Yesterday we took Alex to the doctor for a follow-up
appointment after two months of taking the antifungal medication Diflucan for
thrush, yeast overgrowth in his mouth. As I mentioned in a recent blog entry,
Alex has made great progress over the past couple of months. We believe that
healing has been the main reason he has improved in many ways, including being
calmer, showing mental sharpness, and speaking more clearly. Although we had
hoped that two months of Diflucan would finally clear up the thrush that has
plagued him for over a year, we saw signs of decline this past week since he
finished taking the medicine last weekend. Instead of being content and
easygoing, Alex has been irritable and obsessive. Knowing that we were taking
him to the doctor, we bided our time this week and gave in to Alex’s requests
to take two baths per day, which seemed to calm his nerves—and ours.
Before we left for his appointment, I asked Alex if I could look at his mouth, and he was cooperative about letting me take a peek. The inflammation, milky saliva, and telltale white spots explained his behavior this week: he has thrush again. Knowing that he was likely to be impatient if he had to wait long at the doctor’s office, I called the receptionist to see how the schedule was running. She told me that things were running on time, but a couple of minutes later, the nurse called to tell me that the doctor was about fifteen minutes behind schedule and suggested that we plan to arrive a little later so that Alex wouldn’t have to wait, which we really appreciated. Fortunately, his nurse understands Alex quite well, always turning the blood pressure/pulse monitor so that he can see it as she takes his vitals and allowing him to read her notes on his chart, knowing his interest in medicine and mathematics.
When we arrived, we were immediately taken back to an examination room, and a young man took Alex’s vitals, telling us that the nurse had reminded him to let Alex see the blood pressure numbers. After he wrote down the information, he turned the chart around for Alex to see, but as I told him, Alex had read the chart as he was writing because he can read upside down, which seemed to impress him. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long to see the doctor, who also understands Alex very well and interacts with him in a way that is compassionate yet never condescending. As he held out his hand to shake Alex’s hand (and as usual, Alex offered his left hand instead of his right hand), Alex showed what his behavioral therapist has taught him by shaking hands and saying, “Nice to see you,” which delighted the doctor, Ed, and me.
He then addressed Alex, commenting that he was reading a research article that made him think of Alex, and he began asking me about what amino acids Alex has taken. We discussed taurine and theanine, both of which Alex had taken in the past with some positive results, and I explained that Alex had negative side effects with tryptophan, which made him hyperactive. I also shared with him, since he is also an emergency room physician, the article I mentioned in my last blog entry about trauma surgeons using a combination of vitamin D, omega fatty acids, progesterone, and glutamine for patients with brain trauma. Since he placed Alex on three of those four supplements, he found that research interesting and recommended that we try glutamine, which he thought would be helpful. As we discussed the research we had read, he commented that he believes that divine guidance leads him to what he needs to know, and I totally agreed with him. In addition to his kindness toward Alex and us, our shared faith gives me complete confidence in Alex’s doctor.
After Ed and I explained the improvements we saw while Alex was on antifungals along with the decline we have seen this week post-antifungals, the doctor agreed that the thrush had likely returned, and his examination confirmed our suspicions. We discussed the problems of keeping him on Diflucan, which can lose its effectiveness over time, and the need to check Alex’s liver function, which the medication can affect. After consulting his electronic guide to medications, the doctor suggested another antifungal Alex had not tried, and he prescribed this medication daily for another two months. In addition, he gave us lab orders to have Alex’s liver function assessed through a blood test, which we will do this afternoon. Also, I asked him about running an organic acids test with yeast sensitivity and culture, something we had done with Alex in the past. While he was not familiar with the test, he listened intently as I explained the benefits of this urine and stool test that diagnoses metabolic issues and yeast overgrowth and additionally makes treatment recommendations. Apparently, my summary of the test was convincing, as he enthusiastically agreed that we should run this test on Alex. Consequently, I will soon be playing amateur lab technician, collecting Alex’s first morning urine sample and making a “slurry” of his stool to send to Great Plains Laboratory. Hopefully, this test, along with his blood test, will provide us with some guidance as to how to treat this aggressive yeast overgrowth.
Even though dealing with Alex's having thrush for many months has been frustrating and worrisome, we are very grateful to have a doctor who understands our concerns, works cooperatively with us in trying to help Alex, and interacts with Alex in such a positive way. For example, the last time Alex saw him, he kept staring at the doctor’s watch. Without hesitation, he took off his watch, and with total trust, handed it to Alex to examine. Alex took a quick glance, gave the watch back to the doctor, and told him, “The date is wrong,” which made the doctor laugh, change the date, and comment on how smart Alex is. Just as Alex’s doctor believes that divine intervention leads him to the research he needs to help his patients, we believe that divine intervention has led us to him: God knew the doctor we needed to take care of Alex. Despite our concerns that the thrush stubbornly keeps coming back (or perhaps never really goes away), Alex’s doctor assures us that he’ll keep working until Alex is finally well. With a doctor who inspires confidence like that and who relies upon God's guidance, we know that healing is coming, and we anticipate that blessing eagerly.
