[crayolamom]

I have read several threads about positive TB medications, so I was prepared when we went to the Health Dept. today for our 1st meds appointment. We got there and they said since he's only 2 the protocol is... two doses per week for nine months. Here's the kicker we have to go to the health dept. for every since dose?
Has anyone else done this? I was prepared for the dose every day for the nine months,but I was NOT prepared to go to the Health Dept. for every dose.

Oh Lord!!!!

[giovanni7460]

We are 7 months into meds now. Giovanni was 5.5 in Septemberwhen we started. He turned 6 last week. He gets 3.5 teaspoons a day for 9 months. We do it at home at 4 pm every single long long day. We did not have to let our health dept. know. We see an infectious disease Dr. at a hospital once a month. He checks his liver and growth. His x-ray (chest) was negative. I never heard actually going there. Maybe you can question why you need to be there for the meds.
Patty

[DPline]

I think it might have been DeeVee who had to go to the Health Dept.? I'll take a look and see if I can find the thread if it was her. Or maybe someone else remembers for sure.

[avoel]

I would call your ped and see if they can get that overruled. The twice weekly observed dosing is usually for those who are not compliant with meds (or in some cases, a condition for getting the med free from the health department). Latent TB is a reportable illness but, as a ped, I have never had any problem reassuring the health department here that my patients/families were indeed capable of getting the med daily at home. Some HD's can be real sticklers though!

[DPline]

Well, I have searched high and low and can't figure out who it was, but I am still inclined to think it was DeeVee's daugther. And that she was eventually able to get it overruled and give the meds at home. Hopefully someone will come along with a better memory than me!

Good luck!

[crayolamom]

Thanks all! I'll call the ped. and beg for a pardon. I hate going to the health dept., but if I have to I will.

[DPline]

Keep this bumped up too. If it was DeeVee (I am still holding onto hope my memory isn't totally shot!) hopefully she will see it and offer advice.

[w8ting4Thomas]

bump bump bump

[kiplingmom]

I think it might vary by each state's health dept.

My DD just turned 2 and we had the option of a HD nurse coming to our home 2X week to administer the meds for free, or we could do it in a daily dose at home. I opted to give it to her at home in pill form. It cost less than $4 for a one month dose from the WalMart pharmacy. I crush the pill and put it in her cereal, apple sauce, or whatever she's having at breakfast that I'm pretty sure she will finish.

Hope your ped can get you do the daily dose at home!

[mevertin]

Not to answer for DeeVee, but she had her baby last week ( 5 kids under 6) so her forum time might be limited!
Mary
mom to Bobby 11, Bridget 10, Angela 8, Eddie 4 (home from Guatemala in 2005) and Naldo 22 months (home since Feb. 08)

[Momonthefarm]

We get our medicine through the Iowa Dept of Health but it was sent to our family practice doctor and we see him each month to get the refill on our prescription. Actually, he does not even really see us we just check in at the front desk and his nurse brings out the new bottle of pills.

We actually were prepared to get the script filled at our regular pharmacy but our dr. was able to get the pills through the health dept so that is why we went that route.

Good luck!! Renee

[5fromguat]

My 3 year old son tested positive with a negative chest x-ray. We live in Pennsylvania and the ped. had to report it to the health department. We go to state health center once a month for the pills which are no charge. They weigh him and ask question and we leave. I asked them WHY must I come there every month and they told me that is the RULE from the higher up! So I guess it depends on what state you live in. By the way my son gets 2 pills daily at dinner time. I put the pills (whole) in a teaspoon of applesauce and he swallows them right down.
Jane