Should I Bring My Baby to Children's Memorial Hospital?

Trisha,

I understand your frustrations and concerns. My son was a huge spitty baby and was always low weight because of it. My pediatrician had the same steps that your pediatrician is taking and they kept telling me that some kids are more spitty than others and it should start to dissipate once they get closer to a year. We tried various formulas, nothing seemed to make it any better. My son was on Prevacid from the time he was 7 months until about 14 months. Once he turned a year and we started whole milk, he was constantly sick, with croup and colds and was always congested, had a lot of diaper rash, loose stools, etc. I decided to take him to a Pediatric Allergist, we had him tested for all the major food allergies and he tested positive for milk, eggs, peanuts and treenuts, along with other food intollerances. It might not be a bad idea to contact a Pediatric Allergist to see if there's anything they can do to help you. The one we go to is through Oakbrook Allergists. They have several offices: Naperville, Plainfield, Wheaton and Oak Brook. We go to the Napervile office. Their number is ###-###-####, and the Dr's name is Dr. Collier. She is wonderful!

I hope this helps.

D. M.

1 mom found this helpful

Hey T.,

I'm not a doctor, but you are the mom. Trust your mommy radar and get the baby to another doctor.

What's scary is that your little one should not be loosing weight. All too often mom's are proven right about these things.

Better that you're wrong with an ounce of prevention! I say go to the Hospital right now.

It's hard to go against your doctor, but he's not a family member- they are just doing a job and sometimes things get missed. Often, they think it's "first time mom" syndrome. We're all new to this baby thing, but again it's our baby and we are often correct.

It could turn out to be an allergy to something simple. Go and find out. Better yet, if you can get a video camera and tape what's going on with the baby then the doctors to see and better determine how to fix this issue.

Most important, relax. Take a deep breath and move forward. You're a good mom and you are doing the right thing here. It's your job to watch over your child and it's okay to disagree with your doctor. Your concerns are valid and you have a right to find out.

good luck- kate mom of two boys 2 & 5

From reading your description of what your son is going through, my heart goes to him, as well as you, poor momma! I would do just as you have said, it sounds like you need to skip regular drs, he's getting worse and needs more than they can give him. Go to Chilrens Hospital. Eric and Kathy on the Mix do a radiothon w/ them and the kids and parents who are patients there always talk about just what an awesome place it is. I don't know if you can just go there on your own or if you need a referral. I would call there, surely it's a pretty easy question to find out. If I was you, I would definitely pursue this ASAP. Waiting weeks and weeks is not an option in my book. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

I would definitly get somewhere where they are taking you seriously and are treating this with urgency. Have they tested him for allergies? Is he gaining weight? If you don't get enough info feel free to contact me directly and I can talk to my sister. SHe does adoption and emergency care for children. She's had a lot of experience with medical needs.

Our first step is now Children's Memorial. My son was born with a kidney problem. We started out by going to whatever specialist was recommended to us. He was supposed to have two surgeries by now. We took things into our own hands and went to a specialist at Children's and he hasn't had to have a surgery yet. Tests were done poorly at the other hospital we went to as well. Blood draws were traumatizing. When we went to Children's, they had several techniques to help with blood draw, including someone specifically trained in infant touch to help calm baby. Like I said - from now on, any sign of a problem, Children's is our first step.

My husband is a chiropractor and he has many infants with this problem and helped them. He is located in Yorkville, but if you don't live near try to find a Maximized Living Doctor in your area.

Just go to...
http://www.maximizedlivinghealthsite.com/public/main.cfm

On the left blue column click on "Maximized Living Doctors" and you can find one near you.

Hi!
I think it sounds like reflux--and the doctors are right each time you try something new(a medicine or a formula) you have to wait at least a week to see if there is a difference. There is no magic cure. BUT that being said I would take him to see a GI specialist. My daughter was disgnosed with reflex very early on by her pediatrician, but it wasn't until we saw a GI specialist that we really got an appropraite dosage of medicine and she stopped crying all day and night! Don't stop fighting for a "cure" to his problem, but also be patient as you try new things to help him!

