RANT: my doctor's visit this afternoon

[Jeff_Green]

Originally Posted by Dobick

I had a doctor in the past prescribe steroids for a problem I was having with my wrist. It ...caused hallucinagenic dreams

Have any left?

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

Have any left?

No -- and I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.

I don't think they were the performance enhancing type.

[Jeff_Green]

I'm just thinking of the hallucinogenic meds. Could use some colorful dreams. But really I don't even like hydracodone because of how it makes me feel. Sucks cause I just broke my finger and the hardest thing that I will take is Ibuprofen.

[Dobick]

Originally Posted by Jeff_Green

... But really I don't even like hydracodone because of how it makes me feel. Sucks cause I just broke my finger and the hardest thing that I will take is Ibuprofen.

I am the same way -- can't stand how muscle relaxers or strong pain medicines effect me. Further -- ibuprofen and motrin do not work on me at all.
ask your doctor about tramadol -- it is non-narcotic, and highly effective. At first there was a very slight light headed ness, and a bit of facial numbing (kinda like the first time you got a beer buzz) but it wears off quickly, but seems to really pinpoint the area of pain and makes it tolerable.

[Cajungaltx]

Holy crap - that is just... oh boy annoying.

I have had situations like that.... with the girls doctors and they were fired pretty dang fast.

The main problem in that ENTIRE story - at least to me - is that he didn't stop long enough to listen OR talk to you about the situation. Just one test after another without any regards to your experience in dealing with Crohns.

Ridiculous.

[texkam]

In a sense, Dr.'s are the same as any business. They try and upsell.

+1. Even if it's only subconsciously because of having to practice defensive medicine. Sure seems like the drug companies really have a lot of influence too. Good luck to you.

[janetg]

this is the letter that's goiing in the mail today! i always SAY i'm going to do these things, but never do... but it's already got the stamp on it.

Dr. xXXXXXX
With regards to my office visit of April 28, 2010, where you basically dismissed me and left the room, please know the following:

I take great exception with the way you handled this visit and I will explain. First, I did not seek your treatment for my crohns disease, when I first came to see you over a month ago, it was for heartburn and indigestion. Those were my complaints, not my crohns disease. You recommended tests which I complied with. You then recommended more test which I again, complied with, to which I will point out it was a great monetary expense, as well as the personal aspects of the preparation for all of these test, none of which are pleasant, quick, or easy. Such is the life of a crohn’s disease patient, and a life I have learned to live with over the past 35 years.


What I have also learned to live with, or not, as the case may be, is overbearing, domineering physicians who think their way is the only way. I agree that your medical expertise and training is something to be in awe of and respected, however, I expect the SAME respect for MY life’s experiences with MY disease and the side-effects the medications used to treat it, some tangible, some not.

Ultimately, it is my decision about what I do with my body and what level of discomfort I am willing to have on a day to day basis. Your role as my physician is to treat me the person individually, not some cookie cutter stamp by the book as this is what you should do based on the standard protocol.

I expect my doctor’s to listen to what I tell them, and then make recommendations based on MY needs, not theirs. I am quite capable of determining when to seek treatment for crohns. After all, I have managed to avoid surgery the past almost 20 years and have been medication free for the past 10, and isn’t that the mantra that all physicians live by? First do no harm?

In closing, since my ‘dismissal’ yesterday, I feel you should credit my account with the co-pay amount and apply that towards the fee I know you will charge for copying my records to a new physician when I decide I need one, as I assure you, I would never feel comfortable with you again given the attitude you portrayed yesterday.

Respectfully..

[DSL_PWR]

Janet, good for you.

It does take letters like those sometimes to get your point across and let them know how you really feel.

I can say that I have never gotten one like that and hope I never do. Guess I have a good beside manner.

Good luck and please call the referrals I sent you and I hope that you will get the treatment that YOU want.

[DoublyDan]

Janet that is a great letter. Im not so sure that I would have been as professional and like Doc said, good for you!

My first flag came up when you stated that test after test was needed. I understand that you wanted to rule out Cancer, however, I am always on the alert for those that take advantage of the less aware...

Again, good for you and I pray that you live a long fruitful life.

[TxLerman]

Holy Quack Batman!

I feel for you. My baby brother has Crohns and had colon cancer. He has been cancer free for 2 years now. It took him a long time to find a doctor that he was confident was knowledgeable of his disease and was paying attention to him.

Rule 1 on purchasing health care is to select a doctor that you are comfortable is paying attention to you. Listening is an important skill.

Rule 2 on purchasing health care, there is nothing wrong with a second opinion. Errr... I mean on your health, not the competency or the first doctor.

Rule 3 on purchasing health care, research and information is your friend. The only caution is that there is some bad information out there that can scare you.

[Texasdave]

Originally Posted by DSL_PWR

Janet, good for you.

It does take letters like those sometimes to get your point across and let them know how you really feel.

I can say that I have never gotten one like that and hope I never do. Guess I have a good beside manner.

Good luck and please call the referrals I sent you and I hope that you will get the treatment that YOU want.

On a side note:

Doc too bad your not up my way in Dallas as I would be a new patient to you. I like the way you think.

Janet;

Best of luck to you. I think you are doing the right thing and I am sorry to see you are having problems. You are in my "Good Person List" so it makes seeing your problems hit home harder to me.
Again Best wishes !!!!

[Coogie]

lol so what happens if the new doc says the same thing?

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

First the Doc did all the test to CHA (cover his A**) but since you had not been scoped in 10 years it actually was a Good thing, so now you know that it is just your crohns acting up and probably nothing worse going on inside you.

As to firing the Doc A+++ for you, I've been lucky and not run into one of these jerks in my lifetime and I would do what you are doing, it is OUR BODIES and our Money that is paying them and if more people were not afraid to stand up to these Medical Bullies then they would get a hit in the wallet and maybe they would learn to change. This guy is no Dr House, tv show doc, and he just knows that every test and every visit means $$ in his pocket and that is not the way to practice.

I had a general practitioner years ago as my doc and he knew that if I showed up in his office that I was truly ill (he left practice many years ago) and one time he said he would rather have 5 patients like me that threw an occasional challenge at him vs most of the semi-hypochondriacs that he had (one reason that he left).

So good luck at Finding a good Doc that knows his stuff, here in Dallas D Magazine has a list of super docs (ones that they found exceeded certain criteria), and maybe down in Houston there is a 3rd party source that rates the best Docs in their fields.

[ggeen]

The best doctors with WITH their patients. The colonoscopy and endoscopy I agree with. The CT scan I would have started asking questions. I, too, am a GERD sufferer. I spent 4 years on the little purple pill. My new gastroenterologist and I are on the same page here. I can either be on pills the rest of my life or find out what my triggers are. Done! I am now on OTC acid reducers when necessary.

I rope my general practitioner in too. He is aware of my medical problems and my family's history with colon cancer. Medicine is a team sport.

Your doctor sounded like s/he wanted to tell you what to do and expected you to follow unquestioningly. Your fame of mind may not have helped the situation.

Anyway, I hope you find what you need and that you get the heartburn thing taken care of. Best wishes. I hope you feel better soon.

-G