As stressed parents who had barely had any sleep the previous two nights; we panicked. We agreed to get the IV at a clinic he recommended. He told us to begin the drugs after that. The clinic turned out to be a very basic place. The doctor there asked some questions and then told me to hold Gautam in my lap so that he could insert that needle. This stupid man poked him twice looking for veins. I saw it with my eyes how he pushed the needle deep inside and then discovered that he needed to find another one. First of all, he was foolish to ask a parent to watch the terrible crying of an already weakened child. Second of all, I felt that he was a incompetent fool. And we would have none of it. I put my foot down when he started lecturing me that there will be a little pain. I always trust my gut instinct when it comes to doctors for my kids. We said that we would give him electrolytes orally and brought him home. We kept giving Gautam electrolytes and today morning took him to our regular doctor.
He prescribed a new medicine for the vomiting and did insist that Gautam did not need any IV fluids as he was able to take them orally (common sense). He also gave us some pretty good course of action to follow in the worst case situation. And, he told us to continue the antibiotics the old doctor had written. The entire day today Gautam has been better and we have been at peace. I realized one more thing today — yesterday’s doc did not even ask me about Gautam’s weight and prescribed dosages. Even as a layperson, I am aware that all doses are by body weight, hence the dose of antibiotics he had prescribed was actually deficient. Second, he added to our panic and tried to fleece us by telling us that IV is needed so that we pay him for something which might not be needed. We did end up paying for the IV even though we did not take it.
I feel so furious. Why do we have such doctors and hospitals who treat medicine as a “dhanda”? What kind of sick people would take advantage of a sick child and panicky parents to make a quick buck? And, is there any other way such people could be checked except by warning others to be careful about such doctors? As a helpless parent, my advice to you — Find a trusted pediatrician and stick with him no matter what.
Amen! You went with your guts and that is best. Check Wikipedia, ask questions and clearly communicate what the problem is. The more vocal you are, the more the doc actually appreciates it, that is my point of view. After all, he needs to diagnose based on a lot of things, some of which are best felt by the patient.
Rachna
🙂
Hope Gautam is doing fine now!!
Actually these days this IV fluid trend is so hot that even for some pain docs are giving that (I am still confused) taking advantage of parents panicked condition.
Thankfully we got a good doc for Shaurya, who believes more in natural treatment than giving medicine (For eg: shaurya was having very severe congestion and as usual we panicked and rushed to him, he checked him and ask need not to worry and prescribed NASO CLEAR drop and Advised us to give him nebulization of some nasal decongestant, no antibiotic nothing except Acetaminophen that too be given when he is having fear). Initially we were a bit apprehensive but he told us that it will take a day to work but he will be fine in 2-3 days without any side effects and Voila!!! He was perfectly fine after 3 days..
Chalo par wo kehte hai na Annt bhala to sab bhala
🙂 hope he will be fine now on
Hey Bart. Thanks for your supportive view.
Hey Bhupesh,
We tried the homeopathy route for the first and second day, remember the long story short bit :), but then his condition changed for the worse. Anyway, he is not vomiting but his energy levels are still very low. I want to see my cheerful, overhyper kid again, soon….
I just hate.. hate.. did I just say hate..no wait.. wait for it..
I abhor them.
Btw, HNY!!
Thank you Tangy. I abhor such people too. Hey and happy new year to you too!
For some Doctors, Its not the sevabhav but swayam bhav. Drug manuacturers pay/bribe well, in Gulf even to the extent of gifting a car, dont know the situation in India.
Cant blame the Drs too, when the cost of education is skyrocketing, they too have to recover somehow,
@Bhagyashree Yes, doctors have become so commercialized. I think once you are a doctor, you cannot be so selfish. And, though I don’t think that most doctors get cars here; some of them are definitely given other lucrative gifts.