Should I Change My Sons Pediatrician or Is This Normal?

My doc is in Flower Mound. My 8 month old went to Dr. Debra Naylor. She has seen her since she was born. I absolutely loved her and Leah did too. If you need to get in to see her, she always makes it possible. There is never a long wait either. She is caring and very thorough. She will explain everything and anything to you. In fact, my daughter had a reflux problem and Dr. Naylor sent us to an ENT in Coppell. Unfortunately, we moved and Leah can no longer see her. I continued taking her there even after we moved, but with school and work, it was difficult for me to drive out there. I definitely recommend that you visit her. Hope this helps.

Dr. Naylor
###-###-####

Hi,

We see Dr. Dhoot in Flower Mound. He is at the Flower Mound campus of Medical Center of Lewisville on FM 1171 opposite the Life Time Fitness Center. We have seen the other 2 docs in the practice and really like them too. The reason we went with Dr. Dhoot was because my eldest son was born with club feet. He immediately made an appointment for us at Scottish Rite. Later my son was diagnosed with autism. Dr. Dhoot has been nothing but supportive. He has been a HUGE help in getting the tests and services that we need. The office number is ###-###-####.

Good Luck

I would at the very least get a second opinion which it sounds like you are doing. i believe in a very conservative approach to antibiotics due overuse recently being linked to an increase in asthma and who knows what else.

Yikes! Change doctors!
Also, you might be interested in a book I just borrowed from a friend called "Disease Proof Your Child" by Dr Joel Fuhrman. He specifically addresses cases (his patients) of chronic ear infections and tonsillitis that were eliminated by changing kid's diets. He has a website at www.drfuhrman.com. Also, it seems that regular docs aren't real interested in how common milk protein allergies are. They are only concerned about it if it causes digestive problems, not upper respiratory problems. I took it upon myself to switch my kids to soy. I told my doc that we haven't had a runny nose or congestion since the switch and she said "oh really" and didn't seem very enthused.
However, an ENT doc might be more knowledgeable. I'd keep your appointment with the ENT and ask him/her if there's something you can do to avoid/prevent the infections before your kid has to have surgery or take even stronger antibiotics.

I would find a new doctor fast. Your Dr should talk to you and you should be able to talk to her and feel comfortable with what she is saying. I live in Anna and still my kids pediatrician is in Plano because she is the best to me and is great with my girls and always has time to talk to me and answer my questions.

Yep, change doctors fast. I had my tonsils taken out back in 1978, and everything went fine. My friend's daughter sounds like this, and an ENT put tubes in her ears. Maybe that's the thing your son needs before surgery.

We go to Dr. Montague at

Cook Children's Pediatrics
3535 Firewheel Dr Ste D
Flower Mound, TX 75028
Phone: ###-###-####

T.,

You'll undoubtedly receive lots of advice and reccomendations, most urging you to change Doctors. I don't disagree. When my son had his first checkup I wasn't comfortable witht he Doctor we selected so we changed to a nother Dr. in the same practice. The difference was night and day! My son had continuous ear infections which we never caught early enough because his sleeping and eating patterns hadn't changed.

After several rounds of antibiotics the Dr recommended ear tubes. He admitted that surgery wasn't his first answer, but that it beat reepeated doses of antibiotics. My son's surgery was quickly scheduled and the Dr let us know she might consider removing adenoids if she felt it necessary. He had the tubes in at 18 mos.

Sounds to me like you need a new Dr., a good ENT and your son needs ear tubes. You'll all feel better when it's over.
Good luck choosing a Dr., we're new to the area so I don't have any recommendations for you.

I wouldn't be happy with my pediatrician if he acted the way you say yours is. I see the doctors at Pediatric Associates of Dallas on Walnut Hill. I know that's a trek for you, but they do have an office in Plano. I have not seen any doctors in that office, but if they are anything like the ones in Dallas, I wouldn't hesitate to see ANY of them in a heartbeat. I'm sorry you are having trouble. It's no fun having a sick child and feeling like you're (he) is just another body on the rouster. Good luck!

If it was me I would change. I know Dr's are busy but we are too and it seems to me that mommy's intuition is best. If you feel like this isnt right then it probably isnt. You want a proactive doctor not a reactive one- and barely reactive at that it sounds. I would start looking for a new pediatrician one that is happy that you and your son are there and that will give him the time and attention you both deserve. I am in allen so I cant provide any recc. sorry.

