Swollen Lymph Nodes

I am so sorry to hear that, there is nothing worse than a sick child. I am a huge Oprah fan and Dr.Oz was on one time and talked about sinus infections and allergies. He suggested a thing called the netty pot which is used to clear out the sinuses, many people tried it and everyone said it worked very well. Many of them had been on meds there whole life and is taking nothing now. Also garlic works just like an antibiotic. I would give her plenty of that and then also rub a little olive oil and garlic on her limphnodes everyday. The antibiodics will do nothing but destroy her immune system making it easier for her to get other infections. Good luck, I really hope something works!!

Hi Deenah, I am sorry about your little girl. She sounds miserable. I agree with the others going to an ENT and getting a second opinion with a new pediatrician. Was the test your talking about called Erythrocye Sedimentation Rate or Sed Rate? Does your daughter have any other symptoms...like wheezing in her lungs, pressure in her cheeks/behind her eyes, white bumps in the back of her throat, runny nose, etc). And, has her current doc followed up with her and/or when was your last appointment?

Our son had recurrent sinus infections and nothing was working to stop them. We tried an allergist, who after doing a scratch test (on my then 1-1/2 year old) told us that he was allergic to 8 things. Please know that we have now learned that scratch tests are totally unreliable in children under the age of 4. We started all the allergy meds, and that didn't help either. We took him to see a specialist at a children's hospital, and they were the ones that did the blood work, and said he wasn't allergic to anything. So, back we went to his ENT, thinking that maybe it had something to do with the tubes in his ears, and that's when we discovered that his adenoids are enormous and were blocking over 65% of nasal airway. We had his adenoids taken out and he hasn't had a sinus infection, or been on any antibiotics in 2-1/2 years. Our ENT had a CT scan machine right in his office and that's how we found out about his adenoids. Might be worth a conversation with your doctor. Good luck - there's nothing harder in the world than watching your child suffer.

Hi,
I've got a couple suggestions. If the antibiotics are not working, it may not be a bacterial infection. In which case, the antibiotics won't help, and trying different kinds back to back, will only weaken her own defense mechanisms. So boosting her natural defenses should be the first thing to do. Giving her plenty of fluids, watered down juice with a pinch of sea salt will help to hydrate her. Echinacea extract in the glycerin children's formula at any health food/co-op. Garlic, raw! give a spoonfull of minced with honey- I know she may not like it, dont force it on her.

Next, the dark circles may not be from lack of sleep, but from allergies to foods, especially DAIRY. cut out ALL forms of dairy. No other heavy foods, like breads. Gluten is hard to digest even if we are not allergic- but if we are, dark circles under eyes is a give away- they call it allergy eyes. Food allergies that are not corrected will make glands over work, and can make them swell up. Soy is another big one. Soy is in a lot of processed foods, just feed whole foods, fresh fruits and veggies. Rice and peas is my daughters comfort food, and its easy to digest. No red meats now until she is better, either. Just think: easy for the digestive system to process, so the immune system can work harder.

Also, there is an herb you can make an infusion with (tea) its called CLEAVERS. it is especially helpful in moving lymph through the system, and clearing up clogged swollen glands. Go to any place you can get bulk herbs, and ask for it. You may want to make an herbal mix with cleavers- something soothing, chamomile, passion flower, lemon balm....

Good luck! Stop taking her to the Dr. for now, its obvious they are not solving the problem, and besides she, and you, are only chancing on the exposure to more illnesses every time you step into the clinic.

Check out this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Naturally-Healthy-Babies-Children-C...

Its called Naturally Healthy Babies and Children, by Aviva Jill Romm. It has been my savior, and we hardly ever need to go to the Dr.'s office.

Good Luck
C.

Deenah,

I would go to a different doctor! My daughter has been fighting some form of exzema for a year now and the one dermatologist we went to gave her a steroid cream (not fond of this idea in the first place) and it made it worse. Then he wanted to put her on an even stronger one- I refused. We tried acupuncture and other natural remedies, they all helped for a while, but then it came back. It also got a better over the summer. I finally took her to another dermatologist and he started her on several different things (still not overly enthused about this, but nothing too strong) and did a good culture. His remedy is working and he actually found out what the root of the problem was and we will be finally getting rid of it (fungus on her scalp) The other Dr. looked at it under a microscope but didn't proceed with a culture; this Dr. did the culture first thing.
So, my point is, if you're not satisfied with the results you're getting from one provider, go to another! You may want to look at alternative treatment too!
Good luck and sorry for the long story (very passionate about this on-going issue) :)

A.

