Doc visit

[Guest guest]

Tawny,

Thanks for the update and please keep us posted on the outcome... Hope your

having a decent day!

Bonnie

>

> Hi everyone,

>

> I went to my primary doctor today. It went alright, I was a little annoyed

with her,she was behind, and kept hurrying me. I had to get more lab work, not

sure what all she is checking for. I told her, I get dizzy and feel disoriented

for a short time. I know she is checking for anemia. She said it could be some

of my meds too.

> She took me off both my blood pressure meds, and put me on another one,

called, " Benicar HCT. " It was causing edema, so I hope the new med works out for

me. I also started cymbalta today. It helps with depression,anxiety,neuropathy

pain, and fibro pain. I have all four, so hope it works. She is scheduling a

ultrasound for my leg, to make sure I don't have a blood clot. I go back in two

weeks.

> I hope everyone has a pain free weekend,

>

> Tawny

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Barbara,

Its so nice to hear from you, glad your weekend is going ok for you.

I'm glad your able to do a little bit, it sounds like your doing great.

I am feeling ok, not sure about the bp med yet. It makes me pee all the

time. So, not sure if that is good, when I go out. We'll see how it

goes.

I am glad to be on cymbalta, hope it works, and doesn't cause my liver

to get worse. I'm scared to take any more meds that can cause liver

damage. I see the rheumy on the 16th of this month, and the 26 with the

primary.

I am not real happy with my hair, so I will have to go back in:( I

still having white hair showing, great huh? I started having white hair

in my 20's, but not this bad. Just a sign of old age.

You take care my friend. have a nice weekend,

Tawny

[Guest guest]

Thanks Bonnie,

You have a good weekend as well, Tawny

>

> Tawny,

> Thanks for the update and please keep us posted on the outcome... Hope

your having a decent day!

> Bonnie

>

[Guest guest]

I FINALLY got in to see a Rheumatologist after months of waiting and finally

forcing my cardiologist to get me an appt. I am so bummed out. Zero connection.

Spent more time asking me about my social history than medical history. Was far

more interested in talking about me being gay ( my 20 plus year partner was with

me ) than medical issues. I have had over a dozen MRI's to " prove " that what I

am saying is the truth rgarding other medical issues ( which he blew off ). I

was totally honest with the Doc and I will not make that mistake again. During

my 20 minute exam, he spent a total of less than 5 minutes on medical issues. He

was seemingly incensed that a 'mere PA' had diagnosed me with RA and blew it off

completely.

My previous Doc ( actually PA ) had me on 20 and then 2 months ago 40 mg of

Pred. That is a total of 6 months on high dose Pred- which I questioned after

said that 20 was high. It has caused me to have developed cataracts and God

knows what else. Yeah, she screwed up big time on the Pred, but it doesn't make

her diagnosis wrong. I am not afraid of him not finding out the truth- whatever

that truth is. I want to be a warrier, not a victim. I have to know how to fight

this.

This Doc sat 3 feet away and said that I didn't have RA most likely ( before any

tests were done at all ) because my hands weren't " swollen " . They WERE very

swollen. He finally said " Oh yeah, I guess they are a bit " after the on- hands

exam ( which hurt like hell's own fury ) and I am so dang sick & tired of

another human being telling ME what I feel- as if I haven't lived in this body

for 51 years. I wanted to punch his lights out.

After all of the xrays, bloodwork and Dexa bone scan- I guess he may get a

freakin' clue. I will go back on Jan 4th for results from testing. Maybe the guy

can get over his 'righteous disgust' over having to deal with a Lesbian, I

dunno. I will continue to seek a decent Rheumy either way, but am beginning to

wonder if I had gotten the only one in the past worth having in the state. He is

2 1/2 hours away and that costs 75 bucks to make the trip from where I live now.

Not something I can do on any regular basis when I'm living on SSDI.

Thanks for listening, you guys. I am really tired of Docs that don't listen.

