Re: I'm new too. Need help for first Dr visit...

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the group! How about a face shot of your little man?

From the looks of his pictures, his plaigo is pretty severe. If I

were you I'd get him into an active band as soon as possible. The

younger a baby is banded the better and faster the correction. Don't

be surprised if the specialist you go to tells you it'll correct on

it's own. It most likely will NOT correct on it's own. If he has ear

asymmetry he most likely has facial asymmetry too. You can spot facial

asymmetry easily by holding him up to a mirror and looking at his

reflection.

A baby can have good range of neck motion and still have torticollis.

Does he tilt at all? That's an indication of tort also. Where are you

located? Here is a list of questions to ask your doctor about plagio:

http://www.cappskids.org/QuestionsForTheDoctorAndOrthotist.htm

Please thank your husband for me, for all he's doing for our country.

Keep us posted on your little one.

>

> Hello everyone. I just adopted the most adorable baby boy, and at

> his first doctor visit last week I was told he needed to see a

> specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I was referred to a

> neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is Monday. I was told xrays

> and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure what to expect or what

> questions I need to ask.

>

> My baby will be 5 months old next week. One ear is closer to the

> nose than the other, and one side of his head in the back has

> flattening. I don't think its a muscular issue in my opinion

> because he has full range of head movement. I don't know that it

> makes any difference with plagiocephaly but his ears are totally

> different from each other. One is large and flexible and the other

> is small and stiffer than the other. Is this related in any way at

> all? The doctor we saw has referred us to audiology, but from what

> I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's just giving him the

> referral for that to be sure. Any help for what I should ask my

> doctor about on Monday or what to expect would be greatly appreciate.

>

> An intro about myself. My name is . I'm a SAHM. My husband

> and I have been married 13 years, and he's in the military. He's in

> the middle of a second year long tour in Iraq, and will get to come

> home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come home for good in October.

> He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb, our son, is our only

> child.

>

> By the way, you can't tell that he has plagiocephaly from the front,

> but can tell if you see him from the side or the back. Since I

> brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th), I've been trying to work

> with him by putting toys and colorful objects to the thicker side so

> he will look in that direction. I've also been holding him with the

> thicker side touching my upper arm in the hopes it would help shape

> his head a little better. I've been giving him tummy time too. Is

> there anything else I can do? Also, the main reason I am posting is

> to know what I should ask my doctor on Monday. I'm just now

> learning about plagiocephaly, and have no idea what I should ask or

> discuss with the doctor.

>

> Thank you so much for having this wonderful group. Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

I'm so new to this, I don't know what tilting means. He has pretty

strong neck muscles, but he's my first and only baby. So, I have

noone to compare him to, but he turns his head just fine. One ear

is about a finger's width more forward than the other, but its

undetectable unless you stare. I'm going to put a couple more

pictures of him in the photo section, and here's a link to his web

site... http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Calebs_World and

http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Adoption to see his younger

pictures...

Thank you SO Much for the link with the questions to ask the

doctor. That is going to be SO helpful. I'm going to post the

pictures, and then I'm running to check out the link. You've been

more helpful than you know. Thank you so much!

> >

> > Hello everyone. I just adopted the most adorable baby boy, and

at

> > his first doctor visit last week I was told he needed to see a

> > specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I was referred to a

> > neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is Monday. I was told

xrays

> > and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure what to expect or what

> > questions I need to ask.

> >

> > My baby will be 5 months old next week. One ear is closer to

the

> > nose than the other, and one side of his head in the back has

> > flattening. I don't think its a muscular issue in my opinion

> > because he has full range of head movement. I don't know that

it

> > makes any difference with plagiocephaly but his ears are totally

> > different from each other. One is large and flexible and the

other

> > is small and stiffer than the other. Is this related in any way

at

> > all? The doctor we saw has referred us to audiology, but from

what

> > I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's just giving him the

> > referral for that to be sure. Any help for what I should ask my

> > doctor about on Monday or what to expect would be greatly

appreciate.

> >

> > An intro about myself. My name is . I'm a SAHM. My

husband

> > and I have been married 13 years, and he's in the military.

He's in

> > the middle of a second year long tour in Iraq, and will get to

come

> > home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come home for good in

October.

> > He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb, our son, is our only

> > child.

> >

> > By the way, you can't tell that he has plagiocephaly from the

front,

> > but can tell if you see him from the side or the back. Since I

> > brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th), I've been trying to

work

> > with him by putting toys and colorful objects to the thicker

side so

> > he will look in that direction. I've also been holding him with

the

> > thicker side touching my upper arm in the hopes it would help

shape

> > his head a little better. I've been giving him tummy time too.