oh my gosh. This is amazing because I just got connected to this group yesterday and believe it or not, my son had the exact same thing excpet NO ILLNESS. He had a swollen lympn node on his right side of his neck. After watching it for three years, we finally saw a ear, nose and throat specialist. He recommended that the lymphnode be removed and to take the tonsills and adnoids. He said he would most likely drainage from the enlarged glands. Now mind you my son has never had a ear infection or strep throat so I was a little concerned about the surgery. I was concerned with hodkins lymphoma and other major diseases. He said the only way to really really know if it is just a reactive lymph node (meaning from drainage) was to remove and biopsy. They removed it, it was fine and they also did the tonsills and adnoids and said many kids have larg lymph nodes but since my son's was large for three years he felt it needed to come out. I can not tell you enough that I really feel your daughter is fine but the large tonsills and adnoids draining into her glands are making her feel sick. I would recomend for sure you seeing a ear, nose and throat specialist. My son bounced right back after surgery and is doing great!!!
Good luck, I am sure it is okay but most definately worth looking into. My son's was a littl over 1cm maybe like the size of a peanut the ones in the shell....
hope I have helped.
L.
North english Iowa

I double echo the ear nose and throat doctor. I have a friend who has two little ones that have been sick off and on forever, they must of gone to the doctor half a dozen times. Finally she went to an ENT and immediatly was told what was wrong had both kids with tubes in their ears, tonsils out and finally figured out why her son wasn't speaking well. Sorry but if you have tried that many antibiotics with no results you need to have a specialist look at her. And I would look more into the yeast issue, if you look up Candida on the internet you can get a really good idea of what an over abundance of yeast in your boday does... you may see similar symptoms in your daughter.
Good luck and so sorry your little one isn't feeling good.

Your poor little girl. As a veteran sinus sufferer and someone who has had three surgeries, I know what she is going through. My good friend's four-year-old daughter has had the same exact problem. Her mother had to finally take matters into her own hands, and took her to an ENT. They ultimately took out her adenoids, which the surgeon says helps 85 percent of all young children with chronic sinus infections. The surgery and recovery were a piece of cake, and she's doing well now. Another idea: get her allergy tested. My sinus problems were brought on my allergies.

Good luck to you and hang in there. Watching our babies suffer is so hard, isn't it?

did you get her tonsils checked?

Hi! Your daughter may have a yeast problem. Most people think yeast is just a "women's issue" but it is a cause for tons of things. It could also be an intolerence to wheat, all gluten grains, dairy or the combination. If you could eliminate dairy, wheat, and sugar(ouch that's a hard one) for a month you would probably see great results. It's hard at first but sooo worth it. A chiropractor could hook you up with a food list and some recipes that kids would like. There are some great books like the "Allergy Self-help Cookbook" that you can find online too.
I had these problems and after the diet I didn't need any more antibiotics! Best of luck!

Deenah, I feel you pain. We have been going through the same thing almost exactly with my daughter. I actually did have her allergy tested and they found nothing. Yes, allergies can develop as children get older. I highly recommend getting her tested. I don't know what you know about allergy tests but they are NOT fun. However, it will be worth it to find out. My doctor also tested my daughter for mono. She is 5 just like yours and they said that it is really going around right now and age has nothing to do with it. They can do about a 10 minute blood test for that. I hope this helps.

HI. I recommend taking her to an ENT (Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist) They work wonders when family Drs and Peds just can't figure it out. I'm not sure where you're from but if you're local (Northern Wisconsin) Rhinelander has a GREAT ENT-Dr Sheth.
Good Luck to you and may you have a very Merry Christmas.

It could be associated with allergies, they can just develop and continue to get worse as she gets older. I have allergies and they didn't develop until I was 8 and as I get older I notice more and more. I would take her to a Naturepathic Doctor or herbalist, even some chiropractors would be helpful. They would most likely put her on a strict diet...no milk no wheat for sure...and even some fruits and vegetables....and then after a few weeks of this, or until the limph nodes go back to normal they would have you slowly add each food to see what is bothering her. There could be something out on the internet like this diet..if you didn't want to take her to another Dr.
Make sure she is drinking lots and lots of water, and take sugar out of her diet also.
Hope this helps :-)

Hello

I had that also, It seemed when I turned 30 I had sinus infections every two weeks for monthes. It went on so long that they did surgry. She is so young!! I dont know what they would say about that. They trimmed my teberoids if I spelled that right and anyways they did more on me then just that but check with your doctor about seeing someone in that particular field (nose doctor basically) someone out there who specializes in that should help that little one at least with Medication. Zyrtec is for Allergies not for sinus infections. My son is on that just for allergies.

My head hurt, headaches, green nose, coughing killed, coughing up green. It hurt below my eyes, my forehead, thrrought.

She is too young to always have this..Check with someone who specializes with nose, throught doctor.

