Well, I had my Rheumatologist appt. and I can honestly say that I can't remember the last time I've been this angry. I now understand what everyone says about their problems with doctors. He couldn't possibly have been less caring, friendly, or willing to listen to anything I had to say. He said that he didn't see any swelling in my knees so I must be having a good day. I said nope, haven't had a good day in a while. I wanted to point out where the are wierd bulges on my knee when I put pressure on it, but he dismissed me saying that's probably just swelling. Didn't he just say there wasn't any swelling? He then declared that statistically it was most likely some kind of inflammatory arthritis based on the fact that both knees and my wrist hurt. He was uninterested in the fact that the pain changes, there's pain in my leg in addition to my knee, the fact that it started while I was working out, or anything else. I had to beg to get him to do X rays and he refused to do an MRI. He said come back in six weeks. I asked him what in the world am I supposed to do for the next six weeks? Apparently he does not care. I told him that the NSAIDS have not done a thing for me thus far, so he prescribed me another one, Lotine I believe. And he gave me some steroid pack for if I want a few days of relief and then told me to avoid using it if at all possible. He left the room before I was finished talking to him or asking questions. Which leaves me in a lot of pain with no relief in sight. He gave me no advice whatsoever on icing or heating to lessen pain and swelling, whether stretching will help, or if I should try to stay on or off my feet to prevent further damage. I called today and spoke to his medical assistant asking about those things, and if I can take anything on top of the NSAIDS for pain, and she was just as mean as the doctor. I am so ticked off I could throw up. I have already made an appt with an orthopedic doctor for some sort of second opinion.
The sole accomplishment of the visit is they ran every blood test known to man kind. From Hep C, to Lyme's disease, all the rheumatoid tests and everything else. Hopefully I will find some answers there. Thanks for letting me rant. I have more respect everyday for what everyone on this site goes through. You are all some tough people, and I can only hope that I handle whatever comes half as well.
Thanks,
Steph
Oh, Steph, I'm so sorry it was a disappointing visit. We get ourselves all built up for these appointments, hoping for a caring doctor who will listen to us with genuine interest and concern, and then work toward making us feel better. And then we end up with jerks like you have. It has happened to many of us here, and it makes me angry everytime I hear that it has happened to someone else!
I hope you can at least get some answers from your xrays or bloodwork. If not, please look for another doctor. You deserve to be treated by a doctor who cares.
By the way, I think you're pretty tough too. I can tell these things!
It's just so frustrating. The whole point of being a doctor is to help people isn't it? Not to be a condescending jerk and not only not help them, but make them feel like crap in the process!
I hope the next appt goes better. Maybe just was an off day for him?
Maybe it was an off day, but I doubt it. He 100% fit the stereotype of the arrogant, I'm better than you, I'm smarter than you, I don't have time for you doctor. I just don't know how he could have sucked more.
Okay, I'm over it. I'll stop ranting.... for now anway.
Oh I had one of those, except it was a woman! Yeah... she had the "I WILL cure you" attitude. Oh and at one time she told me to walk a mile and I told her I could not and she said "I walk 5 miles every morning before I come into work." Yeah... she told me that.
Hubby did not like her & neither did I!
Oh, hugs!
Dump him!
Pip
Hi Special, really terribly sorry you aren't getting the understanding and support you deserve!! Dang that guy! Ill be right over to give him a piece of my mind......I'm so glad you are gathering information, getting to another doctor and moving on. It is the only way for us to survive this stuff. WE need to be in control!
You can call every day and ask (like you weren't told it would be next week. Humm you forgot?) ...."ARe my test results in yet?, I'm realllly in pain and I need help!" Keep bugging them.
Lynda
So typical. And let's not forget the doctors that get annoyed if you don't "cooperate" and get better within the time frame they've determined is right for you. It makes them feel like a failure and they don't like that (like it's about them anyway!) Fortunately, there are some great doctors out there, based on some of these posts. And, like you said, the good news is you were given complete blood work. That's major. That and the X-rays give you a good head start and finding a different RD is a good idea. Good luck.
Special, I think it's a good idea to move on. Nasty and not willing to listen don't make a good combination.
I am so sorry, all too often this is the way it happens. I hope you find a gem of a doctor, and he will help relieve pain and agony. It is hard enough to have this disease, but even harder when you run into uncaring, unresponsive docs. Sorry!
Special- you have to live with your symptoms so find another Dr willing to help you. I had a really bad rheumy who really didnt care and now I have one who is ten times as busy as the first one but has lots of time to discuss meds, tests and general well being of the body and mind. You deserve a good DR.Steph, you are paying for this doctor to help you and he is not!!! He does sound very arrogant and I know they are out there. Talk to your insurance and tell them about your experience and tell them you have to get relief and go to another doctor. I wish you the best and hope you can get out of pain soon!!! Keep posting, everyone is here for you.
Hugs, Angie