After I finish crying. I got the ENT doctor's report today. The neurologist won't send me his until I send money so I suppose I should be grateful I even got this one. But the SOB had the nerve, after confiming that I'm deaf in my left ear and may very well have autoimmune inner ear disease, to say that I seem to be "very preoccupied with all of her symptoms which I think are making things worse for her. I think she needs to accept the fact that she is going to have some problems no matter what is done and that sometimes treatments to try and relieve her symptoms can be worse than the symptoms themselves."
How dare he send this to my RD!!! If he was deaf in one ear and was told he probably has a disease that could deafen the other ear, wouldn't he be preoccupied with the symptoms that seem to indicate the right ear is being threatened? Saying things like he did to my RD could make the RD take me less seriously. That's all I need...to be considered an hysterical female. Damn it, my ears are ringing and the latest audio exam shows loss in the good ear, a little more than four years ago. Isn't that enough cause for concern? Do I have to wait until I'm totally deaf before it's OK to be "preoccupied" with it? Oh, and he sent it to my PCP too! Now I feel hesitant to complain about anything because it will look like I'm "preoccupied" with my symptoms. Obviously, I won't see him again. I wasn't planning to anyway since there was nothing he could do, but the insensitivity is mind-blowing.
Hi Jesse, I'm really sorry that your were treated in such a manner by a "professional" and then to be told that you can't have the report till you send money....first off, that's illegal. A doctor, clinic, hospital can't withhold medical results because you owe them money. PM Mary Blooms and she'll let you know what your legal rights are. Secondly, that's an opinion and not medical results and I would write a letter to the ENT doctor with copies to your RD, primary, and your local medical society. He/she had no right to make the statement that you're preoccupied with deafness. Once again, that's an assumption, based on what, just a few visits or was it only one visit? I assume the referring doctor is also preoccupied with your loss of hearing. What a pompous ass. Don't forget to pm Mary, she'll give you some guidance.
Did he mention being fitted for a hearing aid? Would it help? I don't know, but it's something to research. Keep us posted on what happens. I'd go for the juggler. Lindy
Jesse, I can't imagine your frustration. I do think that if I were in your shoes I would be "preoccupied" with it as well. I know that doesn't help your situation, I wish their was a way I could.Unbelievable. I agee, the guy is a pompous ass. Talk to you other drs about it. They know there are drs out there like this. I had a neurologist do an emg/ncv (incorrectly too) and then practically throw me out the door saying there was nothing wrong with my nerves. I sat in my car and cried, I was so upset. When I tqalked to my pcp about it, she said she would never refer another patient to him and she sent me to another neuro. Hopefully your pcp has treated you long enough that you have some trust in each other.
Anyone who is deaf in one ear, and has problems in the other sure better be preoccpied with it! You only have 2 ears! Cry it out of your system and see if you can get in with another ENT. You need to push on with this until you feel satisfied that you have done everything possible.
Laker
REPORT HIM REPORT HIM REPORT HIM!!!!!!
*hugs* What a horrible thing to say to someone who's losing one of their BASIC SENSES!!! He's not only crazy, he's an ASS.
OF COURSE you're preoccupied with it. Was that a JOKE??? Someone should chop his damn arm off, and ask him how "preoccupied with it" he is.
I'm sorry, that just really made me made!!! Report him, PLEASE. If not for your own peace of mind, but for the next person and the next and the next. *hugs*
[QUOTE=Jesse88] I think she needs to accept the fact that she is going to have some problems no matter what is done and that sometimes treatments to try and relieve her symptoms can be worse than the symptoms themselves."
[/QUOTE]
Jesse, I'm so sorry for everything that is going on, but I want to point out something from a different angle about this quote. I think this is for your rheum, not you. I think the ENT is saying 'back off, your treatment is worse than the symptoms'.
I know you have to worry about progression, not just symptoms, but I think the ENT is looking at it differently.
This is just coming from my personal experiences, with doctors who are not rheums or who are treating other family members, expressing their opinions of rheumatology meds.
