Changing Doctors

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with PA when I was 21, I moved to California from AZ and my

dad took me to his doctor( a female), because he has it very mild. Anyway,

she was very nice, but too nice. She felt sorry for me because I was so

young, and I had just developed a ganglien cyst on my hand. Everytime I went

to see her, I just felt worse, sorry for myself, etc.

I changed doctors to my present one who I have been seeing for 10 yrs.

However, lately I have been feeling like I am not getting the best care. He

spends max 15 minutes with me, rushes in and out, never mentioned MTX until

about 5 yrs ago, when I went on it for 4 months, got very sick and

discontinued it. Then, he never mentioned another drug except

anti-inflamatory. Meanwhile more joints are affected. I started the MTX

last year, but stopped it due to the side effects. Just started Arava a

little over a month ago. So far, nothing.

I made an appt at the Mayo Clinic in sdale, AZ. Maybe I am expecting a

miracle, who knows? I live in CAl and will be driving to AZ. They dont

accept assignment for Medicare, so I will have to pay more than I do now. Im

thinking of cancelling and finding a new doctor here. What do you all think?

Randi

[Guest guest]

--

I stayed with my RA for 10 years before I got smart and moved on. I felt

that he never really listened to me and was completely frustrated that most

medications did not help me. The final straw for me was during the last

year, he would bring residents/interns in to look me over and never ask me

any questions or show any interest into how I was feeling. I went through

feelings of guilt since we had a such a long relationship, but soon got over

it. I told myself I was just a " meal ticket " for him.

When I changed RAs, the first thing she said was " You should not be in so

much pain. " I have not looked back on changing doctors and only wish I did

so earlier.

If you have any doubt about your current doctor, make an appointment for a

second opinion. You're only out the cost of an office visit.

[Guest guest]

,

Patch was a great movie.

I can't say much since I'm on my first rheumy. Only diagnosed Jan 98. He

is active w/ the Arthritis Foundation. Studies or surveys etc...and on

top of and open to the newest treatments as well as " old but works " . I

ve taken my mother in w/ me as a walking history since I felt so bad and

he was not upset w/ this. I have gone in w/ a list and he answered

everything until I said I understood what he was saying. He originally

pulled the MRI done by the Ortho doc prior to my first appt so someone

at his office is on the ball in gathering information. He has repeatedly

reminded me to have my local docs personnel send him the blood test

results etc... and the eye doc sent him the Sjogren's Syndrome info

etc... His office called the other day to have me retake the blood test

since the liver was elevated. My local doc never mentioned it. My Rheumy

believes in listening to what I have to say and feeling the joints to

know what is going on. He says aggressive treatment and believes in pain

medication so I can stay at work, since to keep moving is best for the

arthritis.

Hope some of you have a Rheumy like him. I'm happy. I also realize what

was already mentioned that personal circumstances might mean moving or

having to switch. If it ever happens I will have a good doc to use as a

measure of any future Rheumies.

thankfully,

Pat B

[Guest guest]

Philip,

My dad goes to the VA and I have on occasion gone along with him. The

treatment you get depends on the doctor. Some are aggressive; others are

not. The only real deference between them and the general population of

doctors is that it can be harder to change doctors once you're placed with a

doctor. Is there a military base nearby? Or a VA clinic vs. a VA hospital?

The clinic doctors have a bit more time to be personal with you. Keep

pushing them if they are not giving you the treatment that you feel that you

need.

Good Luck,

Lynn

>He or she is somehow affiliated with the VA through the University of Lou.

Med.

>Center. I have no idea what to expect.

>

>I know what to hope for however. Good treatment and maybe some pain relief?

>Does anyone know about how the VA doctors are for aggressive treatment? I

>lost my insurance last Jan. so this is about the only route available for

me

>now.

>Sincerely,

>Philip

[Guest guest]

Randi,

I don't know what area of CA you live in, but, have you considered UCLA,

Stanford. Loma , etc.?