T., I think you and your son deserve a little more care from his dr. That means knowing when it is time to get more specialized care for your child. A lot of dr's these days over prescribe antibiotics. Eventually they will not work as well. My 10 month old had continous ear infections, sinusitus, tonsilitus. I took her to an ENT. She had to have tubes put in her ears and she is now a different baby. That was in May. She has not been sick since. Definitely take your child to an ENT. Make sure that the records are sent prior to the visit so the ENT can get a clear picture of what has been going on. You don't have to go to the one that your current dr suggested. I think word of mouth is great. I used one in Waxahachie b/c we used to live there and trusted the dr and hospital from previous experience. Dr's are only human too... Good luck.

I second Doreen's recommendation of Dr. Block. She believes in getting to the root of problems rather than just treating symptoms. Here's a link to her views on ear infections, which she believes can be treated without antibiotics:
http://www.blockcenter.com/pages/pages_ear.asp

I'm not totally against antibiotics, but they must be used judiciously and folks need to keep in mind that the majority of ones immune system is in the gut and the antibiotics will destroy the healthy bacteria. So, if you MUST take antibiotics, add probiotics to your diet (about 2 hours after taking the antibiotics). They make a chewable form that my kids readily consume.

And, as many others suggest, you definitely need to find a new peditrician.

I know you have a ton of responses but I wanted to add my 2 cents worth since I had a very similiar experience with a different pediatrician. You absolutely did the right thing by changing doctors or taking it out of the ped. hands.

My youngest fell off the growth chart at his 3 year appt and at his 4 year appt. He was 4 years old and weighed 24 lbs. I talked about both appts about his weight and how he doesn't eat anything that requires him to chew it up. The dr. kept saying that I just had a picky eater. I finally got fed up. He was tired all the time, not sleeping, not eating and very, very cranky baby. Very different from his first 3 years of life. I took him back and literally said "find out what is wrong. It is your problem and you will find something to make him happy again.". She sent us to an ENT just to get me off her back basically. The ENT took one look at him and asked how soon we could have him ready for surgery. He was shocked at the size of his tonsills. He has surgery to remove his adnoides (which were so large they were growing back into his nose) and his tonsills (which were severely infected and basically touching each other in his throat) removed within 3 days. It was the best thing we ever did. He gained 6 pounds with the next 6 weeks after surgery.

My son did get very cranky after surgery partly because his throat hurt and partly because he had been starving himself and was very hungry. I fed him all kinds of milkshakes and popsicles. It wasn't any time at all before he was eating mashed up macaroni & Cheese and english peas. He wanted to eat long before the scabs came out. Just be weary of feeding your son anything like bread or crackers or anything with a sticky texture. That will actually pull the scabs off too early.

Anyway, I just share my story with you and tell you to keep up the good Mommy work. A mother's gut feeling is always right. If you don't stand up for him, who will?

Take care and good luck with the recovery.

Hi, T. - if you're not confident in your pedi, you should certainly look around. My son (now four) snored so loudly for the first 2 years of his life, no one ever got any rest. My pedi also continued to put him on antibiotic treatments for the various sinus/ear/throat infections he would get. A few days after going off the treatments, he would be sick again. We never got his adenoids/tonsils fully cleansed. Then, his pedi said he needed Xrays just to look at the adenoids. Sure enough, they were huge. We went to Dr. Evan Bates at SW ENT and he was awesome. He has four kids himself. He was no muss/no fuss and tried one more extensive antibiotic treatment just as a last resort before surgery. When the adenoids came out, it was definitely the right thing to do, they were huge and covered with puss (sorry to be gross). Then about a year later, the tonsils came out and he hasn't been sick, nor has he snored since. It was the best thing we've done.

We have also used Willow Bend Pediatrics on Communications after trying 6 different pediatricians when our son was still a baby. We've been going there since he was just 6 months old. We've also seen several doctors in the office and they have all been impressive!

Good luck!

We drive from North Fort Worth to Flower Mound (passing Lantana 1/2 way :)) to see Dr. Bodaracco in Flower Mound ###-###-####). She caught an early eye problem with my oldest and youngest and helped with my son's allergies/ear infections. We were referred to Dr. Chihal in Carrollton at Trinity Plaza. After several friends, including my mother, highly recommended him, we took our son and ended up using him with the adults in our family. You certainly sound unhappy with your current provider. It never hurts to have a second opinion. best of luck!