Is

> > there anything else I can do? Also, the main reason I am

posting is

> > to know what I should ask my doctor on Monday. I'm just now

> > learning about plagiocephaly, and have no idea what I should ask

or

> > discuss with the doctor.

> >

> > Thank you so much for having this wonderful group. Sincerely,

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

You're welcome. Caleb is beautiful! From the looks of his pictures he

DOES have torticollis. In every picture his chin is always pointing

towards his right shoulder. Go look at his pics and you'll see what

I'm talking about. That explains the positioning of his ears. You can

learn more about torticollis by going here:

http://www.drhull.com/EncyMaster/T/torticollis.html

http://www.pedisurg.com/PtEduc/Torticollis.htm

http://www.torticolliskids.org/

He should be seen by a physical therapist who is famailar with infant

torticollis for an evaluation. It took me 3 different pediatricians to

get my daughter's torticollis diagnosed. Plagiocephaly is secondary to

torticollis. I'm glad you found the link helpful. Let us know how you

make out at your appointment.

-- In Plagiocephaly , " karen_twinkles "

<unitedwestand@...> wrote:

>

> I'm so new to this, I don't know what tilting means. He has pretty

> strong neck muscles, but he's my first and only baby. So, I have

> noone to compare him to, but he turns his head just fine. One ear

> is about a finger's width more forward than the other, but its

> undetectable unless you stare. I'm going to put a couple more

> pictures of him in the photo section, and here's a link to his web

> site... http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Calebs_World and

> http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Adoption to see his younger

> pictures...

> Thank you SO Much for the link with the questions to ask the

> doctor. That is going to be SO helpful. I'm going to post the

> pictures, and then I'm running to check out the link. You've been

> more helpful than you know. Thank you so much!

>

>

> > >

> > > Hello everyone. I just adopted the most adorable baby boy, and

> at

> > > his first doctor visit last week I was told he needed to see a

> > > specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I was referred to a

> > > neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is Monday. I was told

> xrays

> > > and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure what to expect or what

> > > questions I need to ask.

> > >

> > > My baby will be 5 months old next week. One ear is closer to

> the

> > > nose than the other, and one side of his head in the back has

> > > flattening. I don't think its a muscular issue in my opinion

> > > because he has full range of head movement. I don't know that

> it

> > > makes any difference with plagiocephaly but his ears are totally

> > > different from each other. One is large and flexible and the

> other

> > > is small and stiffer than the other. Is this related in any way

> at

> > > all? The doctor we saw has referred us to audiology, but from

> what

> > > I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's just giving him the

> > > referral for that to be sure. Any help for what I should ask my

> > > doctor about on Monday or what to expect would be greatly

> appreciate.

> > >

> > > An intro about myself. My name is . I'm a SAHM. My

> husband

> > > and I have been married 13 years, and he's in the military.

> He's in

> > > the middle of a second year long tour in Iraq, and will get to

> come

> > > home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come home for good in

> October.

> > > He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb, our son, is our only

> > > child.

> > >

> > > By the way, you can't tell that he has plagiocephaly from the

> front,

> > > but can tell if you see him from the side or the back. Since I

> > > brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th), I've been trying to

> work

> > > with him by putting toys and colorful objects to the thicker

> side so

> > > he will look in that direction. I've also been holding him with

> the

> > > thicker side touching my upper arm in the hopes it would help

> shape

> > > his head a little better. I've been giving him tummy time too.

> Is

> > > there anything else I can do? Also, the main reason I am

> posting is

> > > to know what I should ask my doctor on Monday. I'm just now

> > > learning about plagiocephaly, and have no idea what I should ask

> or

> > > discuss with the doctor.

> > >

> > > Thank you so much for having this wonderful group. Sincerely,

>

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I looked at Caleb's pictures too and I tend to agree with the torticollis too because his chin does always seem to point towards his right shoulder. So does my son's and he's got tort. There are exercises you can learn if he's getting physical therapy for it. We do exercises with my son on and off all day long. If he's not getting PT, that is certainly an avenue I would suggest you explore too and don't wait. Time makes a big difference for our babies.

Good luck!

