2Nd Opinion or Nervous 1St Time Mom

Updated on March 03, 2008
J.A. asks from Overland Park, KS
18 answers

I'm trying to decide if I am being an overly nervous first time mother, or should seek a second opinion. My peditrician has been very laid back about my children's sicknesses since birth. The day before Thanksgiving we took our son to see him because he had a nasty cold. He told me "oh, he's fine!" and sent me home. We went out of town and ended up taking him to the Emergeny Room because I didn't think he was "fine". Turns out he had pnemonia. So last night my same son was wheezing and had extremely labored breathing. I took him to Children's Mercy and the recptioist literally pulled me out the registration line because she thought my son was having an asthma attack. The took me immediately back to the the doctor (without even taking his vitals). The C.M doctor thinks he's showing early signs of asthma (he was born 8 weeks early) and he tested positive for Non RSV Bronchiolitis. She discharged us with a breathing machine to use at home and a steroid. She wanted my son to be seen every day for 5 days by our peditrician. So we went to see our peditrician this morning. The nurses came in to take his heart rate, oximitry, etc., and were VERY concerned about his breathing as it was labored. Our peditrician comes in and says "oh, he's fine... he just has bronchialitis and a double ear infection". He does not want to see him for 10-12 days.... the Children's Mercy doctor was adament about him being seen every day for 5 days. I told the CM doctor about my reservations with my peditrican and she said if he won't seem him every day, to bring him back to Children's Mercy. So... I'm wondering if I'm just a nervous nelly first time mom, or if I should get a second opinion (on the asthma) and maybe look for a new peditrician.

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Everyone gave me such agreat advice! Thank you. I decided to kick my peditrician to the curb (even despite the fact he's a family friend) and I took my son back to Children's Mercy to be seen again. I also got him an appointment with a pediatric asthma doctor as well. I definitely feel empowered!

More Answers

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K.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Your dr. should compliment your style as a mother. I would switch after what you shared. But, I tend to be very tough on Dr.'s I love mine and wouldn't switch for anything. In fact I recently moved to Olathe and still drive to the Plaza to see him, just because we is that great. Find somebody you trust, and trust a lot, somebody who will work with you and trust your judgement as the mother (your gut is the best tool for a dr. to follow). Be protective - it's your right as the mother, Dr.'s are not all knowing and most have control issues and hate to be questioned - this is not acceptable in our day and age. So, find soemebody who you love. Empower yourself. Hope that helps....

1 mom found this helpful
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H.H.

answers from Springfield on

If you are uncomfortable with your doctor - CHANGE. It is so important for you and your children's doctor to be on the same page. You know what is best for your child, and you need a doctor who is willing to listen to your concerns, and not treat you like you are stupid!!!! My advice - get a different doctor!!!!!!!!!

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J.A.

answers from Joplin on

If you feel your Dr. is not showing enough concern by all means seek a second or third opinion, you do not have to stay with a Dr. who is not hearing you!!! Try on a Dr. until you find the right fit. Asthma is serious and should be approached as such. Better to be overly nuerotic than sorry!!

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L.R.

answers from Kansas City on

if your pediatrician is being dismissive (and it sounds like he is) you should definitly get a different one. i don't think you are being over dramatic about your son's illness's. no one knows your kids better than you. if you think something is wrong it probably is. trust your gut.

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T.H.

answers from Kansas City on

Find another Ped- as a mom with an asthma child(born 3 wks early and started issues at 5mo and gotten worse) it is a difficult road to roll on anyway, let alone with a Dr who thinks "all is fine"...My Ped is amazing, she has a child with asthma so anytime I really need an answer or have a question I can get to her! Another option is ask the nurses at CM who they would recommend as a good Ped with Asthma experience- the nurses know who the 'good docs' are and who aren't so good- your little one could easily outgrow it quickly or be dealing with it for years- you want to be sure you know you can get help-- and if you are like us, our guys symptoms are different with each attack still, it's like a new game each time it happens! Good luck with it, it's a hard road- but easier with a good Dr behind you!

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L.S.

answers from Kansas City on

J. -

Absolutely time for new doctor. Take your kiddo back to Children's in the meantime for treatment, and even ask whom they would recommend that would be a good primary care physician and be able to specialize in respiratory/allergy/asthma. There are some who do it all. Or perhaps he would be a good candidate for other clinics they have. You are doing exactly what you should. Congrats, and keep fighting for your sons. They need you to do exactly what you are doing. :) Go mommy!
I wish I had a good doc to recommend but I'm not real thrilled with mine, been checking around to figure out who likes theirs. Take care, best wishes...

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L.W.

answers from Kansas City on

First, you need to contact children's mercy and see about bringing him back there, and explaining what your doctor has been saying. Then, you need to get a new pediatrician, someone who's not in the same group.

