ER and peditrician follow-up

coffeeandbooks

We recently switched pediatricians because we wanted someone more nearby.  So I took LO to his regular two month check-up at the new pediatrician.   The baby was happy smiling, seemingly doing great, but the nurse evidently thought his breathing was rapid.   The doctor thought so too and then sent us right to the ER.  The triage nurses didn't think anything was really wrong but admitted us anyway because the pediatrician had called ahead to have us admitted.    The ER was awful as could be expected - echo cardiograms, chest xrays, the works.   They eventually said he has something called tracheamalacia which they diagnosed based on a process elimination because all his tests were normal.  Supposedly his windpipe is floppy and it will get better over time.

Our old pediatrician had heard LO's breathing and said it was normal for an infant though I don't know if now it is worse.   I wanted to take LO back to him to get his opinion again because I really felt the whole ER situation was too code red and I didn't feel great that the new pediatrician sent us there.  But when I called the old peditrician their office refused to see him!   They said they don't see people that have left their practice.   I cried after they told me this.  I found this policy unbelievable.  Why wouldn't they see him so I could get a second opinion?

Anyway, we have an appt with a specialist but its weeks away, in the mean time I am crying about his breathing because now I am scared.

I am not sure what the purpose of this post is, except maybe to vent, but if anyone has ideas to share please do.

Thanks!

jedimindtrick

No advice, sorry. But I wanted to say I think that sucks. Hope the specialist gives you some answers. If I were you I'd be kind of happy I left that doc if they have that attitude.

mommatotwo2

I'm sorry, that sounds like a really scary and stressful day

I do have to say though- I'm not surprised they wouldn't see you after you left the practice-that's a pretty common policy, the "relationship" was broken when you left. However- they should send all of your LO's records to your new pediatrician so they can have the complete picture. If you truly feel you made a mistake in leaving the old practice, maybe ask for a phone call from the office manager and ask if you can come back- but understand, it may be awkward.

If you are not happy with this new pediatrician, don't be afraid to switch again, you have to be comfortable with your child's pediatrician, you will dealing with them a ton. We switched pediatricians when DD1 was 15 months old and I'm considering switching again, I've recently become unhappy with how our "new" (we've been there for 4 years) pediatrician is handling things lately.

coffeeandbooks

mommatotwo, when they told me they wouldn't see him, I did ask if we could just switch back, and they said, no.  I explained to them that we liked the doctor and we really respected his opinion and the only reason we left was because it was an hour drive which is hard for a new mother to do by herself with an infant who isn't crazy about a car seat.   They wouldn't take us back.

I was never crazy about their front office, but yeah I miss the old doctor, and I feel devastated that they refused to see my little tiny baby.

TundraGirl

Could you contact the doctor directly and explain the situation?

kmcd23

I felt this way when our pedi insisted on an ambulance transport to the Hospital for G's choking episodes, but in the end, I know it was the safest route, and I can appreciate that. Thank goodness for great insurance!

I hope it turns out to be nothing big, and the specialist can give you peace of mind.

MOMama987

No advice, but I hope everything turns out okay! I think that's awful about the doctor... I wonder what would have happened if you moved away, and moved back? Maybe it's common to have a policy like that, but I find it so surprising! Maybe they're just not taking "new" patients, and it doesn't matter if you used to be a patient there? 

mommatotwo2

mslaurats said:

mommatotwo, when they told me they wouldn't see him, I did ask if we could just switch back, and they said, no.  I explained to them that we liked the doctor and we really respected his opinion and the only reason we left was because it was an hour drive which is hard for a new mother to do by herself with an infant who isn't crazy about a car seat.   They wouldn't take us back.

I was never crazy about their front office, but yeah I miss the old doctor, and I feel devastated that they refused to see my little tiny baby.

That is terrible You had a good reason to leave and they shouldn't be that way. I would call the specialist and ask if there is any possible way you can be seen sooner, that you are very nervous. Ask to be put on a cancellation list. I'm so sorry you are going through this. Big *HUGS*

Linz805

June mommy chiming in... My son has the same thing. Our pedi noticed it (heard it) while we were discussing other things. Our dr really made it sound like no big deal and said most babies out grow it by 6 months. That must have been so scary to have to go the ER. Sorry you are dealing with all this!