I'm really pissed at my kid's pediatrician.

[spotbird]

My 14 year daughter has been having some symptoms which caused her doctor to do an MRI of her head. Prior to the MRI I had suggested to the doctor that she had a sinus infection, in fact I told the doctor this threetimes over a one month period.

Well, the MRI thankfully showed nothing wrong with her pituitary gland but it did show that she had the mother of all sinus infections. So the doctor prescribed amoxicillin (875mg 2x a day). It seemed to work for the first several days but now the symptoms are back so I called the doctor and told them that the antibiotic, which half the germs that cause sinus infections are resistant to, isn't working in my daughter. The doctor said she wouldn't change the antibiotic unless I bring my daughter in for the third time in the last four weeks! She has the power and my kid needs the drugs so we'll do it, but is such bullshit to run up her fees I can barely contain my anger.

I'm well aware of the problem of resistant germs and that these drugs should only be used when absolutely necessary, but I seriously doubt that it is prudence dictating the doctor's action. The doctor didn't think she had an infection in the first place so what is her judgment worth at this point anyway?!? If she wanted to make sure she was getting it right she would have the kid go to a lab for a culture to at least get in the ball park with treatment, but nooooo


Why do people distrust doctors? Thanks for letting me vent.

[Lars39]

1. You need to find her a new doctor...

It is outrageous that the doc would order an MRI, find a sinus infection and then prescribe one of the crappiest anti-biotics out there.

[LiberalFighter]

2. That is why you can get second opinions.

[happyending]

3. $1,500

As far as I know, an MRI costs $1,500!

Jeez, Louise!!!!

For a sinus infection?

Somebody just made a payment on their BMW.

[spotbird]

6. The MRI wasn't for a sinus infection.

It was for other very objective symptoms my daughter is experiencing, unrelated to her sinuses. Her pituitary gland did need to be checked, and it was normal. But another finding of the MRI was a severe sinus infection.

[happyending]

9. My bad

Sorry, should have read more closely.

[spotbird]

10. Actually, I don't think I was very clear.

I was really mad when I made the original post.

[2Design]

4. doctors are running a business and should be treat as any business

You can not go around just blindly believing a doctor or doing what they say. The reason they have BMWs is they make a lot of money from people who think they know a lot...

Find new doctor. Go to one of those corner places with multiple doctors and try that.

Referral services are paid by the doctors.

Talk to your friends although some will support their doctor because mentally they have too even when duped.....

Sometimes you have to go through 5 or 6 doctors to find the right one. I did with chiro when I first moved to connecticut. And when I came here I went through three.

I am on my third dentist..... find the right person and then stick with them.....

I have no health insurance so I find people who do not charge a lot who do a good or excellent job.

[Loco_moco]

5. Your doc is milking the system...

..you need to change docs and report this one... Best wishes for your daughter's health and your peace of mind... :hi:

[Padraig18]

7. You mean the doctor didn't do a culture and sensitivity test?

How did the doctor know what antibiotic would be effective, if she/he didn't cultrue the bacteria and do a sensitivity test? You have been over-charged, and your daughter has been under-served.

Time for a new doctor, IMO...

[spotbird]

8. The problem with that is insurance, I only get to switch at

open enrollment and that was in March. Also, we're in a small town.

[Padraig18]

12. The I'd have a very frank talk with the doctor.

You're a consumer, and your dollars are paying for the service you receive; you wouldn't accept a semi-raw burger from McDonald's, would you? No, you'd send it back and make them give you one that was properly prepared. :)

Tell the doctor how you feel now, what you expect in the future and remind her/him that you ARE paying for a level of care you did NOT receive.

[JuniperLea]

11. do not trust doctors or nurse practitioners!

i sat at home for three days with my son while he had a temperature of 105! i was on the phone constantly! it was my first child so i was rather niave, but wtf? i knew enough to know this wasn't a good thing and kept calling the doctor. the stupid nurse practitioner wouldn't even let me talk to the doctor!!! she kept giving me stupid advice that did no good at all.

on the third day, i called and got LOUD!! the bitch was still trying to talk to me!! i was calm, but firm and loud...

i am bringing my son into the emergency room. please tell the doctor i am on my way and to meet me there.

my son had freaking menengitis!!!

trust your instincts! don't let them walk all over you!


btw - the bitch lost her job... and rightfully so!

[Red State Rebel]

13. My Dr. diagnosed Meningitis as a Sinus Infection...

By the time I got to the hospital 2 days later I was over 104 and hallucinating.

Always trust your own instincts - particularly with your kids. You know them better than any Dr.

[spotbird]

14. Yeah, I just talked to a friend who is a microbiologist.

She told me the tests to request and I am going to have a talk with the doctor.