Rheumy yesterday - what a waste of time.

[Epson]

No Scottie, but the clinic does and they have to justify paying the staff, read what I added to my last post.

[TerriJ]

Scottie,  I hear you loud and clear.  I'm sorry this was less than a productive appointment.  It is frustrating and can leave a person feeling like nothing more than a number or that the doctor is kind of looking over your head at something else.  Invisible...that's the word!  I see a rheumy at a teaching hospital and I mainly see the fellows (pre-rheumy or whatever specialty) and then after the fellow has done the exam and asked questions the real rheumy comes in.  The fellows, because they're learning, do seem to take a bit more time with you.   However, they have to defer to the specialist.  At my last appointment you could tell the fellow actually disagreed with what the rheumy was saying.  He voiced this, but the rheumy absolutely did not listen.  He already had his mind made up.  Why do they have such a hard time believing something that a patient has researched and dismiss it as false?  Like the issue about tinnitus! 

Most of the time I feel like giving up.  I've been diagnosed, but I still don't feel like I'm getting anywhere.  You wait for months for your appointments.  It takes time and energy to get to the appointment, etc. and you're left feeling like you wonder why you bothered.  I hear ya Scottie!

Terri

Terri

[KYMOM]

Almost a waste of time Scottie.  Wonder if there are any Rheumys with Sjogren's out there. Roxanne

[Bucky]

Scottie,

It almost sounds like you are invisible and only a specimen for your Rheumy to show the students. 

What's the doctors phone number?  I'll call him and tell him "hey buddy . . . you don't treat our Scottie like that!!".  I'm sure he will be remorseful and have you return to his office free of charge.     I wish it was that simple.

Is this the only Rheumy you've been seeing?  If he's in a "group", maybe you could see someone else.

Hugs,
Bucky

[ktfabian]

Scottie-

This is one area where I feel myself very lucky.  I may wait in my rheumy's office for an hour and a half, but when my time comes, if I need 45 minutes, I get 45 minutes.  I know for a fact that I was in there at least that long at my May visit.  And i see my Rheumie every 3-4 months.  My gripe is that it can take a week or more to get an answer to a problem phoned in.

But that's why I have the family doc I do.  She's not afraid to step up to the plate when I can get hold of my rheumie and do what she can to hold me over til we get guidance from him, if neccessary.  I did have a backup rheumy was closer to home, about 45min., but after 4-5 visits where he asked, "What is Dr. V doing? Oh, ok" and that was the end of the visit, I stopped going.

I just fired the orthopedic doctor I was seeing for my knee (who did the scope back in Feb).  I got tired of him never coming closer that the door frame to the exam room while his students and PA did all the work.  I never got answers to questions like, why after all this time is my knee still swollen?  So, I just sent a letter asking for my records.  His ego was SO big, it didn't even fit in the door frame - not my kind of doctor. 

I hope you do write your letter and that the jerk realizes he should have taken the time to listen to your concerns while you were there in the office.  Also, I'd make sure the other doctors you see for issues that are most likely related to your Sjs, especially the parotid gland issue and your gastro issues, send him reports from your visits.  That way, you'll at least know that the jerk knows all that's going on with you.

Are you stuck with him or can you request someone else?

Good luck with the letter, I hope it gives him a kick in the pants to remind him that he's there to take care of patients, not show off for students,
Tracy

[Net]

Scottie, sorry too about your bad visit. I think the writing to him would be a great idea. It would maybe open his eyes a bit and definetely  make you feel better too to vent.  I did have an incident with my daughters pediatrian when she was 4 at a checkup. I sent a long letter back telling my dissappointment. Then one of the babies bomped her head and I had to see him the day he happened to get and read the letter. He totally appologized and felt quite bad but our relationship was super after that and he trusted my "mom" judgement a lot more. I also just switched to a new Rheumy( due to all of your help) cuz she was terrible at returning my calls. Had my 1st visit 2 wks ago and he was very nice and thorough and I must have a flag in there from my GP referral cuz he was adiment about telling me that he or his nurses would return calls the same day. So maybe if you sent a letter you'd have a big red flag in there- "listen to me please, what I'm here for and asking you is important". Good Luck and Hugs--Net

[KJ]

You should ask him what his dentist does when he has a cavity.  Does he wait to fix it because it is not so bad yet?  At least it's not a root canal??  If it does not hurt why fix it???  I THINK NOT!
If you have a choice, find someone who will be an investigator into your health and make you feel at peace in their office.  You deserve it Scottie.  I hope it gets better for you dear.

Kellie

[kimbo]

OH I JUST GET FRUASTRTED !!!

Scottie,  What is the situation, that you can not change to a doctor who cares. 

Bucky can fire up that leer jet and all your sjoggie pals are coming to give our momma looks. 

I had my 6 mo visit on Monday. If I did not think mine had a very sharp mind, I would change because he comes across as very bored. My husband and I called him Sargent Friday; to clarify that, ; there was a police TV program, years and years ago, that had an investigator officer , who when he was questioning witnesses, he would say, "Just the facts mam, only the facts."  very straight and mono tone.

