12 answers

Need Pediatrician Referral for My Toddler and 8 Month Old

I have been going to PHA in Cherry Hill (Canton). I have been satisfied, but certainly NOT overwhelmed by this office. My son is 3 and has always been susceptible to respiratory viruses. He has had croup too many times to count and suffers from seasonal allergies as well. I get little response from my visits to this office. The only thing that works for the croup is a nebulizer (which we received on a hospital visit) and a steroid (which I have to BEG for when I know he needs it). I don't want to give my kid meds all the time...but I feel like he is constantly getting benadryl b/c they won't give me any ideas on how to relieve his symptoms. At the well child exams, the doc doesn't ask me developmental questions. I am not necessarily worried about my son b/c he is hitting his milestones...but shouldn't the doc ask me about this stuff?? Then when I had baby #2 she was colicky and spit up constantly. She is 8 months old now and still spits up regularly and cries alot. She is much improved...but I thought the spit up would be over by now. When I called the nurse line and when I visited the doc for advice...the nurse told me to deal with my "laundry issue" and be patient. I thought this response was terrible...but dealt with it. Now my son is severely stuffed up after weeks of allergies. Nothing is touching it (benadryl, decongestant, zyrtec or nebulizer). I took him to the doc on Friday convinced they would give him something to get through this sinus infection. Again, nothing! $20 later and she told me to let him work through this. The benadryl helps him sleep, but he cannot breathe through his nose at all!! I am over it...and looking to switch Pediatricians. It's tough to find a good one that will accept new patients that are not newborns. I have Blue Care Network for insurance and I live in the Plymouth area. Please send any referrals!!!

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So What Happened?™

Thanks so much for everyone's advice. It's been a busy summer...but I believe we are on a good path to controlling my son's asthma and allergies. We have established a relationship with Dr. Song at Allergy and Immunology in Ann Arbor. I love him! He didn't hesitate to diagnose him with asthma - which I was convinced he had. We also had him allergy tested for outdoor/indoor allergens. Turns out he is allergic to everything except dogs/cats. I was so happy to find out the source of what seemed to make him continuously sick!! We have him on a light maintenance drug for the asthma which has helped greatly and we now know how to manage his allergies before they get the best of him. In the meantime, I also switched peds offices. I am much happier with the responses at this office...and they came highly recommended. Thanks to all of you for such great advice!!

Featured Answers

I think my pediatrician is the best! Dr. Boyer works in Dr. Thorrez's office in Ann Arbor. They are right around Packer Road. She is so caring and wise. The first time I went to her with my 2 day old I just about cried because she was wonderful. I probably was over-emotional as well, but still...

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We are happy with Dr. Mary Alonzi. Her office is on the west side of Haggerty, just barely south of Ann Arbor Road in Plymouth. We can get a same-day appointment anytime, and when she's out of the office, she has Dr.s from Garden City Hospital there who are just as good. The staff is very good to work with and in the 11 yrs we've been going there, not a single insurance issue- ever.

Hi A.,
My daughter's pediatrician is amazing!! I just love her and her staff. Her name is Dr. Anjana Barad and she is in Novi right next to the new Providence Hospital. Her number is ###-###-####. She has an email address and anytime I needed advice that wasn't urgent, I would email her and get a quick response. She was also quick to call back (or her medical assistant would) before they had the email. Last October when my daughter had bronchiolitis and needed home breathing treatments, Dr. Barad called the next day to see how she was doing. She ALWAYS asks about her progress at well child visits as well as letting us know what to expect in the coming months. I never feel awkward asking questions and she never makes us feel like she is rushed for time. I just can't say enough good things about her. I hope this helps. Good luck!

it sounds to me like the medical approach isn't working well for you and your kids. My opinion is to try chiropractic/nutrition/detox to boost their immune systems so they aren't constantly getting sick. Try the "inside-out" approach instead of searching for a drug to cure it. Our bodies have an innate healing ability, so maybe you should concentrate more on the cause of these symptoms istead of just treating the symptoms themselves.

I take my daughter to Dr. Branford at the U of M Health Center at Canton Center and Saltz. I really like her and I believe she takes new patients at any age.

I would be out of there fast enough to make their heads spin. That is not acceptible to be cheeky like that to a patient. Find a better place, and write a letter letting the head honcho of the old place know exactly why you found them lacking.

If you can find a Nature's Sunshine distributor (maybe go online or I can give you the number to my naturopath) Red Clover Blend drops are very effective. Capsules can be found at the health food stores, but I don't know about the liquid form. It acts as a blood cleanser and have used it myself, for my cats (no kidding; some had some respiratory issues which it just cleared it up wonderfully), suggested it to my mom. Another Natures' Sunshine product I'd suggest is the HistaBlock.
These products are natural, they don't make you drowsy, and do the trick. Also consider VapoRub to unblock the nasal passages.

It will be a little bit out of your way, but the Chelsea Pediatric Center in Chelsea, MI is amazing. It's the group that my brother and I went to, and until I couldn't afford to drive there any more, that's where my children went. Dr. Gardner is great and Dr. Westoft was my doctor, however she is about to retire. The other doctors are good too, I just don't know them as well. Good luck!

We are living parallel lives and I'm in Plymouth as well. I've found EXCELLENT doctors - one has moved to Redford (Botsford), and I'm not thrilled with her staff or the location, but she is awesome - goes above and beyond many times over... Dr. Bhavani Sundram, Botsford Medical Clinic at Beech Daly and 5 mile - please say I referred you.

With BCN (we have it too), and Dr. Sundram, we've been working with Dr. Stryk out of Canton Asthma and Allergy - another great doctor!! Relates really well to my 3 yr old son!

Please feel free to contact me directly at ____@____.com. Considering the ages of our kids and location, we should at least try and meet at the play cafe or similar one day!

I think my pediatrician is the best! Dr. Boyer works in Dr. Thorrez's office in Ann Arbor. They are right around Packer Road. She is so caring and wise. The first time I went to her with my 2 day old I just about cried because she was wonderful. I probably was over-emotional as well, but still...

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