A Bunch of BS... that is what it is! | Arthritis Information

That is right it is a bunch of cow sh*t! I am tired of retarded ass doctors.

I go to the cardiologist and I am there for almost 2hours and I did not even get to see the cardiologist. I only got to his Nurse Practicioner and she was not even in the room with me for 5 mins and asked a couple of questions and then said he would be in to see me.

Then I wait another 30mins and then a nurse comes in with a paper and says I am scheduled for another EKG on Monday. And that I have a follow up appt in 6 months.

Yeah... that is right 6 months!!!!!

I am canceling my EKG for Monday, as I have no one to take me. Hubby is home from work today because he has the stomach virus and probably no more vacation days. I am not waiting to bother anyone else with taking me to it either. I am tired of wasting other peoples time.

I did find out that the bubble test came back good, no bubbles. So... I guess that means I did not have a TIA beginning of the year. Then what the HELL was it? Just rapid pulse & a little high Blood pressure?

I have already wasted enough peoples time trying to figure this crap out. I give up! I am tired of going to doctors and not getting any answers and just more testing and wasting other peoples time.

So that is it. I am done with the cardiologist. I am done taking blood pressure meds and I am JUST D-O-N-E!

They did not even give me anymore blood pressure pills. So... I guess... when I am done with what I have I am done. The nurse said he probably wants to wait until the results of my EKG to RX me meds, but I highly doubt it. As last time, they done nothing to change my meds and so why would they now?

I am done. Maybe if I get sent to the ER again, they will take my problem a little more serious. The jackasses!!

And because I did not like not seeing the cardiologist.... I did not pay my co-pay. They can just bill me for it. I am not paying to see a nurse practioner who seems to know squat and just asks a couple of questions and that is it!

Everyone says this cardiologist is a good one, well I would not know as I have only seen him once out of 2 visits. And so far... I liked him, and I did not like his nurse practioner.

So... I am done with cardiologist.

Sorry for your frustration. Hope it works out.Joonie, I mean, I can understand why you're mad, but I don't think it's a good idea to just quit your cardiologist. Maybe you can find a different one who isn't so busy. But don't just quit.That was outrageous treatment! I don't blame you for feeling so frustrated but please- you just can't stop taking your meds or swear off doctors. Please try a new one. We care too much about you to let you risk your health like this!Joonie,

I know you are frustrated, but not taking your bp meds is immature and dangerous. if you don't like this cardiologist, find another. Be proactive, ask questions, this is your health.[QUOTE=Phatgirl2]Joonie,

I know you are frustrated, but not taking your bp meds is immature and dangerous. if you don't like this cardiologist, find another. Be proactive, ask questions, this is your health.[/QUOTE]

Good Advice Phats2

did you ask the NP any of the questions? did you ask to see the cardiologist?Girl you can't just stop taking Coreg. At the very least go see your regular doctor ASAP. Hi Joonie, unbelievable! Please take your meds and see your reg DR. No wonder you have high blood pressure, do not pay his bill! Regards Janie. PS> Hows the headache? I get usually most mad when i see good doctors. I am confusing and they say and do stupid things. I have gone to dentist all year and they won't do anything sometimes till i am near death with infection. I wait and wait for RD appiontments and they usually rial me up bad. Because they don't listen.

Well I really like my ortho. He thinks i am a mess but really wants to help. I hope it gets better for you Joonie. Maybe it is the medicine and it needs to be switched? But i hope you get answers and get better soon. It takes a long time to get into see a specialist. Even if your dieing it seems eighty people got there first. Or maybe more.

I get that you are frustrated and it is always worse when you are a patient and need answers, but I can tell you --- you are really NOT going about this the right way !!!!

It would be really irresponsible of you to come off your meds 'cold turkey' and without the support of a medical team -- if you do this you become your own worst enemy.