Amy (SC)-- In Plagiocephaly , " karen_twinkles "

<unitedwestand@...> wrote:>> I'm so new to this, I don't know what tilting means. He has pretty > strong neck muscles, but he's my first and only baby. So, I have > noone to compare him to, but he turns his head just fine. One ear > is about a finger's width more forward than the other, but its > undetectable unless you stare. I'm going to put a couple more > pictures of him in the photo section, and here's a link to his web

> site... http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Calebs_World and >

http://www.hollyhobbie.150m.com/Adoption to see his younger > pictures... > Thank you SO Much for the link with the questions to ask the > doctor. That is going to be SO helpful. I'm going to post the > pictures, and then I'm running to check out the link. You've been > more helpful than you know. Thank you so much! > > > > >> > > Hello everyone. I just adopted the most adorable baby boy, and > at

> > > his first doctor visit last week I was told he needed to see a > > > specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I was referred to a > > > neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is Monday. I was told > xrays > > > and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure what to expect or what > > > questions I need to ask.> > > > > > My baby will be 5 months old next week. One ear is closer to > the > > > nose than the other, and one side of his head in the back has > > > flattening. I don't think its a muscular issue in my opinion > > > because he has full range of head movement. I don't know that > it > > > makes any difference with plagiocephaly but his ears are totally > > > different from each other. One is large and flexible and the > other > > > is small and stiffer than the other. Is this related in any way > at > > > all? The doctor we saw has referred us to audiology, but from > what > > > I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's just giving him the > > > referral for that to be sure. Any help for what I should ask my > > > doctor about on Monday or what to expect would be greatly > appreciate.> > > > > > An intro about myself. My name is . I'm a SAHM. My > husband > > > and I have been married 13 years, and he's in the military. > He's in > > > the middle of a second year long tour in Iraq, and will get to > come > > > home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come home for good in > October. > > > He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb, our son, is our only > > > child.> > > > > > By the way, you can't tell that he has plagiocephaly from the > front, > > > but can tell if you see him from the side or the back. Since I > > > brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th), I've been trying to > work > > > with him by putting toys and colorful objects to the thicker > side so > > > he will look in that direction. I've also been holding him with > the > > > thicker side touching my upper arm in the hopes it would help > shape > > > his head a little better. I've been giving him tummy time too. > Is > > > there anything else I can do? Also, the main reason I am > posting is > > > to know what I should ask my doctor on Monday. I'm just now > > > learning about plagiocephaly, and have no idea what I should ask > or > > > discuss with the doctor.

> > > > > > Thank you so much for having this wonderful group. Sincerely, > > > >> >>For more plagio info, go to

www.plagiocephaly.org/support

[Guest guest]

I went to the links, and the 2nd one has a couple great exercises I

can start. The first link said with therapy its usually cured in 3

months. Will his head shape up as well as therapy is continued?

Thank you so much for all your help. I'm absorbing so much

information, and am going to be prepared on Monday. Caleb thanks you

too with a coo.

--- In Plagiocephaly , " stripes6060 " <taime@...>

[Guest guest]

My baby was in physical therapy for 3 months, 3 times a week and we

need neck stretches at home. The more he's off his head the better!

Once a baby hits 6 months old head growth slows down significantl. So

I don't know how successful repositioning alone would be for Caleb

considering his age and how severe his plaigo is. What type of doctor

are you going to see on Monday? What state are you in?

>

> I went to the links, and the 2nd one has a couple great exercises I

> can start. The first link said with therapy its usually cured in 3

> months. Will his head shape up as well as therapy is continued?

> Thank you so much for all your help. I'm absorbing so much

> information, and am going to be prepared on Monday. Caleb thanks you

> too with a coo.

> --- In Plagiocephaly , " stripes6060 " <taime@>

>

[Guest guest]

-

My son has tort which was exacerbating his plagio as

he prefers to lay on his R therefore the flattening is

on his R. My son was premature and in the NICU for

quite awhile and could only be handled for a short

period of time every 4 hours, so we all feel that

complicated things. We tried repositioning and neck

exercises with early intervention, but he still needed

a helmet. I have been told by both my ped and EI that

the best time to helmet is before the sutures close

(around 5 mos) so we did it ASAP after 3 mos of

repositioning and neck exercises. Isaac is 5 mos old

actual (3 mos corrected) and he is tolerating the

helmet OK-as to be expected. I hope all goes well

with you and your beautiful son!

Beth

--- karen_twinkles <unitedwestand@...> wrote:

> Thank you so much for the replies. If it ends up he

> does have tort,

> does that mean he won't need a helmet, and only

> therapy then???

> That would be wonderful. Thank you so much for

> looking at his

> pictures and letting me know what to look for. I'm

> going to look at

> the links about tort now, and see if I can

> understand it better.

> Thank you!!!

>

>

>

> > > > >

> > > > > Hello everyone. I just adopted the most

> adorable baby boy,

> and

> > > at

> > > > > his first doctor visit last week I was told

> he needed to see

> a

> > > > > specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I

> was referred to a

> > > > > neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is

> Monday. I was

> told

> > > xrays

> > > > > and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure

> what to expect or

> what

> > > > > questions I need to ask.

