Wednesday, November 22, 2006

pseudoephedrine & diphenhydramine adventures

This weekend the entire Zanklinardi family got some lessons in drug use. When trying to relieve congestion to allow sleeping, we learned that not all over the counter decongestants are created equal. One common decongestant relieves congestion and, according to the nice advice nurse at Kaiser, can cause a racing heart, restlessness, anxiety, and high blood pressure. Another is more commonly associated with sleepyness and general sedation.

Guess which one we gave to Molly for two (sleepless) nights in a row? That's right, the first one. Finally, on Sunday, Nona convinced us to check in with Kaiser and see if there was anything else they recommended to keep her comfortable. Um, yes. Don't give her pseudoephedrine when she needs to sleep.

Oh, what a little sleep can do. On Monday Molly was already feeling better. And Nona was getting sick.

(Photos Right: Molly takes the bears "up up up up TOP down down down" the Lego stairs Zach made; Left: Molly chases the chickens;)

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