Amy

[Guest guest]

Randi,

Where in CA do you live? If you live in southern California I can

recommend a Rheumy in Fullerton by the name of Fabricant. I was

seeing one in Irvine but he was the one I decided to leave. Let me know

if you want the number. He is aggressive and I feel that I have done

well by him.

Also, one of the things we all have to keep in mind is the people we are

trusting with our health care are " doctors " but they are also

" businessmen/women " Most doctors schedule their appointments in 15 min.

intervals and if they don't keep to their schedule, they " lose money " .

It is a harsh reality and frustrating, especially when we are the ones

who feel maltreated.

I went to an orthopedist when I was first diagnosed, since I still

didn't know what was wrong with me and my toe was " sausage-like " . One

thing he said to me is, " we as individuals need to be responsible for

our own health care, If you are unsatisfied with your treatment, or

doctor, you need to take it upon yourself to do something about it " . I

took that suggestion to heart and will not let anyone " treat " me less

than I deserve. Always question your treatment if you are unsatisfied

with the results.

Dez

[Guest guest]

Im seeing on in Santa , I live in Long Beach, but fullerton shouldnt be

that far to drive, Yes, please give me the number

Randi

[Guest guest]

Im in Long Beach, CA. My current dr is on staff at UCLA.

Randi

[Guest guest]

Hi.. My female RD is great but I try to be sensible and respect her time. I

limit questions to three and have them written down. These are my priority

questions. Things that I cannot find answers to on my computer first. Other

questions are always written and ready should extra time come up. For

example, when she decides to inject a joint with cortisone or when she hasn't

seen me for a few months and does the full body range of motion thing. Also,

I make use of the pre exam time with the nurse. I tell her EVERYthing wrong

with my body. Before my RD comes in the room I can hear her standing outside

the door reading the nurses note. I trust her to decide what is significant

to check out.

I have also noticed that late afternoon apts she tends to be more

chatty and relaxed if she has had a good day timewise. These tips work best

of course if you see you RD regularly.

Catja

[Guest guest]

Lee you sound alot like me - took me 8 years to find the GP I am with now. And that was sheer luck (or fate). He was picked out of the yellow pages and was the only doctor who was nice enough to do a house call. We're staying with this one. Ironically I have never been to his rooms and have only seen him 3/4 times over 2 years - lol.. where as I've seen my immunologist at many locations over 30+ times in the same duration! Finding a decent GP is the hardest battle.

Love A.

[Guest guest]

When we found out that my husband had inoperable cancer, his dr told us that

theree was nothing he could do for him & not to bring him back. Even

terminal patients need care, pain meds & such!!!! Luckily I found a

wonderful dr. She's an internist but will even see my kids if I ask her. She

made sure that my husband was comfortable & arranged for help for me also.

When my husband died we flew him back to Michigan for the funeral & we (9 of

us) drove up there.(800 miles) When we stopped for gas the first time, I

opened my purse & found a check from my dr for $500.00!! She is a beautiful

person. I found out that she has taken several of her elderly pts grocery

shopping. I feel very fortunate to have found her! ne

________________________________________________________________________

Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/14/00 9:13:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

ninjagrandma@... writes:

<< She is a beautiful

person. I found out that she has taken several of her elderly pts grocery

shopping. I feel very fortunate to have found her! ne >>

ne,

Wow, thanks for sharing that. I know many doctors that are caring and do

special things for their patients but this is a wonderful story of a woman

who shares and truly cares. I am sure that check was a godsend.

I needed to hear that today, just because....

Jo

[Guest guest]

Hi all.

Just wanted to add my story...

's primary doctor was a hematologist/ oncologist. A blood

disease/ cancer doc. While she never made a monetary contribution to our

family, she did make such a strong impact on us. Aside from those of us

that were with Matty every day, she was the one person that really made

a difference in Matty's life.