> > > > >

> > > > > My baby will be 5 months old next week. One

> ear is closer to

> > > the

> > > > > nose than the other, and one side of his

> head in the back has

> > > > > flattening. I don't think its a muscular

> issue in my opinion

> > > > > because he has full range of head movement.

> I don't know

> that

> > > it

> > > > > makes any difference with plagiocephaly but

> his ears are

> totally

> > > > > different from each other. One is large and

> flexible and the

> > > other

> > > > > is small and stiffer than the other. Is

> this related in any

> way

> > > at

> > > > > all? The doctor we saw has referred us to

> audiology, but

> from

> > > what

> > > > > I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's

> just giving him the

> > > > > referral for that to be sure. Any help for

> what I should

> ask my

> > > > > doctor about on Monday or what to expect

> would be greatly

> > > appreciate.

> > > > >

> > > > > An intro about myself. My name is .

> I'm a SAHM. My

> > > husband

> > > > > and I have been married 13 years, and he's

> in the military.

> > > He's in

> > > > > the middle of a second year long tour in

> Iraq, and will get

> to

> > > come

> > > > > home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come

> home for good in

> > > October.

> > > > > He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb,

> our son, is our

> only

> > > > > child.

> > > > >

> > > > > By the way, you can't tell that he has

> plagiocephaly from the

> > > front,

> > > > > but can tell if you see him from the side or

> the back.

> Since I

> > > > > brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th),

> I've

=== message truncated ===

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Congratulations on your adoption! He is so adorable. 5 months is a

great age to start treatment for Pagiocephaly and Torticollis. They

may do MRI or xrays if they suspect there may be fused sutures

(craniosynostosis). If they don't suspect this by looking at the

head shape they may just recommend a band. With the severyity of

your son's flat spot I would really suspect torticollis. Our son

has plagio and tort and it is very hard to notice his tort. You are

doing the right thing by playing with your son on the other side and

keeping him of his flat spot. There are alot of

good " repositioning " tips in the files seciton here. Good luck at

the appointment. Let us know how it goes.

Haylee

mom to andre doc band grad

>

> Hello everyone. I just adopted the most adorable baby boy, and at

> his first doctor visit last week I was told he needed to see a

> specialist because he has plagiocephaly. I was referred to a

> neurosurgeon, and his first appointment is Monday. I was told

xrays

> and possible MRI Monday, but I'm not sure what to expect or what

> questions I need to ask.

>

> My baby will be 5 months old next week. One ear is closer to the

> nose than the other, and one side of his head in the back has

> flattening. I don't think its a muscular issue in my opinion

> because he has full range of head movement. I don't know that it

> makes any difference with plagiocephaly but his ears are totally

> different from each other. One is large and flexible and the

other

> is small and stiffer than the other. Is this related in any way

at

> all? The doctor we saw has referred us to audiology, but from

what

> I see he can hear perfectly fine. She's just giving him the

> referral for that to be sure. Any help for what I should ask my

> doctor about on Monday or what to expect would be greatly

appreciate.

>

> An intro about myself. My name is . I'm a SAHM. My husband

> and I have been married 13 years, and he's in the military. He's

in

> the middle of a second year long tour in Iraq, and will get to

come

> home for 2 weeks in June, then he'll come home for good in

October.

> He can't wait to see our baby boy. Caleb, our son, is our only

> child.

>

> By the way, you can't tell that he has plagiocephaly from the

front,

> but can tell if you see him from the side or the back. Since I

> brought him home a couple weeks ago (6th), I've been trying to

work

> with him by putting toys and colorful objects to the thicker side

so

> he will look in that direction. I've also been holding him with

the

> thicker side touching my upper arm in the hopes it would help

shape

> his head a little better. I've been giving him tummy time too.

Is

> there anything else I can do? Also, the main reason I am posting

is

> to know what I should ask my doctor on Monday. I'm just now

> learning about plagiocephaly, and have no idea what I should ask

or

> discuss with the doctor.

>

> Thank you so much for having this wonderful group. Sincerely,

>

[Guest guest]

Sometimes streching can be harmful if the torticollis is caused by

bone abnormalities. It may be a good idea to get a true diagnosis

before begining streches. We did not do this with our son because I

didn't know that it could harm him. I figured I should let you

know. Sorry for butting in.

Haylee

mom to andre doc band grad

>

> I went to the links, and the 2nd one has a couple great exercises

I

> can start. The first link said with therapy its usually cured in

3

> months. Will his head shape up as well as therapy is continued?

> Thank you so much for all your help. I'm absorbing so much

> information, and am going to be prepared on Monday. Caleb thanks

you

> too with a coo.

> --- In Plagiocephaly , " stripes6060 " <taime@>

>