Antibiotics to Avoid
Our children with Down syndrome shouldn't take any medications containing sulfa such as Pediazole, Gantrisin, Septra or Bactrim. These drugs have the potential to suppress the thyroid gland, which is usually low functioning in the T21 population. Use only if absolutely needed. Sulfa drugs can further deplete zinc in zinc-depleted children. If sulfa drugs must be used, then an additional 10 mg a day of zinc should be supplemented while the child is taking the sulfa drugs.
Instead, request Augmentin, Ceftrim, Biaxin or Zithromax (Z-Pack).
Anesthetics to Avoid
Avoid using the anesthetic Atropine for any surgery, eye exams or dental surgery. Our kids are quite sensitive to atropine. It is used during anesthesia if the heart rate drops too low. But only a tiny dose is needed in DS.
Painkillers to Avoid
Acetaminophen should be avoided (Tylenol, panadol and paracetamol etc.). It is really bad on the liver and depletes
Glutathione levels. More explanation here:
http://www.gotdownsyndrome.
There is no perfect pain med for our kids...or for ourselves for that matter. You'll need to be sure your child has a full stomach before taking Ibuprofen. Some folks even alternate between the two. I would have him take whatever he's taken before with no problems. I wouldn't want to try something brand new on top of the anethesia etc.
Reduce the Negative Effects of Anesthetics
Putting your palms on the calves of your child after surgery is a Ki Method that could remove the toxic effects of the aenesthesia. You can email Linda Kane of Hope and A Future, Inc. for details. In addition, holding the calves helped really well post op for removing the
anesthesia, but I also took Isabella to her cranial sacral therapist who
really helped with the removal the day after surgery.
Eye Drops to Avoid
Make sure when you take your child to the eye doctor that they don't use drops with atropine in them. Side effects such as pupils dilating for over two days as well as signs of unease including groaning and irritability.
Dr. Leichtman that might be helpful to you:
"minimize use of Atropine or Scopalamine as too much can cause people with DS to flush / overheat / and have difficulty in awakening from anesthesia"
"refrain from using Versed"
"Ativan or Lorazepam is much shorter acting"
"If Atropine is used, use 1/3 less than normal dose"
"Too much Atropine can cause difficulty to wake up leading to lung problems"
Ki (or prana) is familiar to me so I'll check this too.
International Nutrition gave these "general rules": gingko biloba, curcumin and fish oil 7 days before surgery. Nutrivene-D and enzymes 2 day before surgery. Then supps can be resumed after 7 days of surgery. These was to tonsils' operation, as there is this risk of bleeding with it even 7 days after surgery.
Supplements to Avoid
You may want to avoid tulsi (holy basil), spirulina and ashgawandha due to its SOD (super oxide dismutase) content, which is usually an issue with our children.
Natural Antibiotic Alternatives
Beyond medications, expand your arsenal with herbs. Echinacea, garlic, elderberry extract or Sambucol are some of my favorite weapons against infection. Also effective is bovine colostrum, which you want to get from an organic, grass-fed source.
Kids with DS often have low zinc, which can weaken the immune system. Vitamin C helps knock out any cold I may have very quickly.
For a full explanation of how to work with the body to heal, without antibiotics, check out the book Healing Childhood Ear Infections: Prevention, Home Care, and Alternative Treatment
by Michael A. Schmidt.Other suggestions...
Product: Monolaurin 300mg by Ecological Formulas
Description
* Antivirus supplement for colds, flu, shingles, herpes, Epstein-Barr Virus, chronic fatigue syndrome.
* Protects the immune system from a range of infectious agents.
* No antibiotics - Does not destroy friendly bacteria.
* Monolaurin is good for both one-time and long-term preventative use.
* Extracted from coconut oil.
----
A homeopathic medicine which has been used in Europe for years and has now been approved in the US in the last few years (recommended by pediatrician Dr. Sears): SINUPRET. It's a syrup for children which helps in clearing the sinuses and nose passages, but also strengthens the immune system. It is made all by natural herbs and you can find it at Publix (it costs about $16.00). You can also get it online with some coupons at www.bionoricausa.com.
Best Defense
Your best defense is prevention. At 17 months old, Jett has never been sick. This is because he still breasfeeds and has a very good, gut-supporting diet with probiotics and a healthy variety of foods. He is not in day care, but he interacts with children from one to four times a week. I use no chemicals or antibacterial soaps in my home.
During heart surgery is the only time he had to take antibiotics. It took awhile, but his gut flora has healed since then.
Another thing I used is AIR tea, it's a Traditional Chinese Medicine concentrated herbal tea blend that cleared Jett's congestion. It takes a couple of months to fully clear everything and he took it twice a day from age 5-12 months old. It tastes great! My pediatrician recommended it. You take it before you get sick.
I used to be up a lot in the night with the nose drops and "mucus suckers" but not at all anymore. I just clean out his nose quickly with a swab in the morning and give him saline nose drops twice a day. Before, Jett was completely congested, up in his sinuses where I couldn't get to it. Now, I can feel the air coming from his nose which I couldn't do before. Jett has never had a cold or sinus infection. I give him 1/5 teaspoon (1 ml) in the morning and before bed with 2ml of water. He loves it!
It's blended by hand in small, organic batches.
You can get this from your local TCM practitioner ($45-65) or amazon ($16). The website is sjbherbs.com.
A I R (Allergy Immune Respiratory) Tea
Formerly (Zhi Sou Bu Zheng Qi Tang)
Stop Cough & Immuno-Support Decoction
Organic Ingredients:
Glycerin (Plant Source), 生薑Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), 桔梗Jie Geng (Platycodon), 車
前子Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed), 厚朴Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), 補骨脂Bu Gu Zhi
(Psoralea Fruit), 沙參Bei Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), 蒼耳子Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit),
白芷Bai Zhi (Dahurien Angelica), 辛夷花Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower), Distilled Water
Category: Formulas That Regulates Qi and Stops Cough
Actions:
Traditional Chinese Medicine -- Western equivalent:
Allow Lungs to grasp Qi -- Anti- histamine
Nourishes production of Yin &Yang -- Anti- spasmodic
Resolve Phlegm -- Anti-emetic
Transform Phlegm -- Anti-inflammatory
Eliminate Phlegm -- Functions like Anti-biotic
Open the Nose -- Functions like Anti-viral
Rectifies the Qi -- Stomachic Expectorant
Indications:
All types of Asthma
All types Cough
Rhinitis
Sinusitis (including sinus infection)
Seasonal Allergies (itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose, etc.)
Certain types of Uticaria (Differential Diagnosis Required)
Commentary:
This formula is designed to eliminate any upper-respiratory and/or sinus conditions. The
formula was originally designed several years ago at the request of a local Holistic
Pediatrician who was looking for something to stop coughs and clear infections that also
tasted good.
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