I'm trying to do a little research for my Sis about my nephew. He is 20yo and has had swollen glands in his neck for about 6 weeks now. He took one antibiotic and got a bit better only to have the symptoms come right back. He has swollen glands, occasional cough and is "stuffed up" with a temp of 101.5 He is otherwise, usually a healthy adult both working and going to school. He does not get the sleep he needs. But, what 20yo male does, right. He is NOT a party guy at all though. Just works a bunch. Yesterday, his Doc gave him a shot, a prescription for Zithromax and another one for prednizone. Sis told him not to take the prednizone as we are aware of the side effects it has. Also, he didn't ask the Doc what the diagnosis was. Seems like he should know WHAT is being treated before he takes a steroid that can be so harsh on the body. I'm thinking possible sinus infection. But, my glands don't swell like that with a sinus infection and neither do Sis's. They did a mono test and it was negative. Don't know much about mono testing. Is it a quick test like strep where it's sometimes a false result and a culture should be grown? I'm worried. Things like Lupes, etc keep popping in my head. Has anyone ever had these symptoms? He goes back to the Doc Friday and Sis is going with him this time. He's not real good at asking questions he needs to ask. What could it mean if your glads stay swollen so long?? Just wondering out loud and looking for a little friendly feedback.
I wouldnt stress, ds has swollen glands alot with colds! just one question what was the dose of the prednizone. In small doses for a small amount of time the effects are not that great!
prednisone is used for an anti-inflammatory for swollen glands. my kids have taken it many times, as have I. prednisone: : a glucocorticoid C21H26O5 that is a dehydrogenated analog of cortisone and is used as an anti-inflammatory agent, as an antineoplastic agent, and as an immunosuppressant
Have they checked his lungs? I had pneumonia a couple months ago and that's how it started out. I got checked for mono which was negative. Then a tooth started to hurt, so I thought there was some kind of infection there. Went to the dentist to find it was inflamed sinus' so they put me on an antibiotic. Later I had a fever and aches, went to urgent care. Urgent care never ran a flu test but said I showed classic flu symptoms. Then I got worse and went back to the doctor, they x-rayed me and I had pneumonia. I had swollen glands for about 2 - 3 weeks before I went to the doctor the first time. It was about 2 weeks after that when I was diagnosed with pneumonia. Good luck and I hope you figure something out soon.
Don't know the dosage amount. My Mom has had to take prednizone often and it has had horrible effects on her. Also, both MIL and FIL took it while they were living and we some some really bad side effects in them. Sis is really funny about taking ANY meds so prednizone really freaks her out.
my mom has been on it for 4 years now so I know the effects of long term use but for something for a few days the effects are not going to be the same and pretty sure the dose is pretty small in comparsion to those on it for breathing problems!
I have never hesitated giving it to my kids, one had asthma, and stayed on it for 3 years. I have taken it several times too. Alot of times the Doctor prescribes it in combination with the other stuff, so he can get better. Eliminating a step(medicine) could prolong him getting better.
Hmmmm... Now that is interesting. Sounds very much like my nephew's situation. I'll have to tell Sis about it.
I've been on it for 3 months at a time before. No ill side effects, except gaining 30 lbs....ugggg. My problem cleared up, so thankfully I don't have to take it anymore. My sister has been on it for the last 10 years and my Mom for a couple of years, with really no side effects.
Wow SB and all who posted about the prednizone. I'll have to tell Sis. When my MIL took it she was mean as a snake and she blew up like a balloon, especially in the neck area. FIL was nasty on it too, well, nastier than usual anyway. He gained lots of weight and after some time, his skin became tissue paper thin. You could touch him and he would bruise and if he bumped something, his skin would just tear off like paper. :? My Mom said she couldn't even stand herself when she took it. SB, for me, gaining 30lbs is MORE than an ill side effect. My nephew would NEVER take it if he thought he would gain a bunch of weight:lol:
The 30 lbs. was worth me getting rid of poison ivy. I was covered and it took 3 months for it to all go away. I'm highly allergic....ugggg
when she goes to the doc - make sure he tells her and him exactly what it is. IF he doesn't know or is not sure, have him order blood tests to check white cell count. Don't sit on this.
swollen glands My daughter gets swollen glands after having a cold or when it's allergy season. Her dr. said that drainage "settles" on the glands and that's how they get infected. She is given antibiotics which helps bring them down somewhat, but they stay swollen for a long time sometimes. One time her gland was swollen so bad that you could see the lump on the side of her neck.
Update - Thanks for your input! Well, it IS mono. Sis took him back in yesterday and made them do another mono test. This time it came up positive. Sis had mono when she was about 19 and she knew the symptoms well. You know how Mom just often has an extra sense about her child - no matter how old they are. The Doc was not very helpful. He was just throwing meds at the symptoms without knowing what the problem was. Young guy, full of himself. Sis is changing Docs. It seems that the mono testing is similar to the strep test. There is the "quick test" and then there is the culture they can grow. Seems the quick tests are not very reliable. I'm going to insist on a culture in the future. Anyway, now Sis is worried because she and her DH and the other kids have been exposed to mono for about a month now:? Praying they don't get it too!! Thanks for the help everyone. Oh, BTW, when pneumonia was mentioned, the Doc told Sis that there was like a one in one million chance he would have it because of his age (20) and since he is a healthy, active person. :? Huh? What about those stories I've heard where a college kids gets sick and is never diagnosed correctly and they find him dead in his dorm room because it went so long it turned into pneumonia? I think the Doc just got mad because Sis asked him several questions and he didn't have the answers. Jerk!:evil:
Sorry he's got mono, but glad they finally figured out what it was! There's nothing worse than being sick and nobody can find out what it is (been there, done that!)
Thanks DMJmom. I AM glad we finally know what it is. BTW I guess it would be nice for me to tell you all that he lives in another state so you won't think we have mono going around here:mrgreen:
Glad they found out what it was. I was going to ask if he had a cat or had been near one...even one that is kept indoors. Cat Scratch Fever is something we tend to think of as a song sung by a group of rockers, but its very real. My daughter got it when she was about 10 years old. All it takes is one little scratch. She had the swollen glands, fever and malaise for almost a year. It took 4 rounds of antibiotics to take care of it.
One of my nephews had it a couple years ago. Had a huge lump come up under his arm, turns out it was cat scracth fever. Scary for them at the time, I didn't have any idea til then how serious it could be.
My daughter had a purplish bruised area right over the gland in the front of her ear, that stayed for at least 2 years. It's nothing to mess with.
Not trying to scare you, but it's something to think about. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hodgkins-disease/DS00186/DSECTION=2