She worked herself nonstop to try to help . She had never, ever

treated 's disease before, so she knew absolutely nothing about

it going into it. But along the way, she researched relentlessly to find

ways to make his life better.

When we had to decide how to treat Matty, I think she cried just as much

as I did. When Matty was inpatient, I would see her walking the halls of

the hospital when I went to bed at 2am, and would see her again when I

woke up at 6am. Seemed like she never left!

In the last few days of Matty's life, she tried so very hard to save

him. She was constantly working and re-working information in the hopes

that she would find something that would make a difference. Although she

never found what she was looking for, she never stopped trying.

The last 48 hours of 's life were very hard. She never left the

hospital, not once. She was right there with me to make all the hard

decisions, was always honest and truthful with me, and was never

overbearing or condescending. She understood what I was going through,

and she was a godsend to me. She cried with me, laughed with me, held me

when I needed to be held. She truly loved , and he loved her.

He would hold his little arms up to her for her to pick him up...he

loved it when she held him. She would love on him like any mother would.

I always joked with her that she was Matty's second mama. Even the other

doctors on the floor called her " Mama Lee " instead of " Dr. Lee " whenever

they were talking to me or Matty.

When Matty was dying, she was right there in his room with me. She

stayed with us the whole time, until the end, when she had to call

another doctor in to pronounce the time of death, because she couldn't

make herself do it. She said that she just couldn't listen to his chest

and not make herself hear a heartbeat.

This wonderful wonderful woman even drove an hour to come to Matty's

viewing. She couldn't come to his funeral, but she did come to the

viewing. She stayed for 2 hours. Brought a little angel to send along

with Matty. She always did say that he was our little angel. :-)

Matty lived a much longer, much healthier life than he would have with

out this woman. She put her heart and soul into caring for Matty, and

fell in love with him in the process. I have no doubt in this world that

this woman loved with all of her heart. I am forever grateful to

her for giving me my for the time that I did have.

Just wanted to let you all know that there ARE doctors out there that

do care, maybe more than they should....

TediBrLuv@... wrote:

> In a message dated 7/14/00 9:13:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,

> ninjagrandma@... writes:

>

> << She is a beautiful

> person. I found out that she has taken several of her elderly pts

> grocery

> shopping. I feel very fortunate to have found her! ne >>

>

> ne,

> Wow, thanks for sharing that. I know many doctors that are caring and

> do

> special things for their patients but this is a wonderful story of a

> woman

> who shares and truly cares. I am sure that check was a godsend.

> I needed to hear that today, just because....

> Jo

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[Guest guest]

"Just wanted to let you all know that there ARE doctors out there thatdo care, maybe more than they should...."

Well they are only human.. (although sometimes that is VERY debatable) but I am lucky to have found good doctors also. My immunologist as you know is a good example, and although we have yelled at each other which looking back on it is rather funny, I have his email, mobile number, home phone number, everything... I send him your questions and he always answers, and he is helping me write a big thing on neurosarc. He is like a friend and a doctor. Not many doctors would tell you in human terms like "well if its buggered thats is" lol... he also has a quack watch link that he is going to send me to send to you all that lists all the quacky practitioners and stupid tests that are rip off's so none of us fall victim to them. He's a good man. He puts the "care" back into health care professional.

So I agree with , there are thousands of horrible practitioners but there are the caring and involved doctors as well. Never give up your quest to find one.

Love A.

(Still catching up on email lol)

[Guest guest]

I cant agree more, doctors are just people, keeping looking until you find one

you like.

Changing Doctors

In my 35 years of dealing with Psychiatrists and I have come to know that

there are many Psychiatrists both male and female who have a very

condescending attitude towards depressed and anxious women. For the longest

time, I went to those doctors because they delivered the same message that

my parents did, that I was weird and crazy and those psychiatrists validated

my parents. Many of these doctors made me feel anxious and nervous. So, I

just thought it was me. Then I changed doctors one time because of

insurance regulations, and I got a really good one that was sensitive and

compassionate. Since then, my faith in Psychiatrists has increased. I've

got a really good one now. I don't feel anxious or nervous or stupid when I

see her. If you are going to a doctor that makes you feel anxious or

stupid, then instead of asking for medical advice here on line, ...(none of

us are doctors and we should not be giving dosage advice.) then you need to

get a new doctor. You are supposed to be feeling better, if you're not and

you're afraid of talking to your doctor, then you need to get a new doctor.

