We (maybe I) finally got pushed too far with respect to Beth's abysmal food consumption. Last week I secured a prescription for her to boost her appetite. The drug is actually an antihistamine called Periactin http://www.drugs.com/mtm/periactin.html. We have discussed this option with Beth's pediatrician many times and each time we have put it off as a "wait and see" approach.
I had to take Elliott to the doctor because he had a bad case of poison oak which was steadily descending down the trunk of his body to more...sensitive parts. I thought it best to nip the thing in the bud before poor Elliott experienced insane itching in his privates. While talking to the doctor, I mentioned that Beth was now 33 inches tall and just 22 pounds. He decided that it was probably time to start the drug.
"Now be careful with her," he told me. "She might be a little sleepy."
...Okay Moms. Do any of you think being "a little sleepy" in a toddler is a bad thing? Do any of you know my toddlers? Heck, sign me up!!
It has been a week and I am only giving her two of the three doses she could have each day. There has been a noticeable improvement in her eating and her willingness to try some other foods. I am hoping that this will help her understand what a hungry tummy means and that sitting in the high chair means that it is time for food, a pleasurable experience rather than the pleading and begging time it has been in the past.
What about her sleepiness? Sadly, I cannot detect any change in her behavior or sleeping pattern (actually I am glad to see no change). Beth has always been a good sleeper and there is no difference in the duration, frequency or degree of her sleep. She was a light sleeper and easily awakened before the Periactin and she is still a light sleeper and easily awakened.
Overall we consider this a good thing. Elliott's poison oak is gone and Beth is actually sitting down and eating food while asking for more. She still gets in a mood where she doesn't want anything but I estimate she is eating 50 percent more than she did before the drug. Yippee!!
Friday, September 19, 2008
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2 comments:
How did this all finally work out with this medication? Were there any negative side effects? I think that this is the one our son's gastroenterologist has prescribed, which we are to pick up tomorrow. To have a child who doesn't eat actually eat willingly and ask for more is a wonderful thing!
You asked how the med's worked for Beth? They were very helpful. She had a clear boost in appetite. However, about three weeks later, she stayed awake through two nights. We stopped using it after that episode of sleeplessness. I have heard of this happening before. However, just having a few weeks of her increased interest in food did help in the long run. She started to tune into "hunger" and we had a much needed respite. I would use them in a heartbeat. Antihistamines are relatively benign and the meds are cheap, even if you don't have insurance. Best of luck to you!
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