Re: New Here/Looking for advise and a Doc

[Guest guest]

Hi & welcome!

I've got a quick minute to reply, did your pediatrician give you a

prescription for the DOCband?? If so, that's all you need to go ahead

w/the casting. You don't HAVE to see the specialist first as long as

you have an rx from your ped, you're fine to go ahead w/the casting

on the 26th. Otherwise, I checked Cranial Tech's webside

(http://www.cranialtech.com) and found a couple specialists listed

near Charlotte. I'm sure they're plagio knowledgable otherwise, CT

wouldn't list them on their site, maybe they can get you in sooner

than your current dr, although it is common to have a wait to see the

specialist for plagio.:

s, M.D.

Charlotte Plastic Surgery

www.cltplasticsurgery.com

2300 Randolph Road, Suite A

Charlotte, N.C. 28207

704-446-6810

McLanahan, M.D.

Heafner, M.D.

Henegar, M.D.

Carolina Neurosurgery and Spine Associates

www.carolinaneurosurgery.com

1010 Edgehill Road N.

Charlotte, N.C. 28207

704-376-1605

Cranial Tech did a study about the role of genetics & headshape. Let

me see what I can dig up about that study, I visited their home

office along w/some other group moderators this past March & we saw a

very very interesting study/slideshow regarding this very question.

I'm not sure if CT has published this info to date yet or not, let me

look into it & find out.

Many plagio cases, my daughter included, do indeed begin inutero and

worsen after birth.

Debbie

MI

> Hello, I'm in the process of finding a Doc that can see my 6

month

> old Daughter sooner than later. Here's a brief history on what's

> going on with our situation.

> My daughter has a flatish head in the back. I say faltish because I

> have nothing to compare too. This was never a concern of mine until

> recently when I saw a different Doc in the practice I go to for a

> sick visit. The doc I saw said to me during the visit, " are you

> satisfied with the shape of your daughters head " ? I was very

> surprised at this question because I never thought of my daughter

in

> terms of being satisfied. She's my daughter and I think she's

> beautiful. Anyway, I always figured she had her Dad's head because

> his head is also a bit flat in the back. Then she proceeded to say

> that her head was " functional " . Needless to say I walked out of

there

> very confused. Previously, my regular doc told me at the 2 month

well

> visit to keep an eye on her head and do lots of tummy time. Then at

> her 4 month check she said " her head is fine " , and that it looks

> symetrical. So I never gave it any thought until now.

>

> So to get back to what I was saying. I was very confused when this

> other doc asked me if I was ok with the shape of her head.

> Admittidly, one of the first things I noticed about my daughter

after

> she was born, was the shape of her head. It always seemed a bit

flat

> in the back. I figured she had her Dad's head, because his has a

> flater appearnce as well. Also, I honestly figured that with her

> growth she would naturally take on a more round shape. It has

started

> to round out a bit, but I do feel a distinct flat spot smack dab in

> the middle of her head in the back. It definitly has a flatish

> appearance.

>

> The problem is now that I'm discovering their could be a problem

I'm

> starting to feel like I need to hurry up and get the professional

> opinions. I know there is a window of opportunity, and if my

daughter

> does end up wearing a helmet, I'd rather it be sooner than later.

>

> When I asked my regular doc what she thought she said that her head

> was " borderline " flat, and if it truly is flat, it's a mild case.

It

> just seems so objective to me. I really need someone to say " your

> child's head is flat and needs a helmet " . Part of me thinks it's

> genetic. I mean she's been like this since the day she was born.

> Perhaps it could have happened in utero, but I really dont think

so.

> My husbands father also has a flat head and it very well could be

> family genetics.

>

> I'm a bit upset at my Doc now. After doing some reasearch on the

net

> I'm finding that alot of parents are told thier child will outgrow

> it. And while my Doc never said that she was not completely honest

> with me about the " borderline " flatness. I saw her yesterday for

her

> six month check up and she gave me a script to see the DOC helmet

> people. As she handed it to me she said " Their's no need to rush " .

> Why did she say that? I'm learining time is of the essence in these

> situations. I wish I would have acted on it three weeks ago when

the

> other doc asked me if I was happy with the shape of her head.

