Jessica was about 3 years old and suffering through another bout of Croup...or was it RSV? Whichever...she had one or the other from November through March two years running. The doctor had prescribed for her: Albuterol Liquid. We gave her the first dose and shortly thereafter it started. Typical descriptors would be what is listed as "Adverse Reactions" for bronchodilators: Nervousness, Shakiness, Hyperactivity, Excitement and Irritable behavior. Irritable behavior: HA!! What we were faced with was down-right aggression in the shape of spitting, kicking, screaming, punching and biting one minute...turning into hysterical crying while sobbing: "Mommy...I don't know what's wrong with me?!" the next...then turning back into spitting, kicking, screaming, punching and biting.You know what's also funny?! Apparently we need to re-learn this lesson every few years and/or every few illnesses...
My initial thought was: "My daughter is Bi-Polar". I start with this thought because we were dealing with her "Strong Will" fairly regularly and it was already a struggle. Honestly, I thought she had finally just lost it. Through my tears I started talking with my husband about what we were going to do, tentatively we thought we might need to consult a Child Psychologist or Psychiatrist.
This didn't settle right with either of us for some reason though. We continued to discuss how the extreme behavior seemed to come on suddenly. We asked: "what was different this time?" Almost simultaneously, we both say: "the Albuterol!" So I did what I do best: RESEARCH. After a few searches I retrieved a discussion forum that said something to the effect of: "HELP. Gave my son Albuterol and now he is like the Incredible Hulk!" The funny (not haha funny but rather peculiar funny) thing is that is EXACTLY how we were describing Jessica after each dose we gave her.
During my research of emotional side effects in a child on albuterol, I consistently came across statements such as: "seemed to be making her very emotional and volatile" ... "nightmares, disturbed sleep, aggressive behavior" ... "a 2 year old on that stuff and he'd turn into the Incredible Hulk when we gave it to him" ...OK then...a call to our pediatrician was in order. Thankfully, she completely understood what we were talking about...mentioned that indeed this was possible side effect and prescribed another form of the medication called Xopenex and voilà all her symptoms subsided! Now looking back, I think it was a combination of the typical "Adverse Reactions" reaction to the bronchodilator and the FD&C Yellow No. 6 & Strawberry Flavoring that the liquid contained that made her aggression and "irritability" so intense.
- diagnosed with Strep and given Amoxicillin which contains: FD&C Red No. 3, flavorings and sodium benzoate ...
- treating her acid reflux with Prevacid capsules which contain: "D&C Red No. 28, FD&C Blue No. 1, FD&C Green No. 3, and FD&C Red No. 40." simply to make them look pretty I suppose.
...cuz dealing with a sick or uncomfortable child isn't rough enough.....oh good times! Good.Times. :o)
Oh man, I hear you. Coltrane's first 3 years were a string of croup-bronchiolitis-asthma-allergies-ear infections. He mastered pulling to stand and cruising along furniture all in one night after serial Albuterol/Atrovent treatments in the Emergency Room. The summer he was 15 months, pollen counts were out of control (and he ended up with bilateral pneumonia). The pediatrician on call recommended giving him a hefty dose of Benadryl to help him feel better--and sleep. Never again. He went from awake to crazy-wired, ran laps in his crib, alternated between maniacal laughter and screeching, then finally fell asleep standing up. First (and last) flu shot with preservative--he suddenly became a violent, rabid, hyena in the Sears appliance department. Like, whoa.
ReplyDelete