I have a 6 almost 7 year old that has been diagnosed with strep today. While we were in the dr, I noticed her eyes were yellow. That makes the 2nd time I have noticed them yellow. The other time was 2 weeks ago and she was sick with the stomach bug, but they cleared up the next day. The dr said it was nothing to be concerned about right now but if it didn't clear up then she wanted to do a liver panel (blood work). I am a type of person that is a worry wart and if there could be a problem then I want to know if it is really a problem. I have my mom that is telling me to do it anyways to clear my head and then I have my mother-in-law (registered nurse) telling me to see if it clears up with a couple of days of antibiotics. My heart is telling me to do both. I can't wait for a couple of days though. I want to know if there is something wrong. PLEASE help me with your input as if this was your child....What would you do???
Thanks
Wow...thanks for all your responses. I did go ahead and call the dr again and tell her that I didn't feel comfortable just waiting. She said I don't blame you and I will fill out the paper for the blood work. I said Im on my way and got the blood work done on her. She was traumatized but at least I can get information on what's going on if there is anything at all. Now maybe I can sleep now but I will be anxious to know results come Wednesday or maybe tomorrow. I love the dr I have here in Canon. She is awesome. We only have lived here 8 months and I have developed a great relationship with her. I have 4 kids under 6 so we are ALWAYS going to see her for something. Let's just say 2008 has been very very busy with dr's and er visits.
I would get the blood panel done. Keep her on the antibiotic because she needs to get rid of the strep but the yellow eyes indicate something is going on with the liver.
C. B
Follow your gut, always, even if you are a worry wart, moms just sometimes need reassurance. Now make sure your insurance will cover it if the Dr doesn't think it necessary, make sure your Dr knows you want it checked as a precaution as it could be serious. It may be nothing, but when it comes to our kids, there is NOTHING wrong with going ahead and having it checked out, I cherish the times it is nothing and don't ever feel stupid for investigating further.
My mother in law gave the best advice ever. I was worried over something much more simple than you even. She said you and your hubby are your childs only defense. Do what ever you need to do to feel better and make sure your son is okay. Youre the mom, trust your instincts.
God bless!
I would do the test. Better safe than sorry and I wouldn't sleep...
Do the Blood work then you will know for sure what is what. ultimatly you are more aware of what is going on with your child than the doc is so ask for the blood work and then you will know if you need to worry or not.
I always say follow your heart - if you are still undecided.. Then perhaps wait 24 hours if they still look the same then take em in.. I would keep a close eye during that 24 hours and if you see anything alarming then take him in.
That is just my thoughts.. I know how frustrating that can be though..
Blessings,
C.
www.AHomeCareer.com
I would definitely go ahead and have the bloodwork done, if nothing else for your peace of mind. Your child will be on antibiotics anyway, so it won't make much difference on that score. You'll feel better just knowing! My kids are older than yours, and I will still choose to 'rule out' things in certain situations for peace of mind. I'm not obsessive about it and I certainly don't sit around thinking of things to have my kids tested for- and neither are you. You have a legitimate, concerning symptom, and your Mom instincts are kicking in. You really have nothing to lose, and hopefully the results will be just fine and you can move on minus the worry! Good luck to you!
I agree with the other moms. Get the blood work done and don't take no for an answer. Had I been more aggressive with my daughter condition and had asked for more tests to be done, we would have found her life threatening illness 2 months sooner. The Childrens Hospital is a good hospital, well, we've had good experiences there. Good luck.
I would request the bloodwork as well as a urinalysis to check bilirubin levels in the urine. As an aside, I find it interesting that you notice the jaundice/icterus when your daughter's immune system is being challenged with an illness. Is it possible the jaundice/icterus is a symptom of an autoimmune disorder? That would be a question I would ask.
Bottom line---you know your daughter better than anyone else and if you don't feel right about what you have been told get a 2nd opinion. You are not doing anything wrong by doing this, as some people think, and any doctor that isn't understanding of this kind of request is suspicious to me. I would be thinking that if my instincts told me something was wrong but the doctor told me it was nothing to immediately worry about then how would I feel if I found out later that my daughter would have had the benefit of an earlier diagnosis if I had only handled the situation differently? Also, if it is nothing to worry about, as the doctor says, but you are still concerned than I would also say that the doctor has not done his/her part in explaining why your daughter's eyes are yellow. If your doctor can't communicate what's going on and you can't understand it then maybe it's time to find another doctor. It doesn't mean you don't have a good doctor but rather it's just not a good fit---just like any other relationship there has to be good communication in order for it to be successful.
I noticed you live in Canon City---a nice "little" town. Some very good doctors land in small towns and provide very good care if they keep up on their skills, if they aren't too young and inexperienced and not too old and out of date on their medicine. However, I have heard the scenario too many times that if the small town doctor would have sent a patient to referral hospital in the beginning, the condition wouldn't be so screwed up. Just a thought but a trip to one of the highly rated pediatric hospitals in the nation is only a drive to Denver and The Children's Hospital.
Please keep us updated.
Best wishes.
