I think DD's Pediatrician is a ...

[munchkin bunchkin]

Jerk! My 6 yr.old had Strep in October( 4th bout ) since April! Her Dr. put her on Amoxicillan for 14 days and rechecked her after that only to tell me she had gotten rid of the Strep but now had enlarged tonsils, he then prescribed Omnicef for 12 days ($30 copay) rechecked her 2 weeks later and represcribed the Omnicef for 12 more days( another $30).I took her back on Wednesday and still she had enlarged tonsils so her prescribed Cleocin(another $30).Today she woke up with at temp and said her throat hurt bad,so I called the Dr's and they said to bring her in .She tested positive for strep again!Then the Dr' proceeded to say how some kids don't absorb medication as well as they should so he said he would give her a penicillan shot( in the tooshie), then said that since she is prone to strep he really didn't like the thought of shots each time so I interpretted that as she's got to have them out, then when I asked about making an appointment with the ENT he said oh that's not necessary I'll just give her shots each time I've wrestled with this all aftrenoon and hope that Ihave made the right decision ... make an appointment with the ENT without Dr's approval( our insurance doesn't require a referral... he'll be PO'd when he finds out but I really don't like my child being on antibiotics since October and seeing how much pain she's having from the shot really makes me feel bad! Just needed to vent !

 

[#1MMFan]

Sorry to hear about this. Do think though you need to let things settle perhaps before whipping the ol' tonsils out. Over here we have strict guidelines on removal of tonsils. Check out the SIGN guidelines - www.sign.ac.uk . Hope that helps.

 

[kdibattista]

I understand the need to vent about the situation but I'm not sure how that makes the doctor a jerk?? I would much rather her get a shot when it comes back rather then surgery.

Hope she feels better

 

[munchkin bunchkin]

I understand the need to vent about the situation but I'm not sure how that makes the doctor a jerk?? I would much rather her get a shot when it comes back rather then surgery.

Hope she feels better

The reason I said jerk is because in one breathe he told me he didn't like the idea of giving her shots each time and then when I asked about an ENT he then said that's not necessary I'll just give her shots each time... now that makes no sense to me! and as far as removing them I don't like that idea but I don't believe in if one med doesn't work let try another and another and anotherand end up with other problems.

 

[DVCLiz]

Sounds like he was weighing the options, and although he wasn't thrilled with the idea of a shot each time, he chose it as the lesser of two evils.

I certainly wouldn't call any doctor who chose a simple shot over an operation a "jerk", but if it bothers you, I think you should just find another doctor whose style who can work with.

 

[daisyduck123]

I wonder if he was prescribing a large enough dose of antibiotics for your DD. One time my DD had strep, the doctor prescribed 1/2 teaspoon of antibiotic to be taken every so often (can't remember how often) for a certain number of days.

Well DD finished the medicine & a week later was sick as a dog with strep again. We took her back & saw a different doctor in that office this time. They gave her a rapid strep test which of course came back positive & the dr. couldn't believe she had strep again. I showed her DD's prescription bottle of medicine, which for some reason I'd brought with me. I said, "Here's what she was taking". The doctor said, "This is all wrong. Someone of her weight should be taking 1 & 1/2 teaspoons, not just a 1/2". I was furious that the 1st doctor messed that up!!! She'd been walking around with strep all that time, which is dangerous if left untreated.

 

[kdibattista]

The reason I said jerk is because in one breathe he told me he didn't like the idea of giving her shots each time and then when I asked about an ENT he then said that's not necessary I'll just give her shots each time... now that makes no sense to me! and as far as removing them I don't like that idea but I don't believe in if one med doesn't work let try another and another and anotherand end up with other problems.

I gotcha now... your right, that doesn't make much sense

 

[ilovejack02]

Go with the ENT , who cares what the ped thinks. They specialize in ears, nose and throats for a reason.

 

[sha_lyn]

The doctor said, "This is all wrong. Someone of her weight should be taking 1 & 1/2 teaspoons, not just a 1/2. I was furious that the 1st doctor messed that up!!! She'd been walking around with strep all that time, which is dangerous if left untreated.

couldn't the pharmacist be the one who messed up, or the phar assistant who typed out the prescription?