M. S.

My daughter has the sme issues. She's 3yrs. and 5% on her weight. (She weighed 8lbs.14oz. at birth.) I changed pediatricians for the same reason (except she had chronic ear infections). I took her to Dr. Milici ###-###-####) out of Baylor Dallas. She referred me to Dr. Kronenberger E.N.T. ###-###-####) out of Baylor also. He performed a tonsilectomy, adenoidectomy, & put in ear tubes. He addressed all my concerns. He has a wonderful bedside manor. He even called to check on her and treats us like family when we come for follow up visits. Dr. Milici is very conservative with antibiotics and I never feel rushed and always have my questions answered before I leave. She is currently trying to rule out any physical problems in my daughter to find out why she doesn't really gain weight like she should. Then we will talk about other options to help her. Hope this helps. God Nless.

Its amazing what food allergies can cause and you may want to try taking away milk products for awhile. Dr. Block in Hurst can do allergy testing and review the childs history. Dr. MayAnn Block is an osteopathic physician. My son currently sees her. Good luck.

Dr Tom Newell in Denton is both medical and a naturopath and is interested in not only problems but causes and takes a much more wholistic approach. As my baby hasn't arrived yet I can only tell you what I know from meeting with him and his excellent reputation. If you are interested though, his number is ###-###-####.

Hope that helps,
~M.

YES!!!!!! change your Dr. I have 4 sons and my 1st had his tonsils and adnoids out after many visits as well. The rule of thumb is if they have 5 or more in a year, it is grounds for taking them out. He can develop more problems if you wait. Mine had a case of tonsilitis that we couldn't get rid of because the antibiotics stopped working. My 3rd son had tubes in his ears from ear infections but temporarily lost some hearing because I waited ( he was only 3 weeks old when he got his first infection) He was 10 months at surgery. If you have to ask your Dr. how to stop the problem and she/he looks turned off or disinterested CHANGE!!!! Mothers ALWAYS know best. Trust your instinct. I have a wonderful ENT and Pediatrician if you are interested in names. Good Luck

T.-

Not normal at all! I think you must get a new pediatrician. I have a wonderful pediatrician in Dallas (so it is way out of your way) but I will give you her information anyway (she is at 635 and Forest Lane): Julie Poole: ###-###-####. You may want to ask the ENT if s/he knows someone closer. Good luck!

Hi T.,
I'm in Lantana also and our pedi is Dr. Smalley at Kids Care.
Like an earlier post said, at our first visit he was with us for 1 hour going over all sorts of stuff. When I've called to ask questions I've always received a return call within 30 minutes and I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes for appts when we go in. He and the staff are wonderful.
Good luck in your search.

I live in Flower Mound, we go to Micheal McCoy in Grapevine, next to Holy Trinity right off the hwy. He's awsome very honest, very outgoing, likes to joke around, great with kids. And I love his nuse prac, she's older and explains things very thouroughly!! We love him and he's rated top 10 ped dr in this area.

This does seem very abnormal. My sons' pediatrician (in Plano, which would be quite a drive for you) is very conservative about prescribing antibiotics and has always offered suggestions and alternatives to doing so. You are right to consider making a change. Call our pediatrician, Dr. Norman Minsky, at ###-###-####. I am sure he can recommend a good doctor for you in your area.

In the meantime, you may want to research a couple of supplements that have helped my son (who also suffered from chronic ear infections) that were recommended by our pediatrician:

http://www.juiceplus.com/nsa/pages/TheConcept.soa

http://www.naturalmeals.com/GSE.html

Both have helped my son tremendously.

Good luck to you and your precious little guy. I hope he feels better!

Change doctors immediately. I don't have a pediatrician recommendation for Flower Mound, but our ENT is Dr. Lowry in Fort Worth and I highly recommend him. Good luck!

I really think you should change pediatricians. You should feel comfortable with the doctor. Go with your gut. Your number one priority is your son.

I hope he feels better.

Yes!! I would change my pediatrician very fast. That is just wrong. Go with your instinct. I live in Corinth and use Dr. Schulman ###-###-#### who is in Denton. Fortunatley I have not really had any major health issues with my daughter, but I do know that he and his staff is wonderful and very knowledgeable. To be honest his bed side manner could be better, but I totally trust him. Also, they are not real quick to prescribe meds. to kids either. They dont believe in over medicating your children. Good luck to you! M.

I absolutely love my pediatrician, but we don't live that close to you so I don't have one I can recommend, but having a 7 year old son and a 4 month old daughter all I can say is if you have any doubts about their medical care I would look around for a new one. You should feel like you can talk to your doctor and trust they are giving you the proper medical advice. I found my doctors by word of mouth so if you have any friends or neighbors with little ones I would ask them about their pediatrician.