This site is for sharing our experience about the medication. We should not

be giving advice to each other on how much to take, etc..if you cannot bring

yourselves to call your doctors to get the advice you need, then it's time

to change doctors to find one that will make you feel better and not worse.

You should be working in partnership with your doctor, if you can't then get

another doctor. There are good ones out there.

Sue C

[Guest guest]

Hi Lindy Lou, I had no problem getting any meds from any of my Drs. They say now that if you really need them for the pain that you won't get addicted. I have had them ask me if I'm still taking them and my last primary care Dr. limited the amount, but I'm about ready to change from her, I think. My OS Dr. gives me no trouble what so ever.

[Guest guest]

oh, and she wanted me to stop the ativan cold turkey - i tried and i was freaking out -- so she said i could take one a day, but she's not giving me any directions on how to wean myself off them . . . is this wrong or what? so now i'm not only having pain, i'm also dealing with panic again. one at a time, please.

lindy again

then she wants to take me off my ativan, which i take because i have anxiety disorder -- i've had it since my 20s (i'm now 58). i haven't taken ativan all those years, but it along with zoloft keeps me panic free and i've NEVER abused any of my drugs.

[Guest guest]

Lindy I couldn't get out of there fast enough. That doctor is cruel.

I don't blame you one bit for leaving the dr, os and hospital. For

the care you are getting I would get as far away as your can. there

are good primary care doctors and os doctors out there. It is your

body and your health and you need to take control of it. I would be so

mad you would see fire coming out my ears, eyes, nose, mouth and

anywhere else it could come out of. Keep us posted.

On Nov 11, 2006, at 8:52 PM, lindy wrote:

> well you all may have read my complaints about my doctor -- primary

> care -- and how she won't give me anything for this pain -- well 3

> tylenol3s a day, that's 3 pills, not 3 doses, which does NOTHING for

> me.  then i called the OS and he said he doesn't give meds out before

> surgery, only after, which makes sense, but then he told me to ask my

> primarly doctor.  HA!!!  no way.

> instead, i am changing primary care doctors AND on this monday, i'm

> going to an Orthopedic doc, who will then refer me to one of two OS

> and they each specialize in hip replacement.  i'm feeling a little bit

> more hopeful now, that at least i'll find a doctor who really cares

> about his/her patients.

> someone here said you can tell how your doctor will treat you after

> the surgery from the way he treats you before the surgery.  well that

> OS i saw a few weeks ago, he just ignored that i'm in constant

> horrific pain.  i also asked for a handicap sticker -- he told me to

> ask my primary care.  she's such a jerk, i wouldn't ask her the time

> of day.

> i will keep you posted on what the O doctor says on monday and how

> soon i can get in to see the new OS.  and then the following week, i

> have an appt. set up with the new primary doctor.

> i'm even changing hospital systems -- since all the new doctors go to

> St. 's not St. Luke's. (in Duluth, MN.)

> if my current doctor so much as hints to my new doctors that i am

> addicted to drugs i sue her.

> did i tell you all this =======

> my other pcd left his practice in august or september.  he was a dream

> doctor.  the best i've ever had.  listened to me, treated my

> problems.  he cared about his patients.  he's the one who put me on

> tylenol3 for my hip and back.

> well when he left, i began seeing another doctor at the clinic,

> thinking she'd be good, if she's there.  WRONG!

> she walked in the room with an attitude and immedieatly i didn't like

> her.  then she goes on to change all my meds -- the same meds that

> have been working for me all along -- why fix what is not

> broken??????????? 

