4th ear infection in 2 months and now vomiting. HELP!

[Mommy2Haley]

This is also posted in Health & Healing. I posted here too since there's very little traffic over there so early in the morning.

I'm going to try to make a long story short so bear with me, please!

DD had her first ear infection in March (both ears, rx Augmenten, 10 days) which was quickly followed by an infection in the right (rx Augmenten, 10 days). All clear.

Fast forward to July with a sudden onset of vomiting and lethargy. Dx with stomach bug (over phone with pedi), better the following day, rapid onset of vomiting and lethargy again on day 3. Physically saw doctor and was diagnosed with double ear infection and "post infection" (meaning the ear infection caused the vomiting/lethargy). Rx Augmenten, 10 days.

Late August saw symptoms of another ear infection. Saw PAC at pedi's office, rx different antibiotic, 10 days.

Sept 10 DD showing signs of ear infection so I bring her to the pedi. Saw APRN who diagnosed infection in right ear and disclosed that PAC wrote in her chart "fluid in ears but no signs of infection". WTF? Why did the PAC give her antibiotics then? Anyways, APRN rx Cefzil, 10 days.

September 11 DD breaks out in hives. Call on-call doctor after hours, administer Benadryl, get rx for Amoxicillan, 10 days.

September 22 DD has first visit with chiro and naturopath. Has had lymphatic massage and given fish oil, probiotics, immune support.

September 23 finish Amoxicillan.

September 24 around dinnertime DD shows signs of cold (sneezing, runny nose) and has terrible night of sleep. Low grade fever (99.8) throughout the night; spikes to 102 while at daycare around noon. Possible signs of ear infection so brought to chiro/naturopath. Given remedies and receives lymphatic massage. Better night of sleep but still fussy and restless. Went to daycare the next day (fever gone, only cold symptoms).

Around 1am this morning DD started vomiting. 1am, 1:30am, 3:30am, 4:30am. She's immediately asleep once the vomiting is over but, as you can see, I'm awake with worry. ETA: 5:00, 6:30, 6:45.

She didn't eat anything out of the ordinary yesterday except for a piece of pineapple at lunch. I drank a cup of Mother's Milk tea around 8pm but other than those two things I can't think of anything that could have caused this.

Could it be another "post infection"? If she hasn't had milk in a bit her vomit is very mucousy and looks much like what is coming out of her nose. Can post nasal drip cause vomiting? When she first vomited at 1am her dinner wasn't there so I'm gathering that it was digested -- maybe an empty stomach combined with post nasal drip? Is that even possible?

Any advice? I think I need a hug -- I hate seeing her so miserable!

[chaoticzenmom]

Have you tried eliminating milk altogether? Milk increases mucous production which can cause tummy, sinus and ear issues. I assume that since you're using chiropracters, that the issue has been brought up before. Just in case you haven't tried it, you should. Also, orange juice and other citrus juices can increase mucous production. She should also have some probiotics to counteract the antiobiotics in her gut.

I hope she feels better.

[chaoticzenmom]

oh and to transition her from milk, try silk's very vanilla. Kids love that stuff and it's not too soy tasting. And don't get your probiotics from yogurt, go get a bottle of probiotics.

[Massanie]

Mother's Milk tea may have something aggravating your daughter's allergies. I know that my Nursing Woman's tea from Yogi Teas has chamomile in it that has cross-reactivity with ragweed pollen. Ragweed pollen counts are pretty high here where I live and I know it's bugging my dd's ears, but luckily at this time I wouldn't say she has an infection.
The timing of March, then July and late August all seem to point to pollen allergy to me. Those are the same times that my own allergies flare.
I know that post nasal drip can make ME nauseous. Severe pain also does it for me. I think you're on the right track there.

Keep up the good work, Mommy2Haley. You stay hydrated so you can keep your daughter hydrated. Virtual hug on its way to you.

Hope things are already better.

[ErikaG]

Post nasal drip for me, when it gets heavy is almost guaranteed to cause vomiting. When I was pregnant, I had terrible rhinitis of pregnancy, and the drip was one of the things that would often set off the vomiting in the morning. I'd throw up mucous and stomach juices. I've always found that sleeping more upright helped keep the fluid from draining down my throat and that reduces the effect.

[chaoticzenmom]

oops, I didn't realize you were breastfeeding. In that case, try cutting milk yourself if you haven't.

[taterbug1999]

Couple thoughts on this...

With all the rounds of antibotics, her natural good bugs are prob very diminished leaving her more vlunerable to infections. I would start a good probiotic...how old is she? Would she like yogurt or kefir?

Give vitamin A supplements... helps clear viruses from the system faster, if one is running amuck it will help boost her natural resistance.

There is recent research that ear infections often clear on their own without antibiotics so you might choose to chill on them for a bit...treat the discomfort for a bit before starting the antibiotics.

The mucousy vomit may very well be that. She is probably swollowing whatever drains down the back of her throat. The milk soothes her tummy. If she hasn't had any then her stomach is gonna get that snot out of there any way it can...To this day I can still get very vomitous from drainage.

Good luck, hope she feels much better soon!