My son gets ear infections and will be getting tubes in his ears April 5th.
Yesterday he was acting fine and last night when he went to sleep, he woke up screaming and crying, grabbing his ears. After tylenol and numbing ear drops from the dr...he finally went to sleep. An hour later he woke up again and this time we couldnt get him calmed down. We decided to take him to the ER bc i was worried that he had busted an ear drum. We waited from 12-430am to be seen and he was pretty much crying the entire time. I felt so helpless and he would just loo at me and cry. After being seen and given antibotic and told what to do, we finally headed home. He's been acting better today with the Tylenol, Motrin and antibotic in his system and I'm so thankful to see my little boy smile and giggle again.
Last night was the worst I've seen him. Im an Xray tech and work in an urgent care so we see kids every time we work. Tonight, I had a kid come in and she was crying. I seriously felt like I was about to have a mental break down and I felt so sick bc I immediatly thought of my little boy and how I felt with him being in the ER. Its like this feeling of helplessness is taking over my mind. I do nothing but worry and I feel so sick from this.
Is it possible to have some kind of post traumatic stress from our ER trip? The sad part is, I already take Zoloft for my nerves and this hasnt seem to help any today.
Thanks ladies for the response! I'm thankful that he's feeling better. Now, if I could just get myself together. Whoever said being a mother is the hardest job, I have to agree.
As far as the er, we were concerned that he had busted his ear drum since this past week, we have been to his Dr and ENT to have this looked at. He wouldn't stop screaming and grabbing both ears. I'm not sure even a hot compress would have worked considering that the prescription numbing drops we have for him, didn't phase the pain at all.
This weekend I'm off. His dad is currently napping while he is. I plan on forcing myself to shove some food down my throat since I haven't been able to eat the past almost 24 hours and taking a nap.
Thanks so much for the concerns and replies. This site is awesome!
*update* I didn't come here to be bashed or made feel like my decision to take my son to the ER was wrong. I work in an urgent care, so I'm aware of what EMERGENCY SITUATIONS are. In this situation, where my child is screaming in tears for over an hour and there is NO getting him calmed down, taking him to the CHILDRENS ER was the best decision.
Once we are parents, we understand everything.
We understand how heart breaking a child in pain is to watch.
We become mothers to all children,
feeling helpless to help a child in such horrible pain is awful.. and to know so many children suffer because they do not have parents who can help or do not have the ability to help.. Heartbreaking..
We just have that mom radar now.. And guess what?.. it never goes away,,
I understand! I used to be a Respiratory Therapist before I had kids and I didn't even like being on the ped floor even then. I can't imagine what I would do now. But remember they need you to do your job well and without distraction. The parents need to believe in your competency not just your compassion.
I, too, believe you will be better in a few days. You know in the back of your mind that even though a kid is crying, it's just their way of communicating. The only time they are in real trouble is when they aren't crying.
I suggest that your reaction to the little girl is quite normal. Seeing her cry, as you said, brought up those feelings for your son. You'll be less sensitive to this in a few day. I wouldn't worry about how you're feeling. Remind yourself that this isn't your child and you have a job to do. I bet you did that tonight, already.
You can learn how to turn off the worry. Think of a helpful and positive phrase to say when you start to worry. "This is not my son. My son is OK" said several times to yourself might help. Turn any negative thought into a positive one and repeat it while pushing the negative thought from your mind. It took time but I've learned how to turn my worrying around.
After your SWH I suggest that your reaction is more serious than one would expect. If you're not already seeing a therapist I urge you to start. You do not have to suffer this much.
Easy:
You had to be tough for your own kid.
Then almost immediately, just as soon as you've set down that responsibility, you got punched in the gut.
Your defenses were down, you were still a little wound up, at it hit you where you live.
You're FINE.
Completely normal.
The next couple kids you'll probably be shaky for (out of nerves for what happened just now), and then you'll trust yourself again.
I'm so glad your son is ok. You were so patient (no pun intended) to wait that long in the middle of the night, wow. You're a compassionate mom. You can be our Xray tech any time. :) Any chance hormones are acting up? Or sleep deprivation? That could make you more vulnerable emotionally. Hope you get a good night's (week's) sleep and feel better soon. There's nothing wrong with the feelings you're having. ((Hugs))
I'm so sorry, A.. I think this is happening because you already have an issue with your nerves. Tell your doctor what is happening so that she is aware. I kind of think that you need to get a little more help (not more medication help) than you have right now, at least for the short-term. Don't hesitate to get it.
Dawn
I can never go back to what I wanted to be a Paramedic eventually working in a trauma unit.Take a deep breath & care for your young patients as you would your own in a caring manner & know that they have a reason to be there just as you did with your son & what their parents maybe going through.Offer a bit more assurance
Updated
I can never go back to what I wanted to be a Paramedic eventually working in a trauma unit.Take a deep breath & care for your young patients as you would your own in a caring manner & know that they have a reason to be there just as you did with your son & what their parents maybe going through.Offer a bit more assurance
You're exhausted. It was an emotional night for you. We've all been there. I was the same way after a routine trip to the allergist ended with DD fainting. I seriously thought she was having an allergic reaction to an injection and for just a few seconds, I thought she was going to die right in front of me. I was NOT OK for a few days. (She, of course, was fine within minutes). I took to my bed as soon as we got home and I stayed there until well into the next day. I was traumatized and so were you. Get some rest and go easy on yourself. You'll be OK in a day or so. This too shall pass.
It can do some serious damage to you when you see your own child in dsitress then another child whom you can't console.. When my oldest dd was 8 she hemorraged from having her tonsils out. We were in the e/r & my husband almost passed out b/c of how much blood she was losing. He was not only embarassed, but concerned b/c he was police officer in a pretty rough town & needed to be used to this on a daily basis. Sometimes it's hard to turn off the switch, especially when it's our own child. Just keep in mind that you are doing the best you can for your child and all of the hugs and kisses you give him make that understood.
I agreee with patty.. ear infections are not an emergency.
a burst ear drum is not an emergency. once it bursts the pain and pressure stop and the child feels better.
save the er for people that are bleeding or having a heart attack.
Ears infections can wait until first thing in the morning. Emergency rooms are for just that; emergencies. If it happens again, put a warm compress on his ear and stay home until morning. Unfortunately, as you found out, if it is not a true emergency, you wait. Being miserable at home, is much easier than being miserable I the ER. Glad he is feeling better.
