Hello Lactnetters,

I am so very upset by tonight's episode of Chicago Hope.  Sad, says it
best.

A mom called me in tears today.  She was admitted to the ER,
experiencing severe side pains.  The dr found fluid in one lung and
possible blood clots as well.  Mom was given some sort of radio active
substance to aid in diagnosing her illness, and told not to breastfeed
her 4 month old son for three days.  Test ruled out blood clots.  Dr
insists that she takes an antibiotic called Levaquin.  She has been told
there is no alternative, and that it is contraindicated with
breastfeeding.  Mom explained that her baby had never had a successful
bottle feed and she wanted another medication.  Her Dr told her (and I
quote!) "that baby will just have to *learn* to take a bottle."   UGH!

Mom is picking up a pump tomorrow and at this point is planning to pump
and dump (oh that's a loaded phrase after Chicago Hopeless!) for the
next 10-14 days.  Meanwhile, she'll finger feed and suffer through.

Could someone (Dr Hale, are you out there?) please forward info to me
about this medication.  How long will it be present in the mom's system?
Is it really contraindicated?  Is there an alternative medication that
would be effective?

She is also having to take Prednisone, and endocet in small doses,
neither of which are contraindicated according to the 1997 PDR.

Thank you so much for your quick responses!  This poor mom is really
suffering!

Erin Reagan
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