I don't usually use this blog for advice, but I wanted to pass on an important piece of life I learned yesterday: Never leave your child alone after giving him/her a medicine that is new. Luckily, I didn't.
My daughter had a tonsillectomy Monday and things were going well until yesterday morning. She began vomiting and her fever spiked to 103.7. The surgeon wanted to see her immediately and we took her in. He prescribed Phenergan- an antinausea medicince to keep her from vomiting anymore-taking fluids was vital to her surgery recovery and lowering the fever.
Less than an hour after taking the med, she woke from a deep sleep with stiff limbs and a blank stare. Thank God I was in the room. Her arms and legs remained stiff. She could not respond, blink or move. She didn't recognize me-her eyes were open, but she was just looking through me. She didn't talk or answer questions. It lasted for several minutes and she fell back asleep. It scared the daylights out of me. My neighbor is a nurse and she and I googled it and found Dystonic Reaction as a side effect of Phenergan. A second episode with shaking happened a bit later and the surgeon referred us to the emergency room. The staff supervised her as the medicine wore off and they did not have to give her a reversal medicine. (I stayed calm during the episodes and reassured her, and later on was shaken by thoughts about what could have happened.)
It turns out she had the severe side affects from the medicine. The ER Dr. said to just consider her very allergic to it and permanently discontinue use. Generally, the second time your body is given something, the reaction is worse, so if I had not seen her reactions and had given another dose, who knows what would have happened. Also, I am glad I only gave her the 1 tsp. dose even though the dosage said 1 to 2 tsp. I cannot image what double the dose would have done.
Today she is doing great and recovering well-it is hard to tell it all even happened. She doesn't remember it. Lucky for her, because I remember every moment.
Something told me to stay with her, and she wanted me to be there, so we are really lucky. In the end it all worked out.
Take or leave the advice...I just wanted to pass on something I am so grateful for.
Hug somebody and have a good day!
9 comments:
HOLY COW! Thank goodness your motherly instincts told you to stay with her. I am so happy to hear Carson is feeling better. Jennifer I cannot imagine how you
were feeling throughout this and to say calm your an amazing woman.
Deanna
:-( I don't even know what to say...I simply can't imagine. Thank heavens it's over and Carson is better now!
I've been thinking a lot lately about a quote I read from Mother Teresa that you might like (if you haven't heard it already): 'I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.'
:-) Keep your chin up! We'll look forward to seeing you very soon.
What an awful experience! Thank heavens you were there with her. We're all grateful that you had the presence of mind to react as you did! So happy to know Carson is better. Love Jen's Mother Teresa's quote! Can I send you Bon Bons?
Love,
Gram
Take it or leave it? I will definitely take it!!! How scary. Gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
So unbelievably relieved to hear Carson is okay. Give her yet one more hug today (this one from your Loveland family).
We also have a neighborhood nurse we rely on. . .it's about time we made sure to tell ours how much we appreciate her advice and consul.
Jennifer- How scary! I'm glad to hear that Carson is doing better. Sounds like you did all the right things.
Holly Cornn
Jennifer -
Wow...I learned about dystonic reactions in school, but have never actually seen one. It definitely sounds quite scary. So glad your motherly instincts told you to stay with her!
Hi to Carson.
Yikes! That is so scary! I am finding that you start worrying when you are pregnant and it keeps going as they get bigger. Give Carson a big hug for me.
Tina
Jennifer, I am glad it all worked out well and that Carson doesn't remember it happening. That is all to scary to have to experience. You have great motherly instincts. She is truly blessed to have you and your neighbor nurse. Take care, Michelle
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