HUTC at my son's doc

[leqet]

I have a son with quite a few medical conditions, therefore we have a lot of " -ologists" in our life. Well, my ds has recently been having watery eyes and nose while eating. My DH had severe allergies when he was little so I thought it was time to take ds to an allergist. I got a great first impression of this doc but...he answered his cell phone 3 times in the 45 minutes of being in his office. He told me who they were: 1st was his wife, 2nd was his "golf buddy" 3rd was his old assistant. He talked to them for a few minutes too, not just a "I'll call you back". I have never had a doc/surgeon answer his phone during a office visit. While in the hospital, of course the doc will look at their pager if it goes off but usually it is quite discreet followed by an apology.

Am I old fashion or do you think this was rude? If we do have to keep seeing an allergist, I'm thinking of going to someone else!! Not that it really matters but this was an older man, maybe in his late 50's.

Yeah. That doctor was rude. I would look for another one that is more attentive.

That was my first thought but he has had so many done that I'm surprised he doesn't glow in the dark! None of them have ever shown apiration. We aren't sure what is going on, his allergy test came back today and it shows no food allergy.

I hear ya! I text my DH when we are walking into appointments because, sure as heck, he will have to call me while in the office.

When I was a child I had trouble breathing sometimes when I ate anything with milk. The doctor told my mom it was not an actual allergy but a sensitivity to dairy and she should limit my dairy products for a while. I was better when I didn't have milk. She never completely eliminated milk in my meals however. As a teen I developed asthma and now as an adult I have found I am lactose intolerant, which doesn't just mean bloating and indigestion, but I also have difficulty breathing (my nose starts running and I start coughing like I have a cold) when I eat dairy products with lactose. As a resource for you, here's an interesting article on milk and it's connection to breathing difficulties: Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products

Also, there are many food sensitivities that may not show up on a test. Perhaps milk is a problem for him or it may be something else. I don't know your son's other health issues, but when you find an allergist you trust you might want to talk to him/her about eliminating cow's milk (or other common allergens) from ds's diet for a couple weeks and see if he does better. I hope this helps and I hope you can find a doctor that will be more interested in giving you his or her full attention.

[Smee]

Yeah. That doctor was rude. I would look for another one that is more attentive.



When I was a child I had trouble breathing sometimes when I ate anything with milk. The doctor told my mom it was not an actual allergy but a sensitivity to dairy and she should limit my dairy products for a while. I was better when I didn't have milk. She never completely eliminated milk in my meals however. As a teen I developed asthma and now as an adult I have found I am lactose intolerant, which doesn't just mean bloating and indigestion, but I also have difficulty breathing (my nose starts running and I start coughing like I have a cold) when I eat dairy products with lactose. As a resource for you, here's an interesting article on milk and it's connection to breathing difficulties: Asthma explained by common allergy to milk and dairy products

Yes. I have this issue as well and didn't even realize it was the milk until our (at the time) five year old finally saw an asthma/allergy doc after more than a year of constant pediatric visits for upper respiratory infections, coughing, wheezing and so on. In one visit, the doc said to take him off dairy and caffeine. It was at that time that I realized it was a problem for me as well. A few years ago, I was having such severe problems with my breathing that I had asthma and allergy testing done and it appears that I'm just really sensitive to dairy (and caffeine). It's apparently not an uncommon issue. Ice cream is the absolute worst for me. I'll wheeze and cough to the point of gagging, strangling and getting lightheaded. I have a constantly runny nose, too, but it's due to some really long name that just basically means super sensitive nose. It's not a sinus issue; it's the lining. A nose spray helps with it.

OP, I hope you get some answers. I agree with others, too, that the doc was unprofessional by taking personal calls on your time.

[Macaela25]

Unbelievable! Maybe you could have a chat with the office manager, maybe he or she could talk to the doc and tell him that patients are becoming upset with him for answering what are clearly not important calls during patient visits.

Many office managers are employees of their doctor or doctor's group. That's likely not a subject he/she wiil want to correct their employer on.

If you want to keep seeing the doctor an anonymous letter might work better.

[hotpostalchick]

I would find another doctor. That is extremely unproffesional...... While in the midst of my c-section, my obgyn talked on her cell phone. Kid you not! I was rather disturbed by this, especially when she said "ohhhh nooooo". My heart sank and I looked up to the nurse @ my head and she said "oh she's on the phone". Seriously?! I'm slit wide open and you're on your phone? Pretty sure that's not very sanitary.

[Smee]

I would find another doctor. That is extremely unproffesional...... While in the midst of my c-section, my obgyn talked on her cell phone. Kid you not! I was rather disturbed by this, especially when she said "ohhhh nooooo". My heart sank and I looked up to the nurse @ my head and she said "oh she's on the phone". Seriously?! I'm slit wide open and you're on your phone? Pretty sure that's not very sanitary.

ACK!

[bali1228]

I would find another doctor. That is extremely unproffesional...... While in the midst of my c-section, my obgyn talked on her cell phone. Kid you not! I was rather disturbed by this, especially when she said "ohhhh nooooo". My heart sank and I looked up to the nurse @ my head and she said "oh she's on the phone". Seriously?! I'm slit wide open and you're on your phone? Pretty sure that's not very sanitary.

Dr's really need to watch what they say. During my c-section my OB said to the other Dr assisting her " don't worry , she'll never see it". So , of course the first thing I did when I was settled in with the baby and what not, was make my husband look for "it" turns out they tore my incision open an additional few inches on one side. I prolly wouldn't have noticed if she'd have kept her mouth shut! Doc on the cell phone is waaay worse tho, that's so not right

[jen276here]

Milk naturally increases mucus so I could totally see how this could produce allergy/asthma like symptoms.

[jennifermevans]

Have they checked for a cleft? You would need a ENT and PULM to do the scope...but sometimes clefts can be extremely hard to find...but food could be going up there..thus causing the nose running and eyes tearing up....but obviously not showing up on a swallow study.

Not sure where you live. Cincinnati childrens has probably the best aerodigestive team in the nation.

That is a great idea. My son has a craniofacial condition so this probably something that could happen, I know a lot of people with his conditions have "regular" (for lack of a better word) clefts.

Thanks, all for your suggestions. I'm definitely going to watch his milk/dairy intake. I don't buy very much juice so it is usually milk or water in this house!

[aurorahorse]

I would find another doctor. That is extremely unproffesional...... While in the midst of my c-section, my obgyn talked on her cell phone. Kid you not! I was rather disturbed by this, especially when she said "ohhhh nooooo". My heart sank and I looked up to the nurse @ my head and she said "oh she's on the phone". Seriously?! I'm slit wide open and you're on your phone? Pretty sure that's not very sanitary.

That's a bad idea...not sanitary, and who would really want to do anything that might tick off a VERY hormonal woman? I'd probably have ripped her a new one!

OP...yeah, time for new dr!

[cupunlvr]

I am a retired RN, doc's behavior is completely unprofessional and distracted. One phone call maybe I would excuse but not three during one visit! It tells you his patients are not his priority. And don't even attempt to have an office manager speak to him, he is her boss and that won't fly at all and would certainly label you as troublemaker client. If at all possible, find another doc, one that is going to focus on your child and the history you provide. Best of luck.