Medications: What to Avoid & Alternatives

I know we'd love for our kids to be completely drug, radiation and procedure free, but somethings we have to venture where we'd rather not. Here are some tips to minimize damage when taking various drugs and undergoing different procedures.

Antibiotics to Avoid

Our children with Down syndrome shouldn't take any medications containing sulfa such as Pediazole, Gantrisin, Septra or Bactrim. These drugs have the potential to suppress the thyroid gland, which is usually low functioning in the T21 population. Use only if absolutely needed. Sulfa drugs can further deplete zinc in zinc-depleted children (also common in our population). If sulfa drugs must be used, then an additional 10 mg a day of zinc should be supplemented while the child is taking the sulfa drugs.

Instead, request Augmentin, Ceftrim, Biaxin or Zithromax (Z-Pack).

Protection from Antibiotics

Antibiotics should be avoided as much as possible because in order to stop infection, it kills the good bacteria as well as the bad bacteria. To have a properly functioning digestive system, we need our good bacteria. If your child must take antibiotics, make sure you give him probiotics as well. It's best to take the probiotics two hours after taking antibiotics. See http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/09/24/one-of-the-most-important-steps-you-can-take-to-improve-your-health.aspx for the theory behind using probiotics and what to look for when you buy them. Here's a post that will help you understand the different types of probiotics: http://dsdaytoday.blogspot.com/2011/08/probioticyogurt-strains-benefits-and.html 


Anesthetics to Avoid

Avoid using the anesthetic Atropine for any surgery, eye exams or dental surgery. Our kids are quite sensitive to atropine. It is used during anesthesia if the heart rate drops too low. But only a tiny dose is needed in DS. 

 Inhaled anesthetic vs. I.V. anesthetic

Inhaled anesthetic affects children's brains more negatively than I.V. anesthetic. See:www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/10/121026172943.htm 

Nitrous Oxide 

Nitrous oxide is to be avoided with someone who has the MTHFR gene (The MTHFR gene is probably a factor in your child having DS or autism). http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.go​v/pubmed/18580170http://ispub.com/IJA/8/2/12867
Nitrous oxide depletes already depleted B12 (extremely common in DS) and, if your child is autistic (up to 33% of kids w/DS may also be autistic), it can cause severe regressions. There's info on anesthesia and ASD on the ARI web site.

Painkillers to Avoid

Acetaminophen should be avoided (Tylenol, panadol and paracetamol etc.). It is hard on the liver and depletes Glutathione levels. More explanation here:
http://www.gotdownsyndrome.net/glutathione%26acetaminophen.html 

Eye Drops to Avoid

Make sure when you take your child to the eye doctor that they don't use drops with atropine in them. Side effects such as pupils dilating for over two days as well as signs of unease including groaning and irritability.


Supplements to Avoid

You may want to avoid tulsi (holy basil), chlorella, spirulina and ashgawandha due to its SOD (super oxide dismutase) content, which is usually an issue with our children.
Aloe- In a study assessing herbal effects on the thyroid, ingestion of 125mg/kg Aloe vera for 15 days in rats was associated with a decrease in serum T4 (-12.88%) and T3 (-25.13%) The thyroid is usually low functioning in the T21 population.

Supplement Ingredients to Avoid

Look for organic where possible. Avoid gluten, soy, dairy, corn and GMOs.

Protection Against X-rays, CT, other Radiation

See this great article from Life Extension Magazine: http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2010/aug2010_Protect-Your-DNA-from-CT-Scans-X-rays_01.htm

Another article on protection against radiation: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/03/25/how-to-protect-yourself-from-nuclear-radiation.aspx

Best Defense

Your best defense is prevention. At 17 months old, Jett has never been sick. This is because he still breastfeeds and has a very good, gut-supporting diet with probiotics and a healthy variety of foods. He is not in day care, but he interacts with children from one to four times a week. I use no chemicals or antibacterial soaps in my home.

Even at four and a half years old, the only time Jett had to take antibiotics was during heart surgery when he was 6 months old. It took awhile, but his gut flora has healed since then.

Viruses

To deal with viruses, look to ViraStop. http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=32116abbc151333c65079753bdf869a9&Screen=PROD&Store_Code=nhc&Product_Code=virastop-2x-E90 

Another thing I used is AIR tea, it's a Traditional Chinese Medicine concentrated herbal tea blend that cleared Jett's congestion. It takes a couple of months to fully clear everything and he took it twice a day from age 5-12 months old. It tastes great! My pediatrician recommended it. You take it before you get sick.

I used to be up a lot in the night with the nose drops and "mucus suckers" but not at all anymore. I just clean out his nose quickly with a swab in the morning and give him saline nose drops twice a day. Before, Jett was completely congested, up in his sinuses where I couldn't get to it. Now, I can feel the air coming from his nose which I couldn't do before. Jett has never had a cold or sinus infection. I give him 1/5 teaspoon (1 ml) in the morning and before bed with 2ml of water. He loves it!

It's blended by hand in small, organic batches.

You can get this from your local TCM practitioner ($45-65) or amazon ($16). The website is sjbherbs.com.

A I R (Allergy Immune Respiratory) Tea

Formerly (Zhi Sou Bu Zheng Qi Tang)
Stop Cough & Immuno-Support Decoction
Organic Ingredients:
Glycerin (Plant Source), 生薑Sheng Jiang (Fresh Ginger), 桔梗Jie Geng (Platycodon), 車前子Che Qian Zi (Plantago Seed), 厚朴Hou Po (Magnolia Bark), 補骨脂Bu Gu Zhi(Psoralea Fruit), 沙參Bei Sha Shen (Glehnia Root), 蒼耳子Cang Er Zi (Xanthium Fruit),白芷Bai Zhi (Dahurien Angelica), 辛夷花Xin Yi Hua (Magnolia Flower), Distilled Water
Category: Formulas That Regulates Qi and Stops Cough
Actions:Traditional Chinese Medicine -- Western equivalent:Allow Lungs to grasp Qi -- Anti- histamineNourishes production of Yin &Yang -- Anti- spasmodicResolve Phlegm -- Anti-emeticTransform Phlegm -- Anti-inflammatoryEliminate Phlegm -- Functions like Anti-bioticOpen the Nose -- Functions like Anti-viralRectifies the Qi -- Stomachic Expectorant
Indications: All types of Asthma All types Cough Rhinitis Sinusitis (including sinus infection) Seasonal Allergies (itchy, watery eyes, itchy nose, etc.) Certain types of Uticaria (Differential Diagnosis Required)
Commentary:This formula is designed to eliminate any upper-respiratory and/or sinus conditions. The formula was originally designed several years ago at the request of a local Holistic Pediatrician who was looking for something to stop coughs and clear infections that also tasted good.

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