Our endocrinologist appt

kit_kats_mom wrote: Ok, let me just start off by saying that this guy must not have kids. He really ticked me off. He asked me why we were there and I said that she is small for her age and that we needed to find out if there was some recessive petite gene or something. He got this very serious look and told me that it isn't a petite gene, and she isn't small..."99.9% of babies are bigger than her. She is the size of most 3rd world babies and that those childrens growth and brain development are stunted because of their size. If we can't get her weight up, she may be retarded" WTF???? Excuse my french. Look bucko, my kid is definatly not retarded, if anything, she is advanced and very active. I understand that it could be a major health problem but she is so vibrant and active that I have a hard time believing it. He is also concerend about the blood draw that showed high triglycerides and he said that even if she drank a milk shake made with butter during the draw, that her counts wouldn't be that high. That didn't make me feel any better. Now I have a retarded baby with high choloestoral? JERK! We will be doing a fasting blood draw tomorrow morning but he doesnt think that the fact that she ate before the draw made much of a difference. He also said that he would reccomend I give up breastfeeding but if I won't (more like she won't let me) that I need to weigh her before and after each feeding on a baby scale and also keep a food diary of everything she puts in her mouth (does this include toilet paper?). I called a dietician which he reccomended and she gave me some tips. She also is a BF advocate and thinks that he was WAY off base by telling me that she is way too small. Yes, her curve is downward turning but the charts were made 40 years ago on Wisconson formula fed babies. She made me feel a little bit better. I then talked to a LLL group leader who made me feel even better. "if she won't eat solids, why would you quit feeding her the only thing she will eat?" You GO lady! I then tried to find a scale....not cheap. Jenn found a couple but I talked to another LC from our local hospital and it looks like I may be able to rent one from them for a week or so. It just so happens that the lady I spoke with, Heidi, is familar with our case. Apparently our ped has discussed our case with all of the LC's in town (we are famous) The triglycerides concern Heidi more than the rate of growth and we will be getting back with her with the test results once we get them. Heidi has been in touch with a leading expert on BFding in Rochester NY who has written many books. I forgot her name though. Anyway, she is still discussing the case with her and everyone is interested to know what the triglycerides are going to look like and what is going on.
So, I don't have any answers yet. The Zantac does seem to be helping a little bit. Katherine ate 2T of peas, 4 grahm cracker sticks, 5 kix, 2T of yogurt, 2T of oatmeal, 1/2 a chicken nugget, 2 bites of mac & cheese and alot of water today. That's alot more than last week.

I'll keep you posted. I'm so frusterated.

Kaitlin'smom replied: how dare he generalize your daughter and tell you she will or is retarted! Sometimes theose people who generalize and go by "normal" really tick me off! EVERYONE is different so stop trying to squeese us all in one catagory! sorry about that.

I am sory you still dont have the answers you need, I guess it will just take time to figure it all out. Keep us posted. Hugs to both of you!

amynicole21 replied: What a load of CRAP I do not understand what doctors are thinking when they say things like that. He is a complete moron. I totally agree with the LC, why would you take away her main source of nourishment??? I'm sorry you weren't given better answers, and I hope that they can figure this out soon.

By the way, most third world babies are retarded? HE is retarded. WTF indeed. He needs to climb back up his own butt and pull his head out.

~CrazieMama~ replied:
I would report that man.

jdkjd replied: That Doctor was a big _____ . I would even go as far as to complain, I don't know if he's in an association or corp, but maybe you could write a letter to the Board of Medicine. Ugh.

I agree that your daughter is incredibly smart and active, he just had NO idea what he was talking about.

Cool on the rental-the best choice. Maybe she's just gradually working up to a higher solids intake, if she is increasing slowly I would be encouraged.

{{{{HUGE HUGS}}}} for being worried and all of these Dr.'s appts...

Maddie&EthansMom replied: Oh Geez! That is terrible. What kind of monster did they send you to? What a nightmare. She is fine. It will just take some time to figure it all out. I bet when she fasts for that draw it will come out perfect. I just hate when they tell you too much. I'm glad she is eating more. That sounds great to me. Maddie never eats. You are in my prayers. I am so sorry you had to go through that. Lucky for you, you had someone to back you up and help you along with finding a reason for her size. (the LC, LLL, and the BF advocate all sound like wonderful, caring and intelligent people.)

MommyToAshley replied: WHAT A _______!!!!!!! That man should not be allowed to have anything to do with children or their parents! GRRR!!! Kat is very active and IS advanced for her age! He obviously doesn't know what he is talking about!