>

> I called the helmet people today and I got in first thing when we

> come back from vacation. July 26th, but when I called the neuro doc

> they said they cant fit me in until August 20th!!! She'll be almost

8

> months old by then. (Apparenlty I need them to give the DOC people

> make a helmet, at least that's how my Ped handles it). Add at least

> another month for casting and making the helmet which then brings

us

> to her possibly not wearing the helmet until she's 9 months old!

> Isn't that a bit late?

>

> Part of me hopes that everyone says she doesn't need a helmet, but

at

> the same time I've always felt her head was flat in the back. I

guess

> I was hoping it would fill out with time and that it was just the

> newborn look. I've noticed it getting rounder in the back over the

> past two weeks, but overall it still looks flat to me.

>

> I'm confused because if it's truly genetic, then we are looking at

> making her head look more asthetically pleasing. I'm not 100%

> comfortable with this. If someone could tell me that her head is

flat

> because of positioning then I would have an easier time justifying

a

> helmet.

>

> What started out as a plea for Docs names ended up turning into a

> story. I guess I needed to get this out. I cant stop looking at my

> daughters head! I'm upset that my doc is taking such a lackidasical

> approach to this. I feel so urgent to get my answer once and for

all.

> This looks " borderline " and " functional " talk is driving me nutty!

>

> If anyone can offer anything I'd appreciate it. I feel like I'm in

a

> class all my own because it seems that alot of people have a more

> black and white situation. Also since my daughter doesn't have any

> physical symptoms I feel even more isolated.

>

> Thanks for reading my entry. Again ANY input would be appreciated.

If

> you know of a doc in Charlotte please let me know his/her name. I

> also posted this on the group. I hope to hear from you!

>

> a

[Guest guest]

Hi a,

Welcome to the group!

You are not alone in highlighting the lack of consistency in

evaluation of plagio from doctor to doctor.

Currently there are no industry-wide guidelines determining what is

mild, moderate, or severe, much less any protocols on when and in

what situations to recommend a band or helmet. It's very

frustrating when even the specialists leave the decision up to the

parents with no recommendations one way or the other. Although it

will be too late for your situation, work is underway as far as

proposals to the AAP to accept a specific decision tree and to

develop severity assessment guidelines with respect to plagiocephaly.

From what you are describing, it sounds like your daughter has a

brachycephalic headshape, which is a wider head that is flattish all

across the back. Is this more of your daughter's headshape?:

http://www.cranialtech.com/medicalinfo/assessment/brachycephaly.pdf

I understand your concern about altering your daughter's headshape

if it is just genetic. What I can tell you on that front is that I

have a headshape that doesn't extend very far outward out the back.

I was a tummy sleeper, who didn't suffer any constraint in-utero, so

I'm sure my headshape is just the genetic card I was dealt. Now my

daughter's headshape was a brachy/plagio combo. I also considered

whether genetics was responsible for her headshape. However, she

was very flat all across the back. It was clear to me that she

probably had my genetic headshape to start with that was then

deformed from backsleeping, bouncie seat and swing use, etc. Her

headshape completely differeent from mine, in that it was much

flatter, and her head was wider in comparison to her length. This

measurement is called the " cephalic ratio " and anything inside 2

standard deviations of the averaage might be considered the norm.

This allows for the normal variations across the spectrum of

headshape.

I see that Debbie already gave you some doctor contact info and info

about going ahead to Cranial Tech. Cranial Tech has a stellar

reputation, and we know of them turning babies away that were too

mild to treat. An evaluation there might give you the best

information yet to help you in making your decision.

Please feel free to post a picture of your daughter if you'd like

to. My own daughter's progress pics are in the photos section of

the group, before and after/repositioned folder under " Remy. "

Take care,

Christie (Mom to Repo'd Remy)

> Hello, I'm in the process of finding a Doc that can see my 6

month

> old Daughter sooner than later. Here's a brief history on what's

> going on with our situation.

> My daughter has a flatish head in the back. I say faltish because

I

> have nothing to compare too. This was never a concern of mine

until

> recently when I saw a different Doc in the practice I go to for a

> sick visit. The doc I saw said to me during the visit, " are you

> satisfied with the shape of your daughters head " ? I was very

> surprised at this question because I never thought of my daughter

in

> terms of being satisfied. She's my daughter and I think she's

> beautiful. Anyway, I always figured she had her Dad's head because

> his head is also a bit flat in the back. Then she proceeded to say

> that her head was " functional " . Needless to say I walked out of

there

> very confused. Previously, my regular doc told me at the 2 month

well

> visit to keep an eye on her head and do lots of tummy time. Then

at

> her 4 month check she said " her head is fine " , and that it looks

> symetrical. So I never gave it any thought until now.

