I didn't expect much, but did not expect the pediatric duck
To walk in the room with CDC guidelines for treatment of Lyme.
First thing she does is look at test...
"Oh good, it's negative."
I should have left then.
No, I said it's not. It is not CDC positive, but my daughter is showing a weak positive
On some very specific bb bands.
Show her the bands, show her the documentation, show her was IND means.
"Well" she said, "those could show up for years".
"I treated her for two weeks with amoxil (low dose mind you) when you first were dx".
"That is all CDC calls for in early stages of Lyme."
Okay, right about now I am fuming and trying to reach my behind with my foot
So I can kick myself for not listening to your sage advice and just by-passing the duck pediatrician.
I told her that Lyme is a clinical dx. and here are a list of my child's symptoms.
Duck went on to tell me she hears these types of complaints (ie joint pain, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, night sweats, etc)
From tons of children my daughter's age.
I hit the RED zone. I told her that was fine for everybody else's children,
However, this was MY child and these were strange complaints that never vary.
I then told her that there were several people in our area with Lyme who are NOT CDC positive.
Mostly because they chose to skip an Elisa.
I told her that two week course of antibiotics wasn't enough to treat Lyme.
Her recourse was that my daughter had been on antibiotics including rocephin shots when she
Had bacterial pneumonia. "THAT" she said, with a gleam in her eye, "should have cured it"
She suggested that I speak with my Lyme doctor about it....DUH???!!!!
The only positive thing about the visit was that she did say she would read
Over Dr. B's guidelines for treating Lyme and my children each got a sucker for being there.
I should have gotten a stiff drink!!
She did note that she was not a Lyme expert, to which I replied that I already knew that before
I made the appt., but I had hoped that she would work with me and my daughter.
You all were right. I didn't doubt it, I was just hopeful due to the expense.
I wonder how many children are being missed???!!
Tragically, frustratingly sad.
Will make her appt. with LLMD asap.
Thanks for all of your support so far. I really appreciate it.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by Kendrick (Member # 10990) on :
She probably isn't a Lyme expert, like she said. It's probably like her trying to treat your child for some form of illness that she never encounters in her day to day work... she would just look in a book to determine guidelines for treating or refer you to another doctor.
She said she would look at Dr. B's guidelines, so maybe she will treat for her later. This is why it's important to change the actual guidelines, because this doctor sounds like she is unaware of the illness(if she's looking it up) and she may be caught in the crossfire between the politicalness of this illness.
It's pretty sad when the Doctor states "We see these complaints from a lot of children your daughter's age-->joint pain, fatigue, headaches, sore throat, night sweats, etc., the children are the future(of course these are the symptoms of the flu, mono, and other common illness, if short-termed).
Is it maybe the toxic mold in that area from the floods? Or tick/mosquito infections from the flood.
Whenever the flood happened... they talked about the cost of restoring the buildings, but the medical concerns would seem to be more(of course, the people have to pay for that on their own).
Maybe the positive thing about this is that it might delay seeing the LLMD for however long you have abx. LLMD's are expensive, so if you saved 3 weeks, it might be approx $300 you saved, because that's 3 weeks less you'll have to see the LLMD.
Posted by just don (Member # 1129) on :
Sounds like food for the alligator pit,,,ducks are like that!! cant teach them new tricks with a big hammer!! THEY are the only important people in the room,,,and educated SOOOO much better!!
Posted by kam (Member # 3410) on :
Thought your post was well written. I could almost picture the appointment in my mind.
Even after lots of duck visits, I still have this hope that a miracle will take place and the doc will be interested in my health and providing treatment.
So, I can understand. It was worth giving it a try.
I know the frustration is great. I have yet to figure out how not to get upset.
I do look at my hand at times and think wow...that is a pretty unique hand you have there...all a duck has to do is shake it and it goes ca ching.
I can't imagine what it would be like to try and get help for your child.
Good thing you have a lyme doc to go to for help. He or she will make up for today's visit.
I wonder if he or she would be interested in your story to wall paper his or her office?
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
Well, at least you weren't blindsided by her reaction.
My daughter's pediatrician outright debunked the Igenex testing, diagnosis, and treatment by our LLMD.
Sad part is- I really liked this pediatrician, except now I realize C should have been tested for lyme in kindergarten-instead she was put on Prozac!
Yes, it grieves a mother's heart. But you are armed now with the correct knowledge, so hopefully your daughter will have a chance to become the person she is meant to be.
Carol
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Thanks for the support and not the "We told you so..." (even though I know you did)
Forgot to mention that my child's lymph nodes are swollen.
Asked duck to check this.
She feels under my daughter's neck and asks if she is running a fever.
No. I tell her that she is running a below normal body temp around 97.2.
"That's good" she replies. (HUH???!!!)
She then does a strep culture...which of course is negative.
I did manage to get a Rx for vitamins as over the counter supplements for children
Have NO magnesium in them.
I was sent out the door without a Rx for antibiotics, or a causative factor for those enlarged lymph nodes.
(even though I know what is causing it)
I think my biggest fear is also co-infections. I know that is WAY, WAY out of her league.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
You tried- and it may bear fruit later- ten years from now- when that doctor sees a kid with a bulls-eye!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You tried!!!!!! Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
As KAM said, even though I knew I was taking Carolyn behind enemy lines I still had this hope her ped was enlightened. But alas twas not to be...
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by Geneal: I wonder how many children are being missed???!!
THOUSANDS!!!
You did the best you could...I'm proud of you for not decking her!! Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
Tutu said...
"You did the best you could...I'm proud of you for not decking her!!"
To tell you the truth...
Had you decked her it wouldn't have hurt MY feelings. Not ONE bit!
And I would have started a fund raiser so we could get some money to post bond ... and get you out of jail.
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
Hey, a night in jail for punching a duck...
Seems very fair to me.
Plus I wouldn't have a husband, children or dogs to take care of....kind of like a vacation.
My husband (who has lost his mind) suggested I find another duck in the area.
I told him that there was nothing more important than our children's health and
Therefore cost is of minimal consideration.
Who knows...maybe our LLMD will give us a family discount.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :
My old LLMD used to do a two-for-one thing with me and mine!! Did it for other people too!!!!! Can't hurt to ask!!! Best wishes, Sarah
Posted by ks mom (Member # 11626) on :
I think every once in a while we have to test the waters to see if ducks are still ignorant.
At least your duck didn't blame it on having dogs
ks mom
Posted by Cobweb (Member # 10053) on :
Did someone say "test the waters"?
The problem is-they think they're right, which is so sad.
Posted by ks mom (Member # 11626) on :
Good one Cobweb!!
ks mom
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Cobweb!!!!! That has got to be one of the funniest pics I've ever seen here!!!!
Yeah, Geneal...A night in jail... a little mini-vacation!!!
Ms Duck
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I don't know how you guys do it...but you always manage to make my day.
I have to admit I was so mad and aggravated when I left the pediatrician's office....
You've managed to turn a truly horrific experience into a humorous one.
![[lol]](graemlins/lol.gif)
![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
Ms Duck