> she changed my blood pressure meds, she changed the tylenol3 down to 3

> a day; whereas before, i could, if necessary, take 1 or 2 tablets

> every 4 to 6 hours.  i never took that many, but at least i knew if i

> needed to i could.

> then she wants to take me off my ativan, which i take because i have

> anxiety disorder -- i've had it since my 20s (i'm now 58).  i haven't

> taken ativan all those years, but it along with zoloft keeps me panic

> free and i've NEVER abused any of my drugs.

> then, she makes me sign a contract for controlled substances.  she

> told me if i didn't, i wouldn't get my pills.  i should have walked

> out right then and there.

> and to top it all off, she told me by my signing the contract, i was

> agreeing to random drug tests for STREET DRUGS.

> that was a slap in the face.  NEVER in my life have i don't street

> drugs.  NEVER in my life have i ever taken more meds than i'm suppose

> to.  what an insult.  i couldn't believe it.  she was treating me like

> a junky.

> and if it is some kind of law, she could have at least been nicer

> about it -- she did it all with this attitude, like she really

> questioned me.  and she didn't know me from adam.  that was the first

> time she'd ever laid eyes on me, but she must have realized that if i

> had been seeing another doctor at her clinic for 9+ years and there

> was not one time in all those years i had troubles with drugs, that i

> wasn't going to start now.

> the contract also reads that she's the only one who can subscribe my

> pills (i don't know how this is going to turn out with me going to a

> new doc.) -- it also has a lot of other stipulations, which to me are

> just unheard of -- well -- they all sound like something some one who

> has been treated in a drug rehab would have to agree to and i've never

> been in any kind of rehab.  the nerve of that woman.  let me tell you,

> i'm mad and if she so much as hints that i'm changing doctors for that

> reason -- so i can get more pills, OMG, i don't know what i'll do. 

> sorry for rambling again -- i just get so upset when i think of this. 

> i mean, cant she tell by my MRIs and x-rays that i have

> pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????

> hugs to all

> lindy lou

>

>

The cross is the only ladder high enough to touch Heaven's threshold.

[Guest guest]

hi ,

see, that's what i've heard as well -- that if a person is in pain, they're not going to get addicted. i just know if my doctor was in pain, she'd make sure she didn't hurt, that's for sure. i'm glad your OS gives you the meds you need.

lindy

Hi Lindy Lou, I had no problem getting any meds from any of my Drs. They say now that if you really need them for the pain that you won't get addicted. I have had them ask me if I'm still taking them and my last primary care Dr. limited the amount, but I'm about ready to change from her, I think. My OS Dr. gives me no trouble what so ever.

[Guest guest]



thanks elaine. what you said means so much to me. i know it's them and not me -- i just can't figure out what kind of doctors go into the medical field and then don't want to help their patients. it's not like i'm taking the pills to get high or something. basically, they don't do anything for me, i rarely even get that tired from them. heck, i can drive after taking one. and believe me, ha ha, i've had fire coming out of every possible place. fdroflol. ;-)

lindy

Lindy I couldn't get out of there fast enough. That doctor is cruel. I don't blame you one bit for leaving the dr, os and hospital. For the care you are getting I would get as far away as your can. there are good primary care doctors and os doctors out there. It is your body and your health and you need to take control of it. I would be so mad you would see fire coming out my ears, eyes, nose, mouth and anywhere else it could come out of. Keep us posted.

[Guest guest]

---Lindy, why not go to a pain management Dr for your pain meds? .....

Maxine

In Joint Replacement , " lindy "

<everyothername.istaken@...> wrote:

>

> oh, and she wanted me to stop the ativan cold turkey - i tried and i

was freaking out -- so she said i could take one a day, but she's not

giving me any directions on how to wean myself off them . . . is this

wrong or what? so now i'm not only having pain, i'm also dealing with

panic again. one at a time, please.