Scottie , yours sounds obnotious and bored. It is sad that he is training as an example to students.

When and if my sjogrens get worse or involved, I will go on a search for a new one. Unless mine steps up to bat when I feel I need some relevant answers.

blessings kimbo

[kcoffiner]

I totally understand what your going through. I just came back from an inernist visit and it was a totally waste of money. Infact I want my co-pay back! I told her about my Sjogrens and she was like well I don't treat any of your symptoms you have to see a rheumie for that. She then proceeded to give me the name of a rheumie but when I went out into the parking lot the number was disconnected. I was really hoping to have my evoxac refilled but she didn't know what that medicine was and refused to dispense it. The only thing she did agree with was that i had a whole lot on my plate but was happy my bp was good and I looked fine. I am so sick and tired of people telling me at least I look good. I feel horrible. My mouth is a desert and so are my eyes. I couldn't even read the HIPAA forms my eyes hurt so bad. Right now I am typing downstairs in my house and my Raynauds is flaring. Sorry to vent but I really wish I met a doctor wih this disease then they would understand what happens when we run out of meds.

Sorry again but needed to vent.

K

[jonnell]

Scottie,   It is ashame when us as patients or parents know more about the disease then the doctor.  Sometimes I wonder how they get there license.  Most of the time yo t u have to be the one to tell them whats wrong with you and then they give you the test to prove you wrong and u end up being right(I love that part)  Im sorry you had such a bad experience he probably was just showing off in front of his students.  Chin up     lots of love hugs and kissess   Jonnell and Jenna

[Issey]

Hi Scottie

I did write to my Dr when i felt he had not listened and that the consultants had not `bothered' to listen - I explained how I felt my pains and many symptoms and told him no one can feel this bad and not be ill - although he never replied he certainly treats me with the utmost respect now and we have a wonderful relationship - he even told me at my last visit find me a new rheumy and I will refer you.
I have decided also to write to my ENT as i keep seeing the registrar - I will tell him what I think is wrong and ask for the lip biopsy - but only if `he' does it - not his side kicks:)
Go for it - what you got to lose?
Issey

[gsmraxe]

Scottie,

I know this sounds horrible, but I'd wish him to get multiple AIs and have to go to a doctor as bad as himself. 

He'd change his tune really quickly!!!

[Tryfan]

This is the sort of thing that gets us all going, isn't it!?  I presume you are in the UK, Scottie....I'm going to make a huge generalisation but it is my experience that male doctors here are still buried in a deeply chauvinist culture which says that you are 'somebody' if you are in medicine.  They definitely do not think you have a brain of your own.  I think it comes from an old school mentality and an antiquated and ignorant view of the community they are supposed to serve.  Recently, I was given a questionnaire to fill in on GPs and usually I don't bother but I thought I would and I did.  Trouble is, none of us can afford to get too stressed about all this and we often do that 'letting go' thing but sometimes we do need to stand up for others.  From what I have seen of this site so far, you give so much to others so I'm sorry you haven't been cared for yourself in this instance.   I too think writing is a good thing to do but I would say that any letter you write should be very positive and almost professional, if you see what I mean.  I have written lists in the past and been scoffed at by GPs who have implied it is 'in my head' and the classic, 'you look well enough'... Now, I am thankful I seem to have found a Rheumy who is happy to write quite scathing letters back to them saying that I am not a 'hypochondriac' and that I am 'insightful'!!  I think it is so important to have a mutual understanding and respect and I don't think it is unreasonable to ask to see someone else.  Honesty is good but no guilt or stress attached!  Sorry to go on.....

T

[Patze]

Hi Scottie, boy, ain't that somethin'?  Wait forever and get 3-4 minutes, if you're lucky!  I used to get that with the last endo and the one I saw for a second opinion, both of them ought to go to "how to treat the patient decently" class, dang.  I still can't figure out how they can figure out what is going on if half of the few minutes alloted is spent writing/typing?

I know that rheumy's are hard to come by where you are, but is there any way that you can get to a major medical center?  You might have better luck there.

Hi Kimbo, Sgt Friday does describe the rheumy, just the facts ma'am, no ouch's, just yes and no and no deviating whatsoever, and I wonder why I stick with this guy sometimes.

Take care -

Patze

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I'd just like to thank everyone again for all their input. I haven't written yet - but as I won't see the guy till next year - I have plenty of time. I may wait until I've seen the ENT guy again. I liked him and he can tell me more about whatever is going on with one parotid gland although, admittedly, physically I'm gloriosly unaware of it yet. No swelling - no pain. I know I'm lucky.

I think when term breaks for the summer I may spend a bit of time composing letters to both the rheumy and the truly horrible neurologist I saw last year. (He was worse than the rheumy)

Anyway - THANKS!

Take care - Scottie