Re: Torn on Decision- and question

[Guest guest]

I am also torn- I thought that getting the helmut was the right thing to do but now I am not sure. My daughters ped. recommended the helmut without reservation when she was 3 months. She measures at 7-8mm. I saw an orthotist and he said she could use a helmut- but then again he sells them. You can't see any misalignment with her ears or her facial features. I work in a family practice clinic and the physicians I work with suggest I take her to a neurologist. They believe that it is mostly for cosmetic reasons- and since I can't even tell I wouldn't do it if that is the sole reason. However, the orthotist said it can cause hearing problems (but I cannot find this statement substantiate in any medical journals). I just got her helmut today- I don't know what to do!?! I am wondering if I should wait to make her wear it until she sees the neurologist. I just don't want to put her through the adjustment period if she doesn't have to. Any suggestions or opinions? thanks-

erinsykuek <sykuek@...> wrote: Hi,We just went to CIRS Palo Alto and found out that ourson's asymmetry is 8.1. So the ortho told us that heis on the boarder line. We will do aggressive repo fora month and go back next month for another scan to seeif he gets any better or worse. So, according to theortho, 0-6 is good, 6-10 is mild, he would recommendbanding if it's >10. Hope this help! Sue --- mcdahlin <mcdahlin >

wrote:> I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist> at Hanger today, who said that my daughter > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist> didn't want to say severe or moderate, > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've> been visiting the site, someone said that > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this> appointment, when I went to see the > referring physician, he acted like she was a> non-issue and he said she was considered a mild > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am> completely torn about what to do. I don't > know whether to hold more weight to an actual> physician, or a helmet specialist. Who's > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm> getting conflicting information and it's very > frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not> band their child and then regretted it, or

> felt the decision was ok? I worry about little> things, like her being able to wear a ponytail in > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want> to make the best decision for her now, and > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her> later. Thanks for letting me vent.> > >

[Guest guest]

If you don't put it on her now, it might not fit right when you do,

because she will have grown. Then they may never be able to adjust

it to fit her the right way, and then it will really be a waste. If

you've already paid for it, why not use it? If she's young with mild

plagio, she'll probably only be in it a few weeks anyway (4-6?). My

son has been in his band almost 5 weeks and the time has totally

flown by.

I did extensive research on plagio when making my decision to band,

and I saw in a number of articles that untreated plagio (at least

moderate to severe) can cause eye and ear problems, headaches and

possibly migraines (as they get older), TMJ (problem with the jaw)

and orthodontic problems. I also found another message board called

Older Plagio and there are quite a few parents on there that did not

band their child and wish that they had because they are still

struggling with a mishaped head. I also read that they have not been

able to conduct a true medical study because they are unable to find

a control group (a group of parents that are willing to bypass the

band to see if it does round out on it's own).

I agree that it would be hard to make a decision on a " mild " case (I

believe 7-8 falls into the mild category). But you've already gotten

this far, you have the band. I would use it. It could only help,

right?

Good luck!

Jake-18m (tort resolved/rt plagio/DocBand 2/11/08)

Jordan-4

>

> > I've had a very tough day. I visited the specialist

> > at Hanger today, who said that my daughter

> > 's assemetry was 15 mm. The Hanger specialist

> > didn't want to say severe or moderate,

> > just that she would qualify for a helmet. As I've

> > been visiting the site, someone said that

> > 15+mm was considered severe. However, before this

> > appointment, when I went to see the

> > referring physician, he acted like she was a

> > non-issue and he said she was considered a mild

> > case. Being someone that is wishy-washy, I am

> > completely torn about what to do. I don't

> > know whether to hold more weight to an actual

> > physician, or a helmet specialist. Who's

> > evaluation do I put more weight on? I feel like I'm

> > getting conflicting information and it's very

> > frustrating! Is there anyone out there who did not

> > band their child and then regretted it, or

> > felt the decision was ok? I worry about little

> > things, like her being able to wear a ponytail in

> > her hair and not feel awkward about it. I just want

> > to make the best decision for her now, and

> > don't know how big of an impact it will be on her

> > later. Thanks for letting me vent.

> >

> >

> >

>