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Last Post Apr 28, 2009 9:58 AM by: teregrandrapids
Replies: 28
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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 12:30 PM
I am so frustrated...LONG

What is wrong with Doctor's? Do they just want to give you a z pack and send you on your way?

After a year of bizarre sinus/face issues I broke down and went to my internist for help. He asked me about a few things and decided to refer me to a neurologist.

I go to the neuro., ( 2 weeks later) he does his exam, says he sees nothing obvious so let's do an MRI and some blood work. I come back in a week for the MRI. Then I wait 2 weeks for results. Nothing, so I start calling. I call the neurologist first. I finally get an assistant who gives me a confusing 3 sentence rundown of the MRI results. I have some spots, maybe old ischemic injury, or gliosis. Otherwise not remarkable. I have no idea what this means. She mentions elevated ANA and says they have sent the results to my internist. So, I call there mistakenly thinking that my MAIN Doctor would talk to me about the MRI results. I get the brush off and the next day I get a phone call from a Rheumatologist office.

They want to set up an appointment ( another week goes by). I go there and I really like this man, but he isn't sure why they sent me to him, but he does his thing. He tells me that I only have 2 criteria for Lupus and what I'm complaing about seems like a weird sinus thing. He takes blood and urine. I make another appointment to come back in TWO WEEKS!

Meantime, my head and face start to feel like they will explode and I am up all night with my head wrapped in a heating pad. I've been poked and prodded, but I haven't gotten any help for my misery! By now I am really upset.

I take myself to a Doctor's Care, where I'm diagnosed with allergies and a sinus infection. So now, almost 2 weeks later, the medications he gave me seem to have helped.

Yesterday the bill comes from the Neurologist and I realize that I never got the results of the blood work. So, I call them and am told it was all normal except that the RDW was elevated. Like I know what that means? She tells me again that the results have been sent to my Internist and the Rheumatologist. Has anyone explained the significance of any of this to me? No. Furthermore, they seem to resent my asking. I know this because I called the Internist office hoping they would explain it to me and was told rather rudely, I had to get that info from the neurologist who told me I had to get it from the Internist. I am holding out hope, the rheumatologist will take the time to tell me what's going on.


In the meantime, 6 weeks have gone by, and some of these test results can suggest some scary things. Naturally, I've turned to the internet. So, now I only know enough to be really nervous. I wasn't nuts when this all started, but I'm getting there. After weeks of research, I have turned my sinus condition into Multiple Myeloma. Now, I don't really believe that, but now I know just enough to be dangerous.

What the hell...I hate them all. OK, now I feel better.
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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961
(1 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 12:48 PM
I'm now venting to myself...

I forgot that the Neurologists' medical assistant offered to get me in for a lumbar puncture, if I wanted it. No reason why I should do it, I just can if I want to...???

OMG, like I haven't spent a few thousand already and they act like they are doing me a favor.

I really hope the " Doc in a box " at Dr's Care is right for obvious reasons. Still, what does that say about the " specialists?"
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ktdogs6
Posts: 13,670
(2 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 1:46 PM
I cannot advise you, but I can tell you of a case I know of where the diagnosis of low-grade lymphoma was made on a friend of mine who had bizarre sinus symptoms for months. I'm not a doctor and can only tell you that it took some while for the right diagnosis for him....a biopsy and pathologic examination of the tissue. He is doing fine, in fact great! It's a chronic condition, this type of lymphoma, and people live out their normal life years with this.

With all the money you've paid for diagnosing your problem, you should have answers. Find a good ENT person and stick with them. Don't give up, and don't be afraid to tell your present docs you are frustrated as the dickens.

Best of luck to you!



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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961
(3 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 2:36 PM
Thanks for your sweet post.

The Rheum. doctor seems to be caring. Maybe because he is older? He questioned why I hadn't had a follow up with the Neuro. or my Internist. I told him I wasn't sure how I got to him. I will see him on Wednesday and I'm afraid he'll send me somewhere else, too.

Anyway, if I hadn't been left to my own devices for so long, I would not have been upset at all.

I've been telling my Internist off in my mind all afternoon. I would have thought that my primary care physician would sort of keep up with me, but no, out of sight, out of mind.

I don't care if I come off like a lunatic. I know my body and I know when something is screwed up.
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ktdogs6
Posts: 13,670
(4 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 2:42 PM
And, you are the best person to know your body. Don't mind screaming at the docs. Sometimes, that's the best way to get their attention!

Now, scream at them! (Hugs)



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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961
(5 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 2:49 PM
Well, I have cried...but I haven't screamed yet.
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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961
(6 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 2:51 PM
You are sweet so I looked at your me page.

I am in Greenville,SC. Is that far from Piedmont, NC?
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ktdogs6
Posts: 13,670
(7 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 3:38 PM
Honey, I've screamed myself! I developed psoriasis on the palms and fingers of my hand in my late 50's, after participating in a huge volunteer rummage sale. I thought I had picked up impetigo but that was not the case.

