Re: Warning...Just a bunch of rant about new Rheumy

April 2, 2010

, the only thing I can think of is that your doctor doesn't support the

Alsup process. There might be a variety of reasons for this, but you might

consider either directly addressing this with him, " I get the impression you

don't support my disability application, is that how you feel? " , or seeing

another rheumatologist who will help you provide the documentation you need.

Sometimes drs just don't want to get involved with the disability process or

they feel that it's at odd with their mission of making you well, but regardless

it sounds like the paperwork issue is undermining your relationship with him. I

work with docs who will sometimes tell pts they don't agree that they are

disabled but other docs will just dodge the issue because they don't want the pt

to get angry. Kate F

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From: " Normsgrl@... " <Normsgrl@...>

Sent: Fri, April 2, 2010 12:11:30 PM

Subject: [ ] Warning...Just a bunch of rant about new Rheumy

Hi all,

Just want to update you on how my new Rheumy is turning out.

The first visit was very good. He was thorough and friendly and took his

time with me. I had went in by myself the first time.

Second visit, I brought my husband in with me. I feel more comfortable

having him with me. I think he should be by my side by all rights. He lives

with this with me and watches what I go through. He is my rock!

Well anyway...I haven't been able to work for the last 2 years not only

because of pain but also there are many day's my hand or wrist or fingers or

arms can't be moved. They will be frozen in pain to the point I can't use

them at all. So I have filed for disability. And I've been using Allsup.

They sent a form to this new Rheumy and one of the questions on the form

he filed out a asked if I had issues with fatigue. He said " No. "

I've been keeping a journal and asked the doctor to put it into the medical

files. He didn't. I think he tossed them out. All through the journal

it states how much trouble I'm having with " FATIGUE. " So, obviously he

didn't look at them.

This is my second Specialist that I've seen that don't document anything

important. I've been going in CRIPPLED and swelled up! and non of this is

documented.

Every time I bring my husband into the doctors office with me, it seems

that the doctor cop's an attitude! OMG! I don't believe this. Now my

husband don't feel comfortable going in with me.

Well anyway.... This last appointment (yesterday) My husband and I are in

the doctors office and doc walks in and I can both my husband and i can see

the instant mood change the minute he walks in and takes a look at my

husband.

The doc comes in asks his questions and manipulates what joints that isn't

froze up. I told him that most of the time manipulating my joints isn't

what hurts. It is when I move them!!! He say's yes of coarse.

Then he sits down tells me more pill to take and hands me the prescription

and proceeds to shake our hands I couldn't because I was in bad shape.

But what I'm saying is that he proceeded to leave the office! Didn't ask me

if we had any questions or anything! So I had to stop him and ask him if I

could chat with him a minute and confronted him about the allsup form that

was filled out.

He seemed to get defensive and said that fatigue isn't any of his concern

and that he is only concerned with tender joints to the touch and swelling

and that he isn't a disability doctor.

My problem with this is... If Fatigue isn't any of his concern, then why???

did he say " NO " that I didn't have fatigue. Whey didn't he just say N/A

or something. Saying " NO " is kind of misleading?? ?

This fatigue thing is just one of the many things that was incorrectly

documented.

I'm very frustrated right now. Here I am...Crippled up and in pain.

Can't afford extra doc appointments (co payments) and barely can keep up with

the co payment just to see the Rheumy. And Allsup is thinking about

dropping my case because I have not documentation! I would just like some

help!

The way I see it... These doctors get paid too much to treat a patient that

way. I think it is ludicrous for a doctor (I don't care what kind of

doctor he/she is) to not document the condition of his patient rather they

only deal with joints or not! This is my second Rheumy (not my last) that

doesn't document!

It blows my mind!

Please forgive me for this rant. I know that there are others in worse

condition than I. And I do pity you.

I try to remind myself not to worry. Things always work themselves out.

Hoping for smooth operations and pain free days for everyone.

Love to all,

Michigan

April 2, 2010

Hi Kate,

Thank you so much for your support and info.

Yeah...I think I'm going to do some more Rheumy shopping. I know someone in my

neighborhood that has RA and is on disability. I never thought about asking him

who his doctor is. I think maybe I'll pay him a visit.

Michigan

Re: [ ] Warning...Just a bunch of rant about new Rheumy