Sarah - I am so happy that you found a place so quickly. I hope that the appointment next week answers all of your questions and I hope that they are as empathetic as the have led you to believe.

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http://rchiprean.abmp.com/index.html

I have no idea if this is going to be helpful, but I had a thought...last year, my employer had a mobile immunization clinic come to our office to give flu shots (everyone gets them but me). I wonder if finding a place/organization like that might give parents more control over what they get and when, etc. They might have access to ordering specialty immunizations for those that are selecting. Might not be covered by insurance, but the lady who was here was a nurse, so any paperwork done would be 'sufficient' for shot records.

Or, they might be totally uninformed and just run around shoving needled into anyone who's standing nearby. Just kidding.

Anyway, it might be worth looking into.

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Sarah, I am so sorry you dealt with that. If the new doc doesnt work out I would still go to another office because the way you were treated was irresposible by the docs office, bordering on unethical. My doc totally supports ALL of my decsions and feels that a mothers instinct to to important to ignore, I would look for a doc that is like that, because it comes in handy with other things besides vaccinations.

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Sarah, where did you look to find that doctor? I need to start looking because my pedi said last visit she would have to fire me if I refused all shots. I don't know if I am going to refuse shots forever but I am not giving any until he is at least 2 years old. Then I will re-evaluate the situation and the vaccine data.

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Dr. Eisenstein is on right now discussing vaccine info on WYLL 1160AM. (10:00 central)


Edit: I guess I should say you can listen live online, which is why I am mentioning it!

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Tomorrow we go to interview the new pedi. I already know that they are in full support of non-vaccinating. I'm not sure what I should really be asking, so I'm hoping for suggestions on what to ask.
Thanks!

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Sarah, I would also ask what their office policy is on antibiotics and how they deal with emergencies. Also see if they have sick rooms and well rooms

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Good idea, Lisa! I'll write those down.

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Well, we met with the new pedi. tonight. I don't think we are going to go with him specifically, as he was way too... out there... for us. (This was not Dr. Eisenstein but it is his practice.) However, this dr. admitted that he was much more radical than any of the other doctors in the office, so I think we will probably be happy with one of them.

I'm thinking I'll be much more comfortable here. He said the majority of the patients do not vaccinate (about 60%), and about 35% partially vaccinate. I think I am going to continue with DTaP, but going to refuse all others from this point on. I just can't see not getting the tetanus vaccine (it seems really likely to step on a rusty nail), which is really the only reason I want it. It doesn't contain thermiserol, and they did fine with it last time, so I feel comfortable with that decision.

I do have a question for you all, though. Do you worry about settings with lots of kids, such as church, daycare, etc.? I am bf'ing, and I know that should provide some protection, but I'm not sure if there are certain precautions that I should take that I don't know about. When I asked this guy, his answer was pretty gross (like I said, he's definitely WAY too radical for me.) So I'm wondering what you all are doing. The gym starts accepting kids in their daycare at 4mos., and I am dying to be able to go work out each day, so I'm really hoping to be able to do that as long as it seems okay. Any advice? Please share!

(Was it Kelly who asked how I found this office? Someone did. Anyway, I read an article and it talked about a practice in the Chicago area that has no reports of autism. This is that practice. I lucked out in finding them. Sorry, I don't think I had answered earlier.)

Geez.. what a novel... sorry!

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Sarah, I too BF but other than that I dont take a lot of precautions other than washing the babies hands and having people wash their hands before picking her up. I am of the opinion though that colds are not a big deal (Mia did end up with pnumonia though so I may have to rethink that theory) but I dont want any bug that might cause puking. I have never really had my kids in a daycare but they go in the nursery at church and I know that they keep the toys clean in there and they discourage bringing kids that have illnesses. You may want to check out pregnancy.org because I know they have a group that is specifically for kids with suppressed immune systems or parents that are concerned about their kids catching colds.

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Sarah- I haven't read over in here in so long but I just saw your post and wanted to say I am glad you found a new doctors office. I actually GASPED hearing how they put needles in your boys that wasn't even what shot you were told it would be.

I orginally posted the article about that office and it is so neat that you get to go there!!

On the tetnus vaccine I just wanted to throw out there you may want to look into that if you are only getting it because of your fear of a rusty nail. You don't get tetnus from just any rusty nail. The rusty nail must be infected with tetnus from an animal...common back in the days of horse & buggy and a horseshoe would be changed on an infected horse and nails thrown about outside. Then someone walks by and steps on the infected nail and contracts the disease. Almost impossible to happen in this day & age.

What I have been told is if anyone is ever hurt by a rusty nail if the wound bleeds it has cleaned itself out and no bateria can remain in there so no worries. Use neosporin and it should be fine.

Anyway, it is just a big misconception that you will get tetnus from a rusty nail and I wanted to let you know that because I was shocked when I found out a few years back.

Let us know how it goes at this new office. Also, I would love to know what alternatives they do to meds for common things so I can start doing it too instead of giving meds.

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Judith, I was wondering if you had an articles on the hepatits B vaccine. My sister had her twins on December 17 at 35 weeks. Leland is still in the hospital (3 weeks old tomorrow) due to bradycardia that started right after his Hepatitis B vaccine (even though I strongly encouraged her not to get it since they were preemies and that he was not at risk at all of getting Hepatitis B) I was wondering if the bradycardia could be caused by the Hepatits B vaccine and if so wanted to email her some information so he doesn't get it again which may cause a worse reaction.

Kristy - I'm sorry to hear about your baby nephew. I was trying to find some info for you......

this is a link to a forum with several posts regarding the hep b vaccine. Unfortunately, none of them are regarding infants, but one does specifically mention the bradycardia...

adverse reaction to Hepatitis B vaccination

Maglio Christopher & Toale Law Firm -- Trial Lawyers Representing Clients in Litigation Across the Nation

Here is a site that lists some vaccines and adverse reactions. Bradycardia is listed here.

HRSA - National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program

hope these help.

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http://rchiprean.abmp.com/index.html

Thanks Rac, I am going to read them now and forward them to my sister.

Just thought I would share how much the injury vaccine compensation program has paid out...over 15 million dollars in injuries last year and 1 claim that caused autism!!! They finally admitted that 1 child developed autism after a vaccine!!!

HRSA - National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program