Luca, and her brother Matthew, have nasty coughs. She has previously had a croup attack. Do we give moyamoya'ers cough mixture? Are there any ingredients that we should be on the lookout for? When Matthew gets croup we give him Prelone which is a mild quarterzone.

Any insight would be appreciated.
Mark (Luca's Dad)

Hi Mark,

I think you should contact her neurologist or pediatrician in order to ask for advice. I'm not a Dr., but I think that, in principle, all active substances with effect on blood presure and/or effects on vasoconstriction or vasodilatation should be avoided (for example ephedrin, that is used in some antitusive drugs) ...

All the best,

Paula

As I understand it, a MM patient should never take OTC (over the counter) meds without a doctor’s advice who knows MMD, and one who knows your specific case. It’s dangerous without knowing all her specifics, like her blood pressure, things like that.

Also, like Paula said, most cough or cold combinations cause “vasoconstriction”, whether its slight or severe, which means that some of the ingredients that helps your cough or cold, constricts your blood vessels or restricts the blood flow to the brain, so that’s a risk for an episode. Plus those meds can also raise your blood pressure, which is also risky for a MM patient.

Some medications that cause this vasoconstriction are: antihistamines and decongestants, pseudoepherine, caffeine etc.

We had some good posts on it in the past that you may want to look at.

Cold/Sinus meds OTC:
http://www.moyamoya.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1129120507


Post from Gail (Pharmacist) on medicines to avoid with MM: http://www.moyamoya.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1152538054

It’s a shame she’s little or I’d suggest a decaffeinated herbal tea. I sure hope she’s feeling better soon. Nothing worse than a hacking cough. I wish I could help with an idea… sorry. Keeping her in my prayers.

Mar

Hi Mark,
Sorry to hear about Mathew and Luca. I hope they both feel better soon.
I agree with Pula and Mar, please talk to Luca’s doctor and ask for some advice and please keep us posted.
I remember Joad before she had her surgeries she took some cough medicine and she had a very bad reaction to it. Her tongue was swollen and she could not speak, her face was all red and she was lying on the floor and refused to move at all for few hours.
All the best and I hope Luca gets better
Take care

Thanks guys

They were both taken to the doctor yesterday afternoon and as expected Matt was given cough mixture/antihistamine and Luca wasn't. Luca was given an antibiotic because it looks like an infection is brewing. The advise is to nebulise regularly and have a humidifier going in her room and ride it out.

Much appreciate the responses my friends
Mark (Luca's Dad)

I am so thankful for this forum and its great posters. I had been giving my daughter cold medicine a few weeks ago. Never thought it would affect her differently then it did before MM. Going for mother of the year here! I stopped as soon as I read the posts here. Her symptoms were pretty bad, lots of numbness and trouble getting her words out. She hasn't had any numbness since I stopped the medication. THANK YOU!!!THANK YOU!!!!
Pam

Hello everyone, Just catching up on old posts. Haven't been on in a while thanks for the great advice and info. I have never had to give Adriana cold meds but I will store this away for future reference.

Thanks to Mark for posting the question and to those who responded.  Great info & I appreciate everyone who takes the time to share here.

Best,

Jenn

i think this will help.