What a difference a new Doc makes.

[Epson]

Two weeks ago I visited my rheumatologist, I got to the appointment too early, but was met by the doctor at the check in window with a salutation of, hurry up, get in here, I have to be someplace.  Immediately  my blood pressure sky rocketed, but I told myself to calm down, since the main reason for being there was related to my heart racing.

Basically I got the bums rush, I asked if any of my meds could be causing my heart to beat at 104 bpm at rest and he said no. I know that he was wrong about that, then I ask about the thyroid being a possible cause for that as well as always being tired and cold.  He asked me when the last time I had my thyroid checked and I told him it has been about two years and he agreed that we should check that and electrolytes. 

I brought him a number of reports from x-rays to ultra sounds, he asked what the nephrologist had to say about my kidneys and I told him, I don't know, why don't you read the report that I gave you.  Now I understand that doctors get called away from their office because of medical emergencies, but he was in a rush to get home so he could write payroll checks.  His poor planning does not create a crisis in my life.  I told him about my shoulder, he slipped his rings off to examine it and I asked him if he slipped his ring off because he thought I was going to steal them during the exam, he said he always take them off during an exam.  I told him I was just making a joke and poked him in his fat belly, I guess at that point I was thinking about going to have to find a new doctor.  He ran out of the office and I had blood drawn, when I got a copy of my blood work, I found that none of the tests we had talked about had been done.

Well, to make a long story longer, I went on line and found that a couple of doctors at the Cleveland Clinic list Sjogren's as an area of interest or specialty. In my selection I decided that I would try a women and someone younger that hasn't gotten so callused and still has some intellectual curiosity.

I learned more from my first visit then two years of going to the old rheumatologist.  She spent over an hour with me and did feel that two of the meds I was taking could case a rapid heart beat and also felt that my thyroid should be checked.  When I left the office I had a lot of print material about Sjogren's and what meds I should avoid because of my kidney problems.  I never got anything like this before and it was the first time I got a lot of my questions answered.

She told me about a pill that might help me with my rash problem, but wants to see my blood work first.  If anyone is unhappy with their doctor, look for a new one, you feel better when you find a doctor that listen to you.  It's also nice to be able to walk 50 feet from the doctors office to have blood work, xrays and MRI done and not have to drive all over town.

A sad story with a happy ending

[Victoria05202000]

Epson, I am sooooo happy for you. You did exactly what I did last year at this time. My kidneys were going down hill fast and no one wanted to answer, address, or even do anything about it. I was taking NO medication for anything and my numbers were horrible. I was costantly hearing "what does Dr. so & so think"? They just kept passing me along.  I finally decided enough was enough and I didn't want to not see my boys grow up.  I told my nephrologist to refer me to another rhuemy and I wanted a second opinion with a nephrologist and rhuemy at MUSC. (Our university hospital in the state). They were a bit put off, but got over real fast.

Bottom line, like you said....find a good doctor.

Take Care!
Vicky

[wednesday mc haggis]

epson yay!!

make you blooming mad that certain drugs could be causing the rapid heartbeat and last doc dismseed you then not do the blood discussed!!

so glad your new doc was thorough and listenned, my rheumy is a younger woman and as you say not so calloused, also she seem to know her stuff about what it can and cant affect, not being sexist but sometime si think a female doc will listen more and be happier to give explanations, last rheumy told me i had mild fibro and pased me off as a hysterical woman, this one is totally different and is even willing to start planqeuil just on symptoms of no improvment, sent me straightto opthamology and for lip biopsy, last oen sent me home and basically told me to calm down lol, you must be very pleased with your new dcotor i know im pleased for you just hearing about her

T x

[Scottietottie]

Wow Epson - you've found a 'keeper' there! That's great. You could do with something good happening! Is there somewhere in the States that you can complain about the bad ones? They should be complained about and either have some compulsory retraining, or be blacklisted somewhere before they mess up another poor shmuck!

Take care - Scottie        (Hope you get the results soon)

[Epson]

Wow, I already got a call this morning with my test results!  That was fast, everything is negative except SSA/SSB which was positive for Sjogren's, but we already knew that.

I,m not sure if I can get use to this kind of treatment, maybe I should go back to the old doctor, not!

[Butterfly]

Hi Epson! So glad to hear that you have found a great doctor and got rid of that awful one. I think that is critical for us to have a doctor with the right knowledge and willingness (compassion) to help us in this sjogren's journey. I haven't had such good look finding a rheumy to work with here in Texas. It's impossible to find one very knowledgeable in sjogren's syndrome. Congrats on finding that healthcare partner that you deserve!

[BonusMom]

Epson-

It's about darn time you found a doctor who actually earns their wages!

So happy to hear that you found a specialist that you can have confidence in and communicates well with you.  Doctors seem to forget that we're their "customers."  For whatever reason, doctors feel like we, the patients, owe them something besides payment for their services.  I suggest doctors attend a customer service training program like Nordstrom's and Raley's/Bel Air Markets (in my area) have all of their new hires attend.  Customer service makes all the difference 

[Epson]

Bonusmom,

I couldn't agree with you more, I've been saying the same thing for years.

[Bucky]

Yay Epson . . . glad to hear you have found a "keeper".   

See, us women aren't so bad after all. . . . . LOL   

Bucky

[ohiolady]

Epson,

I go to the Lorain branch of Cleveland Clinic and find my female physician to be very thorough.  Did you go to this branch, by chance?  Just curious.  It does feel good when a doctor actually spends time with you and acts like they care.  Happy for you!!!!!

Anna

[KYMOM]

Can't stop laughing at the poke in the belly. Your success with the new Rheumy is my incentive to try and find a new Rheumy. Roxanne

[Sandra]

Ditto about the poke in the belly, would have like to seen his face and read his mind....that had to be a rough day though, i've had plenty of those and they are not fun. So glad you were able to get some real support...my doctor was so bad that I actually left him a physician  for a nurse practitioner, she's great too...it's real hard to find a doc here so we also have nurse practioners, she's in a clinic with 2 doctors and allot of other medical professionals, lab, dietician,  it's great
hope you are doing ok Epson, Sandra

[Epson]

Anna,

I did go to the Lorain branch and yes they are very thorough, but I have never had a bad experience at the clinic other then having a few long waits to see the doctor.

[SassieCat]

Epson,

I agree that you needed to find a better doctor.  What we have is more serious and a good rheumy needs to go over much more.  I had a rheumy who left and moved his practice because the hospital that he was affliated wanted him to see a different patient every 15 min. and he said he just couldn't do his job like that.  He recruited a couple of good rheumy's and worked out of Cuyahoga Falls.  He retired to move to Texas and went into teaching rheumys.  His office always calls with results of any tests.  It floors me how professional they are compared to my PC. 

Had to chuckle at the belly poke, I think he needed a V8 smake in the head too.

[missyb]

you are hilarious! glad you found new Dr who will maybe get your jokes LOL