I dunno Suzanne, I read that as "get over it, quit whining, and stop asking for medicines, because they'll probably only make it worse"
But thats just me. Thanks Lin, I will contact Mary Blooms. It's not uncommon here for doctors' offices to demand copying and mailing fees and in this case they want .00 for one or two sheets of paper, but for what doctors charge, I would think they could afford that small expense. I don't owe them any money otherwise, so I think it stinks. Still, that's nothing compared to the anger I'm feeling over the doctor's shoddy assessment after only ONE 15 minute visit.
I have been told a hearing aid is useless for my deaf ear (although I was talked into buying one anyway by a unscrupulous audiologist soon after my DX) because of the type of loss that it is. This doctor's audiologist said the new loss in my good ear now warrants a hearing aid but the ENT doctor disagreed. I happily latched on to the ENT's opinion and have not gotten a hearing aid for the right ear yet. I'm trying to put it off as long as possible, though I know it's inevitable.
While I was posting this my daughter called. She agrees I should report this SOB. My concern is, since all the doctors talk to each other, won't it make the others want to avoid me if I make trouble for one of their cronies? I'll have to think about that.
Suzanne, you had an interesting take on it and I would agree except that he offered me an antidepressant to help with the tinnitus in my deaf ear. I told him I didn't want it. I've learned to deal with it and I don't want any more drugs than I have to take, unless it's going to stop the progression of the disease, which it won't. What I didn't realize is that other doctors may have a negative opinion of drugs prescribed by RDs. He didn't think the Plaquenil was causing the ringing, so I don't really know where the SOB is coming from.
Well, your posts really help. As angry as I am, I can't help but analyze what he said and wonder if there's any truth to it at all, but no. I'm more than half deaf already and he's still an SOB. Your posts help to confirm that. I'm very grateful to each of you.
Not all doctors are like that. And sure they talk to each other, but that doesn't mean they like each other. :) They're human too!!!!
Do you know any sign language? Not trying to scare you, but you might want to pick up some basic signs, they could come in handy! I have a great learning book, if you'd like it I will gladly mail it to you. :) Just PM me!
Katie, that's a very generous offer but I'm not ready to go that route yet. I'm hopeful that either this can be stopped or the type of loss in the right ear would benefit from a hearing aid if/when it comes to that. And I would look into a cochlear implant for the deaf ear too. I think that would work if all else failed. So I still have some options. But I really and truly appreciate the support you and the others have offered me. Lin, Linnc, Laker, Katie, Suzanne, bless your hearts, every one of you. Anytime!! I have it cause it facinates me and I have learned a bit! (it really is amazing) I don't use it though, and so, as the saying goes I'm losing it. LoL
*hugs*
Hey Jesse. What would happen with the ringing in your ear if you do lose the hearing? Would the ringing still be their since it isn't coming from the outside? And what would an implant do to that?
See that is kinda why I do not like to complain to doctors about my problems. I do not want to be seen as a hypochondriac or someone "preoccupied with their symptoms". It kinda works for me to be that way. I mean some might not see me as being proactive in my treatment, but I trust the abilities of the doctors and if I do not feel like they are doing a good job, I usually dump them and find a new one. But sometimes, like old RD, I am stuck with them.
Jesse, I hope you are feeling a little better about it now. I hope his "repost" will not cause you any trouble with your other doctors.
Much Hugs!
Snowowl, I like that "cast a spell" part. But I was thinking of a different part of his body and it's not his leg or ear.
Joonie, I'll definitely be dumping this doctor. I can understand why you're hesitant to tell your doctors too much. Once bitten, twice shy.