Do you live near Grand Rapids? Dr. Hart is awsome and very sweet exspecially with kids. My son has had two ear tubes with him. Have them also look at her adnoids and tonsils that could be the trouble also.

Sincerely,

T. H.

Hi Deenah,

My two neices have bad allergies too. It's no fun when the kids are sick. I just recently heard about a great supplement that helps adults and maybe children if you can find it in smaller dosage. You can go to www.thymic.com to find it. It is a multivitamin that also has digestive enzymes that somehow improve the immune system to allow it to heal. My fiends who use it say it is a pot of gold! They take it at the first sign of a cold or allergies and it stops it cold! Take a look at the website. I am going to do so after the holidays. You may be able to find a similar item at a health food store. Supplements really do help your body to work for itself. Mostly, these medications fight the infections, which are very important, but they don't treat the problem. Hope this info helps you!

Gwyne

Allergies... not fun at all! I didn't develop them until living in Utah for a few years. If I don't take medicine when I start getting an attack, it turns into a sinus infection. The sinus infection usually puts me out for a day or two, I was out almost a week once. My son developed them when he was three and goes through the same stuff as I do. I also know that this year has been worse especially with the horrible air quality.

Good luck with your little one. I hope she is all well soon :)

Take her to see an Ear Nose and Throat Specialist. (Wood or Bennion in the Speciality Hospital are both really good.) They might know a little more than your Ped. Poor little girl. Good luck.
p.s. if you are concerned about allergies, they might be willing to try Singulair? They put my four year old on that for a while for allergies.

First of all, if you aren't getting the results you want from your doctor- find another one. As a parent( and good patient myself) There is a reason things are happening, and I am not one to accept- "just because" for an answer for very long. Allergies do seem to start for no reason and at any time. I never had an allergy until the fall of my Senior year in high school-= and mine tend to come and go at their disgretion. I hope your kiddo is better for Christmas, it isn't very Merry for anyone when they aren't feeling well

Yes allergies can just develop. My daughter almost always has swollen glands. Your daughter is old enough to go in for allergy testing, not alot of fun but will let you know if you need to alter her enviroment or food. Good luck

Hi Deenah. I'm so sorry to hear about your very difficult ordeal. It's stressful anytime kids are sick, but not to know would be awful. Just a question...did they ever check your daughter's blood for mono? I know that the swollen glands are terrible with that, and it can last for a long time, as I, myself, just got diagnosed with that. It can also cause severe tiredness and just generally not feeling well. I know the average age group that it affects is 12-40, so obviously your daughter would be a little young, but it's worth a shot.

Good luck and I hope your little girl gets better soon!

A.

Good luck, and I hope you get an answer soon.

My oldest daughter is 10 years old and she has had swollen lymph nodes for 8 years. I know that sounds scary. We have been through blood test after blood test. When she was 2 years old the doctors told me she had Hogkins Disease without testing her for it. I freaked out. About 2 months ago she started to get really sick again. So off to the doctors again. After 4 visits and only one blood test and 3 different medicines one of which she had an allergic reaction to...I finally got some answers. They told me that she had a severe sinus infection but instead of putting her on another antibotic they decided to try a allergy med. It is only Clariton not the over the counter one the prescription one. It has worked wonders her soar throat is gone and her lymph nodes (which have been swollen for 8 years) are finally back to normal size. I was completely shock by an allergy medicine doing the trick but it did work. I also elevated the head of her bed about 4 inches to keep the mucus and everything from running down her throat making matters worse...maybe you could try that too. I know how frustrating doctors can be when it come to children. If I was you I would be calling and going to see the doctors all the time until they give your child relief...hope you have a good christmas and that everything gets better for your daughter.

My daughter had this problem.....if you haven't already go to an ENT doctor...allergist and pediatrician just kept giving her these medicine that did not help. ENT gave her this one medicine (Sorry, can't remember the name) and we have not have a problem since. It was very thick purple stuff. If that medicine did not work they were going to remove her Tonsils. We were told that the tonsils being removed would help her sinus, allergies, sore throats everything. We have not needed that yet but make an appointment with an ENT...it is their specialty..they will help her. Good Luck!

Hi Deenah~
I agree, you've just gotta find a new doc. If your ped. is truly out for your child's best interest, he/she will have no issues with you getting other opinions or seeking advice of specialists. You have to find some answers somewhere.
~L.

Have they done a test for Lymes Disease?

yes, allergies can just develop. Ask for a referal to a specialist in pediatric allergies.

Go see another Doctor or three if you have to. If you feel something is wrong you need to listen to your mom instinct. Your doctor may be right but you need to do what feels right for you. Also, have you tried an ENT or Allergist?