>

> So to get back to what I was saying. I was very confused when this

> other doc asked me if I was ok with the shape of her head.

> Admittidly, one of the first things I noticed about my daughter

after

> she was born, was the shape of her head. It always seemed a bit

flat

> in the back. I figured she had her Dad's head, because his has a

> flater appearnce as well. Also, I honestly figured that with her

> growth she would naturally take on a more round shape. It has

started

> to round out a bit, but I do feel a distinct flat spot smack dab

in

> the middle of her head in the back. It definitly has a flatish

> appearance.

>

> The problem is now that I'm discovering their could be a problem

I'm

> starting to feel like I need to hurry up and get the professional

> opinions. I know there is a window of opportunity, and if my

daughter

> does end up wearing a helmet, I'd rather it be sooner than later.

>

> When I asked my regular doc what she thought she said that her

head

> was " borderline " flat, and if it truly is flat, it's a mild case.

It

> just seems so objective to me. I really need someone to say " your

> child's head is flat and needs a helmet " . Part of me thinks it's

> genetic. I mean she's been like this since the day she was born.

> Perhaps it could have happened in utero, but I really dont think

so.

> My husbands father also has a flat head and it very well could be

> family genetics.

>

> I'm a bit upset at my Doc now. After doing some reasearch on the

net

> I'm finding that alot of parents are told thier child will outgrow

> it. And while my Doc never said that she was not completely honest

> with me about the " borderline " flatness. I saw her yesterday for

her

> six month check up and she gave me a script to see the DOC helmet

> people. As she handed it to me she said " Their's no need to rush " .

> Why did she say that? I'm learining time is of the essence in

these

> situations. I wish I would have acted on it three weeks ago when

the

> other doc asked me if I was happy with the shape of her head.

>

> I called the helmet people today and I got in first thing when we

> come back from vacation. July 26th, but when I called the neuro

doc

> they said they cant fit me in until August 20th!!! She'll be

almost 8

> months old by then. (Apparenlty I need them to give the DOC people

> make a helmet, at least that's how my Ped handles it). Add at

least

> another month for casting and making the helmet which then brings

us

> to her possibly not wearing the helmet until she's 9 months old!

> Isn't that a bit late?

>

> Part of me hopes that everyone says she doesn't need a helmet, but

at

> the same time I've always felt her head was flat in the back. I

guess

> I was hoping it would fill out with time and that it was just the

> newborn look. I've noticed it getting rounder in the back over the

> past two weeks, but overall it still looks flat to me.

>

> I'm confused because if it's truly genetic, then we are looking at

> making her head look more asthetically pleasing. I'm not 100%

> comfortable with this. If someone could tell me that her head is

flat

> because of positioning then I would have an easier time justifying

a

> helmet.

>

> What started out as a plea for Docs names ended up turning into a

> story. I guess I needed to get this out. I cant stop looking at my

> daughters head! I'm upset that my doc is taking such a

lackidasical

> approach to this. I feel so urgent to get my answer once and for

all.

> This looks " borderline " and " functional " talk is driving me nutty!

>

> If anyone can offer anything I'd appreciate it. I feel like I'm in

a

> class all my own because it seems that alot of people have a more

> black and white situation. Also since my daughter doesn't have any

> physical symptoms I feel even more isolated.

>

> Thanks for reading my entry. Again ANY input would be appreciated.

If

> you know of a doc in Charlotte please let me know his/her name. I

> also posted this on the group. I hope to hear from you!

>

> a

[Guest guest]

HI a,

I just want to second everything Debbie and Christie have already

told you. And I want to welcome you to the group, welcome!

Let us know what you decide to do.

> Hello, I'm in the process of finding a Doc that can see my 6

month

> old Daughter sooner than later. Here's a brief history on what's

> going on with our situation.

> My daughter has a flatish head in the back. I say faltish because I

> have nothing to compare too. This was never a concern of mine until

> recently when I saw a different Doc in the practice I go to for a

> sick visit. The doc I saw said to me during the visit, " are you

> satisfied with the shape of your daughters head " ? I was very

> surprised at this question because I never thought of my daughter

in

> terms of being satisfied. She's my daughter and I think she's

> beautiful. Anyway, I always figured she had her Dad's head because

> his head is also a bit flat in the back. Then she proceeded to say

> that her head was " functional " . Needless to say I walked out of

there

> very confused. Previously, my regular doc told me at the 2 month

well

> visit to keep an eye on her head and do lots of tummy time. Then at

> her 4 month check she said " her head is fine " , and that it looks

> symetrical. So I never gave it any thought until now.