“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him!” Isaiah 64:4
Before we left for his appointment, I asked Alex if I could look at his mouth, and he was cooperative about letting me take a peek. The inflammation, milky saliva, and telltale white spots explained his behavior this week: he has thrush again. Knowing that he was likely to be impatient if he had to wait long at the doctor’s office, I called the receptionist to see how the schedule was running. She told me that things were running on time, but a couple of minutes later, the nurse called to tell me that the doctor was about fifteen minutes behind schedule and suggested that we plan to arrive a little later so that Alex wouldn’t have to wait, which we really appreciated. Fortunately, his nurse understands Alex quite well, always turning the blood pressure/pulse monitor so that he can see it as she takes his vitals and allowing him to read her notes on his chart, knowing his interest in medicine and mathematics.
When we arrived, we were immediately taken back to an examination room, and a young man took Alex’s vitals, telling us that the nurse had reminded him to let Alex see the blood pressure numbers. After he wrote down the information, he turned the chart around for Alex to see, but as I told him, Alex had read the chart as he was writing because he can read upside down, which seemed to impress him. Thankfully, we didn’t have to wait long to see the doctor, who also understands Alex very well and interacts with him in a way that is compassionate yet never condescending. As he held out his hand to shake Alex’s hand (and as usual, Alex offered his left hand instead of his right hand), Alex showed what his behavioral therapist has taught him by shaking hands and saying, “Nice to see you,” which delighted the doctor, Ed, and me.
He then addressed Alex, commenting that he was reading a research article that made him think of Alex, and he began asking me about what amino acids Alex has taken. We discussed taurine and theanine, both of which Alex had taken in the past with some positive results, and I explained that Alex had negative side effects with tryptophan, which made him hyperactive. I also shared with him, since he is also an emergency room physician, the article I mentioned in my last blog entry about trauma surgeons using a combination of vitamin D, omega fatty acids, progesterone, and glutamine for patients with brain trauma. Since he placed Alex on three of those four supplements, he found that research interesting and recommended that we try glutamine, which he thought would be helpful. As we discussed the research we had read, he commented that he believes that divine guidance leads him to what he needs to know, and I totally agreed with him. In addition to his kindness toward Alex and us, our shared faith gives me complete confidence in Alex’s doctor.
After Ed and I explained the improvements we saw while Alex was on antifungals along with the decline we have seen this week post-antifungals, the doctor agreed that the thrush had likely returned, and his examination confirmed our suspicions. We discussed the problems of keeping him on Diflucan, which can lose its effectiveness over time, and the need to check Alex’s liver function, which the medication can affect. After consulting his electronic guide to medications, the doctor suggested another antifungal Alex had not tried, and he prescribed this medication daily for another two months. In addition, he gave us lab orders to have Alex’s liver function assessed through a blood test, which we will do this afternoon. Also, I asked him about running an organic acids test with yeast sensitivity and culture, something we had done with Alex in the past. While he was not familiar with the test, he listened intently as I explained the benefits of this urine and stool test that diagnoses metabolic issues and yeast overgrowth and additionally makes treatment recommendations. Apparently, my summary of the test was convincing, as he enthusiastically agreed that we should run this test on Alex. Consequently, I will soon be playing amateur lab technician, collecting Alex’s first morning urine sample and making a “slurry” of his stool to send to Great Plains Laboratory. Hopefully, this test, along with his blood test, will provide us with some guidance as to how to treat this aggressive yeast overgrowth.
Even though dealing with Alex's having thrush for many months has been frustrating and worrisome, we are very grateful to have a doctor who understands our concerns, works cooperatively with us in trying to help Alex, and interacts with Alex in such a positive way. For example, the last time Alex saw him, he kept staring at the doctor’s watch. Without hesitation, he took off his watch, and with total trust, handed it to Alex to examine. Alex took a quick glance, gave the watch back to the doctor, and told him, “The date is wrong,” which made the doctor laugh, change the date, and comment on how smart Alex is. Just as Alex’s doctor believes that divine intervention leads him to the research he needs to help his patients, we believe that divine intervention has led us to him: God knew the doctor we needed to take care of Alex. Despite our concerns that the thrush stubbornly keeps coming back (or perhaps never really goes away), Alex’s doctor assures us that he’ll keep working until Alex is finally well. With a doctor who inspires confidence like that and who relies upon God's guidance, we know that healing is coming, and we anticipate that blessing eagerly.
“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like You, who works for those who wait for Him!” Isaiah 64:4
4 comments:
Thank you for sharing this. I read your information with interest as my son also battles with thrush in his mouth as well as horrific ulcers!
Glad you have a doctor you like and trust, and how wonderful that the office staff actually works with you so you don't have to wait! I CANNOT EVEN IMAGINE.
Hi Bright Side of Life and Mom to Nick,
Sorry to hear that Nick is also dealing with the same mouth issues Alex has. I really think a lot of these kids have problems in their digestive tract that make them feel bad and affect their behavior negatively. When the thrush gets better, Alex is so sweet and pleasant. Praying that your son and mine finally get well!
Take care,
Pam
Hi Marjorie,
As always, it's great to hear from you! :) My husband, who is a New Yorker like you, is often amazed by how nice Midwesterners are and how much less time people have to wait here. We are thankful to have found this doctor because he and his staff are absolutely wonderful. I have told him that he's a gift from God and have sent several of my friends to him. Now, we just need to get Alex well... Hope you and your family are doing well.
Take care,
Pam
Post a Comment