Hi T.!
My brother in law is a doctor and he says if no doctor is helping with your concern about your kids change immediatly. This is a dr. who is there to just get paid and has no concern really about what is going on.
We dont see my BIL cause the live in San Antonio but that is his advice to us when we have a concern about treatments for our kids and the doctor is not helping.
I did find a great dr when we moved to Flower Mound. He is Dr.Smalley of Kids Care.
3871 Long Prairie Rd
Flower Mound TX
###-###-####
We sat in his office for about an hour or so to get to know him and he can get to know my girls. So far we have been really happy with them.
Good Luck!

Hi Tian,
My name is S.. I had the same problem when my now 5 yr old was about a yr old. She had chronic ear infections and my pediatrician would do the same. He changed her antibiotics so often that she started getting immuned to them. He was a product of his dad and did not believe in having tubes put in or adenoids removed. So I took it upon myself and took her to an ENT. It was the greatest decision we ever made. When I took her he said if I would have waited any longer her eardrums could have possibly ruptured and she could have suffered permanent hearing loss. I explained about the pediatrician and he said alot of Dr.'s feel tubes are not necessary, but he said he sees the worst cases of hearing loss resulting from long term ear infections. I do not have an ENT to recommend, because we just moved here several months ago from Biloxi, MS. I too am having to find an ENT because my 5 yr old still has 1 tube in that needs to be removed. Please take your little boy to an ENT and do not think twice about it. After Abby had her surgery she was like a totally different little girl. Best of Luck and please keep me posted on your little man. I hope all goes well and will keep you in my prayers. By the way find you a new pediatrician!!!!!!!!!!! One that will have your little boy's best health interests at heart.

God Bless,
S.

If your motherly intuition is telling you that you're uncomfortable with how you're being treated, then regardless of anyone else's experiences or opinions you should switch. I wouldn't worry about the pediatrician right now. You don't need one for your son to have surgery. You just need a qualified ENT. They can do the follow up for everything else

Hi T.....
This is a yes and no answer!
As far as just standards of care-
Is your pedi giving you a strep test before diagnosing "tonsillitis"? Most red throats and swollen tonsils are caused by viruses which do NOT need antibiotic treatment. See http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tonsillitis/DS00273/DSEC...
Ear infections usually do need antibiotics. There is a standard routine (assuming no allergies) that Dr.�s try before sending a child to an ENT. So it would not be unusual for a child to have multiple ear infections and antibiotics before the ENT is consulted. Most ear infections in small children is more due to anatomy than anything else.
Percentiles don't mean "too small" Are you and your husband big people? (50th% for adult women is 5'4" and men is 5�10) Has he always been under 20th%? He may just be a smaller person in general.
2 y/o are notorious for not sleeping or eating. I could write you a dissertation on this! (If you want more info please e-mail me!)
The biggest problem I see is that your doc does not have a bedside manner you are comfortable with. That is a huge red flag. You have to trust your Pedi as they are taking care of the most important person in you life!
For ENT's I would strongly encourage you to see Dr Dansby or Dr Peters in Medical City Dallas.
Again, please feel free to e-mail me @ D. ____@____.com

D.
Pedi RN
Mom of 4

T.,

I have had 2 out of 3 children with chronic ear infections, and they were sent to an ENT at about 1, 1 1/2 yrs of age...My Dr. always talked to us,suggesting things we could do to try and prevent them..Our Dr. is awesome and really cares about the kids. He is also a parent, so he knows how we feel..It breaks my heart that your Dr. doesn't talk to you or take the time to comfort you, b/c thats your baby..Anyway- I would definitely suggest going to the ENT and getting your baby boy taken care of..In the mean time, FIND another Dr...We have one in Plano if you don't care to drive that far. He is awesome and the staff is great too. Dr. Frank Lieu. 3100 Midway Road, Plano, Texas (TX). ###-###-####. He specializes in Allergies as well..Allergies can sometimes have a lot to do with it.

Hope all goes well with you and your little boy.

Usually getting tonsils removed is the very last resort for someone so young. Alot of things can go wrong. A friend of my family had a two year old (I'm telling you this to give you an understanding of why they might not want to do sergery, not to scare you and it was a while back) who had the same symptoms. Their doctor decided to go ahead with the sergery. Everything checked out fine and they sent him home. He got very sick and had to go back and they found he had been hemraging in his throat. He had lost too much blood and they couldn't save him. Again this was a long time ago and every sergery is different, but maybe he has a good reason for only giving anti-biotics. Have you asked him why he'd doing what he's doing? My doctors waited till I was 6 before they would even touch my throat.

I dont know why your doctor is not doing anything but I would change doctors right away if she seems like she is only there for the money. Those doctors are no good. You could contact you health insurance and they can give you a list of the doctors that you can see in your location.