Doctors and scare tactics.

[faline1973]

Thursday night we celebrated Jack's first birthday with family and friends. 

 I woke up Friday at 3:00 AM to Jack screaming and coughing that seal-bark cough that is indicative of croup.  His temp was 104.5.   I gave him Motrin then an hour later Tylenol and waited as his fever dropped slowly.  I know that the bark cough is croup even though none of my children have had it.  So, I research croup online.  There is a form of croup - epiglottitis that is fatal because the airway swells shut.  I'm an RN but I don't work with kids, so I thought I should have my MD look at him.

 My MD was not in, so I took him to a local clinic here in town.  I knew that he had a fever and a cough, but as far as I could tell, his lungs were clear and he was breathing ok.  The nurse listened and verified that his lungs were clear.  His pulse ox was 98% on room air, so he was getting plenty of O2. Then the doc comes in.

 He listens and says he wants to order a neck and chest x-ray to rule out pneumonia.  Huh? His lungs are CLEAR.  He has no nasal drainage or signs of infection except the fever.  He says he will give him an antibiotic, a steroid to reduce the swelling, and breathing treatments (albuterol).

So I ask "If I go get the x-ray today, will you let me know what it says."  

"Well... if you go today, it's Friday you know.  So they'll do the Xray but the radiologist won't read it until tomorrow.  That's Saturday and we're closed, so I won't know what it says until Monday." 

 WHAT THE HELL? So I say... "Will you follow a different course of treatment if it is epiglottitis or pneumonia?"

 "No. Not really. Not unless he can't keep fluids down."

 

OK THEN.  WHY would I expose Jack to radiation if you aren't going to know what they XRAY says for 4 days and if it is bad news, you wouldn't follow a different treatment regimen?  UGH!!!!  I hate when docs don't tell you the homeopathic stuff too.  Croup can be lessened by placing the child in a steam filled bathroom or taking them outside and letting them breathe in the cool night air.  I hate when they just hand you drugs, drugs, and more drugs.

He said "I called your prescriptions in to the pharmacy."  When I went to pick them up - the idiot had called in ibuprofren and acetamenophin.  I HAVE MOTRIN AND TYLENOL AT HOME!  He did give Jack an antibiotic (ear infection) , albuterol, and prednisone for his croup.  I don't think there is a medicine he didn't give him!

It frustrates me because I don't like antibiotics unless they are absolutely necessary.

 So..anyway.. Jack is getting better. He sounds a lot less wheezy and barky.  I think I just might go to work tomorrow  :) 

[blondieblue2]

Mar. 15, 2008 at 9:31 PM

Well, you know, doctors gotta cover their own butts!

I hope your baby is doing better soon! How scary!

[BigMommaJesca]

Mar. 18, 2008 at 11:09 AM

Oh man.  It wouldn't have occurred to me to question him...I hate not knowing stuff.

When I dropped Alex down the stairs (worst day of my life) my friend came in to the ER to pick me up and started ranting about how they hadn't given my kid x-rays.  I said "If she doesn't NEED x-rays, I'm certainly not going to FORCE them on her at her age!!!"

[marshsmom]

Mar. 30, 2008 at 11:02 PM You don't say wether or not you used the scripts??  My little boy is sick now and I'm being pressured by family to take him to the doctor ASAP...His temp has not been over 101.6 he has mild congestion in his chest and very runny nose.  He has been fussy and his appetite is a little off, but he is eating and drinking and taking milk.  I'm worried the doctor is going to run straight to the pill cabinet and I'm not sure if I want to give my 7 month old antibiotics or steriods.  I feel like his immune system is still developing.  Is it really a healthy option to give antibiotics to such a young kid?