Potomac Pediatrics and Tamiflu

[Anonymous]

We were told by a doctor at Potomac Pediatrics that they were not prescribing Tamiflu unless a child was hospitalized. They also are not doing any flu test swabs. I keep hearing from other moms who go to different pediatricians that they being prescribed Tamiflu and they are being tested for flu. I have a child with complications and I'm considering leaving the practice.

[Anonymous]

We're in va with different peds, but couldn't get a prescription for either of our kids. They swabbed one, wouldn't swab the other and just told me to "push fluids". I got really pissed and considered switching as well, but I am hearing the same story from many other people at different pediatric offices.

[Anonymous]

Bethesda Peds. We got swabbed with both children and tamiflu after some "pushing for it" on my part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We were told by a doctor at Potomac Pediatrics that they were not prescribing Tamiflu unless a child was hospitalized. They also are not doing any flu test swabs. I keep hearing from other moms who go to different pediatricians that they being prescribed Tamiflu and they are being tested for flu. I have a child with complications and I'm considering leaving the practice.

Same with Capitol Medical Group. I'm furious.

[Anonymous]

That is really ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Night Time Pediatrics has it and will give it to you but you have to go be seen by one of their doctors.

[Anonymous]

Can I ask, how old were your kids? Were any of them particularly high risk (aka, under 2)? I can't imagine a doctor waiting until a child is in the hospital to give tamiflu! Isn't it too late at that point anyway?

[Anonymous]

Are there side effects or some risks from taking Tamiflu of which I am not aware? If these peds are just being conservative, that's ridiculous, but if there are serious considerations with taking it, then I'd understand. I asked this question, btw, to my peds, who didn't have an answer. They just said they were following CDC recommendations.

[Anonymous]

My guess would be that there is concern that overprescription of Tamiflu may cause the virus to mutate to be non-responsive to Tamiflu. I also heard they fear a shortage of Tamiflu. Not that any parent thinks that is the right answer for their child, they are saving for most severe cases, i.e., the hospital. If you really want it, go to the emergency room.

[Anonymous]

I would be GLAD if the Dr. said my DC didn't need Tamiflu.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/jul/31/tamiflu-side-effects-children

Also, on Tamiflu's website it says you only have 48 hours from the start of symptoms, to take it.

[Anonymous]

"Can I ask, how old were your kids? Were any of them particularly high risk (aka, under 2)? I can't imagine a doctor waiting until a child is in the hospital to give tamiflu! Isn't it too late at that point anyway? "

Yes, she develops asthma when she gets bad colds or flu. Potomac pediatrics classifies her as high risk aand she is 3.5 yrs old. We went within 24 hours of developing symptoms, she had a fever and cough. I do think she had H1N1 though how do I know since they didn't do this test. She got through it through it with lots of neb treatments but now I am really starting not to trust the practice. I don't want to have to research everything on my own and "push" my doctor to protect my children. I want to trust them.

I didn't do the research on the CDC guidelines on Tamiflu and the propensity for H1N1 to develop into secondary bacterial pneumonia until a week afterwards. The CDC guidelines do not say Tamiflu is only prescribed when the child is in the hospital. This combined with other reports from parents at other ped practices make me question what she did or did not do.

At first I took the reasoning that there is no reason to do the swab because she probably has flu and it doesn't matter whether it flu or not at her word. We would still get the vaccine anyway as even though it is very unlikely to have a positive flu test and it not be H1N1. Without certainty, it would still be better to get the vaccine. Now, I would have so much more piece of mind if she did have a swab and tested positive flu. I would still have followed her recommendations to still get the vaccine but now I of course can not find the injectable anywhere.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry for you bad experience. My asthmatic had the seasonal flu last year and it was just awful, and she did develop pneumonia. DC does have the injectable vacinne. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

A colleague of mine just told me she has made a appointment for her high risk child to get the shot in PG county. She is a resident there, but I don't suppose you need to be.

[Anonymous]

My dd was seen by her pediatrician on Monday - fever, cough, runny nose - she would not test us for the flu, stating that there have been a lot of false negative. Also, I asked about Tamiflu and was given the same answer as many of the other PP's. We're on day 4 now and she seems to be doing ok with pushing fluids and rest. I hope that we don't end up in the hospital, but I do try and trust that my pediatrician has the best in mind for my child. This might be a different response, though, if my child were at a higher risk other than being young. No asthma, etc. If you feel that you weren't given the proper treatment, switch doctors. You have to advocate for your child and if you feel the care isn't adequate, find somewhere that you trust.

[Anonymous]

i think the fear is that the virus will not respond to tamiflu if overprescribed. my pediatrician's website said that it was shown to be ineffective in some cases and that they will not prescribe for mild cases. the cdc suggests kids under 2 and those at high risk should be given it though.

my son has asthma and he had the flu/pneumonia (even with a flu shot) last year and i am hoping not to repeat that.