My fourteen month old has had diarrhea (4-8 times a day) for the past two months (at which time she stopped nursing and began table food). I have seen our pediatrician three times over this period to try to determine what's going on. He first said that she was "adjusting." Then he told me that she had a milk allergy, so we switched to soy everything. At the last appt., he finally did a stool sample (for parasites and roto virus), which came back negative. Now he says there's no particular reason for the diarrhea, and I shouldn't worry about it.
He says that there is no reason to do more testing. I have decided to get a second opinion, which I almost feel guilty about because he has been our pediatrician for seven years. At the same time, I have to figure out what is going on with my baby.
A friend of mine took her baby for a second opinion, and he sent her a certified letter asking her not to return to him. How would you handle the situation? Thanks for your opinions.
2007-11-19 13:37:42 · 16 answers · asked by momof3 5 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
He has never done ANY bloodwork to test for anemia, etc.
Sorry I wrote a book!
2007-11-19 13:42:58 · update #1
It doesn't seem to matter what she eats, she has diarrhea every day. It might just be normal for her, but I would like to know for sure. I need tests to make me feel better!
2007-11-19 13:57:28 · update #2
I am going this through right now with my 2 1/2 year old daughter. She has been tested for food allergies, which all came back negative and we are waiting on the results of stool testing. She has also been seen by a pediatric gastroenterologist who tested her for celiac disease which is an intolerance to glutton. The next step is a small bowel biopsy. What I have been told is that although some children do have loose stools naturally, it is important to rule out other medical conditions before coming to that conclusion. This is the second doctor that I have seen. The first blew it off and told me that nothing was wrong with her. I am happy to finally be taken serious. You should find a new doctor that will take you seriously. A doctor that is confident in their own skills would have no problem with you getting a second opinion.
2007-11-19 13:51:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anna3 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would still go get the second opinion... even though you feel commited to your pediatrician and fear of lossing him, you need to do whats right for your baby... having diarrhea for that long can seriously hurt her in the long run... would you rather your daughter have something serious and not have it treated and be seriously hurt... or hurt your doctors feelings by getting the second opinion?... get the second asap, and if your doctor asks just tell him it's not that you don't trust or believe him, it's just that he said there was no reason to do any more testing but you were still concerned about your daughters health and just wanted to double check... good luck with everything and i hope she gets better soon
2007-11-19 13:49:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A mother knows when something is not right with their child. If it were my daughter I would get a second opinion. You could always find a knew pediatrician but if something is seriously wrong with your daughter you can not replace her. It is your perogative as a parent to seek a second opinion you are not doing nothing wrong when you ask for a second opinion so do not worry what he will do get a different opinion to be on the safe side.
2007-11-19 13:56:18 · answer #3 · answered by Nancy J 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Definitely seek a second opinion. I know it is prob a bit touchy considering you've been with the same doc for so long but if he is really interested in your child's health he should be happy once they work out what's going on.
Has your daughter been tested for ceoliac's (wheat allergies)? You can remove wheat products from her diet and see if that makes a difference. If it has only started since she has began table foods then the best bet is she is allergic to something.
2007-11-19 13:49:03 · answer #4 · answered by ஜBECஜ ~Mama to Lucy & bump~ 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't feel bad at all about a second opinion. Milk allergies run in my family and my son is on hypoallergenic formula (Enfamil Nutramigen, Similac Alimentum is also one). I did some research when we were going to switch and if your baby has a milk allergy, alot of them are still allergic to soy. That's why we were told to bypass the soy and go right to hypoallergenic. My son was a different kid within 24 hours.
2007-11-19 13:48:05 · answer #5 · answered by andmic510 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
My Grandma is a nanny and she told me when I was going through this with my son to boil some rice and take the cooled rice water and let her drink it. It worked great! I boil the rice with extra water on a low boil. Then when it gets really milky I pour out the water and let it cool. Then I let him drink it through out the day. I also finish cooking the rice and use it for meal times. Try this and the BRAT diet. It works great and it is cheap and natural way to help easy the diarrhea. I did it for about 3 days with my son having had diarrhea for about 2 weeks. Good luck and email me if you want some more info.
2007-11-19 16:08:36 · answer #6 · answered by Ian and Tate's Mom 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok , I have a question is it a loose stool sevral times a day? Or is it like water? If it is like water get a second opinion asap. If it is just loose, I would have to agree that ur baby is just adapting to table food and not being on breast milk. But a second opinion would not hurt anything. I would just make sure she is consuming pedialyte to keep hydrated.
Morgaine
2007-11-19 14:38:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
"A friend of mine took her baby for a second opinion, and he sent her a certified letter asking her not to return to him" is a HUGE red flag. Get another doctor.
Have you considered pumping to bring your milk supply back, and going back to breast milk for her until you figure out a more long-term solution?
Hope it all works out. Seriously, don't worry about losing a doctor like that.
2007-11-19 16:11:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try the BRAT diet for a while...Bananas Rice Applesause Toast. It's an old trick that my Mom always used and seemed to help.
As for the doctor....get a second opinion. That's your right as a patient and if your doctor gets her panties in a bunch she's not worth keeping. She should understand that you're trying to do the best thing for your child.
2007-11-19 13:51:23 · answer #9 · answered by Sparks 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need a second opinion. If your doctor gets rid of you then i guess you will find a different one. The best interest should be your child. Hope you find out whats wrong. Good luck
2007-11-19 13:50:01 · answer #10 · answered by Ilovemy3kids 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