Physician's second opinion

[ladder44]

Hello friends:

My wife and I have gone to an ENT regarding our son's ears. The ENT told us he thought ear tubes and a tonsilectomy should be done ASAP. We like the ENT, but we also want another opinion. Any advice as far as how to approach this doc with records requests and the second-opinion doc so that we get an impartial opinion?

Yours,
Brandon

 

[Austin]

I would not worry about offending the original ENT. They get this type of thing all the time. Your records are yours. I would let the staff of the 2nd doctor handle this unless they request you bring them with you.

I would be more concerned whether your insurance will cover 2nd opinions. Call your health plan and make sure it will be covered.

 

[DSB]

I would not worry about offending the original ENT. They get this type of thing all the time. Your records are yours. I would let the staff of the 2nd doctor handle this unless they request you bring them with you.

I would be more concerned whether your insurance will cover 2nd opinions. Call your health plan and make sure it will be covered.

+1 on everything Austin said. It is just good procedure to get a second opinion before any type of surgery, and good doctors know this. I'm sure if your doctor has children, he would also seek a second opinion if their pediatrician recommended surgery.

If you original ENT IS offended, then I would consider finding another doctor.

 

[Obsessed]

If you original ENT IS offended, then I would consider finding another doctor.

You took the words right out of my cyber-mouth.

 

[Wilpar76]

Hello friends:

My wife and I have gone to an ENT regarding our son's ears. The ENT told us he thought ear tubes and a tonsilectomy should be done ASAP. We like the ENT, but we also want another opinion. Any advice as far as how to approach this doc with records requests and the second-opinion doc so that we get an impartial opinion?

Yours,
Brandon

As others have stated, don't worry about offending the first doc. They almost expect it.

I know you didn't post for this, but I just thought I would put some info for moral support. We struggled with the decision to get tubes in our daughter's ears as well. Some research had shown that they are unnecessary and that most children will grow out of the chronic ear infections. Ultimately, we decided that tubes were the best option as she was on very high doses of antibiotics and they actually weren't doing much to stem the infections. The doctor warned us that the combination of the number of infections she had experienced and the severity of them was a bad mix. Our doctor was starting to worry about hearing damage.

WOW, what a difference. We are about 18 months out from having the tubes out. One came out on its own and the other was taken out. She has not had a single ear infection since then. You will notice early on, as we did, you child will literally hear things that they could not. She would ask us what every creak of the house was after the procedure, sounds she just didn;t get before.

I say all this to say that you should make the decision that is best for your child and your family. But know that if you get the tubes, hopefully any fears you have will be quelled by your child's quick recovery.

Best of luck.

 

[Shave A Buck]

My son at two had them, about a 15 minute proceedure. We went at 6:45 and were home by 9:00 AM. He played like nothing happened afterwards. This was only last year. Good luck with it however.

 

[Wendy]

If you feel like you need a second opinion go for it and do not worry about the original doc.

I will add if your child has had more than 3 infections within a 6 month period most will recommend tubes. Both of my girls had tubes by 10 months. My oldest Sara, lost her first set about 14 month later. Within 2 days of losing one tube she had an infection. Needless to say we requested another set ASAP. My youngest Sadie also lost her first set after 14 months. She has struggled with infections even with the tubes but at least she was no longer rupturing ear drums all the time. She is now on her second set and has had her adenoids removed. These procedures are so simple and the children many times do outgrow the need but what is scary is the damage that can be done to the ear in the waiting period. Sara lost her second set a few months, during cold season and we did not get new ones. Sara has outgrown the need. Sadie will probably need much longer since she has very tiny ear canals and that seems to be part of her trouble.

Sorry to ramble on but I am all for tubes. I know so many kids suffer with the infections that could be out of pain and no longer at risk of hearing problems.

 

[DavyRay]

I would not wait for a second opinion. If your child is having repeated infections, just get the tubes. It is a fast procedure. There is little downside. The risk of waffling is greater than just going for it. You do want a doctor who puts these things in all the time. The clinics which do these will have your child in and out with minimum fuss and pain.

 

[dod.e.ratherwell]

The tubes seriously helped my brothers boy. What is even nicer is after they got home it was pretty clear that the young lad was hearing better and also just happier. The tubes did not seem to bug him at all.

Good luck with your situation.