Positive doctor visit

[emma1325]

I took my girls for their first well check up in over three years. I got my 5 year old's titers tested for M, M, R, D, T, P, and chicken pox. My youngest (unvaccinated) just got a look-over by the ped.

(My oldest has had some of the vaccines...we're hoping she'll come up as being immune to all of them but not counting on it.)

The doctor was very supportive of our choice not to vaccinate, and very respectful toward us. He didn't even once "suggest" that we vaccinate...and he even commented that he was impressed that we've done our research and are opting to get titers checked rather than just vaccinating.

[kiara7]

Awesome!

Doesn't happen very often, sounds like you found a good ped!

[javilu]

Our ped is the same way! I wasn't planning on doing well baby visits until I read about this doctor on the MDC boards and decided to give him a try. Last visit was our 2 month one and he had no problem with us declining shots. I even told him that I didn't think they were needed for my son because he's home with me all day and breastfed and he said "I'm totally with you on this."

[Ophelia]

Interesting, let us know what you find out the titer results, curious to see what those will be.

[Turquesa]

OP, I have a couple of questions. First, can you really get titers to avoid the DTaP booster? I didn't know that they worked for those vaxes! That's wonderful news!

Second, out of curiosity, are you homeschooling? Or will your state accept your children into schools with a medical exemption because they passed their titers tests? I've heard that MS is so strict about these matters!

[FernG]

The MS law says that they will accept titers for M,M,R, and CP, but not for DTaP. I guess you can still check titers for DTaP for your own knowledge.

[MoonWillow]

Those doctors are out there. I just found one myself after ALOT of searching.
He actually admitted that he had seen eczema get worse after shots and that vaccines should not be a one size fits all policy.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by Turquesa

OP, I have a couple of questions. First, can you really get titers to avoid the DTaP booster? I didn't know that they worked for those vaxes! That's wonderful news!

Second, out of curiosity, are you homeschooling? Or will your state accept your children into schools with a medical exemption because they passed their titers tests? I've heard that MS is so strict about these matters!

You can check titers for any of the diseases (I believe,) and base your decision to vaccinate or not on those results (if that's what you so choose to do.)

I am homeschooling for kindergarten, but hoping to get my daughter into first grade next year. MS is very, very strict. We're planning to fight it as much as we possibly can...we even have a lawyer lined up.

We thought the titer checks would be a good first step in this fight.

[newmum35]

Well I am thoroughly jealous!! I want a dr like this!! Can you please post results of titer tests? Does titer for DTaP really exist? I was wondering that too, because the "only" vaccine my son has had was the DTaP (all 3 shots) and I'm not convinced he needs boosters; I was thinking of asking for titers at our next dr visit, but thought they would brush it off.

[emma1325]

Originally Posted by newmum35

Well I am thoroughly jealous!! I want a dr like this!! Can you please post results of titer tests? Does titer for DTaP really exist? I was wondering that too, because the "only" vaccine my son has had was the DTaP (all 3 shots) and I'm not convinced he needs boosters; I was thinking of asking for titers at our next dr visit, but thought they would brush it off.

You can certainly ask for titers for the components of DTaP. But keep in mind, you'll pay for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis...I'm not sure if insurance will cover it or not. (We're paying out-of-pocket for the testing since we're between insurance companies.)

I forgot to mention in my OP...I also tested for polio. She's had 2 shots of polio, so I'm hoping that her titers will be positive for that one.

[emma1325]

You guys, I'm still totally psyched that this doctor looked over my perfectly healthy 3 (almost 4) year old unvaccinated child, commented on how healthy she was, and didn't even once mention vaccines.

:

I'm thinking of writing him a thank you note. I've had some pretty negative experiences with doctors undermining our choice and trying to guilt us into vaccinating. This guy was wonderful. It gives me hope that things may one day change...if we can just get our doctors to look more closely at what parents are really concerned about regarding vaccines.

[MoonWillow]

I know exactly how you feel. We hear so much negativity. Its truly elating to find someone who understands and is respectable. It gives me hope too.
They DO exist! :

[newmum35]

Originally Posted by emma1325

You guys, I'm still totally psyched that this doctor looked over my perfectly healthy 3 (almost 4) year old unvaccinated child, commented on how healthy she was, and didn't even once mention vaccines.

:

I'm thinking of writing him a thank you note. I've had some pretty negative experiences with doctors undermining our choice and trying to guilt us into vaccinating. This guy was wonderful. It gives me hope that things may one day change...if we can just get our doctors to look more closely at what parents are really concerned about regarding vaccines.

DO write him a thank you note! I'm still feeling a bit guilty because I don't even remember the wonderful nurses' name who helped me through my labor in the hospital. She was so great, and if I knew who it was I would have sent her a little gift. I thought about it later and realized... I didn't even get her name!

I also have hope for the future. When I think of how it will be in a few generations, I think we will be having many more doctors like yours!! (or is it just me being overly optimistic!)