Our Pedi Endo quit!

[Momof4gr8kids]

Our pedi endo has severed his relationship with the local hospital. He was the only pedi endo within 6 hrs drive time of us, so no there isn't another. Regular Endos are pretty few, too. The main one in the area ~ his partner was brought up on charges, and lost her lisence a few years back. He's not that great either from what I have been told. So here is my question. Moving is not an option. A1C with yearly labs is due begining of May. What type of doc would you see other then an endo? Would you go reg pedi, internist ? Sorry, I am floored, and not really know where to go for help with this one at this point. If anyone has any ideas please post em.
Thanks, Jamie

[Mama2H]

If I had no other choice then I would go with a Pediatrician. Is the hospital offering an alternative? I would think that you can't be the only family floored by this and the hospital would want to make sure that all of the families are taken care of! We currently drive 3 hours to see our Endo because there isn't one any closer. I am so sorry you are having to deal with this :( (((hug)))

[Momof4gr8kids]

Thanks, Nicole. 3 hours is quite a way to go, too, but we aren't even that close. I found an internist, and a reg pedi that are pro pump so I think I will get one our camp board and see if anyone has any info on either, or any other recomendations. This is what I hate about living in an area that isn't metro.

[Adinsmom]

We live in a very rural area. There isn't even a Walmart, yet. We travel 3 hours away to our Endo appointments and the nearest Children's Hospital is the same. The local hospital almost shut down last year. We use a family practitioner for non-d issues (he diagnosed Adin) because I became frustrated with the only pediatrician's office. He doesn't really get everything about D but is completely open to Adin and his needs.

When Adin was diagnosed I was apprehensive about our future and contemplated moving. The Endo clinic we had was nonchalant to say the least. After much thought I changed Endo's and it is the best thing I could have done. She is wonderful! Anytime I need help they are available, phone call, email, whatever.

I know how isolating it can feel. If you have a local doctor that you like then I would concentrate on finding an Ped Endo that can help you no matter the distance. Even 6 hours away, as long as they understand the complexities of D and your situation. Good luck. I remember feeling like we were left in a life raft alone at sea.

[Mama Belle]

I wonder if there is any way to work with the pro pump pedi and arrange for some sort of partnership with a larger end clinic where the pedi could call for a consult when needed?

[thebestnest5]

I heard there was a pedi endo who traveled to Idaho. He stopped traveling to St. George and decided to travel north to Idaho for his traveling appts.

Dr. Michael T. Swinyard 801-838-9090/(801) 453-0976

I don't know which number is correct, but you could try calling on Monday and see exactly where they travel for clinic.

Good Luck, we had to travel 4.5 hours to SLC because there were no appointments for the "traveling clinic" that is within a hour of where we live.

Southern Utah is dry, dry, dry for healthcare. :rolleyes:

[Ellen]

I would travel to establish a relationship with a ped endo depending upon the age of your child. I think pediatric endocrinologists look for things pediatricians would otherwise miss. Once established, you can communicate primarily via email/fax/phone, and at least be seen 2x per year if not more.

[Boo]

So he severed ties with the local hospital...where did he go? Is he still around your area, perhaps working on establishing rights to practice at another hospital? Depending on the circumstances surrounding why he left, the hospital might not be forthcoming with information, but maybe with some digging, you can find out where he went.

That stinks! :mad:

[Twinklet]

What a headache! I don't know what I'd do. Traveling 6+ hours is a LONG way for health care. :( I'd try Ellen's suggestion, and work with a Pediatrician in the meantime, educating them on D care. I hope you find someone SOON!

[Momof4gr8kids]

What I've found out is that there is a regular pedi that runs the local diabetes camp. There is also an endo, but he mainly deals with adults, and older teens. So I will probably try to get Julia in with the regular pedi for now, and see what he suggests, and how confident he is in taking care of her. In the mean time I will ask our regular doc to run the labs that are due soon along with the A1C. I have been adjusting Julia's insulin, and trouble shooting since a few weeks after dx, but if I run into any problems in the mean time I will call our CDE. I will also try calling Dr. Swinyard to see if that is a possability.

I am not sure why the relationship between the hospital and our endo ended. The letter wasn't very forth coming, or clear. It did say that our Dr had indicated that he was going to be moving, but if he does decide to stay in the area he would contact his paitents and let them know about his practice. I honestly think his leaving had to do with the politics of diabetes. The hospital does not agree on his way of managing diabetes. He doesn't believe in diets for kids just because they have D, and just judging from the way it all went down when Julia was in the hospital I'd say that the practices he has taught me, and that of the hospital are way different.

There is another mom on this forum who was driving many hours to see him. I know that it was about a 2 week, to 4 week wait if you had to rescedual an appointment to close to the one you had scedualled, so I bet there are a lot of other parents trying to sort this one out, too.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, and support. I'll let you know how it goes, and what we end up doing.

[MyrandaDawn]

6 hours is quite a long time to drive for an endo. I agree. But this Dr. was worth it. I already miss the man. :( Our labs are due at the beginning of June. And it's almost time to get new prescriptions. Hey there, wait a minute. Since Dr. K quit, does that mean our prescriptions are no good anymore????:confused: