Vitamin C for pertussis - how long does it take to work?

[triscuitsmom]

My 4 week old has pertussis. He has been coughing for over two weeks at this point and we came in to the hospital for observation and testing on Friday and we are still here because he desats during coughing fits so we are stuck here with him on low flow oxygen.

I read about using sodium ascorbate to make the cough better on here but I am wondering how long it takes to see improvement. I could not
find SA locally but my ND had a buffered vitamin C powder which we are taking. I am not sure if it will work because it isn't SA so I thought I'd ask here to see when to expect a change if there will be one.

Please excuse any typos or other mistakes. I'm typing one handed (nak) from my phone.

[mamaof5boys]

Don't have an answer for you- just wanted to send you love and hugs!

[skyewriter]

homeopathics

I have read about homeopathics lessening the cough and duration... worth researching!
I'd love to hear about the vit c and if it helps...

wishing you strength

[Peony]

I had a newborn with pertussis as well, almost exactly 4 years, man that was a horrid experience. I am sorry you are going it, I don't wish it on anyone. DD2 was exposed at birth so she got it very young as well.

I took SA myself thinking it would pass through my BM, DD2's system never handled the SA directly. I would express milk, mix SA into it and syringe it into her, she always just puked it back up again. Since she struggled so much to keep any milk in her from all the coughing and vomiting, dehydration was a common reason we would wind up back in the hospital, I just started taking it myself. I am now starting to think that me taking high dosing of SA in the belief that it would pass through my milk, was not correct. I am out of town so I have none of my texts with him to look things up, but I recently learned in my studies that Vit C since it is water soluble has a limit of how much it is passed through breast milk. I could try to get as much of it as you can into him directly. Use the calculation that is on here (MDC in the SA thread I believe) for body weight to figure out how much he should be getting.

DD2 was also on O2, for 6 months. She is turning 4 this month, she does have residual effects of her ordeal but is a happy, thriving child, you would never know now to look at her, just what she went through as a newborn. Hang in there and feel free to PM me with anything or even just to vent. I was so lonely and lost when I was going through it.

Amy

[triscuitsmom]

Originally Posted by Peony

I had a newborn with pertussis as well, almost exactly 4 years, man that was a horrid experience. I am sorry you are going it, I don't wish it on anyone. DD2 was exposed at birth so she got it very young as well.

I took SA myself thinking it would pass through my BM, DD2's system never handled the SA directly. I would express milk, mix SA into it and syringe it into her, she always just puked it back up again. Since she struggled so much to keep any milk in her from all the coughing and vomiting, dehydration was a common reason we would wind up back in the hospital, I just started taking it myself. I am now starting to think that me taking high dosing of SA in the belief that it would pass through my milk, was not correct. I am out of town so I have none of my texts with him to look things up, but I recently learned in my studies that Vit C since it is water soluble has a limit of how much it is passed through breast milk. I could try to get as much of it as you can into him directly. Use the calculation that is on here (MDC in the SA thread I believe) for body weight to figure out how much he should be getting.

DD2 was also on O2, for 6 months. She is turning 4 this month, she does have residual effects of her ordeal but is a happy, thriving child, you would never know now to look at her, just what she went through as a newborn. Hang in there and feel free to PM me with anything or even just to vent. I was so lonely and lost when I was going through it.

Amy

Thank you so much for responding. I have been stalking your posts about your journey through it while I was in the hospital. I didn't want to PM you though in case I would be intruding.

That is good to know about the vitamin C. I will keep that in mind. So far he doesn't seem to mind taking it stomach wise but it doesn't taste good and he makes faces and turns his head.

[mbravebird]

You could also order the nosode pertussin. Some folks have had a lot of success with that.

[skyewriter]

where did you find the nosode? I want to get us on it!

[HRJ]

I just called Washington Homeopathics about a pertussis nosode a few weeks ago, and they said they don't sell them anymore. When I asked why they said the FDA had banned it (another reason I hate the FDA). So if anyone knows where you can find one, please let me know.

[NewSolarMomma]

I hope your baby gets better soon! I don't know about vitamin C, but I had Pertussis as a baby too! I just wanted to send you so e positive thoughts.

I've been worried about pertussis, there is a huge outbreak where I live (San Diego area). I have an 8 week old, who spent his first 6 weeks in NICU so I want to avoid more hospitals. I got his vax as soon as possible, but he won't be fully protected for another couple months. I got one too, but DH hasn't, I hope he doesn't bring it home.

[JessicaS]

Are y'all still at the hospital? I hope your little one feels better soon.