>

> So to get back to what I was saying. I was very confused when this

> other doc asked me if I was ok with the shape of her head.

> Admittidly, one of the first things I noticed about my daughter

after

> she was born, was the shape of her head. It always seemed a bit

flat

> in the back. I figured she had her Dad's head, because his has a

> flater appearnce as well. Also, I honestly figured that with her

> growth she would naturally take on a more round shape. It has

started

> to round out a bit, but I do feel a distinct flat spot smack dab in

> the middle of her head in the back. It definitly has a flatish

> appearance.

>

> The problem is now that I'm discovering their could be a problem

I'm

> starting to feel like I need to hurry up and get the professional

> opinions. I know there is a window of opportunity, and if my

daughter

> does end up wearing a helmet, I'd rather it be sooner than later.

>

> When I asked my regular doc what she thought she said that her head

> was " borderline " flat, and if it truly is flat, it's a mild case.

It

> just seems so objective to me. I really need someone to say " your

> child's head is flat and needs a helmet " . Part of me thinks it's

> genetic. I mean she's been like this since the day she was born.

> Perhaps it could have happened in utero, but I really dont think

so.

> My husbands father also has a flat head and it very well could be

> family genetics.

>

> I'm a bit upset at my Doc now. After doing some reasearch on the

net

> I'm finding that alot of parents are told thier child will outgrow

> it. And while my Doc never said that she was not completely honest

> with me about the " borderline " flatness. I saw her yesterday for

her

> six month check up and she gave me a script to see the DOC helmet

> people. As she handed it to me she said " Their's no need to rush " .

> Why did she say that? I'm learining time is of the essence in these

> situations. I wish I would have acted on it three weeks ago when

the

> other doc asked me if I was happy with the shape of her head.

>

> I called the helmet people today and I got in first thing when we

> come back from vacation. July 26th, but when I called the neuro doc

> they said they cant fit me in until August 20th!!! She'll be almost

8

> months old by then. (Apparenlty I need them to give the DOC people

> make a helmet, at least that's how my Ped handles it). Add at least

> another month for casting and making the helmet which then brings

us

> to her possibly not wearing the helmet until she's 9 months old!

> Isn't that a bit late?

>

> Part of me hopes that everyone says she doesn't need a helmet, but

at

> the same time I've always felt her head was flat in the back. I

guess

> I was hoping it would fill out with time and that it was just the

> newborn look. I've noticed it getting rounder in the back over the

> past two weeks, but overall it still looks flat to me.

>

> I'm confused because if it's truly genetic, then we are looking at

> making her head look more asthetically pleasing. I'm not 100%

> comfortable with this. If someone could tell me that her head is

flat

> because of positioning then I would have an easier time justifying

a

> helmet.

>

> What started out as a plea for Docs names ended up turning into a

> story. I guess I needed to get this out. I cant stop looking at my

> daughters head! I'm upset that my doc is taking such a lackidasical

> approach to this. I feel so urgent to get my answer once and for

all.

> This looks " borderline " and " functional " talk is driving me nutty!

>

> If anyone can offer anything I'd appreciate it. I feel like I'm in

a

> class all my own because it seems that alot of people have a more

> black and white situation. Also since my daughter doesn't have any

> physical symptoms I feel even more isolated.

>

> Thanks for reading my entry. Again ANY input would be appreciated.

If

> you know of a doc in Charlotte please let me know his/her name. I

> also posted this on the group. I hope to hear from you!

>

> a

[Guest guest]

Hi a and welcome aboard,

As always Christie and Debbie have given you some great info and

advice. They have helped me out alot. I too agre with the ug on the

doc situation they can be more frustrating than helpfull in alot of

this. If you do have the prescription from your ped then go on to

the banding place and they will tell you what you need to know on

wether your daughter needs the band or not.

I hope you have good luck and cant get teh info you need to make

your decision and be comfortable with it.

Keep us posted ok

Sheri mom to Kadie ( tort/resolved, plagio/repoing )

> Hello, I'm in the process of finding a Doc that can see my 6

month

> old Daughter sooner than later. Here's a brief history on what's

> going on with our situation.

