Have question regarding cf and sweat test

Hi,
I have a question about cf. I have a daughter who is 2 yrsold. She has had a sinus infection for the past month or so and has been treated with 2 different antibiotics, today is about her 18th day of antibiotics. She has had a cruddy cough with this. I took her to the doctor today for a fever of 101.5, a yeast infection and a cough. Her lungs and everything sounds good but she was concerned about the cough we have been hearing. The doc put her on an antifungal for a infection on her bottom and said that because of the antibiotics she could have a fungal thing causing the cough. She said that if the meds dont help the cough then try zyrtec if that doesnt help then they will have to do lung xrays and possible cf testing. My question is this: Is the sweat test always correct or are there false negatives involved in this test. She had the sweat test at 6 months for constant cough and came back negative (found out she was allergic to cats we gave up the cat and do not have any animals, it is also winter time here and everything is frozen)


Thankyou for your responses ahead of time
Julie

Hello Julie. I also have CF - had alot of sinus problems in the past as well. When you kiss her - does she taste like salt? Feel free to give her a little lick LOL I dont think she'll mind. if she tastes overly salty then I would take her back for a second sweat test.

You mentioned an allergy to cats. Do you have carpets? Probably alot of cat dander in there (vaccuming and steam cleaning just push it deeper). In this case removal of the carpet may be something to consider. My folks removed all the carpets in our house and my lungs got a LOT better. Put in laminate flooring instead (Wilson Art or Formica are the two GOOD brands of laminate).

Do you have a hepa air purifier? You can pick them up at K-Mart etc etc (just single room jobbies) - I'd put one into her bedroom to help remove any possible allergens from the air.

I would also consider the presence of any moulds in the house - focus on doorframes, under leaky cabinets, around the bathtub etc. If you find ANY use bleach and scrub for all you're worth.

All of the above will affect sinus's as well as lungs. Just to cover the bases. If you need more help, feel free to email me.

The yeast infection is likely caused by the antibiotics - thats an unfortunate side effect. I would advise yogurt if you are looking to clear it up naturally, it works wonders! Try to avoid the sugar-filled kind as that feeds the yeast infection. Natural sugars seem to be OK but if you pick it up and look and the first ingredient is sugar, glucose or fructose then put it back LOL.

I certainly hope that your daughter doesn't have CF, but if she does, its not the end of the world anymore. With good management she can live a relatively normal life. Please keep us posted! :)

I hope this helps,
Christina

Post Edited (Tayra) : 11/26/2005 12:44:59 AM (GMT-7)

My parents diagnosed me (not the doctors). They said I had large foul smelling stools and I was hungry all the time. My mom saw a commercial on TV that talked a bit about CF and asked the parent to get the child checked and mom knew instinctivly from looking at it that was what I had. They'd give me a bottle and 5 minutes later I'd be crying hungry again (without the right enzymes I was just pooping it right out).

The place you live in now - is it overly dusty? Thats another thing my lungs react to (in addition to pets and moulds). It is normal if you have a sinus infection and a post-nasal drip that the infection would spread to the chest. Post nasal drip means your sinus's basically drain down into your throat and some ends up in your lungs. Coughing isn't fun :(

My mom suggests that you elevate the head of her bed - this will help to reduce the post nasal drip. She says to take a few good sized books and just put them under the feet of her bed.

Have you tried doing some light physiotherapy on her? Take your hand and hold it flat out in front of you. Now cup it like you're going to get it filled with water. Thats the hand position you want to use. It hurts alot less than a flat hand and is more affective for physio. Try hitting your knee with a flat hand, then with the cupped hand. You can feel the difference. Now physiotherapy is just hitting with the cupped and for several minutes. Try doing physio on yourself - lower front should be sufficient. You'll feel how much pressure to use on an adult. Basically cut it down by a quarter for a child and again for a small one..


Now since she is two it should be easy for you to work in some postural drainage to help. You want to sit on the edge of a high couch or chair and put her upside down on your lap. You want to thump her with your hand. I dont mean whacking her - but a firm downward motion. Doesn't have to be with all your strength or anything crazy. You are just helping her to cough up the cruddies in her lungs. Dont be surprised if she falls asleep - the repetition usually puts young ones to sleep. Most cystics call this physio "Clapping". I would also advise putting a towel down folded about 1/4" thick as this helps to protect her. The vibrations will still reach her to do the job.

There is an excellent PDF here demonstrating: http://xpedio02.childrenshc.org/stellent/groups/public/@Manuals/@PFS/@HomeCare/documents/PolicyReferenceProcedure/018331.pdf


My mom is famous for seeing a sick kid in the hospital waiting line for the ER and giving em physio for 5 mins to help clear out the gunk. She'll show the parents what to do and they'll do it at home. This works for colds etc. Anytime there's a buildup of yuck.

If you are worried, consult a physiotherapist before you continue. Ask him/her to show you how to do it correctly.

wow, tayra, your childhood sounds limiler to mine, I had scinus prblems too. my mom prity miuch diegnosed me too. the only thing I would worry about is that when I was really sick and had thick secresions the clapping hurt a little, okay a lot. it wasn't that the hand was hurting, it is just that it hurts when plugs break up sometimes. but I always felt better after a treatment.
good luck