> lindy again

[Guest guest]

well that's something to ask the orthopaedic doctor tomorrow, when i see her. she will examine me or take my word for it maybe, since i don't yet have my records from the other clinic and then refer me to one of two hip replacement specialits. i am definitely going to talk to her about pain meds though, see what she says. i've never seen an orthopaedic doc before, just the OS. i'll tell you all tomorrow what she says.

---Lindy, why not go to a pain management Dr for your pain meds? ..... Maxine

[Guest guest]

She not only doesn't want to take care of he patients but I think she

is so sloppy with her care that she could allow something to happen

that could cause very serious negative results. She is scary.

On Nov 11, 2006, at 9:30 PM, lindy wrote:

> thanks elaine.  what you said means so much to me.  i know it's them

> and not me -- i just can't figure out what kind of doctors go into the

> medical field and then don't want to help their patients.  it's not

> like i'm taking the pills to get high or something.  basically, they

> don't do anything for me, i rarely even get that tired from them. 

> heck, i can drive after taking one.  and believe me, ha ha, i've had

> fire coming out of every possible place.  fdroflol.  ;-)

> lindy

>> Lindy I couldn't get out of there fast enough. That doctor is cruel.

>> I don't blame you one bit for leaving the dr, os and hospital. For

>> the care you are getting I would get as far away as your can. there

>> are good primary care doctors and os doctors out there. It is your

>> body and your health and you need to take control of it. I would be

>> so mad you would see fire coming out my ears, eyes, nose, mouth and

>> anywhere else it could come out of. Keep us posted.

>

The Bible is the only book in which the Author is always present.

[Guest guest]

Lindy,

I'm shocked. You have to subject yourself to random drug testing? Is

this even legal for a medical professional? Any lawyers out there?

If I have my T.V. law correct, she would violate doctor/patient

confidentiality if she even hinted you were addicted to your

prescription drugs. And heaven knows we are dependent. That's how we

live a full life with our diseases.

I also tried Tylenol 3 before surgery when the four to eight

Ultracet quit working. My dose was a laughable two a day. That was

one of the reasons I chose to have both knees replaced. I thought I

had run out of options -- that I was really taking big-time drugs

feeling nothing. I don't regret my knee surgery. But I've learned so

much since surgery. I've found I get the most honest information

from my pharmacist, who told me I could have taken two Tylenol 3

every four hours. My arthritis doctor obviously did not want to take

any responsibility for dosing me adequately. Which is why I'll be

taking 's suggestion and using a pain managment specialist

for my osteoarthritis from now on.

I'm thrilled you are getting new doctors, Lindy. God bless you.

Donna

>

> well you all may have read my complaints about my doctor --

primary care -- and how she won't give me anything for this pain --

well 3 tylenol3s a day, that's 3 pills, not 3 doses, which does

NOTHING for me. then i called the OS and he said he doesn't give

meds out before surgery, only after, which makes sense, but then he

told me to ask my primarly doctor. HA!!! no way.

> instead, i am changing primary care doctors AND on this monday,

i'm going to an Orthopedic doc, who will then refer me to one of two

OS and they each specialize in hip replacement. i'm feeling a

little bit more hopeful now, that at least i'll find a doctor who

really cares about his/her patients.

> someone here said you can tell how your doctor will treat you

after the surgery from the way he treats you before the surgery.

well that OS i saw a few weeks ago, he just ignored that i'm in

constant horrific pain. i also asked for a handicap sticker -- he

told me to ask my primary care. she's such a jerk, i wouldn't ask

her the time of day.

> i will keep you posted on what the O doctor says on monday and how

soon i can get in to see the new OS. and then the following week, i

have an appt. set up with the new primary doctor.

> i'm even changing hospital systems -- since all the new doctors go

to St. 's not St. Luke's. (in Duluth, MN.)

> if my current doctor so much as hints to my new doctors that i am

addicted to drugs i sue her.

