Need Help in Arizona

[cjbasa]

I need a good truly vaccine friendly pediatrician in Arizona (East Valley). I've read past forums and tried to research some of the doctors reccommended but when I checked out their website I noticed they are completely Pro Vaccines. I have been seeing a pediatrician who I'm really tired of at this point. Even though I'm educated in the vaccine department she tries to use scare tactics almost all the time and now I have a new one on the way and don't want to go through this again. Does anyone know of a pediatrician who will respect your wishes regarding vaccines and doesn't push them or use scare tactics either? Thanks for any help.

[GTyler]

I get asked this question ALL the time,mothers looking for a ped. who respects the "NO" vaccine policy.
Here is a reality check;
Your most likely NOT going to find one,because MD's PED. Make most of their income from vaccines and all the diseases caused by these toxic shots.

My suggestion is:1- Use a reg. ped.(only for tests,strep/blood/urine/etc)

2-Find a homeopath or naturopath that you can go to for all ailments,holistic treatments are always better for the immune system.
Your lucky to live in the state of Arizona as alternative health has been readily accepted in that state,backed up by laws.here is a link for a directory of homeopaths
www.homeopathic.org
see list for arizona
A few great websites for holistic meds;
www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com
www.holisticonline.com
www.naturalnews.com
www.hpathy.com
There is always an alternative to everything
All the best

[shelbean91]

i've never ahd a problem w/our family doc, but i"m told he's no longer taking new patients. So no help here. Sorry. Good luck, though.

[cjbasa]

Thanks for your advice. Will check it out.

[grisandole]

Post in the "finding your tribe" section and you will get some great advice!

[Full Heart]

We use a family practice doc which has a lot of benefits. The dr gets to know the whole family. If something needs done they can refer you to a ped or whoever. We travel from the west side to central phx for our dr. I am sure there are other great family practice doc around but I just ours.

[SFam]

one of the many books i read while pregnant by a renowned pediatrician (i can't remember his name!) strongly urged parents NOT to take their kids to pediatricians. he thought family doctors in general would be less likely to want to do procedures and treatments to kids unnecessarily. i don't really know if it's true or not, but after reading that book, i decided to take my daughter to the family practice that i had already been going to prior to becoming pregnant. so far, they've been ok about not vaccinating. they're in tempe (or maybe now it's technically gilbert?) the 101 and warner rd-- warner family practice. http://warnerfamilypractice.net/Home.asp

i will say that in my experience they are PRO vaccine, however, i don't think you're likely to find a physician who doesn't want to vaccinate your kids. they are trained to think it's safe and effective and really don't question the AAP and CDC. however, with that said, i went in with my daughter expecting to fight with them and so far they've been fine. after discussing with them (i say "them" because we've seen more than one practitioner there) that i am fully educated about each vaccine, it's risks and supposed benefits, they haven't harassed me about it. the doc did put in my daughter's chart that i'm continuing to refuse vaccines, but they didn't make me sign any forms or threaten to kick me out or any of the other horrible things that i've heard other people have dealt with. i receive post cards from them about the availability of flu vaccine and i did receive a couple "reminder" post cards that my daughter was due for certain vaccines, but i think those just go out automatically (to drum up business, i'm sure!)

i had a home birth and on my first visit when my daughter was 3 days old, i saw dr scott (who is no longer with the practice) and she wanted to give the hep B, but i declined and explained why (i really didn't think my newborn was at risk for IV drug use or promiscuous sex, which is how heb B is transmitted). she continued to bring up vaccines at subsequent visits, but was always very nice about it, and i think she just wanted to make sure that i understood my decision, that i didn't have any questions or had changed my mind. ironic though-- i don't think doctors talk as much to parents who do vaccinate to make sure they understand what they're doing. anyway, i really liked her, but she's not there any more. the other doctors and PA i've seen since then have said they disagree with my decision, but they haven't brought it up repeatedly. my daughter is due for another visit in a couple months, so we'll see if they ask about it. i don't think they will.

a friend of mine likes her ped, but her doc had her sign a waiver or something about not vaccinating. i think that is just ridiculous. but according to my friend, the doctor doesn't bother her about it when she goes in. i can't remember the name though.

i just realized that was the longest answer ever. sorry, but i'm nothing if not thorough

[lovbeingamommy]

I would agree with what a pp said about having a ped or fam doc to do the diagnostic type stuff, especially if insur. covers it, but use a naturopathic doctor for all the other stuff. We have excellent ND's in AZ because we have one of the 6 or so accredited schools here in Tempe -Southwest School of Naturopathic Medicine. AZ also allows N.D's to practice as family docs which is great. My insur even covers it and it's Cigna.

[lurve]

another zonie here! we go to an MD once in a blue moon (well, we haven't been in a year and she is two and i haven't seen any blue moons coming up). we established a "basic" relationship with the MD just in case, because NMDs in AZ can't admit into the hospital (but they can do prescriptions). The MD is okay, but to stay in his practice you have to sign a stupid waiver (that I always change ) . But for real discussion and real "care" I go to an NMD. Instead of a 10 minute visit with the MD, I get an hour to 90 minutes and I just feel that he "knows" my daughter.