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T.K.

answers from Columbia on

Being a mom of a premature baby, I would get a second opinon. They are more likely to get things than a child that wasn't born premature. It sounds like you may need a new ped. This one doesn't seem to have the time he needs to give you child the proper attention.

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J.S.

answers from Kansas City on

Def. Find another doctor, I was pushed around about ear infections for six months and I finally bucked up and told them I am the mother not THEM!. My daughter when she was 8 months old was in the hospital for 3 days due to bronchialitis. she did not have is as bad as your son, but it is never good. It is an extremely serious condition. Some children have gotten pneumonia or worse. I would say that you need to take him to child. mercy (I always go to south, I hate downtown) and find another doctor. I never cared if is was "nervous" you can't ever be too sure! Good Luck!

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M.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I would look for another doctor. I would also get several other opinions of necessary. You can not be to careful with little guys. If you are doubting your doctor then I would go to someone you have faith in. Mothers know their babies and you can tell when something is not right. Follow your gut feeling!!! Usually we are right. You pay doctors and there office staff plenty of money to wait on you. USE IT!!! Call anytime you have a question or concern. Even if you just asked the question. They can get over it. There are no stupid quesitions when it comes to our kids.

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A.W.

answers from Joplin on

You did the right thing on taking in on your instints. My oldest with through with almost the same ordeal ped. telling us it was just a cold, my third doctor I took him to finale sent us to CM and after several allergy testing we where able to take control of what was taking him by control. He is now 8 and enjoys his sports with no further problems until he becomes ill. I pray that your little one will soon out grow asthma it is a very hard and scary thing to have to go through.
Sincerly
A.

A.S.

answers from Kansas City on

I don't think you're being an overly nervous mom. If I were you I'd be getting a different pediatrician. I'd probably give your current pedi an earful while I was at it too. Bring him back to Children's Mercy, and then get yourself a new pedi. Maybe they can recommend someone for you?

Good luck and I hope you're little guy feels better soon!

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R.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I am a twin myself so I know the challenges you have ahead. Always use your mother's intuition to solve your anxieties. I don't think you can ever be an over-worried mom. Seek the second opinion whenever in doubt.

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D.E.

answers from Springfield on

J.,
I believe I'd change doctors. Sometimes you have to do what your gut tells you. You are the mom, you have the right to do this. Your reservations about him must be real, or you wouldn't be writing this question. The reason they took him without vitals they can tell he has labored breathing from seeing his chest moving, how fast he is breathing, he was obvious to a trained eye, labored breathing, If you watch between the rib cages, they will suck in when he takes air in, like if you sucked the air out of a balloon and it went flat, well, don't ever doubt yourself as a mom, it's okay. You were right, always listen to your own gut feelings, your his mom and thats what moms do. keep up the good work.
D. E.

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B.K.

answers from St. Louis on

In this instance I would not say our are being a nervouse nelly and I would definately find a new peditrician! I would ask the doctors at Children's who they recommend becuase that doctor would be more likely work with Children's on treating your son.
Personally, I would rather be overly cautious than not when it comes to caring for my children. I can't tell you how many times I called the nurse with a million questions at my ped's office when my son was first born and they were always so nice about it. You want a doctor you are comfortable with and can discuss anything (and I mean anything) with. I have a boy and 2 girls and it's unbeliveable all the different concerns you will have as they get older. No one knows your child better then you so stay on those doctors and nurses if you think there is something wrong. Most of the time you will probably be right. Best of luck and I hope your son gets better soon!

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C.M.

answers from Kansas City on

A mother's instincts are nothing to be taken lightly. Any doctor who will not listen to you should be kicked to the curb especially when you have seen other doctors who are so very concerned about your child. Bronchiolitis can very quickly become a very serious condition in a child so young and a doctor who just blows it off as nothing is not someone that you need to be taking your child to. You are paying this doctor to take care of your children, help you understand what is wrong with them, and resolve any concerns that you have. If he is not doing these things, then get a different doctor not just a second oppinion. Remember, you know your child better then anyone and you will know better then any doctor, who only sees your child occasionally, if something is not right. I hope the little guy feels better soon.

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L.D.

answers from Kansas City on

I would get another pediatrician. I honestly wouldn't trust a doctor who doesn't seem concerned about breathing issues. My son had early onset asthma and we were told he could have ended up a SIDS baby if I hadn't been so vigilent! As moms, we have to be our childrens' greatest advocates. And as my husband pointed out one time, for every graduating class of MDs, someone had to graduate at the bottom of the class! Sounds like your pediatrician might be one of them!

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L.R.

answers from Kansas City on

Just based on what you have told us, I would find a different pediatrician. Yes kids get sick, but when you have CM doctor telling you your child is sick and needs to be seen for 5 days....hint, hint. Good luck. Hope they get well.

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