It's Back

Giardia. Ugly word for an ugly parasite. I was at wits end when we got the call last night. I could hardly keep myself from crying while on the phone with the Dr's office. My poor baby STILL has giardia and I feel like the world's worst mom for putting her on homeopathic for a month. I really believed it would help. I really, really did. She was doing so great at first that I was sure I had done the right thing. Her immune system seemed stronger, she had more energy, less colds, and was learning new things and talking up a storm. I thought we were finally in the clear! But then the restless sleep came back. Followed by even MORE restless sleep - to the point of us being up 3-5 times a night. And this last week she hasn't had much appetite. I suspected something was up, but I didn't want to believe it. Still, we retested for giarida just to make sure. Well, we know for sure now and I feel so horrible! That poor kid. And even with less sleep and her symptoms coming back she has still been such a sweetie! A little more cranky here and there, but not like the last time the symptoms came back. I hate that she's felt yucky for so long!

Feeling desperate, I contacted Dr. Jane Aronson from NY. She is the doctor I wanted to go with originally, but we went with CHOP because they were closer...and a little less expensive, easier to get to, local affiliates near us, etc. Another choice that SEEMED like a good idea at the time. Anyway, Dr. Aronson is the one that reviewed Ruby's info when we first got it years ago so I had her email. I wrote her a letter at 8:44 pm saying that I would call her office in the morning but I was so at wits end and could she help. She wrote me back 10 MINUTES later saying "first of all, she will be fine, calm down,...don't worry, I can help - I promise". Okay, LOVE HER! She went on to ask for Ruby's labs, weight, info, etc. and made me promise that I would call the office and make an appt to come in to see her. I promised and I did. In the meantime, she called in a 21 day prescription for a stronger dose and version of her medicine from her pharmacy in CT that makes it taste real good for kids. We got in overnighted and it arrived the next day. Talk about service! Now THAT is the way a doctor should be! On the ball, ready with the remedy, and she even emailed me the next day - all while she was out of town and after hours! What a great lady! I am so grateful to have found her and only kicking myself still a little for not going to her in the first place. Ruby & I will treck up to NYC in May to meet her and get a full check up. She should be cured of giardia by then, but it won't hurt to get checked by a doc that knows what she is doing.

Advice to anyone whose child gets giardia:

-Make sure your Dr. has dealt with this before! Chop downtown did but our pediatrician did not. It would take them days to get with each other and discuss before coming up with a new plan every time she'd get it back!

- You do not necessarily have to have the runs to have giardia. Her biggest symptoms have been lack of sleep and appetite when it flairs up. The stools have been almost the same.

-Do NOT have a gap in between meds. If they prescribe 5-7 days, ask for more or retest after 4-5 but don't stop taking the meds until you know the giardia is gone. This is the biggest mistake our doctor (and we) made. It comes back and grows stronger if you stop and then start again.

- 14-21 days works best with strong cases of giardia and metronidazole benzoate sits well with children. It is chemically different than the generic brand, Flagyl that is generally used.

-Call Dr. Jane Aronson for any and all info on international adoptive medicine!!!

(see her website at www.orphandoctor.com)