Guest guest Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 Hi All, I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to twin boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis and gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head shape that it was a bit flat and she said that " all babies heads are flat these days " and she said not to worry about it. For this and other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We took the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr. agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to Cranial Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew in PT. My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right after birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him home and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've noticed that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge and one eye is more open than the other. We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the photostudy and said he had " severe " plagio and of course recommended treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and reposition, but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the inevitable. So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. I know there are others who have been through this, but did the band fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm more concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be getting more " off " by the day as he grows. Thanks so much! ~ Drew & Will, 4 months Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 12, 2008 Report Share Posted May 12, 2008 >good for you for switching dr.!!!! Thats gonna be a HUGE regret for me...same as you dr. said that all babys heads got flat at our daughters 4 month check up....she at that time said we didnt need to go to the cranial clinic, now my daughter is 8.5 months and just got her helmet.....our ins also denied it becuase of the cosmetic (supposidly) reasons) we also got a neck brace for the tort. that works well with the helmet, you might ask about that......but seriously, way to go on being persistant about switching doct, and deciding to go ahead with treatment.......i think it would be alot easier the younger.....and our pt told us that our helmet would help with asymetry(SP?) but ours isnt real severe, so you have to figure it will help somewhat....hope it helps! mandy > Hi All, > I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to twin > boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month > check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis and > gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head > shape that it was a bit flat and she said that " all babies heads are > flat these days " and she said not to worry about it. For this and > other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We took > the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr. > agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to Cranial > Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew in PT. > > My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right after > birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him home > and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've noticed > that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge and > one eye is more open than the other. > > We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the > photostudy and said he had " severe " plagio and of course recommended > treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they > say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through > these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks > that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and reposition, > but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the inevitable. > So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. > > I know there are others who have been through this, but did the band > fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? > They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just > said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm more > concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be getting > more " off " by the day as he grows. Thanks so much! > ~ > Drew & Will, 4 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Welcome to the group. Doctors are really bad at giving advice on headshape from what I can tell. At 2 mo when I asked about my daughter I was told " don't worry " and it got considerably worse while I was not worrying - why did I listen? But you are starting at a great age to get correction. In terms of how the band works, it holds the prominent areas by applying gentle pressure. So when the brain grows it will grow where there is no resistance (the flat part of the head where the baby has extra room). It is the same way the baby's head became misshapen, by lying on one side, which discouraged growth in that part, and directed it elsewhere. Eyes and ears do correct, but it isn't always 100%. CT has a great reputation, and I assume you'll have a good experience there as well. Did you have both your twins assessed for plagio? They do a free assessment, so you may just want them to check your other baby too. Maybe just to see if there are any areas to keep your eye on. -christine sydney 2 yrs starband grad > > Hi All, > I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to twin > boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month > check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis and > gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head > shape that it was a bit flat and she said that " all babies heads are > flat these days " and she said not to worry about it. For this and > other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We took > the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr. > agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to Cranial > Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew in PT. > > My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right after > birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him home > and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've noticed > that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge and > one eye is more open than the other. > > We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the > photostudy and said he had " severe " plagio and of course recommended > treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they > say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through > these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks > that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and reposition, > but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the inevitable. > So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. > > I know there are others who have been through this, but did the band > fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? > They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just > said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm more > concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be getting > more " off " by the day as he grows. Thanks so much! > ~ > Drew & Will, 4 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 Hi , I am new to this group as well and I have twin girls that are 4 months old (born at 37 weeks). My little Gabby (baby A) has been refered to a neurologist for the severe flattening of the back of her head. I am also worried about her sister Paige as she has flattening and it's more to one side. I plan on taking them both to the appointment so that the doctor can assess her as well. I have a lot of guilt about this as they both were born with beautifully shaped heads (every pediatrician that examined them in the hospital commented on it!) Anyways, I'm looking forward to reading about Plagio and finding out as much as I can before their appointment. I am also very concerned about insurance coverage as I've heard a lot of insurance companies refuse to cover the helmet. Karin > > Hi All, > I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to twin > boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month > check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis and > gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head > shape that it was a bit flat and she said that " all babies heads are > flat these days " and she said not to worry about it. For this and > other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We took > the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr. > agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to Cranial > Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew in PT. > > My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right after > birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him home > and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've noticed > that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge and > one eye is more open than the other. > > We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the > photostudy and said he had " severe " plagio and of course recommended > treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they > say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through > these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks > that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and reposition, > but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the inevitable. > So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. > > I know there are others who have been through this, but did the band > fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? > They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just > said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm more > concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be getting > more " off " by the day as he grows. Thanks so much! > ~ > Drew & Will, 4 months > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 13, 2008 Report Share Posted May 13, 2008 > > > > Hi All, > > I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to > twin > > boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month > > check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis > and > > gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head > > shape that it was a bit flat and she said that " all babies heads > are > > flat these days " and she said not to worry about it. For this and > > other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We > took > > the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr. > > agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to > Cranial > > Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew > in PT. > > > > My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right > after > > birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him > home > > and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've > noticed > > that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge > and > > one eye is more open than the other. > > > > We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the > > photostudy and said he had " severe " plagio and of course > recommended > > treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they > > say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through > > these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks > > that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and > reposition, > > but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the > inevitable. > > So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. > > > > I know there are others who have been through this, but did the > band > > fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? > > They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just > > said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm > more > > concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be > getting > > more " off " by the day as he grows. Thanks so much! > > ~ > > Drew & Will, 4 months > > > Hi I'm a mom of B & G twins 7 mo old I notice her head mishaped around 2mo and at 4 mo with trying the repostioning i didn't feel it was getting any better. So at 4mo ck up Dr sent us to the specialist which took over 2mo to get an appt. they were scanned last week and Son is off some but not enough but daughter was severe so we're getting a helment today. I hate it for her but i do feel we're doing the best thing for her. I was also told time will change it and with my son i could see the improvement but with her i just didn't. Any good advice on the do's or don't thanks Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 your girls names are so cute! I wouldnt spend too much time worrying about the ins.(I did my share of that and it didnt help anything) absolute worst case scenerio is you will have to make payments, and before that there are social workers you can talk to ans assistance programs....have you talked to a soc worker???that might work, and of course if it gets denied, appeal....long process, im sure it will be( i will be starting mine soon) but worth it....and dont blame yourself.....you are going through all the right steps for your girls, so they can have beautiful shaped heads, as they did at birth,.....hmmmm sorry thats all i have, just try not to stress.....mandy Re: New and Questions Hi ,I am new to this group as well and I have twin girls that are 4 months old (born at 37 weeks). My little Gabby (baby A) has been refered to a neurologist for the severe flattening of the back of her head. I am also worried about her sister Paige as she has flattening and it's more to one side. I plan on taking them both to the appointment so that the doctor can assess her as well. I have a lot of guilt about this as they both were born with beautifully shaped heads (every pediatrician that examined them in the hospital commented on it!)Anyways, I'm looking forward to reading about Plagio and finding out as much as I can before their appointment. I am also very concerned about insurance coverage as I've heard a lot of insurance companies refuse to cover the helmet.Karin>> Hi All, > I just found this group and I'm so glad. I am a 1st time Mom to twin> boys (born at 34 weeks) who are now 4 months old. At the 2 month> check up, our pediatrician said that Drew (baby A) had torticollis and> gave us some stretches to do. My husband asked then about his head> shape that it was a bit flat and she said that "all babies heads are> flat these days" and she said not to worry about it. For this and> other reasons too long to go into we switched pediatricians. We took> the boys in about a month ago (almost 3.5mo old) and the new Dr.> agreed that Drew had torticollis and she also referred us to Cranial> Tech to see about his head. In the mean time I also started Drew in PT. > > My husband noticed Drew's head being slightly mis-shapen right after> birth. He was in the NICU for 20 some odd days before we got him home> and I didn't notice it as much for a while. More recently I've noticed> that his ears are VERY askew and he does have the forehead bulge and> one eye is more open than the other. > > We went to Cranial Tech a week and a half ago, and they did the> photostudy and said he had "severe" plagio and of course recommended> treatment. Our insurance is United Health and as of right now they> say it is excluded from the plan (of course after reading through> these boards I'm going to appeal!). The physical therapist thinks> that we can wait to get the helmet and work with him and reposition,> but it seems from what I've read this is just delaying the inevitable.> So, we've decided to go ahead w/the DOC band. > > I know there are others who have been through this, but did the band> fix the head shape enough that the ears and eyes were fixed, too? > They didn't really say how this would work at our appointment, just> said they would give him the helmet and it would round out. I'm more> concerned about his eyes and ears right now--they seem to be getting> more "off" by the day as he grows. Thanks so much!> ~> Drew & Will, 4 months> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2008 Report Share Posted May 14, 2008 > > > > Hi I'm a mom of B & G twins 7 mo old I notice her head mishaped > > around 2mo and at 4 mo with trying the repostioning i didn't feel it > > was getting any better. So at 4mo ck up Dr sent us to the specialist > > which took over 2mo to get an appt. they were scanned last week and > > Son is off some but not enough but daughter was severe so we're > > getting a helment today. I hate it for her but i do feel we're doing > > the best thing for her. I was also told time will change it and with > > my son i could see the improvement but with her i just didn't. Any > > good advice on the do's or don't thanks Judy > > >Hi thanks we have the cranial band from Hanger and it went very good. I think she will adjust quickly to wearing it. It was just hard to to do it in one way but in the other i knew it was the right thing for her. Thanks again!! Judy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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