I am glad the dietician (that HE recommended) put him in his place! I hope the tips she gave you work out and that all goes well with your test tomorrow!

On the scale, I remember seeing a cheap baby scale at Meijers. I was going to buy one when I first started BF Ashley, but then I decided not to because I decided it was better to trust my judgement than weigh her all the time. But, your case is different. I don't know if they still have it, but maybe you could call the baby dept at your local Meijers and ask.

DansMom replied: Uggh!! I would be red with fury and contempt in your place. Especially since you need to rely on this specialist for answers and guidance making decisions, you should be able to have a dialogue with someone whom you trust, who you feel is on your side and who expresses compassion and encouragement for you as a parent. I'm glad some of the other professionals were more supportive at least.

jem0622 replied: OMG! What a nightmare! Glad you are getting some support from the other contacts. And KEEP ON NURSING!

HUGS
Julie

MomToJade&Jordan replied: That man deserves a whole bunch of these . I cannot believe he had the gall to say all of that stuff. I don't think he knows what he's talking about. The dietician sounded like a much nicer person. Stopping nursing now would be a bad idea seeing as it's really one of the only things K will eat. I really hope this all gets straightened out for you. It sounds like she is starting to eat more solids. Maybe she is working her way up to eatimg more. Good Luck.

A&A'smommy replied: i dont know very much about this kind of stuff but he has no right to tell you that bull!!! Your daughter is in NO WAY retarted!!!! Maybe you should report him or find another endocrinologist!?!? I hope you find out why she isnt eating very much soon, and maybe she just isnt hungry. I dont know anyways LOTS OF ((((((((((HUGS))))))))

MomofTay&Sam replied: I think I would have left! Are you going to the same place tomm for the fasting blood? That guy is a jerk! How dare he say something like that to you. Sammy is a big boy but some days he just wants formula. I think everything will be just fine and keep up the BF until you both are ready to be done!

ediep replied: UGH!!! I can't believe that he spoke to you like that!!! K is very advanced, there is no way that she is retarted! It sounds like her appetite is improving, thats positive.
Good luck with the blood work

Hang in there, I'm sure that it will all get straightened out!

CantWait replied: who does this guy think he is????? And why should you give up breastfeeding???? i don't know what difference that would make unless your cholesteral was high, and if it was then couldn't that be something you could fix (and I'm not saying it is). Just trying to make sense of this idiot.
Shame on that moron

aspenblue1 replied: That is so awful that a DR would say that. I would report him.

natjasem replied: He sounds like a prick. I'm curious to know if our ped will refer Emma to an endocrinologist on her one year check-up. Unbelieveable. Hopefully they won't be as rude as yours.
Blow this guy off! He's clueless.

coasterqueen replied: What a jerk!!!! Very rude!!! What a nightmare, too!!! Kudos to you for still bf her! You are doing the right thing. Hopefully they will find some answers for you soon BTW, I don't think my Kylie eats that much any day, lol, so it sounds like she's doing good with solids!!

chloe&tysmommy replied: Oh my...that doctor sounds like an @******!!! He is Clueless!!!
Poor you to have to listen to that crap, I would have given him a piece of my mind I would report that loser.

<<big hugs>> for you and Kat....I sure hope your appt goes well tomorrow and they can give you some answers.

kit_kats_mom replied: Stupid lab. I called the doc today for the results of the blood work. The nurse said that the results with her name on them have a birth date which would make K 26 years old. She is calling to check on what happened. I swear if I have to make her fast again and draw more blood, there will be a thowdown at the lab. The nurse did say that if the results were K's that the triglycerides were within normal range. Now I have my fingers crossed that they are correct.

She is eating better. Still not alot, and I have to offer her a meal practically every hour to get even 500 cals a day into her but it is paying off. I've found that she will eat peanut butter and also chocolate boost (a weight gain drink...350 cals per 8oz). I have to feed her the boost via dropper but I can ususally get about 2 T down at a sitting. I also made a peanut butter smoothie that I can feed her via dropper. Trouble is, it's pretty tasty and I keep drinking it all. Booooo! Goodbye weight goal. I kept a nursing log and a solids log over the last week. She is steadily getting more calories (I"m really focusing on healthy, calorie packed foods like liverworst & avacado). She is also getting the average amount of breastmilk for a 14 month old but since nursing is all she really does with gusto, I've resumed pumping to try to boost my supply so she will get more per feeding session. EVERY CALORIE COUNTS!!! She has gained 4 oz over the last 5 days so we must be doing something right. However, all of this calorie counting and keeping track of everything that she puts in her mouth is exhausting. I'll be happy when she really starts to eat properly on her own.

