Today, I went to see Dr. Whosonfirst, the hand doc, that my Rheumy referred me to because HE couldn't diagnose whats going on with my hand joints and a problem in my wrist. I found this rather disconcerting to begin with - a Rheumatologist (Johns Hopkins grad-30yrs in the biz) who cannot diagnose a hand joint condition or order films if he isn't certain. Geez!
I'd been in pain for weeks and Rheumy wouldn't give me an injection because he wanted his colleague to see my joints in all their swollen spendor so, I was highly anticipating this appt. for some clarification and hopefully, some imminent, temporary relief.
I got stuck for an hour in rush traffic on the freeway. Geez!
I waited an hour past my appt. time to see Dr. Whosonfirst. Geez!
When he entered the exam room, he said, "There must be a mistake here". "I'm a doctor of sports medicine, not a hand surgeon." I reply that I'm not there for eval for hand surgery, only for (as stated in my referral letter) a diagnosis of the nodules on my fingers and the swelling on the dorsal aspect of my hand and, since he's a doctor of sports medicine, he should certainly be able to at least diagnose the swelling/pain symptoms in the tendons of my hand-take a film-do something. But Noooooo.....he insists that I need to see HIS colleague, Dr. Whatsonsecond, the hand surgeon. Geez!
Then, he gives me this look that says, I'm smart-You're stupid and says, rather disdainfully, "You've already seen several doctors for your RA, haven't you?". I have all I can do to keep from verbally eviscerating this person and reply that I certainly didn't seek him out on my own. I was referred. Geez!
On Monday, I'll be seeing Dr. Whatsonsecond, the hand surgeon. In the mean time, I'll be seriously considering changing rheums.
The only positive thing that came of this morning's series of unfortunate events was that the scheduler gave me a get out of ramp free card for my wasted time. Retail value-.50.
K.
ohh man katalina that totally sucks!! sorry you had such a rotten day.
heres hoping you get to see a Fantastic wonderful hand dr, tht can help and I'd report that dr to his supervisor for his behavoir..
Seriously! I would.. sometimes they really do listen and that dr needs a kick to even look down at you that way.
(((((((((((((katalina)))))))))))))))))))))
Don't you just Hate days like that. Wow .50 ( I remember when that would buy something.)But you tell the story with such humor. I would have laughed if I didn't feel so bad for ya. < =text/>_popupControl();Wow…just wow. I really do not know how you held your tongue and did not verbally eviscerate that idiot. Wow…just wow.
It is a shocking disappointment when you do not get the relief and the answers that you want when you are expecting that to happen. I am very sorry that this has happened to you.
I think that you are on the right track with looking for a new rheumy. It really doesn’t matter how much schooling a doctor has had or where they went to school. You know what they call the person that graduates last in their med school class don’t you? “Doctor”.
I really don’t know what to say to you to be honest with besides I’m really sorry this happened to you. I am hoping that they actually get you to the right doc on Monday and that you get the answers that you so deserve and need.
((((hugs))))
Doesn't it really make you mad that he will get paid for that visit - and probably A LOT!Katalina,
I am sorry you are having such a bad time with your docs!!!! Sometimes I think they are the biggest idiots!!!! I hope your hand doc is not an idiot, and helps you.
My RA doc who has really been trying to help me since I started seeing him...well at my last appointment he says I see here you are diabetic, who is you doctor for that? I said you are....
Sending you a hug!!!!
To Linncn:
Thank you for noticing that emotionally, about all I have left to work with here, thus far, is the humor in some of these situations.
I actually LMAO for a short period, on the way home, thinking of some of the ridiculousness of the morning's turn of events.
K.
You do have a lovely turn of phrase. Fingers crossed for a successful visit on monday... no pun intended with the fingers crossed bit
Ya gotta love the run around we get on a NORMAL basis. I am so sorry, and Like Link said...at least you have a sense of humor.
Gosh, get the Doc Whatson's straight will ya,...Geez!