Well, we got back the results for Lucas' bilirubin and they ARE still high. For how old he is now, the levels should be very low, like .2 to 1 and yesterday it was 8. The nurse that called didn't really give me any information, other then it may be due to my breastmilk but I can keep feeding him...I don't get it. I am worried because prolonged periods with high levels can cause brain damage, and I want to know WHY his levels are high, because I suspect there is a hereditary problem or a blood incompatibility etc.
It sucks because I felt like the only problems with breastfeeding were latching on, and your supply. Since I have an abundance and Lucas was feeding well (he is now 11 lbs 13 oz), I thought we were in the clear. Now the problem might be MY breastmilk, and we may have to at least supplement with formula. I just told John on the phone (he is on his way home) and as I predicted he is (passive-aggressively) mad at me because he doesn't want to have to pay for formula. I guess he thinks it's just me trying to get out of it, and he doesn't see that Lucas is not well. From what I've read about other moms with jaundiced babies that are past 1 month of age, they stopped breastfeeding or supplemented with formula and the levels came down.My doctor seems to think I can keep breastfeeding, but I am beginning to have doubts about him, since I was the one that diagnosed the thrush, and I was the one that pointed out his yellow eyes. Lucas very suddenly started getting worse last night; he was fussy and his diaper rash was worse. I bought some 'butt paste' that the nurse told me about--it hasn't worked yet. He hates taking the gross medicine 4 times a day which has to coat his tongue--but he spits it up. The thrush is also causing excessive (and painful) gas.
I don't know what to do about the jaundice, but the doctor is going to check his levels again in 2 weeks, which is also when he gets his vaccinations for 2 months. I am scared about the vaccinations because a friend of mine has been giving me information about the immunizations possibilities of triggering autism. I am going to look over what information the doctor gave me also, but if we do them all, we may just spread them out so there is not so much at once, since she also told me there is mercury in them, in legal ammounts for each immunization, but all together it adds up to quite a bit.
SO, I am unsure what to do. I at least got a bill straightened out with Tricare, but now they are trying to make Lucas go to Fort Eustis (the closest military treatment facility) instead of the williamsburg civilian doctor I already have for him. Military care is more often than not, very crappy--basically it's like socialized healthcare, which this country may be heading towards anyway...
Let's hope we see some improvement in his thrush in the next few days, and that Lucas can keep his doctor, but most of all, that his jaundice is only temporary and that I can still breastfeed. And if there is another underlying problem, please let it be found and treated quickly.
6 comments:
Oh Sam I am so sorry to hear about Lucas! Keep your faith up! I am sure he is and will be fine! Keep us updated.
I myself have been trying to figure out what to do about the vaccines! My mom said when she was a kid there were only 3...when I was a kid there were 6... and now there is like 30 something. I am unsure of what is and isn't nessasary. ugg
Man that is frustrating. I found this website that might be helpful http://www.familyherbalremedies.com/infant_jaundice.html
It talks about what you can take which can help him through your breast milk even if your breast milk is the cause.
About healthcare, it's so confusing that you have to call twice just to make sure, and then they tell you something different everytime. I hate dealing with all that medical stuff.
I feel bad for you going through this stress. Of course I feel bad for Lucas, too. I can't believe all John can think about is the cost of formula. So what!? You guys don't seem to be hurting for money and you don't have to buy the most expensive brand.
I'm also sorry your friend scared you about the immunizations. I am more scared NOT to get them.
Poor little Lucas. And poor worried Mommy, too!
Hey, I thought I'd share my experience with you. Ivan and Aidan both had jaundice and I breastfed both until they were 12 months. I did however have to give each of them formula for about 2 weeks which helped clear it up... Along with sitting them in indirect sunlight.
I hope your little man starts doing better soon! :-)
jen- i know! we have so many more immunizations now, and I am sure some of them aren't all that necessary, but with all the $ being made on them, there is no way for us to really know what the effects could be. I think we are just going to spread them out so it's not so much at once.
brianne- thanks for the site--i will definitely check it out, as i want to continue breastfeeding for 6 months if i can. Yeah, tricare is a good deal, when it works out, but there is a lot of crap you have to deal with regarding which doctor you want as your pcm and how they file things affects whether they cover thme or not---i learned early on to keep track of every conversation and when i had them, and to be a persistent bitch to make them do their job and it works 90% of the time!
Sarah- thanks for the sympathy! I think Lucas is getting better, and he gets in such good talkative moods, that I wonder what he will be like when he's not sick; probably a delight! John feels stupid for initially saying the formula thing, he was just caught off guard with all the news i gave him when he called on his way home from work. We could afford it of course, and we would just cut back on some unnecessary spending, but depending on how his next bilirubin test goes, I most likely will continue to breastfeed as long as i can keep up with his appetite.
and about the immunizations--she wasn't trying to scare me or convince me; she just wanted me to read up on it and then make a decision because they believe certain chemicals in the shots (thermosyl or mercury) triggered autism in their 2 year old. They just found out that he is autistic and she is totally embracing all of the options they can take in helping Alex learn and adjust and he is progressing. The thing is, that like jen said, babies get 5 times the amount of shots than we did, and some of them have (albeit a small amount) of somewhat harmful chemicals. But like you, I am more worried as of now, that he will get sick if he doesn't have them, so we will probably spread them out and see how he reacts to each one..don't know yet-- still researching.
roni- thanks for the advice-i am glad i will most likely be able to continue breastfeeding. Yeah, I have been putting him in the sun more and more. His eyes are looking better, but I still want to see his BR levels go down and stay down!
Sounds like you got a lot of good advice. I can only tell you that you are doing great for looking out for Lucas and making sure he is well. Educating yourself by reading up on any risks. You know your options. Good to see that you are informed.
I hope the best for your family.
Post a Comment