Spinoff on peglems yeast/candida question-antibiotics

[Phoeff]

On and off Nick (11, HFA)has very, very bad breath. It doesn't smell like food bad breath but has a very tinny, metallic smell. I can't describe it but my husband said I once described it as "urine-like."

My thought was that he has sinus infection so DH took him to ped on Wed. Ped said he saw no dripping but since Nick said his head sometimes hurt he prescribed an anti-biotic. I went to pick up RX and it was Augmentin.

Now, I have no hard scientific data to back this up but I believe that there is a correlation between Nick's chronic otitis media and his taking of Augmentin to cure it and his autism. Augmentin is amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. The clavulanic acid prevents amoxicillin from being broken down by the enzymes in the body.

I am really on the fence about giving him the Augmentin. Peglem's post makes me wonder if his behavior will improve on it. But Nick is my son, not a science experiment. And, the ped really isn't sure if he has a sinus infection at all. He said take the Augmentin for 3 weeks if the breath is still bad then have his adenoids checked.

Do I give him the Augmentin and load up on probiotics? Just give him the Augmentin and see if behaviors change? Or just go get his adenoids checked?

[callyflower]

I have a REAL problem with prescribing antibiotics without PROOF there is something that needs to be treated. Have you flossed your son's teeth? You'd be amazed at the world of stink that can reside between teeth.

Cally

[Phoeff]

We floss regularly and brush twice daily. I'll try bumping up the flossing.

I agree about the antibiotics. I was shocked that after all we hear about resistant strains that the ped would give us antibiotics without being sure it was sinuses/infection of some sort.

I was doing a bit more research and see a corelation between sleep apnea, ADD, and adenoids. Nick is most definately a snorer.

Another thing, his speech is getting very garbled in the past few months. (He was removed from speech at school because there wasn't anything more they could do for him [insert rolleyes.]) The schools speech pathologist didn't impress me anyway. I will ask for it in middle school.

[Isabelle]

can he gargle? lukewarm saline warm gooshing around his mouth or gargling against his throat is a very efficacious natural method to clear any possible mild infection around gums and throat.
Also besides flossing, add gushing with lukewarm water with a few drops of hydrogen peroxide 3%.
Another recommendation, change often toothbrushes and finally when brushing teeth add to the toothpaste a bit of baking soda.

I believe is very irresponsible to prescribe augmentin without making a very through examination.

[peglem]

Has he seen an ENT? When I taught kindergarten, I had a student with Horrible breath (discovered after searching for which student had pooped their pants, it was that bad). He also had sleep apnea. It was his adenoids-very infected and blocking his airway when he slept.

[Sai'sMom]

Have him see an ENT. My son improved alot and did not need antibiotics almost monthly for sinus infections that never completely when away when he had his adenoids removed.