Life will now become very hectic. There will be medication to keep track of, breathing treatments, machines, chest therapy, possibly oxygen and surgery.
Let's discuss some of the medications. Please understand that different doctors have different medications they use and that not every child respondse the same to all medication.
1st medication that is a standard in Cf is antibotics to help prevent and fight infection. Most infections that Cf children fight on a regular basis is bacteria as the mucus is thick and does not move out easily.
2nd medication is used to help thin the mucus in the lungs to try in help them cough it up. This medication is given in a nebulazer for them to breath in.
3rd medication is NSAIDs (please do not give them any of these without directions from a doctor). NSAIDs are used for fever, pain, and swelling. These medications can cause kidney problems and stomach bleeding, Please follow doctors directions with taking them.
4th medication Cf children will be on is a steroid to help reduce inflammation. Again only follow doctors directions as the wrong amount is deadliy.
5th medication is a bronchodilator to open the passage ways in the lung to help the child breath more easily. There are all kinds to use and different doses.
6th medication is for children that are not making enough digestive enzymes to properly break down their food and absorb nutrients. Pancreatic enzymes come by many brands and dosage size. They will have to be adjust over time to keep the child on a theraputic dosage.
7th item a child will need is Chest physical therapy (CPT). There are a lot of different ways for this to be accomplished. A machine called "A Vest Machine" can be used where air is pumped through hoses into a vest to vibrate the mucus lose in the lungs for coughing up. There is manual CPT it is called "Clapping" where you hold your hand in a certain way and pound on the chest, back, and sides to loosen the mucus.
8th item is oxygen. Sometimes the blood oxygen levels are just too low and supplementary oxygen is needed. Never give oxygen unless directed to as you can cause more harm than good to your child.
No one likes to hear that their child is sick and needs these medications, however the last thing I will discuss in this chapter is Surgery. Your child may have severe organ damage and the only way to help them is surgery. There is many types of surgery that can be performed.
I am not a medical professional, I am a mother of 2, now young adults, with Cf and have lived throught all of these.
