Tonight while I was downstairs, my hubby told me to come upstairs because Hannah looked blotchy. Of course I ran up the stairs to check.
Sure enough, her face was really blotchy, especially on her upper eyelids, and her eyes were watering like crazy. She was acting like she wasn’t feeling that great. Twenty minutes earlier, she was laughin and being herself. Also, when I picked her up under her arms, I felt a slight vibration when she would breathe.
Usually, I would wait and ride it out for at least a few hours or the next morning before making it a concern.
Not tonight. I immediately called Dr. B’s after hours line, and it turned out that he was on call tonight (out of 8 doctors, talk about luck!). Of course, the answering service wanted to hook me up with the night nurse first, but I told them it would be a waste, and I needed Dr. B. directly. It couldn’t have been more than 2 minutes after I hung up with the answering service that Dr. B. called.
We went over what her symptoms were, asked me if I heard any wheezing or stridor in her breathing (we didn’t). He thought it could be an allergic reaction to something, so he wanted us to give her a 1/2 teaspoon of benadryl to see if that would make a difference.
Sure enough, 30 minutes after taking the Benadryl, she was sleeping comfortably and her face was back to normal. It must have been a reaction to something. But what?
I know I totally over-reacted, but I guess that is my new way of parenting with Hannah. I just had in the back of my mind that swallowing issues are one of the next neurological symptoms to look for, and one of those symptoms are watering eyes from having trouble swallowing.
Nope, not related to Gaucher’s Disease at all. Just “normal” baby stuff. So why do I still worry?
you are crazy! of course you are going to worry! we worry as parents of kids with no disease…you have every right to be over cautious and you should be. I doubt any doctor will think you worry too much. You are doing a GREAT job!
and I am very glad it was nothing but an allergic reaction. Did she have any new foods?
I don’t think you overreacted. With the sudden change, I think you did the right thing. I hope you can figure out what it was, but am glad she responded to the Benedryl.
I don’t think you overreacted. When you notice a change or difficulty with your child (whether they have a major medical issue or not), it’s perfectly normal to be concerned. As a child, my mom was pretty laid back about things so when I told her I didn’t feel well one day, she just brushed it off and sent me to school. It turned out I was having a stroke (I was 9 at the time). Of course, she had no reason to think something like that was happening, but she sure changed how she handled uncertain situations after that! And I notice that I take even the small things very seriously with my kids. It sounds like you did the right thing and I’m so glad that Hannah is feeling better!
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I think you did the right thing. If nothing else, you needed the confirmation. Honey…. that’s what we pay the Dr’s for.