L.

Has you son been seen by a specialist yet? A pediatric gastroenterologist? That should be you first step. If he has, and you are at a loss, then yes, I would go to Children's. 3 months is too ong for an infant to be vomiting like that.

I had a child in my daycare with the same symptoms. After much prodding the parents switch docs and the baby was diagnosed with pyloric stenosis. Maybe look it up online and see if it sounds like that may be it. Good Luck!

Hi T.-

I'm sorry for what your baby is going through. I don't know anything about reflux, but I would recommend going beyond your normal doctors. If you can afford it or have insurance, why not? Second opinions may help you get more answers. Best of luck to you and your family.

YES! Everyone is entitled to a second (or third) opinion. I would simply tell your Dr that you appreciate what he is doing, but would he refer you to a Dr. in a larger, possibly teaching hospital where you can get a 2nd opinion. Go for it...it's your child

Hi. I hate that you're having all this trouble. I hope things get better soon. OK. I recently saw a program (medical) about a similar situation and the Dr's were also slow in treatment. Finally, they X-rayed the boy and found that his stomach was very high up in his chest! He did need surgery and was fine after that. The little boy was I think five yrs old by the time he got X-rayed but he was having trouble since birth too. Since your son's situation is so severe, I would get an X-ray to rule anything out. I hope all goes well for your family. Good luck and have a happy holiday! N. S.

I would definitely call them and see what the requirements are. You made need a referral. The other thing I would consider is a second opinion with another pediatrician. Explain the urgency and I am sure they would get you in. It sounds like a toleration issue. I agree, it is scary and frustrating waiting for everything. I do know that when switching formulas and changing things, it does take a week or so to see results, but if getting worse, I would pursue what your heart as a mom tells you to.

Absolutely you should take your child to another doctor! I am surprised that they just started him on prevacid. Yes, it does take a while to see how children react to changing eating habits, medicines, etc... but this is not situation that you should be waiting on to "see how things go". This is obviously a serious problem and you know more than anyone when something is wrong with your child. Trust your instincts and take him somewhere else. No child should have to suffer through something like this because a doctor wants to wait and see. He should be having multiple tests done to get an answer and a remedy for this serious situation.

T.,
I am a mom of 3 and the one thing that I do not wait around for is "not normal illnesses to go away or get better on there own" and from what you wrote, you and your Son have waited long enough. I have myself learned go see professionals a.s.a.p when indoubt because time is crucial (life /death in my childs case). Call your insurance see if you need a referral, then call Childrens ASAP to be seen. If your son could talk, what would he say to you? I hope that you chose not wait. Children are Blessings. Take care of yours.
M.

Sorry to hear your son is so unwell. And doubly sorry that his doctor's are dragging there feet. If your gut is telling you something isn't right, then it's not right. That's mother's intuition, and don't ever underestimate it. That being said...I would maybe look into an allergist, I know he is on an hypo allergenic formula, but the Prevacid could also be giving him side effects that are making him very uncomforatable. I'm an adult with acid reflux disease, and I know when I initially went on Protonix (another PPI) I had horrible headaches, nausea, and diarrhea (sorry if that is TMI). At least as an adult I have coping mechanisms, and was able to understand what was going on, and that the side effects would more than likely subside...your baby doesn't. They are very powerful drugs. www.dugs.com has a lot of info. on side effects of drugs and there various uses. The reason I said an allergist was that his upper GI came back normal, which is a good thing, but it doesn't explain why this is still happening. There are allergic conditions, not allergies per say, but conditions that can wreak havoc on the digestive system. I have two second cousins in the same immediate family that have a disorder called eosinophilic esophagitis, a serious, but manageable condition, and it varies in it's severity from person to person. My poor cousin went through years of trying to figure out what was wrong with her kids before they finally found out. It is not something that is gennerally brought up by doctors, but apparently it is on the rise in this country. They were able to diagnose her younger one sooner, because her symptoms were so similiar to the older ones they biopsied her esophagus and found it was flooded with eosinophils. The kids had failure to thrive, throwing up every time they ate, and were just miserable, all the while trying to balance this with two more kids as well. Ask about eosinophilic disorders, and be insistent, it can affect the small intestines, the esophagus, the colon, etc. The sooner it is diagnosed the better. I am not trying to scare you, but just trying prevent you some of the heart ache my cousin went through, because it is not a commonlly known disorder to the general public. And I would definately go to Children's Memorial. I would also ask about NEO CATE formula for the time being. SOme insurances will cover it, some will not, but it is very easily digested, and it is what they give kids, and adult who have severe digestive issues. I am also including a website about these disorders. It is http://www.apfed.org/, and if any of these things sound like your son at all, just get insistent that they test for these things. Don't let anyone tell you it is rare, because it is not. One more thing, I see Dr. Zaidi out of Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora. I have seen children in his office too. I find him to very compasionate and knowledgeable, maybe he would be somone you could see as well, he also is very insistent when he has a "gut" feeling about something, great bedside manner, and takes his time listening to your questions and concerns. His "gut" feeling probably saved my life, and I drive over an hour to see him since I have moved. His partner, Dr. Tarique I beleive his name is, is also supposed to be very good. Hang in there and trust your gut. My thoughts are with you.

