OT - Our visit to the pediatrician

[Guest guest]

Hello everyone!

We had an interesting weekend. We took both the kids for a check up

to the pediatrician this past Saturday.

To give you all some background, we believe that Vico's autism was

brought on by an environmental trigger. Until they can figure out

exactly what that trigger is and how to avoid it, we are doing things

differently with our daughter Culzean. Culzean is now 1 year old and

has not been vaccinated and has never been on antibiotics. She is

also the healthiest child I know, aside from recurring eczema which

is a constant struggle for us. We feel that the fact that she does

have this eczema problem means that we have made a good decision to

postpone her vaccines. Our ped was reluctant to do this, but went

along with us since Culzean is at home being cared for by the

grandparents. Our ped also gave us a ton of literature last year

showing that vaccines do not cause autism. We agreed to disagree.

Actually, considering we are on opposite ends of this argument, our

ped has actually listened to us when we discuss this subject. Anyway -

two interesting things happened at our appointment.

One was it was of course time for Culzean's shots - she was supposed

to get the MMR and the Chickenpox vaccine. I remember reading

somewhere that these two (or should I say 4) should not be given

together since there have been problems with the Measles and Chicken

pox reacting together. I didn't question it since we weren't getting

any shots anyway. Vico was also due for the same shots (over my dead

body) Anyway - needless to say I was trembling with fear, but I knew

we weren't going to get these shots.

Well, after examining Culzean, the doctor thought her right ear was a

little red and prescribed antibiotics. She didn't have an infection,

but it looked like she was fighting something off. Which would

explain her flare up of eczema (it seems to get worse if she gets run

down) So we got the prescription for amoxycillin, but we are not

getting it filled. The interesting thing to me was that they were

willing to give her 4 live viruses and antibiotics and prescription

steroid cream for her eczema all at the same time..... scary.

The other interesting thing was that the doctor - who had previously

said there is " absolutely no connection between vaccines and autism "

now says that in " some rare cases there may be a connection. " Wow.

When she said that I said, " You can understand why we need to

postpone Culzean's shots. " She agreed. Our ped is worried about

pertussis (whooping cough) since she says she has seen 12 cases in

her practice alone. I asked how many of those were among the

vaccinated population - she said that some were teenagers that should

have gotten a booster shot, but didn't. Whatever...

Anyway - just thought I would share with you all - looks like things

are slowly changing...

Moira

mom to Vico (4 ASD) and Culzean (1 year old)

[Guest guest]

> Well, after examining Culzean, the doctor thought her right ear was

a

> little red and prescribed antibiotics. She didn't have an

infection,

> but it looked like she was fighting something off. Which would

> explain her flare up of eczema (it seems to get worse if she gets

run

> down) So we got the prescription for amoxycillin, but we are not

> getting it filled. The interesting thing to me was that they were

> willing to give her 4 live viruses and antibiotics and prescription

> steroid cream for her eczema all at the same time..... scary.

Moira,

Thanks for the update! I have not gone back to check all of Brett's

records, but since he was an extremely well-vaccinated kid, and had

almost constant ear infections (and was on antibiotics for about 18

months), and had skin problems to boot, I'm sure we had a few

doctor's visits that put him over the top. It's great that you now

know enough to PREVENT any problems. Hindsight is 20-20, but I'm not

sure what good demanding Brett's records would do for me, other than

giving me more reasons to kick myself and wonder why I (and my ped!)

didn't know better...

Sue

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/9/01 12:35:34 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

recovering2@... writes:

> . I guess you

> could say that I've earned an honorary degree in Pediatrics.... I don't

> guess I'll ever see a diploma, but I do have the education now.

>

You Go Get em, Dr. !!!!

Thanks for the pep talk, we all need one now and then.

Cherri