As for the OP... so wanting to treat the strep instead of cutting on your child makes the Dr a jerk? It does sound like your DD needs a different med. Also does she drink a lot of milk or eat a lot of milk products? That could be affecting the absorption of the medicine

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Go with the ENT , who cares what the ped thinks. They specialize in ears, nose and throats for a reason.

Amen. If I waited for my ped to direct me my kids would be in a bunch of hurts.

They are NOT specialists and I do not expect them to be. Of course my ped would have said, "time to see an ENT" when it was clear that the meds were not working.

However I take strep seriously since my oldest has a repaired heart defect and my youngest never "rapid tests" for strep and has had scarlet fever 2 times because of that reason.

Strep is not something to mess with. It can settle in other parts of the body which is why you SHOULD see a specialist. It sounds like your ped is trying "by the book"...it is disturbing why she still has it.

Also....this may be something of interest...test your whole family. You may have a "carrier" of strep in your household who is symptomless. I know it sounds crazy but it can happen. DH's cousin's kid was a carrier. It was weird.

 

[daisyduck123]

couldn't the pharmacist be the one who messed up, or the phar assistant who typed out the prescription?

Actually, the second doctor did say to me, "Maybe the pharmacist misread the prescription", to which I then replied, "Well, after he wrote the prescription, I had it filled right here. Look at the label". (Our doctor's office also fills prescriptions). So either way, it was a serious mistake made in that office.

 

[rie'smom]

See the ENT. At least you will get comfort knowing one way or another about her tonsils. .

 

[clh2]

Not in the medical profession here...just a "Dr.Mom".

I don't believe that strep is really related to tonsils...and the reason I feel this way is because DD(now 12) had her tonsils out at 4YO, and had strep at 9 YO and 11YO.

 

[Sherri]

I see nothing wrong with taking her to a specialist about her tonsils. There is nothing wrong with getting an opinion from someone in that field.
You are doing the right thing.
Good luck and keep us updated. I hope she feels better.

 

[petrymom]

Good Luck with everything? Do you know if the Ped did a culture and sensitivity of the throat culture. The strain of Strep may be resistant to certain antibiotics. This may be why they are not working.

I would see the ENT. A second opinion is never a bad thing. Strep is nothing to be playing around with.

 

[tiggersmom2]

I certainly wouldn't call any doctor who chose a simple shot over an operation a "jerk", but if it bothers you, I think you should just find another doctor whose style who can work with.

Excellent advice

 

[steen995]

Just curious, OT kinda... Are you supposed to follow up after strep? My son just had it but seems to feel better now. I don't remember if a followup was necessary or not. After reading this thread I'm kinda wondering....

 

[aprilgail2]

Not in the medical profession here...just a "Dr.Mom".

I don't believe that strep is really relat2) had her tonsils out at 4YO, and had strep at 9 YO and 11YO.

My daughter had strep for almost an entire year...she would go on antibiotics for 10 days, then she would be fine for 4-6 days, then strep again...more antibiotics-4 days later strep again...30 days straight of antibiotics, off for less than a week and strep again. Finally they took her tonsils out 18 months ago and not one time has she had strep since then.
OP I would take her to an ENT and let them decide.....it could save you all the trouble we went through by putting off getting her tonsils out!

 

[jenimay]

I agree go to the ENT. Both of my boys had strep and after 2 rounds of oral antibiotics and a shot, they still had it. They ended up getting their tonsils and adenoids out(2 years ago), and no infections since - some kids are just more resistant to antibiotics. Hope it works out! Oh and uf she ends up getting the shot, be prepared cause it HURTS worse than a regular shot.

Jeni

 

[Tauwillow]

I had strep over and over again for years - and ended up taking far more antibiotics than I'm comfortable with. I finally had my tonsils removed (I was 12 or 13) and never had a recurrence afterward.

There are certainly risks to surgery, but one needs to weigh the long term risks of long term antibiotic use as well.

Seeking the advice of a specialist is absolutely the right move. Having more information is better than too little.