> My daughter has a flatish head in the back. I say faltish because

I

> have nothing to compare too. This was never a concern of mine

until

> recently when I saw a different Doc in the practice I go to for a

> sick visit. The doc I saw said to me during the visit, " are you

> satisfied with the shape of your daughters head " ? I was very

> surprised at this question because I never thought of my daughter

in

> terms of being satisfied. She's my daughter and I think she's

> beautiful. Anyway, I always figured she had her Dad's head because

> his head is also a bit flat in the back. Then she proceeded to say

> that her head was " functional " . Needless to say I walked out of

there

> very confused. Previously, my regular doc told me at the 2 month

well

> visit to keep an eye on her head and do lots of tummy time. Then

at

> her 4 month check she said " her head is fine " , and that it looks

> symetrical. So I never gave it any thought until now.

>

> So to get back to what I was saying. I was very confused when this

> other doc asked me if I was ok with the shape of her head.

> Admittidly, one of the first things I noticed about my daughter

after

> she was born, was the shape of her head. It always seemed a bit

flat

> in the back. I figured she had her Dad's head, because his has a

> flater appearnce as well. Also, I honestly figured that with her

> growth she would naturally take on a more round shape. It has

started

> to round out a bit, but I do feel a distinct flat spot smack dab

in

> the middle of her head in the back. It definitly has a flatish

> appearance.

>

> The problem is now that I'm discovering their could be a problem

I'm

> starting to feel like I need to hurry up and get the professional

> opinions. I know there is a window of opportunity, and if my

daughter

> does end up wearing a helmet, I'd rather it be sooner than later.

>

> When I asked my regular doc what she thought she said that her

head

> was " borderline " flat, and if it truly is flat, it's a mild case.

It

> just seems so objective to me. I really need someone to say " your

> child's head is flat and needs a helmet " . Part of me thinks it's

> genetic. I mean she's been like this since the day she was born.

> Perhaps it could have happened in utero, but I really dont think

so.

> My husbands father also has a flat head and it very well could be

> family genetics.

>

> I'm a bit upset at my Doc now. After doing some reasearch on the

net

> I'm finding that alot of parents are told thier child will outgrow

> it. And while my Doc never said that she was not completely honest

> with me about the " borderline " flatness. I saw her yesterday for

her

> six month check up and she gave me a script to see the DOC helmet

> people. As she handed it to me she said " Their's no need to rush " .

> Why did she say that? I'm learining time is of the essence in

these

> situations. I wish I would have acted on it three weeks ago when

the

> other doc asked me if I was happy with the shape of her head.

>

> I called the helmet people today and I got in first thing when we

> come back from vacation. July 26th, but when I called the neuro

doc

> they said they cant fit me in until August 20th!!! She'll be

almost 8

> months old by then. (Apparenlty I need them to give the DOC people

> make a helmet, at least that's how my Ped handles it). Add at

least

> another month for casting and making the helmet which then brings

us

> to her possibly not wearing the helmet until she's 9 months old!

> Isn't that a bit late?

>

> Part of me hopes that everyone says she doesn't need a helmet, but

at

> the same time I've always felt her head was flat in the back. I

guess

> I was hoping it would fill out with time and that it was just the

> newborn look. I've noticed it getting rounder in the back over the

> past two weeks, but overall it still looks flat to me.

>

> I'm confused because if it's truly genetic, then we are looking at

> making her head look more asthetically pleasing. I'm not 100%

> comfortable with this. If someone could tell me that her head is

flat

> because of positioning then I would have an easier time justifying

a

> helmet.

>

> What started out as a plea for Docs names ended up turning into a

> story. I guess I needed to get this out. I cant stop looking at my

> daughters head! I'm upset that my doc is taking such a

lackidasical

> approach to this. I feel so urgent to get my answer once and for

all.

> This looks " borderline " and " functional " talk is driving me nutty!

>

> If anyone can offer anything I'd appreciate it. I feel like I'm in

a

> class all my own because it seems that alot of people have a more

> black and white situation. Also since my daughter doesn't have any

> physical symptoms I feel even more isolated.

>

> Thanks for reading my entry. Again ANY input would be appreciated.

If

> you know of a doc in Charlotte please let me know his/her name. I

> also posted this on the group. I hope to hear from you!

>

> a