOTS of nursing (don't worry about keeping up with your schedule), hang out in the steamy bathroom occasionally, sleep upright, and lots of suction.

Poor little girl. You're all in my prayers!

Hillary

Bethany said...

I hope all three get better soon.

Bethany

Janet said...

I'll pray Dy.

Stephanie Ozenne said...

Dy -- I just remembered what I like to do when looking for a second opinion to NIH on medical stuff. I search the Canadian and UK governmental health sites. It gives you a nice second opinion, and often things are at least a little different. It's nice to see what the accepted medical opinion is in other parts of the world. Which of course, is not the "ultimate answer of medicine" or anything, but at least it's something.

pilgrimama said...

Tried homeopathy yet? In conjunction with Hornblower's advice perhaps? I've had so many good results with homeopathy-maybe worth a shot? But then my SIL is skilled with diagnosis! I've tried Colloidal Silver-guess it's a bit dubious as to helpfulness.Best wishes. Marcella

hornblower said...

Dy - about waking her up. That's so tough because on one hand she's sick & she needs rest but, because she needs the antibodies & fluids too, the answer is yes. The trick may be to encourage hanging out at the breast when she's partly asleep. If she stirs or just moves a bit when she's in your arms, that might be a signal that she's coming to a lighter phase of sleep, when latching is more likely to be a success. A deeply asleep baby will often just not latch at all. So you need to watch for signs of a lighter sleep, which is often a bit of movement; babies usually cycle through their sleep phases way faster than adults (which is why they wake at night). If you do successfuly latch on, try kind of hand-expressing some milk into her mouth; usually when babies taste milk in their mouths they'll automatically swallow and go for more. As you know her tummy is still very small so even a couple mouthfuls make a diff. The urgency of this advice depends on how ill she is & what the diaper count is looking like. hugs-

The Queen said...

Oh, hon. I'm no help here--I'm pretty mainstream when it comes to medicine. I wouldn't feed an infant colloidal silver. Well, I wouldn't feed a big kid colloidal silver, either. I don't know. Chris has a good friend here whose baby just got out of the hospital after 10 days due to RSV, so I'm worried for you--but I know you know when it's time to worry, and maybe it's just a cold. I like Hornblower's advice. In the meantime I'll just pray.

Thom said...

You guys are in my prayers!!

Stephanie not in TX said...

No advice, but boy, will I keep you and Miss Em in my thoughts. I'm so sorry y'all have to be going through this.

I've never taken colloidal silver myself - the whole idea of potentially turning a different color always stopped me.