This really shows the desperation one might go through to get to the right doctor! BE WARNED: Very over the top episode!
http://www.watchouseonline.com/season-5/91-Lucky_Thirteen (http://www.watchouseonline.com/season-5/91-Lucky_Thirteen) Not sure just how to activate link here, hope it works???
Oh, how I would love to find one like House or even one that thought more about your ailment beyond the fifteen/ THIRTY minute office visit. I recently went to my family doc. I called and scheduled a physical. Well when I got there I told them I was hurting ALL over and extremely tired that day. I was asked which did I want to be seen for, the pain or physical? I told her BOTH after all ain't that what a physical was an ALL over check-up? I was informed that it was not, one issue/15 min. or blood work, ekg and urine sample/30 min. I told her I know things change, but a physical used to be everything including a tap on the knee. She let me know "Yes things have changed, now which did I want?" I sat there thinking about this, trying to decide which I was more in need of as she left to get her ekg machine and stood there looking at me upon her return. So out of feeling pressured l went along with the urine sample and ekg (while thinking the last time I was here for an ekg I ended up in the local hospital (Gateway, most locals refer to it as the Gateway to heck) by ambulance because a doc. panicked over it's readings/ hospital almost killed me giving me meds. that dropped my blood pressure too low then putting me through a STRESS TEST THROUGH heck while having a near death pressure reading). Well test done, she leaves and finally the doc. comes in and greets me with a hardy hello and before he can get that out of his mouth I screamed "I'M HURTING ALL OVER & TIRED!" I was not going to be denied this day! I needed B12 shot.
Essence of this story is "SOMETHINGS ONLY CHANGE IF WE ALLOW THEM", I got both a "physical" & routine check-up AND in the office one on one consultation, all in 30 minutes! Oh! How I wish I had a doctor like House or most anyone of em good ones on TV. Really this one is a pretty good one, but he sure ain't no HOUSE!
I hope not to offend anyone with my humor, it helps me get through!
Bernice
I understand what you mean about short dr. visits and the fact that some of them just refuse to listen. I was going through some kind of extreme sleepiness attack this spring which lasted 6 weeks. It was like nothing I've ever experienced before, I just could not wake up or stay awake. Fourteen hours of sleep and it felt like I had never slept. My memory was shot too. After 3 dr. visits to tell him this I just gave up. He ignored me totally and just asked me if I snore. No referral for a neuro or sleep test....nothing. It really felt like I might not wake up from one of these deep sleeps. I was so sick I didn't know what to do but now that I'm better...look out! I'm setting up a neuro appt. today as well as a rheumy. I won't let this go and I won't settle for a 5 min. dr. appt. ever again! I'm making a list of symptoms and if they won't HEAR me then they can read it. I'm sorry that we have to endure this kind of treatment. It's down right frustrating and does nothing for out overall health. Just don't give up.
Hi Bernice,
I sure wish I could meet a Dr. House (and I did watch the SJS episode last night too)! Any doctor that would not ignore what's going, one who would look at the whole picture, not just one or two symptoms at a time. ::)
I had both a neuro and an ENT that ignored my sleeping issues and never bothered to request a sleep study, and the sad part was both of them advertised that they "specialize" in sleep disorder issues. It's funny now, but when I went to that ENT for a sinus infection, I had to argue with an assistant that it wasn't their doctor that ordered the study, it was the rheumy (and it's sad that the report THAT I HANDED HIM had the rheumy's name on it, guess he couldn't read either - dumped the ENT after that visit).
I'm glad that you put your foot down and not standing for the 5 minute appointment any more! You're my hero!
Patze