Yeah. Well, something didn't feel right about it.
I googled milk intolerance and the symptoms didn't match my daughter. Where was the vomiting? The spit up? The diarrhea? Elodie's little outfits are spotless on both ends.
She just screams like a mofo.
Plus, the doctor's Great Formula Switcheroo just didn't make sense. "Try soy for 3 days...if that doesn't work, call me and we'll try (expensive formula who's name escapes me)...then we'll try Zantac...and if nothing works, then it's just colic."
Huh? You went to med school for this? I can find better advice on Baby Center!
Oh, wait. You didn't go to med school--did you? You're not the new doctor! You're just a Physician's Assistant!
That's right, internets. The office has been sending PA's in to examine my newborn each and every time. She hasn't seen a real doctor since leaving the hospital. I wouldn't have even realized it if I hadn't checked out their website and saw all their pictures and titles. (Oh, and guess what Mr. Milk Intolerance has a special interest in? Mmm-hmm. GERD and infant reflux. Gawd.)
To say I was pissed off puts it mildly.
I called my Primary Care--who also does pediatrics--and asked for a 2nd opinion. (Or should I say 1st opinion?) I like him because he's deadpan and gives it right back to me. Sample of our appointments:
Me: There's something wrong with me. I'm working hard to lose weight and nothing is happening.I drug Elodie in to see him and we both agreed that she does not have a milk intolerance. She has all the classic symptoms of colic, and as the Dr. put it: "You can try messing around with her formula and gas drops to see if it relieves the symptoms, but really, it's just going to have to run it's course."
Dr.: What did you have for breakfast this morning?
Me: *proudly* Oatmeal!
Dr.: Mmm-hmm. And what did you put on it?
Me: Honey.
Dr.: That's sugar! You can't lose weight and eat sugar!
Me: It's freaking HONEY!
Dr.: *you're-a-moron-stare*
Me: What do you want me to do? Gag it down dry? That's disgusting.
Dr.: *sigh* There are pills, but frankly, they're awful. One absorbs all the fat you eat and makes you poop.
Me: I don't want that! Gawd.
Dr.: Yep. Just cut back on sugar.
Me: *eye roll*
The best part? He listened to her chest for a couple minutes, calmly took his stethoscope off and said, "I can't even pretend that this baby has a heart murmur. There's nothing there."
Guess who switched her children over to her PCP today? The Mega Group Pediatricians--and their PA's--can suck it.
13 comments:
Did you call the office and tell them that was ridic? I know in Virginia, where i'm from you sometimes only see PA's but here in WV, atleast at our pedi office they have a student pa come in and examine & then the dr. They (PAs) do generally have a 4 year degree & 3 years of PA school but you are right in wanting your child to see a 'real' dr as well. Especially being handed all of that info it should have came from a dr. or atleast followed up by a dr. Are you still going to the cardiologist? I have heard good things about Nutramigen for plain ol' colic but who knows. Kudos for getting a second opinion & going with your momma instinct.
Good call trusting your gut on all this. While I generally preferred to see the PA's when I was getting civilian health care (they tended to have more time to spend per visit) your provider really should have disclosed that information in advance. PA are usually great and highly trained, but they still have to report to an MD so that probably should have happened...In this particular case if Dr. Google is doing a better job then yeah, you got some issues there! Hope things go a bit better and FWIW, I know a few colicky babies who could be lulled into submission with the "baby crack" known as the Baby Einstein DVDs. Something about the dead-pan music and odd, but consistent imagery, worked. I know people feel strongly about kids and TV, but hey, just throwing it out there.
I'm so glad you switched and are happy! Pediatricians drive me nuts! I'm glad I like mine since I don't have a PCP :(
Also, "glad" its "just colic". Those are in quotes because it still sucks. I hope she gives you a break soon! Just think someday she may turn out as well as me :) (I had colic and drove my 7 year old brother to tears asking, "Can we just get rid of it??"
Sometime people just irritate me. I swear it is because they try and shove so many people into a day to make more money.
Finding a good doctor is like finding a good mechnaic or hairdresser. You latch on for dear life!
You might want to maybe look into colic. Because, really, a doctor who diagnoses colic may as well be diagnosing Fahrvergnugen because, really, colic is not a physical ailment. Colic is actually a diagnosis given when doctors can't (or are unwilling to) figure out what is hurting a baby.
I think, usually, something is going on with the baby to bug them because they are just so little and still need some time growing up. It is usually their tummies, as the foods we eat just aren't gentle enough for them, EVEN in the breastmilk. That's why "colic" alleviates itself after a few months, because then the baby's digestive system has finally matured.
You can wait out the colic - yes it will pass and your daughter will be no worse for the wear. But if you have the energy or desire, you can continue to investigate the milk intolerance issue.
Remember, it could even be something simple like eczema. Imagine how horrible it would be to have itchy skin but no way to itch it. I know I'd be screaming.
Seriously, Check out that book I recommended, "Colic Solved" by Dr. Bryan Vartebedian.
Please keep posting often. I miss you in-between posts :-) of course, I have a 5-week old so I understand the days you don't post.
I really hate it when drs have hidden agendas or a cure-all for everyone. My husband and I went to a dentist (one separate days) and he told both of us that we had GERD and needed to re-do all of our fillings bc the acid was eating them away. Neither of us had symptoms, but somehow we both had 'silent reflux'? Yeah right. I think this young guy needed to repay his loans.
I'm so tired of stupid!
Everyone knows not to let someone fall asleep who's just had a head injury, RIGHT?
Having rushed my 7 month old into the ER after a fall from bed the other day, the RN who was calmly checking us in said, "Oh honey, she's a baby! Let her sleep if she's tired!" UM< FAIL.
Such a good mommy following your instincts. Keep up the good work!!
I know there are smart PAs and NPs, but my personal experience has not backed that up either. I'm sorry you had to deal with all of that but glad you ended up with a real answer (even if it's not a great one). Hope this passes QUICKLY.
Have you tried the SwaddleMe swaddler? My little one calms down immediately when I put him in it. We just bought it at Babies R Us and I think it was about $10. He would calm down with blankets, but then would find a way to escape. Can't hurt to give it a try!
Have you tried Dr. Harvey Karp's calming techniques? He has a fantastic book and a 30 minute DVD, both called The Happiest Baby, that have produced amazing results for thousands of parents with collicky babies. He teaches you how to calm your baby through 5 simple steps (the DVD is really the best for learning these techniques correctly). I'm telling you - he's saved the sanity of parents across the country! You can get his books and DVDs on Amazon: http://tiny.cc/6023q. Give it a try!
Having been the Mom to a colicky baby also I have two little tidbits of advice which you may or may not have heard already but I'll let you know anyway.
1) Burp that baby like you've never burped a baby before. I mean even if it takes half an hour to get a burp up then thats what ya gotta do. Don't give up til you get a burp. And that's in everysinglefeed (even the night ones) and half-way through the bottle. Even if bub is hungry and wants more milk don't give her any more til she's burped. Seriously.
2) Pump her little legs while she's lying on the change table like she is riding a bike. That'll catch any wayward burps that have escaped your champion burping regime and metamorphasised into farts and before they start giving her lower bowel pain from hanging out in her colon for too long.
Fingers crossed for you and your sanity.
Hang in there!
Allison :)
I'm happy all Elodie has is colic. Though I know that is no fun for anybody.
I've heard chamomile tea works wonders with colic. I have several friends who tried this with great success.
Ugh. I am sorry you had to deal with stupid doctors. That is the worst. I'm really glad that you decided to get a second opinion. I swear, my #1 rule to Moms is 'trust your instinct' because it is usually right.
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