Doctor frustration

[redrhodie]

Well, it does seem like you're getting closer, at least. I've been spoiled by great doctors, so I notice when one isn't up to par. My oncologist is just okay. Her personality and bedside manner are good, but I felt like she's lacking some info. Of course, with the Internet as my medical training, I know everything. Like when I asked about med interactions, she said there were none. I don't believe that's true.

[indysteel]

Well, it does seem like you're getting closer, at least. I've been spoiled by great doctors, so I notice when one isn't up to par. My oncologist is just okay. Her personality and bedside manner are good, but I felt like she's lacking some info. Of course, with the Internet as my medical training, I know everything. Like when I asked about med interactions, she said there were none. I don't believe that's true.

As a lawyer, I appreciate how frustrating it can sometimes be when non-lawyers feel expert in something just by reading something on the internet. That's not to say you have to have a law degree to understand a legal issue, but often the issue is more nuanced than it would first appear.

So, I have tried to tread lightly when it comes to my doctor and her approach. I'm obviously not a medical expert, and I really only take issue with a couple glaring mistakes. Mostly, my issue is with her communication or lack thereof. I've felt rushed when discussing things with her or forced to speak only to her assistant. I know my case is minor and for that I'm grateful, but it doesn't mean that I want to be brushed aside so easily.

In any event, I'm FAR less upset about this than I was a few weeks ago, so that's good. I was given a bit of extra perception today in reading a thread on a different cycling forum (RBR) about a man with a toddler who had delayed development and behavioral issues. Their pediatrician has insinuated that the parents themselve are at fault. Well, the child recently fell and was referred to a pediatric plastic surgeon. In looking at his x-rays, that doctor immediately diagnosed the real issues--something to do with a misformed cranium. Further testing confirmed the diagnosis and the child's prognosis is good with the right medical intervention. The father is struggling with what to think and feel about his original pediatrician--with good reason.

[GLC1968]

Indy - I'm glad that you may be getting to the bottom of this! I will agree that having the right doctor is CRITICAL. And it's not just for their knowledge, but for how they interact with you. Everyone is individual and not all personalities match.

I had a doc in FL (OB-GYN) who I liked a lot. He also was my mom's doc. In fact, I tutored his daughter in algebra. We had a good relationship. The problem was that when I developed uterine fibroids causing massive bleeding spells, he had no answer. He tried to control it with hormones - including depo provera which is exactly the LAST thing he should have attempted. In fact, at one point, he suggested that I'd be 'cured' if I just got pregnant....and he suggested that both to myself and to my mother (which was a huge red flag for me!). He was guessing and it pissed me off.

When I moved to NC and had another massive (and incredibly embarrassing) bleeding spell, I got an appointment with the first doc available at the clinic a friend recommended. He immediately asked if I'd had a recent ultrasound. When I said no, he was shocked. One look and sure enough - obvious fibroid. Two surgeries later and the problem was completely gone.

My mom still sees that first doc and he appears to have zero clue how it should have been him who discovered such an easy diagnoses.

And I also agree with whomever said that younger docs seem more receptive to my suggestions/questions. In fact, I make a point of researching my doctor's age or degree dates before making appointments because I find it makes such a huge difference.

[indysteel]

GLC,

You are one of several women I know who have had the same horrible experience with doctors who mistreated/misdiagnosed fibroids. I don't get why doctors are so quick to write something like heavy, irregular and/or painful periods as basically normal. They're not normal.

One of my friends went through an insurance nightmare because she changed insurance companies after she's first told her OB about her heavy periods. Her doc wrote it off as perimenopause. So, when she switched insurers, she didn't reveal it as a preexisting condition because it hadn't been diagnosed as such. Well, it turned out she had a massive fibroid that required immediate surgery. The insurer refused coverage, and her appeal was denied.