Rheumy yesterday - what a waste of time.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Well I had my annual trip to my rheumy yesterday after work. I had to wait for ages before seeing him. There were a lot of people waiting. I've never seen his clinic so busy.

Eventually I was called, asked if it was OK that 2 students sat in (no problem) and the 'consultation began'. He asked about thyroxine and told the students that SjS often affected the thyroid. (He's never told me that - I thought they were separate conditions) He then asked me how much Plaquenil I was taking. (He's the one who dictates the dose) I told him and said I'd wondered if it had anything to do with tinnitus I've developed - and further hearing loss)  "Oh no!" he said "Nothing to do with Plaquenil that! Plaquenil doesn't cause tinnitus."

"Why is it listed as a possible side effect in the leaflet that comes with the box then?" I asked sweetly.  The students smiled. " Never heard of it." said Rheumy.

I told him I'd seen an ENT doc and that he'd found a 6mm lymph node inside one parotid but that he was keeping an eye on it. No comment.

I was then marched through to have my chest sounded (well - my back) and he moved both arms around. He also noticed my blance wasn't great. I told him I'd seen a neuro, who said nothing was wrong. "Which one?" he asked. I told him. "Oh him" he said disparagingly. End of conversation.

I had several questions but had a real job to get hiom to listen.

Well everything seems fine, he beamed. This lady had no Ro showing up in her blood tests - he said to the students - so she is never likely to have any glandular involvement. Her sjogren's is pretty mild. (I don't have swollen glands but what is the 6mm lymph node doing? I realsie that's small - and will hopefully stay that way.I don't think he heard me) I thought about all the folk in here who are sero negative.
"Fine then Mrs R - see you in 12 months time!"

As I was practically bundled out the door I managed to tell him I'd read a lot about Vitamin D and autoimmune diseases. His face lit up and he said "Oh - there's a lot of research going on. In fact some people even think that a lack of Vit D may start the AI process"  Well sjoggies don't tend to get a lot of sun I said - cos it hurts. "I know!" he said "we could test yours!"

Then I was out of the door and sent to phlebotomy.

The whole things was rushed from beginning to end. I've never had such a rushed appointment. He must only have ordered a test for Vit D because they only took one vial of blood. Usually I get the whole ANA panel done annually. Maybe as I'm 'mild' this is not necessary.

I was pretty tired when I got home and just felt deflated. I don't want hours with the guy - not even half an hour but I'd like to be able to go through 12 months of symptoms (most being the same so it wouldn't take that long)

Next year I'll go with no expectations!

Take care - Scottie 

[Redetha]

What a bummer.  I feel the same way every time I go to mine and wonder why I am going.  Hang in there.  Hugs!

[lelole]

Oh Scottie,

That is so disappointing for you, you must have felt awful.  I wonder what his students thought...

I wonder if he was so busy being the "BIG MAN" for the lowly students he wasn't concentrating on you and your care...

Leah xx

[missyb]

I agree with Leah's obersvation, too busy being a big shot. Had this happen to me before w/ the student's in the room.
Sometime's it works to your advantage b/c they want to do everything by the book and show the students how involved they are, and other time's I've had yourtype of experience happen, one time a very pretty female intern was *really* distracting the endo I was seeing, it  would have been comical had I not had to wait 4 months to get in! LOL

[lesmom]

So sorry to hear about what you had to go through Scottie. Sounds like the neuro I had to go see 2 times. It is so frustrating and they can make you feel so stupid about things. Luckily we know that we are not stupid and that yes indeed something is going on in our body, we just don't know for sure what. Would you have to go to the same rheumy next time?
Keep your head up and hang in there!

Hugs and blessings,
Leslie

[Dolly Dimples]

  Such a shame Scottie..
                                     It's seemed a lot of waste of your time and effort  no wonder you got home flagged out!
     
