Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

So ever since my kids were born any time they have been diagnosed with a "virus" they end up back at the ped within a week for an ear infection or something they need antibiotics for.

Last Thursday I noticed Declan was acting extremely fussy and I leaned to kiss his cheek in his car seat and smelled a bad smell from his right ear. I was out with them so I called teh ped and they were able to see me within 15 mins which was great. I had Ronan with me too and did not have time to drop him off first so took him as well. He is crazy fearful of Drs so immediately started screaming as well as Declan. D had a 101.5 fever. The Dr was young and new(I think) she looked in his ears and said no everything looks fine.

Over the weekend he was OK had his moments. Tuesday and Wed was a NIGHTMARE literally tantrums and crying all day long. Sleeping good but when not sleeping tantrum after tantrum. So I bring him back on Thursday(1 week later) Dr says his RIGHT ear is *****, swollen and red. Hmmm the ear I specified.

This happpens to me ALL.THE.TIME. First why should my kids be uncomfortable when I KNOW something is wrong with them. Second-why should I have to pay 2 co-pays to diagnose the same problem. Pizzes me off. Does this happen to anyone else?


Ha ha the x-ed out word was pus-y...didn't realize what else I spelled

Message edited 11/13/2010 12:46:41 PM.

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

This has happened plenty of times and it is annoying b/c I know there is something wrong and that I am not overreacting , but I guess it takes a day or two for the swelling and everything to happen after the initial pain starts?


Pus-e

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

I feel your pain. That has happened to me one too many times. Just 2 weeks ago, I took my son in for his 2 year checkup. I told the dr he had been digging in his right ear. He had been waking up in the middle of the night, screaming, crying....not like himself. He checked the ear. Said it was a buildup of wax and to use mineral oil and diluted hydrogene peroxide to clear it up. 5 days later...he had been running low grade fevers and still digging in the right ear, getting up in the night. I took him back.....sure enough ear infection in the right ear. 2 copays

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

I've been told by the nurse practitioner to wait a few days if I suspect an ear infection because they often aren't observable in the first couple of day. And, many even resolve on their own without necessitating antibiotics. I let Yael go a few days, even with a low-grade fever, before I bring her in because I'm hesitant to treat every ear infection with antibiotics.

So, long winded way of saying, I don't think it's always the Peds fault- this is unfortunately the nature of ear infections, that they aren't observable until at least a few days into it. And I understand that Ped's are very hesitant to prescribe antibiotics, even if the mother's instinct is usually spot-on, because there are times that we are wrong, and it's just teething or what not. I've made that mistake a few times myself...

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

This is why I switched ped offices. My old ped always said viral. I would be back in less then a week with double ear infections. I said to him the first time, I think it's his ears. No, just viral. One month I was in there 4 times in 2 weeks, the messed up his meeds, didn't diagnose the right thing. By the fourth visit, I said I am no longer paying this copay because you can make him better.

Our new office is awesome. They listen to my mom instincts and actually treat him.

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

Re: Annoyed misdiagnosing and multiple Dr visits

This has happened to me more times than not but i was told that their ears can be perfect one day then literally the next day it can be infected. so they really cant give antibiotics if they dont see anything. with My DS he usally gets a really high fever like 104 ish then two days later the infection is noticed.

ETA: When DS gets the high fever i usually give him the mortrin and tylenol then i wait for the two days and then take him to the pediatrician sure enough ear infection.

Message edited 11/13/2010 2:57:58 PM.