[GCS]

Well the appointment was a bit disappointing.

First off, we waited 1.5 hours just to see the Dr. Luckily, I had a library book and her backpack with me so we read and did "homework".

They took 4 viles of blood for testing. She had basic testing done through her pedi in June so they didnt have to run everything over.

I explained to the Dr. that we were referred by our pedi because we really couldn't figure out why she never slimmed out. That we had seen a nutritionist who couldn't find anything significant, DD was very active (I went over her schedule) and that she kept growing but also kept gaining and that our pedi was a bit concerned about her weight. I explained that we were primarily organic so her diet was good but that we weren't zealots so we did eat out and have desserts just not all the time.

After the exam and all this dialogue he tells me. Well, no snacks, just 3 meals a day. No sugary beverages, cut out the pop (are you kidding me? I just went over her basic diet which is better than any other kid I know. She has never had pop and has no sugar in her drinks.). He goes on to say that she should slim down in 5-6 weeks and then you come back and we will review the blood work. I hate to put her on medication to lose weight at her age. (what??? I am not putting her on a weight loss medication!!)

And then he says "see that she gets more exercise". She has 3 hours of gymnastics and 2.5 hours of swim team every week plus just our run around time. Do you really think my Kindergartener needs more exercise than that? I gave you her schedule. She can do a perfect cartwheel, master the monkeybars (which is tough at 67lbs) swim the distance of the pool 2x and she rides a two wheeler for 6 months now. She's fit and strong.

Its like he didn't listen to a word a said. We'll see what the test results bring. If there is nothing there I am not even going back to him again. We have no problem with her size and she is healthy and fit. I think that in the end is all that matters.

I know I shouldn't be upset about it. They probably hear all the time from parents that their kids are active and eat right. Its subjective. But I qualified it. I feel like he just dismissed everything I said.

[LeJo12]

That sounds so incredibly frustrating.

[DPline]

Are you able to get a referrral (or however your insurance works) to someone else for a second opinion? From someone who will listen to your concerns?

[angelkisses0102]

Originally Posted by DPline

Are you able to get a referrral (or however your insurance works) to someone else for a second opinion? From someone who will listen to your concerns?

I agree...yikes!!

I hope you don't mind me asking this...but based on personal experience with a hoarder/hider/sneaker of food...could she be doing something like this? When DD gets very stressed...she hoards, hides and sneaks food. She's good and it takes me a while to discover it.

I hope I don't offend you...but it's just a thought because it sounds like you guys are doing everything right in regard to eating and exercise.

Good luck!!!

[GCS]

She's not hoarding now. She did hoard a bit around age 3.5 but we caught her right away and addressed it (and it was less hoarding and more not throwing her grape stems and apple cores away but stashing them under the couch when she was done. We dont keep much junk in the house).

She did eat all the time that first year home and she got very big. We were worried about it then because she was growing so fast but our dr told us that she will stop when she's not hungry and she has a lot of making up to do with growing. In hindsight, I should have managed that differently. Our kids dont always know that they are not hungry. We may be still just trying to catch up from that.

Honestly, she got big very young and she might just be a big girl. And that's fine. But the pedis worry and then you worry. From what the drs say she should have hit a growth spurt and thinned out. She grows and gains. I really don't know what to think.

I am seeing her pedi on Monday to check her ears (fluid) so I will speak with her about this appointment and our experience. I think the next appointment with Endo might be more enlightening when we have our blood work results.

I also think that the drs look differently at you coming in with an undersized child than they do with a large one. I am sure they see a number of parents who claim to be doing all the right things but really dont know where all the hidden fat and sugar is in food and drinks.

I have been trying two new things with her. I dont think it is going to help her lose any weight but its good for her overall health. One is to get her to drink more water. She used to drink more milk (skim) and that was one thing the nutritionist said maybe we could wean her off a bit and get her down to only one glass a day at home and her one serving at school. This was last year. We've tried to get her to drink more water but she's never interested in it. I've been putting water in fancy bottles with ice and ordering for her in take home cups at restaurants so she is getting used to drinking more. I dont think she drinks enough fluids in general and I dont want her to start drinking more milk.

Seriously, just writing this makes me realize how crazy this is. We have been limiting her beverage intake to 2 servings of skim milk and water for over a year because there was really nothing else we could see to cut on a regular basis.

The other thing I am doing is changing her "snack time" at school options. She used to take snack sized Bunny Grahams and then eat half the bag and bring the other half home to eat later that day. Now she gets grapes, apple slices, strawberries or carrots.

I feel like some crazy superficial mom watching my 5 year olds intake like this. It just feels wrong to me. So the goal is to do this til the end of the year. Revisit the bloodwork and then we are going to give it up and let it go. I dont want her to start having food and image issues because of this. Right?

[waitinginnj]

Sounds like you are handling it right. Endocrinologists are famous for dismissing everything people say, but a pediatric one should be better. It frustrates you when the doctors dismiss you. I have had this for other issues, so I understand the frustration.

I would complain to your pediatrician for recommending the doctor though - sounds like a bad doctor for her to refer to.

[angelkisses0102]

Have you done a 'food & exercise diary'? Maybe do that for the next endo appointment so he can see exactly what she is eating and how much exercise she is getting? Just a thought...

Good luck!

[Theatrenerd]

Originally Posted by GCS

Honestly, she got big very young and she might just be a big girl. And that's fine. But the pedis worry and then you worry. From what the drs say she should have hit a growth spurt and thinned out. She grows and gains. I really don't know what to think.

When I around 4-5 years old I also started to gain weight my mom had no idea why because like you seem to have I had a great diet no sugars (because diabities was in my family) no pop, no fast food we ate out occasionally but not really any fast food at all. the only "junk food" i ate was unbuttered popcorn with spices on it. All doctors dismissed my weight gain exactly how yours is now doing. We left it at that but i remained heavier for the rest of my life and at 19 I was finally diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. After this diagnosis my specialist for that said that it was completely normal to have been heavy as a child because I had this my whole life. Although it affects the ovaries it starts early by creating an insulin resistance in your system. It just maybe the culprit. Just so you know if this is what it is it is not hard to control once someone knows what to do with it. I went on the specified dietary plan and dropped 30lbs in 2 months. They may not be able to diagnose her now with it because they need puberty to hit before they can really authentically test, but I suggest you read the book "The Insulin Resistance Diet" by Cheryle R. Hart and Mary Kay Grossman it gives you symptoms and causes that you may see in your daughter and not know it as well as the proper diet to follow if you have this condition. It is my bible.

[GCS]

Originally Posted by Theatrenerd

but I suggest you read the book "The Insulin Resistance Diet" by Cheryle R. Hart and Mary Kay Grossman it gives you symptoms and causes that you may see in your daughter and not know it as well as the proper diet to follow if you have this condition. It is my bible.

Thanks for this! I am going to do a little research!