The lacation consultant that I met with this morning thinks that she looks fine and thinks the pumping is a good idea. Of course, K won't drink the ebm so that is just wasted but whatever.

Fingers crossed on the blood results. I'll keep you posted.

One little funny. My mom is a great supporter and has really been thinking outside of the box for ways to get K to gain weight. I was musing about maybe a drug that would reduce her activity level (so that she doesn't burn so many cals) and increase her appetite....my mom said maybe we should get her high. GREAT IDEA MOM!...NOT. Leave it to my ex-hippie mom to come up with that though. She wasnt' really serious. If it wasnt' for her sense of humor about all of this, I would probably be wallowing in self pity and depression by now. She is also the person who advised me that since K will take the breast so redialy, that perhaps I should put mayo or whipped cream on them before nursing. BLECH!

MommyToAshley replied: I can't believe that they would mix up her info on the lab tests! GRRRR! I hope that the tests were K's and the results are correct. That would be such a relief!

Does she eat oatmeal or cereal in the morning? I used to put EBM in Ashley's oatmeal every morning.

I think it is great that she is gaining weight That's progress! But, it does sound exhausting.

LOL! Your mom sounds like a riot!

amynicole21 replied: UGH! Incompetent lab! Grrrrr

Sounds like she is really improving though! YAYAY!! Could you use the EBM in the peanut butter smoothie?

MomToJade&Jordan replied: That would be great if the test results were K's. Where are you going for all of this? They just don't seem like they are on the ball to me. I like the Lactation consultant though. She sounds like a great person. The fact that she has gained 4 oz is fantastic news. Every little bit counts. Your Mom is funny. Yes getting Kat high would probably solve the eating problem, but NO!!! You are doing a great job Cary. I know that all of this is getting exhausting, but it's working and that's the important part. Just keep us posted.

ediep replied: wow, I am relieved that Katherine is gaining....good work!!

Hope the blood work comes back with good results!

kit_kats_mom replied:
Chp is our health insurance and we are using their lab. I've never had a problem with them until now and I've been with CHP for 8 years. The LC is really awesome. I like her alot. We now have a weight check appointment with K's ped in a couple of weeks, then we meet with the dietician the first week of December and I have to meet with the devil...ahem..I mean the endricrinologist the second week of December. I also scheduled my root canal for the first week of december AND Dh just informed me that we will be going to Chicago and central Illinois to visit the in-laws in Mid December. Chicago in December? Brrrrrr I have a feeling that I may not be in the Christmas spirit at all.

Kaitlin'smom replied: wow sounds like alot but glad she is gaining weight.

sorry you have to go see the pain again, hopfully this time he wont be so rude!

Oh and your mom is funny...get her high, I know it was a joke guess thats why I laughed when I read that!

sounds like Dec will be busy! hope all goes smoothy for you and you can find some holiday cheer.

jcc64 replied: Cary,
What is this chocolate boost? You know I'm also trying to fatten Corey up- could you tell me what's in the peanut butter smoothie? Glad to hear K is gaining. Corey is a challenge as usual, but she's up to 19.4 lbs, which is progress, b/c at our 1 yr checkup, she was 17.2 It's been interesting to follow the course you're following. My ped took a more laid back approach, having observed that she appears healthy and muscular, just petite. I don't know which way is best. At least you have a lot of information, but somehow I think we're gonna end up in the same place- they don't like to eat and they're just small. Period.

Schnoogly replied: I agree with renting a scale--you won't need it forever. We rented a medela babyweigh scale which calculates the actual amounts. They're kind of expensive to rent though ($50 a month for us) so if you can find a scale that weighs digital and metric you can calculate ounces that way--30mg=app 1 ounce.

Was this a peds endocrinologist? Sounds like he doesn't know what the he** he was talking about!! I hate those weight charts. Anyone who looks at Iain says he looks totally chunky but he is still only about 20% for weight.

Glad you got support at LLL at least!!

And if she acts like Iain they're no way there is anything wrong with her mental development! And she hit milestones on schedule right? So what's the big deal??

And if you get high will that get to Kat through the bm? Sounds good to me! (j/k!!)

kit_kats_mom replied:
The chocolate boost is our store brand of ensure. I basically went through the grocery store with a calculator and bought anything with alot of calories in a little bit of food that seemed somewhat healthy. For the peanut butter smoothie, I just made it up. 1/2 a banana (very ripe & sweet), 1/2 c smooth peanut butter & enough whole milk to make it drinkable. I suppose you could use yogurt too.
Good luck & congrats on the weight gain Corey. Great job mom!