Really lady??

eddy92482

I called the pediatrician for little man's cough...Convo went a little something like this...

me: hi, this is cooper's mom. he's had a cough for a little over a week, i just wanted to see if he could come and get checked. have the doc listen to his lungs.

front desk lady: yeah, there's a cough going around. how old is cooper? about 14 months right? there's nothing she can really do for a cough, do you still want to come. I mean I can still have you come, but do you still want to come because it's just a cough and she really can't do anything for just a cough.....sooo....do you still want to come.

me: yes, because it's just a cough to my ears, but you know...pneumonia, bronchitis, croup....just saying....I would like to have him checked

front desk lady: OH I KNOW!!!! but I was just saying it's just a cough ya know...

WHAT?...

kelly321

Reminds me of a mom in a play group I used to be in. Her daughter was hacking up a storm and she said, "Yeah, she's coughing so hard at night that she's throwing up, but I'm not going to take her to the doctor because there's nothing they can do for a cough." Meanwhile, I was sitting there with my 3 week old DD2 who was obviously not yet vaxed, thinking just what you said - bronchitis, pneumonia, croup, whooping cough...

But, yeah, it's cool, bring your sick kid to play group where there are also 2 new infants.

jesuisfatiguee

O... k? People can be so strange! DS has a cough right now, too. I've started him on vitamin C yesterday and it seems to be helping a lot. He's still not feeling great, though

offnerda

Ummm...wow... I might mention something to the ped when I went in for the appointment; luckily you're smart enough to know there is a possibility of something else going on and still take your LO in, but other parents might just take her word for it, and as a receptionist she doesn't have the authority to say stuff like that IMO.

wifeofadam

LOL.

On one hand, you sort of understand her position, as she probably has to deal with an overscheduled doctor and patients complaining about long wait times when the majority of parents who come in for cough may be acting a little overly cautious and unnecessarily worried.

On the other hand, you as a mother know when a cough is something to be concerned about, so she needs to take your word after she offers the information the first time.

I actually find this kind of refreshing and would be happy if my doctor's office took this stand.  Instead of asking you to come in for every little sneeze and fever so they can get your money, they're being honest and saying a visit could be a waste of your time. 

I hope your LO feels better soon!  If I were you I would probably take him in, too.  I will usually let things go for about a week, but if it isn't getting better in that amount of time, it can't hurt to be seen!

eddy92482

Oh I understood her because I used to work for doctors myself. Trust me. Pushy patients. Then they complain about waiting. Nothing worse. Sometimes I just feel like saying. It's ok. I get it. I used to work in a doctors office I get it. I'm also a nurse so I'm educated. But I'm also a mom. K?

Poppy523

Hahaha...what a weird way to handle it.  I always love when the receptionist gives medical advice.

light52

Our doc says not to worry until the cough has been there 7-10 days and isn't getting better.  We are in there often thanks to asthma but our office knows I don't bring my kids in for the heck of it.  My mom gut has told me something is wrong and every single time there has been something wrong.  Having a kid who has had bronchiloitis, pnemonia, and multiple asthma attacks - I say trust your gut and get that cough checked out.