Medical Help in Pittsburgh!!!PLS READ

[newtotown]

I am sending out this post for my friend without internet access. She is at her wits end with conventional doctors she has met at the UPMC children's hospital system. While she recognizes that perhaps she has only seen the ones who can not relate to her approach to parenting, she is desperately in need of a doctor who is sensitive to alternative thinking, who takes a wholistic approach to medical care and allows the parents to be active advocate for their children.

Her situation is this: her daughter is 1.5 and has been diagnosed as "failure to thrive" and who has been experiencing foot pains for the last few months...having mom rub her foot for often hours a day. Mom keeps food journals and has an unyielding concern for daughter. Mom feeds her all day, often totally consumed with what/how to feed her daughter... offering only the best organic, whole grains, vegetables, fruit, meats etc...there have been many tests, inconclusive, many pokes and prods, and little relating to mom's questions (she herself is in the occupational therapy field, and needs very specific answers to questions). She needs a doctor who will look at her daughter as a whole and who does not just shuffle them off to another round of test with out a solid conversation. Someone who will try and understand her daughter as well as the mother before writing a prescription or ordering a tube to be stuck down her daughter's throat.

It really is a very complex situation, but really I just need some good referrals of open-minded doctors, preferably in the south side of the city...but she will travel a bit to find good solid care for her daughter.

Thank you for reading and your time.

[cappuccinosmom]

I don't know any personally, but I wonder if she could get a referral through the "Ask the Pharmacist" guys? They are very into alternative and naturopathic care and probably know someone who could help her, if they couldn't personally help. I do think at least one of them is a Naturopathic Doctor. Here we go (from their site):

Len Brancewicz and Joe DiMatteo are registered pharmacists, board-certified clinical nutritionists, and homeopaths.

Len and Joe have now obtained their Naturopathic Medical degree. Congratulations Len & Joe!

Len & Joe are Christian practitioners who have chosen to bridge the gap between conventional and alternative medicine, into what is called a complementary approach to health.

With their education and experience working with clients, they bring to the table the necessary tools to attempt to correct health discrepancies. They are available for consultation by appointment, both in office and by phone.

[murphysaangel]

She should be getting adjusted!!!!! You can find referrals here:
http://www.chiropracticpureandsimple.com/directory.asp

Make sure the Chiro is listed as "Principled; Adjustment only"...she might be tempted to go with one of the people who does all the nutrition/supplements stuff, but that only takes away from the basics of Chiropractic.

Good luck!

[Galatea]

Subbing to see if anyone like this exists.

[jenP]

You might try Dr. Brian Donnelly at Pediatric Alliance North Hills.We normally just see a family doctor right close to us here in the city, but I went to Dr. Donnelly when we had an issue for which my child needed to see a Pediatrician. I loved him; would see him regularly if not for the long trip. He has advocated for cosleeping and breastfeeding and I found him to be warm and compassionate, a very gentle man, really listened to everything I said and answered ALL my questions, and he was really up on all the latest research. And he is "foreskin-friendly"! Not that that matters for your friend's daughter, but I take it as a general measure of a doctor's knowledge base. Like, if someone's telling me to retract my infant at every diaper change, what ELSE is that person getting wrong?
All the best to your friend and her daughter!

Jen

[Boy and Girl]

JenP: What doctor does your family see in the city?  We are moving to the South Hills and are willing to travel into the city for a good doctor.  Is the doctor also "foreskin friendly" and okay with delayed vaccinations?  Thanks!

[Boy and Girl]

If you're close to the South Hills area in Pittsburgh, I recommend Pediatrics South. We use Nurse Brooke and are very pleased. She seems to be relatively familiar with dealing with uncircumcised boys, as in leave it alone for now.