Reaction to Antibiotics

I wanted to mention the Cold Socks treatment which works great on ear infections! Go here http://www.liferesearchuniversal.com/ear.html and scroll down.

I also recommend drastically cutting back on dairy and having Cranial Osteopathy or CranioSacral therapy done. That's what worked for my kids!

Good luck!

very common. my kids and I do the same thing! just keep up with the meds until they are gone and he will be back to himself soon!
ps try doing Tylenol and Motrin.... alternate not at the same time!

Dear S.,

I have a hard time with Zithromax too. It makes me very sick to my stomach and makes me feel weak and nauseated. I have to take something to coat my stomach with it in order to get over the sick feeling. Your son's reaction may be how he handles the side effects. I agree with the lady who said to research the two meds you've seen his different behavior while taking, and find the common denominator. That's a good idea.

My best to you and your sweet boy,
D.

Sounds as if you're quite 'in tune' with your child, which is as it should be. Although a Dr. says it's 'unusual' for such a reaction, s/he doesn't know YOUR child like you do. I'd stop the antibiotic and see if the behavior changes back to 'normal' again, as that should 'nail it' if it IS the culprit. If the 'cure' is worse than the 'cause', it's not worth putting him (and yourself) through misery just to finish up the course of antibiotics. Just think, 100 years ago no one took antibiotics every time they got a chest cold, ear infection or sore throat (and they usually lived)! Just use some Tylenol to help keep him comfortable, and hopefully he's not one to have recurring infections!

It is probably NOT the antibiotics that is causing his behavior...it's the ear pain. An earache pain comes and goes at all hours. I would ask the MD for some drops for the ear to numb the pain and that might help.

Hi, S.

My son, (now 21) was found to be allergic to sulphur based drugs when he was 2 1/2. He had a bad reaction to Cechlor sp? It made him lethargic and delusional.
Research the drugs your son has been put on and find the common denominator, more than likely that's your culprit. Once found, tell his dr. and keep him away from any and all meds containing it,
Good luck,
B.

Very unlikely to be a reaction to the antibiotics. When you have an ear infection it hurts and most people don't understand how bad it can hurt. The pressure and the sounds can make the sweetest person or child become unreal. I have been a long time suffer of ear infections and my oldest daughter had them. My youngest has been lucky to escape this problem. Have you tried allergy meds during to the Fall to help? That is one thing that has seemed to help curve the onset of ear infections.

It is possible to be allergic to antibiotics but it's kind of likely to be alelrgic to more than one class/family.

Your son's issue is most likely NOT an ALLERGY, per se. But he could be sensitive. I am not allergic to Penicillin but it makes me vomit, so I can't take it. But I've taken Amoxicillin more times than I can count over the years. I have to eat before I take Zithromax or it causes a lot of stomach issues (cramping, rolling, and nausea). My 8yr old also has to eat first. I pretty much eat or have him eat before dispensing ANY medication (even tylenol!) unless the medication instructions explicitly state it shouldnt be taken with food. Maybe this could be your child's problem - and he doesnt have the verbal skills to say he's nauseous or his stomach is cramping.

This is a sensitivity, not an allergy, as allergic reactions are a bit more serious. I am allergic to Sulfa medications. How do I know? The first time I was given it as a child I went into shock and nearly died. (I was never given it again).

I suggest following the other mom's advice and find out what the common denominator between the two medications is. Talk to your doctor to see if s/he has any suggestions on other medication, and if s/he thinks the two reactions to the two drugs could be related.

Is he on anything besides the antibiotic? Steroids (prednisone, methyl-predisolone) cause this type of reaction in me. I am not manic depressive / bipolar but when I take steroids they make me feel like i'm losing my mind. You described exactly how I feel when I'm on them.

Both of my kids have negative reactions to Zithromax and I also got tired of giving them antibiotics - it seemed like they were always getting ear infections so I started asking specialists what all my alternatives were and found Garlic Ear Oil. I put that in their ears once a week and haven't had an ear infection since! The brand I use is Herbs for Kids...
http://herbsforkids.com/product.asp?productid=380

I would recommend checking out information regarding PH balance which can be found ____@____.com Sounds like the medicine is making him overly acidic and this can lead to many disorders. Our bodies are made to be alkaline and when we take medications or eat the wrong kinds of food, our bodies respond in negative ways. As soon as he has finished his round of antibotics, you may want to start him on probiotics. (found in health food stores or online)I hope this helps and I will be praying for you and your son.

L. S

It would be odd to have a reaction to zithromax. I think he just does not feel well. Are you giving him alternating motrin/tylenol every four hours? You could try and see if it helps. I also would not stop the antibiotics because the infection can come back worse than before the z-pack is only for 5 days anyway.

My children reacted like that when they had ear infections. Have you ever had an ear infection? They hurt. Ear infections made my kids irritable and fussy for a couple of days before the medicine kicked in and they felt better.

My son is allergic to penicillin. It made him break out in a rash and hives and it made him swell everywhere including his throat. I think if it was an allergic reaction you would have other symptoms too.

If you are worried call your pediatrican and ask questions.

If his reaction is only when he has an ear infection, it might be the ear infection causing the behaviors. My children rarely have ear infections but, when they do, they seem to be more sensitive to everything. Do you have numbing drops for his ears? The pain might be severe enough to cause a bad headache or jaw ache and this can throw off any one's behaviors. I usually give my children ibuprofen or tylenol when they have ear infections and this helps subside some of the pain and the behaviors.
Also, when I had a terrible ear infection a few years ago, the air pressure caused a lot of pain and popping in my ears. I was in bed for days then had some hearing loss while my ears healed. If his ear infection is severe, be aware that you might need to change around your schedule to allow him some peace and quiet so he can cope with the pain.
Good luck because it is always difficult to watch your children in pain.

Zithromax tastes like fingernail polish. An urgent care doctor prescribed this to my 3 year old on a Sunday morning for an ear infection. Monday he was broken-out in a terrible rash. Of course I called his regular pediatrician and she was surprised that he was given zithromax because of it's bad taste. She wasn't sure about the rash but I know it's got to be related. As for the behavior, my son acts like that a lot. It's the age.