Who are my other congential heart defect folks?

[ttt]

Do they not do premedication for dentist appts anymore? I always had that as a kid but I'm not sure how the guidelines have changed.

I would watch her and see how she is in the morning, but I also wouldn't blame you if you felt like she needed to be seen tonight given her history. Would your dr call in antibiotics without seeing her, considering the circumstances?

[ttt]

Also I'm sure it's just a coincidence. Endocarditis is still pretty rare. Does she have any other symptoms besides the fever?

[ttt]

Nov 26, 2014 22:07:53 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

The guidelines appear to have changed and do not require abx for routine cleanings - only for "deep cleanings." But the combo of dental cleaning plus losing a tooth makes me nervous. I don't know if they would prescribe meds without an exam. Thats a good question. My reading suggests if she needs abx, like NEEDS them, they're supposed to be IV. But this would be catching things pretty early so oral meds might work. I just don't know.

It would be early and if this is something serious, the oral abx could help keep things at bay until she is seen by a dr. And if it's just a run of the mill bug, well, you were cautious.
Usually I'm very against overusing antibiotics but these things also make me nervous and she's not an average kid health wise.

[pixy0stix]

I had almost the same thing as pts. They don't even prescribe abx for me for root canals or anything like that.

When I was having breathing issues due to blood oxygen levels I kept feeling like I needed to cough. No tickling of the chest area, though. It could just be that her cold, or whatever she has, could be making her cough. I'd still press for someone to respond to you, and keep a close eye on her. More than likely it's just a coincidence, though.

[ttt]

Nov 26, 2014 22:16:12 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

FTR the tickly chest is what tipped me over the edge to calling the nurse, but at the same time, kids are weird and say weird shit.

Yeah I can understand that. But it also seems like way early for an infection to be causing symptoms if she was only there this morning. As I understand it, those usually take a while to appear.

I can completely understand wanting to go in right away though. It's scary stuff. But the fact that it was only this morning makes me think it's probably just a coincidence.

I hope she feels better soon!!

[debatethis]

MH has a corrected VSD and those symptoms would probably warrant him being seen after a cleaning, even at almost 35 years old.

I think you did the right thing paging the doc and I might even page her cardiologist's office just to be sure.

I have no idea how fast endocarditis becomes symptomatic but I hope it's just a terrible coincidence.

[pixy0stix]

Nov 26, 2014 22:44:21 GMT -5 asdfjkl said:

Nov 26, 2014 22:25:47 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I had almost the same thing as pts. They don't even prescribe abx for me for root canals or anything like that.

When I was having breathing issues due to blood oxygen levels I kept feeling like I needed to cough. No tickling of the chest area, though. It could just be that her cold, or whatever she has, could be making her cough. I'd still press for someone to respond to you, and keep a close eye on her. More than likely it's just a coincidence, though.

Thank you for responding Pixy.  And for your reassurance.  I really appreciate it.

You're welcome.

Actually, I think it's pretty cool that I have a little buddy that can compare herself to me if she wants as she grows up. My generation is entirely new to cardiologists. They're learning so much from us, that I hope it helps her in the future.

[mich1]

Long story, but the gist of it is IMO get her to the urgent care ASAP.

I lost both of my hips to infection, and the guidelines for protecting hip prostheses and those protecting a heart from infection are similar. Both the AAOS and the Cardiologists have flip flopped back and forth as long as I have had hip problems (upwards of 15 years now) about the issue, but after my infection I ALWAYS take prophylactic antibiotics for ANY dental treatment.

Where this came about was the first dental appointment I had with a new dentist after I had my hips rereplaced. He had a patient who was a fireman, needed a root canal and had a heart murmur with some valve involvement. He contacted the man's cardiologist about the need for prophylactic antibiotics and the cardiologist said that it was not necessary, so the root canal proceeded as planned, no antibiotics.

Fast forward a few weeks later and the man is now in the hospital undergoing open heart surgery to repair the valve. I am not sure of the whole story, but over a year later, he is still out on disability and will likely never be able to return to his occupation (we went to his pancake breakfast at the local fire station and contributed to his fund) due to the amount of damage that they found in his heart.

In this case, it is better to be VERY conservative for treating what appears to be an infection. If it's nothing, no harm. But if it IS an infection, it is imperative to protect the heart.

Fortunately, my dentist is on the same page as me and won't touch me without having taken my antibiotics. This is not the party line by the AAOS (or the cardiology governing body), because of what happens (even though the risk is so very, very low) is so very life altering....for both me, and the fireman. Both of us are disabled for life.

[gottadobe]

Hope everybody feels better soon!
(And you don't get sick)

[lg28]

How's PTS now? I was thinking about you!

[summer]

Nov 28, 2014 1:49:15 GMT -5 lg28 said:

How's PTS now? I was thinking about you!

Me, too. What's going on? Better?

[pixy0stix]

Sending good thoughts your way.