Alex 2 Year WCV

Alex had his two year Well Child Visit yesterday and he did great! He really loves our pediatrician and is so happy and cooperative when we go. He's 30 pounds and 35 inches tall and is doing fine. His ear tubes are still in, which is great news since they were put in last December! Developmentally he is doing fine, although he is a little behind in speech, which we already knew and he is doing weekly sessions with EI for that.

I also talked to the pediatrician about his sinus problems. I don't think I posted it, but we met with the ENT last week, and he said that Alex's sinuses look fine and wants us to go get another x-ray done to check his adenoids. I think he is grasping at straws now for three reasons: He didn't even check Alex out physically during the appt, Alex doesn't have any other symptoms of enlarged adenoids, and several months ago he told us that if his adenoids were a problem it would bother him to suck on a pacifier. So anyway, I went over all of this with the pediatrician, and told him I didn't want to do anymore testing and would just like to see how Alex does this winter. He agreed with me and said that often their sinuses are just underdeveloped and they grow out of the problem, and said my approach was fine. Our primary concern is the constant sinus infections...the ped said that I could either put him on a preventative antibiotic (a low daily dose) or just bring him in every time I suspect one. He gave me a prescription for chewable amoxicillan to fill if I chose to do the preventative, which I haven't decided on yet.

Anyway overall he is doing well, and the best part was he didn't have to get any shots! It was too soon to do the Hepatitis (his 18 mo appt was late and it has to be 6 months in between) and he got the FluMist instead of the shot. He was a pretty happy camper when we left. :-)

Allergist Appointment

Aurora and Alex had appointments with their Asthma and Allergy specialist today. For Alex, this was a followup on his antibiotics for the sinus infection and his eczema. His sinus infection is gone, but the foam stuff she gave me for his eczema made it much worse! She gave me another prescription for some steroid cream, but I think I will just stick with Eucerin for now, it at least keeps it under control. I may also try a few things some friends have recommended. As I expected, she discharged him from her care. He tested negative for allergies and does not seem to have asthma, so there is really no reason for him to see her. We followup with the ENT regarding his sinuses on October 22nd, and I'll talk to his pediatrician about his eczema at his 2 year appointment.

For Aurora, this was a pre-season appointment to discuss our game plan for the season ahead. In previous years, Aurora has coughed constantly from October until May. She has tested negative for allergies, but they think she has some sort of seasonal allergy related asthma. Last year, her coughing was down a LOT and we had absolutely no issues this summer so I am hopeful she is growing out of it and this season will be even better. Right now she has no symptoms at all, so the current plan is to have Pulmicort on hand and if she starts showing signs to begin using it once a day. We are also keeping her on the Singular.

That's the latest news!

Chronic Sinusitis

This is what Alex's Allergist thinks he has, based on the the results of the X-rays. It is basically where the sinuses are inflamed all of the time. It can lead to constant sinus infections, and according to the x-ray Alex actually has an infection right now. There are many different things that can cause chronic sinusitis - a deviated septum, narrow sinus passageways, nasal polyps, too much fungus production, or a combination. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure is to have a CT scan done, which at his age requires sedation. My boss was actually diagnosed with this a few years ago and had surgery for a deviated septum and is going back in surgery this fall to open up his nasal passageways. Depending on the cause, there is a variety of treatments - surgery, antibiotics, steroids, daily nasal flushing. So the plan of action is to take his x-rays to his ENT and get his opinion. From there we will discuss the CT scan. Unfortunately the only day I could get an appointment with the ENT was on his birthday, October 22nd. Poor guy! For now he is on antibiotics for his current sinus infection (this explains why he has been extra cranky this week!) and I am going to start rinsing his nose with saline spray daily.