> did i tell you all this =======

> my other pcd left his practice in august or september. he was a

dream doctor. the best i've ever had. listened to me, treated my

problems. he cared about his patients. he's the one who put me on

tylenol3 for my hip and back.

> well when he left, i began seeing another doctor at the clinic,

thinking she'd be good, if she's there. WRONG!

> she walked in the room with an attitude and immedieatly i didn't

like her. then she goes on to change all my meds -- the same meds

that have been working for me all along -- why fix what is not

broken???????????

> she changed my blood pressure meds, she changed the tylenol3 down

to 3 a day; whereas before, i could, if necessary, take 1 or 2

tablets every 4 to 6 hours. i never took that many, but at least i

knew if i needed to i could.

> then she wants to take me off my ativan, which i take because i

have anxiety disorder -- i've had it since my 20s (i'm now 58). i

haven't taken ativan all those years, but it along with zoloft keeps

me panic free and i've NEVER abused any of my drugs.

> then, she makes me sign a contract for controlled substances. she

told me if i didn't, i wouldn't get my pills. i should have walked

out right then and there.

> and to top it all off, she told me by my signing the contract, i

was agreeing to random drug tests for STREET DRUGS.

> that was a slap in the face. NEVER in my life have i don't street

drugs. NEVER in my life have i ever taken more meds than i'm

suppose to. what an insult. i couldn't believe it. she was

treating me like a junky.

> and if it is some kind of law, she could have at least been nicer

about it -- she did it all with this attitude, like she really

questioned me. and she didn't know me from adam. that was the

first time she'd ever laid eyes on me, but she must have realized

that if i had been seeing another doctor at her clinic for 9+ years

and there was not one time in all those years i had troubles with

drugs, that i wasn't going to start now.

> the contract also reads that she's the only one who can subscribe

my pills (i don't know how this is going to turn out with me going

to a new doc.) -- it also has a lot of other stipulations, which to

me are just unheard of -- well -- they all sound like something some

one who has been treated in a drug rehab would have to agree to and

i've never been in any kind of rehab. the nerve of that woman. let

me tell you, i'm mad and if she so much as hints that i'm changing

doctors for that reason -- so i can get more pills, OMG, i don't

know what i'll do.

> sorry for rambling again -- i just get so upset when i think of

this. i mean, cant she tell by my MRIs and x-rays that i have

pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????

> hugs to all

> lindy lou

>

[Guest guest]

Lindy -- This is a horror story!! I have a friend who had a similar situation -- she had severe PTSD and erosive gastritis and colitis that would cause sudden diarrhea. In her case, she was so handicapped by all this that she couldn't handle a full time job (trying to support 3 kids), then one of her kids got in an auto accident, lost a leg, was paralyzed in one arm, and had brain damage that caused him to suddenly change moods and throw things, and her daughter had to go to the hospital, where they discovered that she had thombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (which can be devastating and even fatal). So she had all this stress, and had been seeing a doctor who had Rx'd Xanax. Because she didn't have a car (couldn't afford one), she had relied on her other daughter to take her to the doc, but that daughter moved out, and because of the colitis she was afraid to take the bus. Without meds, her PTSD sometimes caused flashbacks that sent her to bed for a few days, or even the hospital. So she had to get a new doc nearer where she lived, and that doc did the same exact thing yours did, even told her that she (yes, it was a woman) wasn't allowed to Rx the Xanax for her because she was on some govt med program (regular med, not for drug users), so my friend had to go cold turkey. And of course then she was even more stressed, and ended up losing her apt. manager job & had to move to a board & care place. She was denied SSI (I told her that my understanding is that their policy is to deny on the first try unless someone is in a bad physical condition like her son), but she's much better at the board & care, and the doctor there had NO PROBLEM Rx'ing clonazepam, which is like Xanax but has a longer half-life. I always suspected the new doctor thought she was a street addict, even though she wasn't at all. I was so furious that if I'd been able to get to her (we live 1000 miles apart) I'd've gone with her to the doc to try to persuade her to Rx the meds my friend needed.

