My first visit to neurologist

[Guest guest]

Hello there,

Today my husband and I went to see a neurologist. It didn't go as

we expected in that he was totally against the helmet. We were told

what we already knew, that our baby had plagiocephaly. Since we've

educated ourselves about the helmet, we asked the doctor about

getting one. The Dr. flat out said " No, I would not recommend a

helmet. I never have and I never will. " Basically he feels that no

one has a perfectly shaped head and that it should improve from

these months onward. He says that the helmets are 'a product of

american enterprise'. He says that there has been no medical

evidence to prove that these helmets work. Dr. H says that most

insurance co.s will not provide coverage because it is not medically

necessary. He wonders why these helmet making companies have not

commissioned any studies because if they are so good, it could only

benefit them? He insinuated that it might be possible that they

have but the results are not favorable - like tobacco companies.

What I am feeling now is that I don't know if or how I should pursue

this. Gosh, I was so sure about getting the helmet and now I find

myself backing away. I don't want to have any regrets next year and

for the rest of his life. I asked the Dr whether he usually sees

patients after this initial visit. He says no. How the heck does

he know that these babies heads round out then? There must be many

of you who have had difficulty getting the helmet. I am from

Toronto, Canada and I anticipate more difficult getting one here.

The neurologist says he used to see these cases only occassionally,

and now he sees 7-15 cases per week. So could it be that this is a

new problem for which the solution: the helmet - is just so new that

doctors are tenative because they are inexperienced?

Truth is, I'm not sure what to do now.

(mom to Kale)