( totally bummed ) in SC

[Guest guest]

I go to Columbia Arthritis Center- Dr. - they are on 1711

St. n Place # 803-779-0911. I chose him after a lot if research. I believe

he did his residency at Hopkins. He's not any type of comedian but he is

thorough & I trusted him totally - he actually found an underlying condition I

now have. This guy is great! And I, too went thru jerks at MUSC - & others as

well. Spent a lot if money, which I'm still paying for!!! In the end, I Mae the

selection myself & am totally satisfied!

Hope this helps sweetie!

in Florence, SC

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 14, 2010, at 5:35 PM, phyllis crubaugh <phylliscrubaugh@...> wrote:

> I'm in Batesburg, which is approx 55 minutes from Columbia and an hour plus

from Augusta Georgia-- any suggestions?

>

> Thanks for responding regardless. It is very disheartening, but I am not a

quitter. I went through 15 different Docs in ton before I found an

excellent pain specialist and a great Rheumy. Problem is, they are a 5 hour wrap

around trip for me. Not really possible, either physically nor financially.

Starting over again is a booger, but once I find a Doc that isn't a butt, I'll

keep them for life. I made my last move ever when I bought my land.

>

> Thanks for the support-

>

> in SC

>

>

>

>

>

> I am so sorry you had such a bad experience with that doc. You did everything

right so do not BELIEVE you did anything wrong!!!!!!! I've had my share of docs

that were nothing more than a jerk with a diploma. However, there ArE just as

many great ones. Don't give up, just move on to the next one. I have found that

when dealing with your own health, nothing is wrong with making an appt just to

" interview " the doc. That way you can see if you have something you can build

yourhealth relationship with that particular doc. It's cheaper than going thru a

bunch of mess.

> Where are you located ?

> in SC

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oh no! I am so sorry!!! Well, I hate to say this but living in the bible belt -

you get some jerks out there so I'm so very sorry you had this exp with him. I

know it's a drive, but you may want to consider the Charlotte area. I'm from

there & I could ask around. That was my next option. But if he treated you like

that, I don't blame you a bit! AND furthermore, he's a physician & shld never

ever make judgement on an induvidual's lifestyle. That makes me mad!

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 14, 2010, at 6:27 PM, phyllis crubaugh <phylliscrubaugh@...> wrote:

> Well, ummm...dunno how to tell you this- but it IS Dr. that I saw.

I'll go back on the 4th of January to get results. Maybe he was having a

horrific day, eh? Maybe he's a jerk for me and not you. Who knows? Maybe I'm a

jerk. I went in very relieved to finally be getting somewhere and came out

feeling like I was partially disemboweled. Maybe the 4th will shed more light.

We'll see. Either way, I have to hang in for one more visit so I can get my

results and meds done.

>

> Thanks for taking the time to write out the info- appreciated that.

>

> in SC

>

>

> >

> >

> >

> > I am so sorry you had such a bad experience with that doc. You did

everything right so do not BELIEVE you did anything wrong!!!!!!! I've had my

share of docs that were nothing more than a jerk with a diploma. However, there

ArE just as many great ones. Don't give up, just move on to the next one. I have

found that when dealing with your own health, nothing is wrong with making an

appt just to " interview " the doc. That way you can see if you have something you

can build yourhealth relationship with that particular doc. It's cheaper than

going thru a bunch of mess.

> > Where are you located ?

> > in SC

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks - I'll peruse the List you sent out. Kinda a crap-shoot. Sure do

appreciate all of your hunting for articles that you do!

 

Hugs & Blessings-- Chris

--- On Tue, 12/14/10, <Rheumatoid.Arthritis.Support@...>

wrote:

 

I am so sorry to hear about your very unpleasant experience with this

rheumatologist, Chris. How disheartening.

I hope someone in the group can suggest someone else for you.

Not an MD

[Guest guest]

Wah, I'm sorry to hear you had a bad experience, but I'm glad the group

has been so supportive. Great advice, guys! I know it would be a drive, but one

of my rheums from DC relocated to S Virginia. His name is Melton and he is

a super guy. Very old school doc with a reassuring bedside manner. He'd be worth

the drive. I'm sorry to hear that your doc might have been overly focused on

your partnership. I hope that one day we will have a society wherein no one bats

an eye at a loving relationship. Kate F

Sent from my iPhone

>