                             This happens a lot  when one finally makes ones mind up to go see their Doc about something, only to get this same treatment.   One comes home feeling so deflated and so humilitated..   tomorrow may be different!!
                                                                                                                              Dolly

[Chickpea]

Hi Scottie

I wonder what it would take to get a doctor to understand what it means to be a 'patient' patient.  Surely some of them must be in that position once in their lives, and then are changed by the experience?

To wait a year and that's all you get ... frustrating isn't the word!  I wonder whether it would be worth writing to him with a list of symptoms, explaining that you want it included in your file so that it's brought up to date.  (Sub text - things he didn't bother listening to.)  Then you could follow that with the questions you didn't get a chance to ask him.  You could say that you realised how busy his clinic was - as if that was why he didn't bother giviing you more than 5 minutes! - so you're happy to have answers in writing instead. 

If this doesn't work then I'd be tempted to ask for another appointment asap, and possibly with a different rheumy. 

Take care - Chickpea

[wen.uk]

Hi Scottie

I can so understand your anger - we wait ages for these appointments only to be made to feel we should be eternally grateful to be graced by their presence alone!!  I love Chickpea's suggestion, I'm going to remember this in case I need it in future.  I'm quite lucky with my rheumy, she is quite on the ball and happy to listen.  There's also a clinician attached to the unit who is fabulous and will listen for hours - is there one where you go to, you may get more out of an appointment with them if there is.
Wen x

[fluffiebunnie]

Sorry you had a bad appointment - and that is with an official diagnosis!!!  I dont understand how all the appointment system with the GP/hospital works so cant offer any advice, but wanted to say I feel for you.

x

[beverley]

Poor Scottie,

I think everyone has said it all but I will repeat the general consensus - you wait for a whole year and it is reasonable to expect a more thorough check up and some personal attention.  Surely they should have done all the usuals like blood, blood pressure, urine and weight.  Let's face it, once a year is barely enough for these tests.  Go with Chickpea's advice - it's got to be worth it. 

Beverley

[ruby52]

I didn't know that about the thyroid either.At least you heard one bit of news,by accident.I'm considered mild too but I feel like crap more times then not.Why 12mos.?I'm seen 4to 6mos. even by my previous not very good Rheumy.I know we're only one of many passing through in a day but don't they get how we live with an illness and it's very important to us to hear any information they can possibly pass on to make our days have the best quality we can.Grr I'm ticked off for you.
                                                                Ruby

[Scottietottie]

Thanks everyone! 

I might just write to him. I think since I saw him last year I've been dxd withj irritable bladder and I don't think he took in that there is something (even though little) going on with one parotid. Also a cough that he dismiissed last year turned out be be caused by acid reflux. If he'd worked it out then I might not have had the cough for nearly as long as it went on for. The GP figured it out eventually.

Anyway - thanks for the support as ever!   

Take care - Scottie 

[Katybarstool]

Scottie

I just want to kick that man in the pants. I wonder what his student's thought of his 'bedside manner'. Maybe he is just as short with them - obviously his time is too precious to spend it 'doctoring'.

I don't have that problem - I actually dont have any rheummie contact. and haven't had since my diagnosis almost 2 years ago. However, if things get really bad, I will put pressure on to see one, not necessarily the one who diagnosed me though!

Keep our chin up.

Kathyx

[Epson]

Scottie,

Shame on you, do you realize how much each of your questions cost?  That's one more patient that could have been rushed through the office, oh wait, I think I hear something, chaching, chaching, oh it's OK two more are waiting in examining rooms.

Do you know that a doctor recently told me that the hospital does not want the doctors to talk to drug company reps because it takes away from the bottom line, that's one more customer that he could have collected a fee from.  He told me that he see reps anyway so he can get as many free samples as he can, because some of his patients on fixed incomes can't afford to buy their meds.

He also told me that he got a call from another hospital who needed his help to save a man from bleeding to death, but not until he filled out forms explaining why he left the office before he saw his last two patients, that bottom line.

[Scottietottie]

Lol Epson! 

Our docs don't get paid 'by the patient' though - they're salaried.