Jesse, I am so sorry that happened to you. I have worked around doctors and surgeons for years and you can physically see them become more calloused everyday due to bad seeds, attention seekers and medicine seekers. Sometimes I just wanted to scream "If what you are doing, makes you so desensitized that you can't treat each patient well, then get a new freakin' job!" But it happens and I am so sorry that you found one running that course. If you don't report him, I certainly can see your hesitation, just know that for every bad one, there is a good one. I would voice my concern to my doctor about his report and see how sensitive he is to it. He may surprise you and agree that he has a very calloused attitude towards your case. It is very competitive in the doctor world, and if he knows what is good for him, he will not send anymore patients to him again. Again, I am so sorry and I hope you get to feeling better soon!
HE OFFERED YOU AN ANTIDEPRESSENT for tinnitus! What am I missing? I know it's been a long time since I worked as a nurse but this is the first time that I've heard of an antidepressent for tinnitus. I guess it could be the drug of choice but........seems rather drastic. I thought that you owed money and they were withholding the testing results until payment. I understand now that it's a "copying and handling" charge which is freakin' bogus. The neurologist has to forward a copy to the referring physician. Can you get the results from the referring physician? Lindy
[QUOTE=LinB]HE OFFERED YOU AN ANTIDEPRESSENT for tinnitus! What am I missing? I know it's been a long time since I worked as a nurse but this is the first time that I've heard of an antidepressent for tinnitus. I guess it could be the drug of choice but........seems rather drastic. I thought that you owed money and they were withholding the testing results until payment. I understand now that it's a "copying and handling" charge which is freakin' bogus. The neurologist has to forward a copy to the referring physician. Can you get the results from the referring physician? Lindy [/QUOTE]
Antidepressants, antianxiety meds and anticonvulsants are frequently used to treat tinnitus if other correctable problems (high blood pressure, tumor, etc) are ruled out and it is bothersome to the patient.
Google it.Hi Jas, the anticonvulsants I knew about, but hadn't heard of the other. I am going to google it, am very curious about the relationship between tinnitus and antidepressants. Thanks, Lindy
[QUOTE=LinB]Hi Jas, the anticonvulsants I knew about, but hadn't heard of the other. I am going to google it, am very curious about the relationship between tinnitus and antidepressants. Thanks, Lindy[/QUOTE]
My dad has tinnitus... his doctor wanted to try an antidepressant. Dad said Hell No because he ain't f***in crazy (dad has a way with words)
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I totally agree w/ everyone, he's an ass... and no to start filing reports to other drs, is totally unacceptable, and making you pay.. arghh.
ohh by the way, I'[m over 50 % deaf, in each ear.. Closed Captioning is great!!
I've been very hard of hearing since i was a kid.... and it wasn't until i was 18!!!!
that a dr finally figured this one out!! gawd!!
and it took even longer for the many therapists to figure out i'm bipolar..so i'm not that impressed w/ a drs.. shrug..
if you feel you're sick, then you keep going until you find someone that helps you.
Of course, you're concernecd about your health and hearing!!! duh.. who wouldn't be..
he's an insensitive clod.... ahh venting, lol
Well, at least you now know to change drs.. and as far as saying anything, the other drs/ nurses Will know his REAl rep.. they might not tell you, but they'll know.,..
so don't worry about what he says.
Schell, what you said about doctors becoming desensitized could be the answer. This particluar ENT is nearing retirement. He's probably burnt out and it was at my expense this time. I think I will discuss this with the RD and watch his reaction carefully. I need to know if I'm still being taken seriously. So far I don't think there's any problem that way, but this ENT letter could cause some doubt. I think I'm going to pay my .00 and get the neuro report. I had asked the RD office to forward it along with my current labs, but they didn't.
Hillhoney, thanks for the doctor rating site. You can be sure I'll be posting there TODAY.
Whispered, I think I'm starting to get your less-than-impressed attitude about doctors too. It seems you have good reason and the more I deal with them, the more disgusted I become. Things like "She's preoccupied with her symptoms" and "You can go off prednisone cold turkey, no problem" are just two recent occurrances that are making me angry and distrustful.
Anyway, I'm feeling a bit better today, although still angry. You've all be wonderful. Thank you for your support, advice and information. Hugs to all of you.
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