Has anyone had H1N1 flu and been prescribed Tamiflu?

[Anonymous]

As of the last few hours, I'm beginning to think DH has H1N1 (rapid onset fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, etc). DD has had the H1N1 vaccine (2 weeks ago) but she's only 18 mos and still needs the second.DH doesn't have a local PCP after recent change of insurance.

If anyone --adult and/or child has experience with H1N1 and was prescribed Tamiflu I'd love to get the name of the practice you went to.

As far as vaccine, there are pretty clear CDC guidelines for prioritization. Regarding flu treatment, that seems to be more of a luck of the draw issue (some docs prescribing, others no).

I'm really trying to avoid dragging the family to a Dr., being diagnosed with flu, and then going home without an Rx. If no local Drs are prescribing Tamiflu, we would be better off to stay home and do our best to recuperate here.

Thanks for ANY help!

[Anonymous]

I got Tamiflu, but only because DD has asthma and has been hospitalized multiple times and we had a baby under six months. If I did not have high risk kids, they wouldnot have given me Tamiflu. Is your DH or DC high risk?

[Anonymous]

DH not high risk. Per CDC guidelines, DD given her age <2 is high risk for complications if she contracts it.

I'm a planner (probably like everyone else on this board) and just trying to think ahead . I would take DH in to Dr. only if his condition escalates rapidly (ie high fever, signs of lower tract infection/pneumonia).

With DD, I'll watch an wait. If she develops high fever and respiratory symptoms in the next few days, I'd want to know where to go to take her for treatment if my ped is not accessible within 48 hrs (which can be an issue with that practice).

BTW I'm a physician -- but I never prescribe to my own family (unethical).

[Anonymous]

Just ask for it. It puts the doctor in a funny situation if he refuses it to you and then something happens. More likely than not, if you ask for it they will give it. BTW its only effective w/in the first 48 hours.

[Anonymous]

our pediatrician prescribed tamiflu - GU Pediatrics. DD is less than 6 months old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just ask for it. It puts the doctor in a funny situation if he refuses it to you and then something happens. More likely than not, if you ask for it they will give it. BTW its only effective w/in the first 48 hours.

This PP is probably right. I have an adult friend who got swine flu and they gave her tamiflu. She does have a 19 month old though. I have no idea if she had to ask, or if they just gave it to her. I do know she took it though.

[Anonymous]

I think our family (DH, then DD (almost 4yo), and myself had H1N1 about 2 weeks ago. Our DS (8 months) just came down with it this Friday night. On Fri night ped, without asking, prescribed Tamiflu which we filled and started on Sat am.

Sat am he threw up after dose. Sat night was restless all night, but slept off and on. Sun mid-day his fever went down but the congestion worsened. Sun night (last night) he kind of flipped out! Unconsolable screaming (and I mean high pitch you;d think we were cutting off his arm screaming), throwing himself back and forth in our arms while we were trying to hold him, pulling at his ear and grabbing at his head, wired and eyes darting everywhere. When I tried to nurse him he would suck a few times, try to bite me and then start screaming again.

I can't prove it was the Tamiflu but after reading the possible side effects I think it was. Now he is back to his happy self. DH brought him back to ped today who said his congestion is clearing up and suggested we continue the Tamiflu. I am not, but maybe my child just had a rare reaction.

Anyway, if you are looking for a peds office rec let me know and I'll post ours.

[Anonymous]

Got it from the ER - for me. Puked it clear a cross the room. Twice. So much for that.

[Anonymous]

We got it at Night Time Pediatrics on Muddy Branch in Gaithersburg.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As of the last few hours, I'm beginning to think DH has H1N1 (rapid onset fever, chills, body aches, extreme tiredness, headache, etc). DD has had the H1N1 vaccine (2 weeks ago) but she's only 18 mos and still needs the second.DH doesn't have a local PCP after recent change of insurance.

If anyone --adult and/or child has experience with H1N1 and was prescribed Tamiflu I'd love to get the name of the practice you went to.

As far as vaccine, there are pretty clear CDC guidelines for prioritization. Regarding flu treatment, that seems to be more of a luck of the draw issue (some docs prescribing, others no).

I'm really trying to avoid dragging the family to a Dr., being diagnosed with flu, and then going home without an Rx. If no local Drs are prescribing Tamiflu, we would be better off to stay home and do our best to recuperate here.

Thanks for ANY help!

OP: how is your DH? Did DD get it?

[Anonymous]

I got it for my son after a positive Influenza A test at Northern Virginia Peds. The pediatrician (not my regular doc) is not a huge fan of it, but I asked for it and got it. My son started it about 48-50 hours AFTER onset of symptoms and was fever and symptom free (except for cough) within 24 hours.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I got it for my son after a positive Influenza A test at Northern Virginia Peds. The pediatrician (not my regular doc) is not a huge fan of it, but I asked for it and got it. My son started it about 48-50 hours AFTER onset of symptoms and was fever and symptom free (except for cough) within 24 hours.

Why is he not a fan of it and what does he recommend?

[Anonymous]

Pediatrician sited side effects of vomiting and nausea, plus said some kids experience psychiatric side effects. I have since seen reports that the psychiatric side effects like hallucinations can be attributed to high fevers during flu so FDA is saying this is NOT necessarily from the Tamiflu.

My son's only side effect was a fairly nasty night terror that had my DH and I wondering if his head was going to start spinning around. Fortunately, he had no recollection of it the next morning. Assume that was from the tamiflu b/c he's never done that before.