Nevertheless, some of us have some painful ailments that do not affect us, if we're those who intend to keep going. You have the right, though, to a good quality of life! And, you can't do that with something that affects the quality of your life....same with me. I have to seek the best medical attention I can get, and you should do the same. You're not a complainer.....you have a valid problem. The sooner you make this known to your health care professionals, the sooner your diagnosis and treatment.

I live right outside of Winston-Salem in a small little town. I worked at the WF University of Medicine for years. I take myself seriously when I have a complaint about my health, as I have been a healthy person all my life. I hope you do the same!

And, I expect any physician I see to do the same. Hello, they sit on the commode just like you and me!



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ktdogs6
Posts: 13,670
(8 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 20, 2007 3:39 PM
BTW, I love Greenville! Good folks!



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laerley
Posts: 11,376
(9 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 21, 2007 5:37 AM
Sounds like another case I just read. It concerned a loving, jovial grandmother (who I’ll call “M”). M was the picture of vitality and good health, took NO medications and was more active than most people half her age. That all changed with a free health screening, sponsored by her church. “M” was told she had high cholesterol (265) and high blood pressure (140/90). What “M” didn’t know/wasn’t told was that higher cholesterol levels in the elderly add years to their lives (not subtract them). She was also not told that 140/90 is pretty much normal for an 80 year old (which she was). What she also didn’t know is that even by taking blood pressure medication for as long as 30 years, will only extend the average life span by a few weeks! When “M” went to her doctor for further evaluation, she was placed on Lipitor (for cholesterol) and Toprol (for high bp).

Within days, M lost all of her energy, and became weak, dizzy, and depressed. She became alarmed and went to another doctor, who scribbled out a prescription Zoloft (to help with her depression). The following day, M became so weak and dizzy that she fainted and broke her hip. After being admitted to the hospital, she was prescribed a new drug “Fosamax” (despite the fact that it does NOT help build healthy bone mass, but it known to cause rotting of the jaw bone)! After surgery (with a brand new titanium hip) she ended up with excruciating pain…so what did the doctors do?

You guessed it they added pain pills to her long list of drugs. This was the final stage in “M’s” downward spiral. She was placed on oxygen, then ventilated, and finally incubated before she took her last breath.

P.S.

Ktdogs,

I posted a comment, and made a few dietary recommendations on your Psoriasis thread. However, it now sounds as though you may not have psoriasis (you don’t pick up psoriasis at a rummage sale ;)
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shnookumpooh
Posts: 17,538
(10 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 21, 2007 6:47 PM
All I know is that we *women) KNOW our bodies, if you don't have a DR willig to listen to you, then it's time for a different DR
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ktdogs6
Posts: 13,670
(11 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 21, 2007 6:54 PM
Thank you Laerly for your post! Whether you know it or not, you did a good service for many of us out there! I, too, have higher than normal cholesterol levels...suggested a cholesterol lowering drug. I declined and will continue to decline. Why? My relatives lived into their 90's plus. They never had their cholesterol levels checked.

This is just my particular decision based on family history. If, however, I had a family history of heart disease, I would make sure I took the appropriate action.

Bottom line, make good decisions, based on family history and with the suggestions made by a good family doctor!



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jetscreameryouareadreamer
Posts: 4,961
(12 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 22, 2007 7:52 AM
KT

My husband and I lived in Winston Salem in the early eighties. We loved it, but only stayed about a year.

Yes, I am afraid that someone will tell me I have something and then I will get it. I go back to the Rheumatologist this afternoon. Hopefully he will only say positive things.

My weight is good, I exercise regularly, I don't take any meds, and don't drink too much. This really has been unsettling. I am not a person who likes the unknown.

I'm 52, it's probably all related to perimenopause.
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punkerpoodle03
Posts: 231
(13 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 22, 2007 4:04 PM
I sure can empathise with you! I went through a few different health professionals before my knee pain was finally diagnosised as arthritis and when treatment didn't help much they finally diagnosed Lyme disease also! I just quit my job yesterday. I can't stand at my job for 8 hours each day from the pain. I am so frustrated. You deserve answers from you doctors in terms you can understand. If you aren't getting satisfaction, tell the Dr. you are not leaving the office until you get your questions answered! Good luck!

Beth -punkerpoodle03
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punkerpoodle03
Posts: 231
(14 of 28)

My Doctor makes me feel like an idiot...VENT.

Aug 22, 2007 4:05 PM
I sure can empathize with you! I went through a few different health professionals before my knee pain was finally diagnosised as arthritis and when treatment didn't help much they finally diagnosed Lyme disease also! I just quit my job yesterday. I can't stand at my job for 8 hours each day from the pain. I am so frustrated. You deserve answers from you doctors in terms you can understand. If you aren't getting satisfaction, tell the Dr. you are not leaving the office until you get your questions answered! Good luck!

Beth -punkerpoodle03
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