Urgent Care Doctor

[PZMommy]

So my younger DS was diagnosed with strep at urgent care a few days ago. He has had allergic reactions to two different antibiotics in the past. This is well documented in his chart, plus I remind every doctor of it when they go to prescribe antibiotics. The urgent care doctor said that often times kids just have reactions to antibiotics, but they are not true allergies. She wanted to prescribe an antibiotic that was in the same family as one that he had a reaction. She said it was distantly related and that most patients can still tolerate it. I was really skeptical, but I'm not a doctor, so I agreed. Even the pharmacist questioned it when I went to have it filled, but we went with it. Now two days later, and my poor DS is covered head to toe in huge hives and has head to toe red itchy rashes. He is miserable!!! We started benedryl, and when I called his regular pedi she was livid that the urgent care doctor even tried this antibiotic. The urgent care doctor had even put in his file that she recommended allergy testing for the antibiotics, but his pedi said that is not necessary, as she has seen his reactions and feels they are true allergies. I'm mad at the urgent care doctor for prescribing an antibiotic that she knew he could react to. I'm also mad at myself for not advocating more for him and even trying the medication. Definitely a lesson learned!!!

[bisous]

That’s totally not your fault though! You asked multiple people and you trusted the doctor. I’m mad for you. I have a sister allergic to most common classes of antibiotics. She also has asthma and gets pneumonia/bronchitis frequently! It’s been challenging. Getting the flu shot has been really beneficial for her. When she does need an antibiotic the doctor has to consult the big old book to find one unrelated to her prior allergies. She usually gets about 3/4 of the way though the treatment when she breaks out in hives and discontinued it. By then it’s usually done what it needs to. It’s been super annoying!

[TwinFoxes]

OMG, that's awful. I'm so sorry, poor guy.

[SnuggleBuggles]

That sucks so much. I'm sorry. I have an antibiotic allergy and one tried to convince me to try a similar one as well. I did and threw up non stop (usually I get hives). They basically said "deal with it" then reluctantly called in one of the ones I'm not allergic too.
I hope your kiddo feels better soon!!

[wendibird22]

Oh no that's awful! I'd be furious. It sounds like you did advocate for your DC and they convinced you otherwise. I saw a news article recently that was specifically about penicillin allergies and it stated that most people who think they are allergic to it really just have a sensitivity and that docs should require testing before labeling someone as penicillin allergic. I get that. But when you have a sick kid in front of you it doesn't seem the appropriate time to talk someone out of the allergy and give a related med. The doc could've counseled you on that, suggested further testing, but then prescribed something s/he knew wouldn't cause a reaction.

I hope you DS recovers from the strep and the hives quickly!

[petesgirl]

Oh no that's awful! I'd be furious. It sounds like you did advocate for your DC and they convinced you otherwise. I saw a news article recently that was specifically about penicillin allergies and it stated that most people who think they are allergic to it really just have a sensitivity and that docs should require testing before labeling someone as penicillin allergic. I get that. But when you have a sick kid in front of you it doesn't seem the appropriate time to talk someone out of the allergy and give a related med. The doc could've counseled you on that, suggested further testing, but then prescribed something s/he knew wouldn't cause a reaction.

I hope you DS recovers from the strep and the hives quickly!

Absolutely this. And if it were me, I think I would file a complaint against that Dr with the clinic. Your experience shouldn't have happened.

[AngB]

Poor guy, I am so sorry!

Same thing happened to me when I was 12ish weeks pregnant with DS2. I had to be hospitalized with cellulitis in my hand from a dog bite and the iv, non-penicillin antibiotics were not working as quickly as the hospitalist wanted. They decided I "probably had" outgrown the penicillin allergy I have had since I was a toddler and we should try it again. I think it took about 5 minutes before I started breaking out in hives once it was started. Luckily it was easy enough to stop. Then the same doctor used that as a justification to make me stay another day (I was there for 5 days!) even when I was otherwise better.

[PZMommy]

Thankfully my DS is no worse for the wear and is back to normal today. He is a bit nervous about the new antibiotic and that it will make him itchy again.

His pediatrician was going to call the urgent care doctor and the head doctor of the urgent care (it is in the same medical group and his regular pedi). She said his chart is very detailed since he has medical issues and sees several different specialists. She said his allergies are clearly documented and that there is no excuse. She also feels his “action plan” wasn’t followed and that is also in his chart. We’ve used this urgent care for years, and have been there numerous times. This is the first time I’ve ever had a problem there. I didn’t feel that the doctor was listening to my concerns, and was just dismissing me as being paranoid. I figure if his doctor calls and complain that is good enough???

[StantonHyde]

You need to write a letter to management. Tell them you are submitting a grievance. Depending on their license or accreditation, there will be a process they have to follow and will have to contact you-via phone or in a letter. This creates a document that is reviewed by licensing agencies etc. This is a big deal-you really do need to file a grievance

[Octobermommy]

Your doctor calling is enough. There are plenty of cases of being allergic to one antibiotic & not another related. Also, so many patients have “allergies” that aren’t actually allergies. They’ve either been told or think they have it. Now, obviously , your child isn’t in that group but I can see why a doctor might think that.

So glad he is okay & sorry he was so miserable. I wouldn’t turn her in to the medical board though.