Learning from unexpected patients: My family
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David M. Anmuth MD Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics Allergy & Asthma Associates, Houston TX www.TexAllergy.com About the author: Dr. Anmuth joined Allergy & Asthma Associates in July, 2007. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatrics and the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. In addition, he is a member of both the American Academy and the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. |
As a physician, we are taught disease processes and treatments, many of which we will never experience ourselves. Being an allergist and treating common everyday problems gives me the opportunity to experiment with various medications on myself or family members (most frequently my wife) in order to make better recommendations to my patients. My wife is a long time allergy sufferer, and prior to our meeting, would get 2-3 sinus infections per year that would “require” antibiotics. After explaining to her that a bacterial sinus infection was unlikely after only three days of symptoms, I needed to teach her a better treatment plan. That is where NeilMed has played an enormous role. Since becoming a regular user (almost daily) and understanding better the need for nasal steroids in chronic rhinitis, she has reduced her antibiotic use dramatically.
My wife was a definite success. However, my greatest achievement has come with our daughter. Since her birth in 2010, I have learned so much about myself as a person as well as a physician. I have, without a doubt, become a better, more empathetic doctor since her arrival. From early on, nasal saline was a regular part of our illness regimen. We would use a saline aerosol spray that was cold and uncomfortable. Either my wife or I would offer chocolate chips so that we could get the opportunity to headlock her and clean her nose as best we could. Even so, she would be unable to clear infections and inevitably need oral antibiotics to improve. At the age of three, at the suggestion of her pediatrician, we decided to give the Pediatric NeilMed a try. It was an instant success. We found that, since the rinses were more comfortable and effective, she stopped fighting and started asking for them when she felt congested. The results have been amazing and to see a three year old perform the maneuver by herself, is truly a sight. Since making NeilMed a part of her upper respiratory treatment, she has taken no antibiotics and breathes better, leaving more time for play and exploration.
Overall, sinus rinsing is an effective way to cleanse the nasal passages, allow better delivery of nasal treatments, and even reduce the need for further medications. Through my family’s personal experiences, I now fully appreciate the NeilMed value and am more confident to encourage all of my sinus/allergy patients to use nasal rinses on a regular basis.
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We have had the same success as you in our family. My son spent most of his early toddler years on antibiotics (about every 3 weeks) due to chronic rhinosinusitis. He actually ended up with developmental delays due to not being able to hear correctly. After a week in the hospital for a sinus infection and pneumonia when he was just shy of 3, we were hooked up with some fabulous new doctors. They got all of the infection cleared out of his sinuses then started my son on nasal rinses. 2 months after our hospital visit I had a new child! Now, at age 6, he uses sinus rinses (and nasal steroids when needed) at the 1st sign of sinus symptoms…and he’s not only developmentally on track but actually advanced compared to kids his age! I recommend sinus rinses to EVERYONE!