Hi T.,

I have used Childrens quite a bit as my son had some issues in his first couple years of life; one of which was excessive vomiting. My experience was the same with the pediatrician...trying different formulas and scratching their heads. I took him for tests and a GI doctor at CMH. Fortunately, there were no signs of stenosis/blockage and decided to put him on a couple meds, one of which was for reflux. He was about 7 wks old at the time. It did help and he was not on it for too long. I'll be honest, he still has some issues with this and we are still addressing them. You won't need a referral if you have a PPO insurance plan. You can call 1-800-kids-Doc and a nurse will talk to you about what is going on before they schedule you. You might also be able to see the doctor at a Chicagoland location and not necessarily the main hospital. I know it's hard when you don't know what's wrong, but if anyone knows kids...it is Childrens. I hope I helped! Good luck. S.

Mother's intuition is often right. Follow your gut!

Absolutely! 1 800 Kidsdoc will screen you and get you in with the appropriate doctor! (Just be prepared to spend 1 hour on the phone, sometimes on hold. Have a book, do dishes, work on a Christmas Craft...whatever.) I am convinced that Children's Memorial is the best for kids in Chicago land! Believe me, I have been at 5 hospitals for many issues! Pray. Avoid giving your child dairy products and if you are nursing avoid all dairy in your own diet for a while.( If you really want results...honestly, dairy and wheat and corn.)

Don't be afraid to stand up for your baby. you are the only advocate that your child has. Be willing to hear and try new things, but also, with your common sense, remember, it's been going on a while, and now, it's time to try something besides sitting and waiting for someone else to initiate fixing the problem...have you had any x-rays taken? Have you considered an MRI/ taking Vitamin d and Co-Q 10? I always find it easy to stick to a diet for the first few hours/ days, then, I fall off of the horse, and pay the consequences!

I just wish you the best.

Hang in there. It is hard to watch your child suffer!

With all my heart,
K.

I will hold you up dring this next 48 hours of prayer. May you have peace as you look for your solution.

hi T.,
I'm sorry that you and your son are going through such frustration; I hope you discover something that gives him some relief soon!! I would strongly suggest that you contact your insurance company ASAP to both speed the discovery of a diagnosis and ensure that you follow all requirements of your insurance plan. I totally understand your urgency and I would hate to see your problem compounded by unnecessary medical bills. There are so many different insurance plans and it seems that each one has it own set of rules so it is very important to determine if you do need referals and/or if you have network restrictions. I will keep you and your family in my thoughts - MJ

If your son is losing weight or not gaining weight, this is definitely a more urgent concern. Central Dupage Hospital has an affiliation with Children's Memorial (the doctors from Children's have hours at CDH) and there is no requirement for a referral.