The fact that my friend did get her meds when she switched doctors after moving to the board & care means that this new doc of yours is just being mean. Whatever you do, don't sign that form and get a new doc. Her treatment of you is insulting and unwarranted.

I'm curious if you guys stumbled onto the same doc -- my friend was in Brea, CA.

Good luck.

PS: Would you consider changing fonts -- I have a really hard time reading the one you use.

Ann from WA

changing doctors

well you all may have read my complaints about my doctor -- primary care -- and how she won't give me anything for this pain -- well 3 tylenol3s a day, that's 3 pills, not 3 doses, which does NOTHING for me. then i called the OS and he said he doesn't give meds out before surgery, only after, which makes sense, but then he told me to ask my primarly doctor. HA!!! no way.

instead, i am changing primary care doctors AND on this monday, i'm going to an Orthopedic doc, who will then refer me to one of two OS and they each specialize in hip replacement. i'm feeling a little bit more hopeful now, that at least i'll find a doctor who really cares about his/her patients.

someone here said you can tell how your doctor will treat you after the surgery from the way he treats you before the surgery. well that OS i saw a few weeks ago, he just ignored that i'm in constant horrific pain. i also asked for a handicap sticker -- he told me to ask my primary care. she's such a jerk, i wouldn't ask her the time of day.

i will keep you posted on what the O doctor says on monday and how soon i can get in to see the new OS. and then the following week, i have an appt. set up with the new primary doctor.

i'm even changing hospital systems -- since all the new doctors go to St. 's not St. Luke's. (in Duluth, MN.)

if my current doctor so much as hints to my new doctors that i am addicted to drugs i sue her.

did i tell you all this =======

my other pcd left his practice in august or september. he was a dream doctor. the best i've ever had. listened to me, treated my problems. he cared about his patients. he's the one who put me on tylenol3 for my hip and back.

well when he left, i began seeing another doctor at the clinic, thinking she'd be good, if she's there. WRONG!

she walked in the room with an attitude and immedieatly i didn't like her. then she goes on to change all my meds -- the same meds that have been working for me all along -- why fix what is not broken???????????

she changed my blood pressure meds, she changed the tylenol3 down to 3 a day; whereas before, i could, if necessary, take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours. i never took that many, but at least i knew if i needed to i could.

then she wants to take me off my ativan, which i take because i have anxiety disorder -- i've had it since my 20s (i'm now 58). i haven't taken ativan all those years, but it along with zoloft keeps me panic free and i've NEVER abused any of my drugs.

then, she makes me sign a contract for controlled substances. she told me if i didn't, i wouldn't get my pills. i should have walked out right then and there.

and to top it all off, she told me by my signing the contract, i was agreeing to random drug tests for STREET DRUGS.

that was a slap in the face. NEVER in my life have i don't street drugs. NEVER in my life have i ever taken more meds than i'm suppose to. what an insult. i couldn't believe it. she was treating me like a junky.

and if it is some kind of law, she could have at least been nicer about it -- she did it all with this attitude, like she really questioned me. and she didn't know me from adam. that was the first time she'd ever laid eyes on me, but she must have realized that if i had been seeing another doctor at her clinic for 9+ years and there was not one time in all those years i had troubles with drugs, that i wasn't going to start now.

the contract also reads that she's the only one who can subscribe my pills (i don't know how this is going to turn out with me going to a new doc.) -- it also has a lot of other stipulations, which to me are just unheard of -- well -- they all sound like something some one who has been treated in a drug rehab would have to agree to and i've never been in any kind of rehab. the nerve of that woman. let me tell you, i'm mad and if she so much as hints that i'm changing doctors for that reason -- so i can get more pills, OMG, i don't know what i'll do.

sorry for rambling again -- i just get so upset when i think of this. i mean, cant she tell by my MRIs and x-rays that i have pain!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!????????????????

hugs to all

lindy lou