Just remember not everyone is so uncaring and cold hearted, there are good doctors out there, but it sometimes takes time to find one. For me - I have a good PR GP now, but I went through 3 rheumatologists before I found one I liked (and my doctor isn't one of them); in fact one rheumatologist I was referred to wasn't interested in my history or looking at Xrays, but within 4 minutes came up with a possible diagnosis, and spoke to me as though I was some kind of inferior being, so I just stood up and walked out of his office, and refused to pay his bill.

Remember it is no skin off their nose if you stay on your meds or not - they are not the ones with the medical problem - you are!!!

Why cut your nose off despite your face??

Maz-aust2008-12-10 16:21:01Joonie, you cannot go off your Coreg cold turkey. It is a cardiac specific beta blocker and you could have some pretty nasty side effects and some serious heart problems if you go off it. Stay on your meds and try to keep the EKG appt. There must be someone who can get you to that appt. I'm not sure if I missed this, but is there a reason you don't drive? Call the office and tell them what happened and that you had expected to see the cardiologist and was disappointed. If you like the cardiologist, keep going. That is important with your tachycardia. It is important that you make it very clear to them that you see who you expect to see during your scheduled appts. Good luck.Joonie,

I stopped a beta blocker cold turkey once. I ended up in the emergency room. I had a grand mal seizure and apparently had a hard time coming out of it. Scared the heck out of my husband.

i missed the part where you said you were going to quit taking the highblood pressure meds. I know you won't probably do that. So don't do that. I am really thinking like your RD said you didn't have these problems before the infusion. Maybe the switch to Orencia and then your docs could wien you off the blood pressure meds. RIDICULOUS! Do you want me to call and yell at them for you, because I will! So tired of doctors offices. Some are good, but when they are bad...argh! Seriously, just call up and leave a message every day about how you were supposed to see a DOCTOR and you never saw a DOCTOR after 3 hours, that you are going to run out of blood pressure medicine, that everyone is telling you that you will end up in the ER if you go off of it, and maybe ask them for the doctor's number so you can call him when you get to the ER. Sheesh!

It's your heart, so be rude, be b*tchy, whatever--they can't run a practice like that!

[QUOTE=KatieG]RIDICULOUS! Do you want me to call and yell at them for you, because I will! So tired of doctors offices. Some are good, but when they are bad...argh! Seriously, just call up and leave a message every day about how you were supposed to see a DOCTOR and you never saw a DOCTOR after 3 hours, that you are going to run out of blood pressure medicine, that everyone is telling you that you will end up in the ER if you go off of it, and maybe ask them for the doctor's number so you can call him when you get to the ER. Sheesh!

It's your heart, so be rude, be b*tchy, whatever--they can't run a practice like that!

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Settle down a little. First of all, Joonie should have asked, demanded, whatever to see the dr if the NP wasn't good enough. You can't leave a dr's office, come home and b*tch because things didn't go your way. There are always two sides to every story. The bottom line is Joonie needs to step up and take responsibility for her health, no matter what that means. And, to the person who suggested she not pay her bill, that is bullsh*t too. That is exactly why our costs are so high and drs are burned out because of stupid ass sh*t like this.

Grow up!

Hi Phats, that was me who suggested not to pay her bill. I understand why you think that is not the way to do things, but I have worked for years as a medical secretary and also for 12 years for Medicare. If the Dr does not physically see the patient, it is actually against our Medicare rules for him/her to bill the person. I don't know if it is different in America? Joonie would be quite within her rights in Australia not to pay for a Drs consult. Regards Janie.

(Mental process)

I see the bait.

The bait is tempting.

Must. Ignore. Bait.

Well Joonie - morons. I would write a letter and tell him WHY you are switching cardiologists - because of the lack of care, and ask for a complete copy of your records. Keep up with your meds for now, find another one, transfer your records, and keep rowing through the medical bs bog. I have blown through these morons like tissue paper until one, and then two, and then three, four stick. Its a battle finding competent doctors to build your team. It shouldn't be like this. Hang in there, we are pulling for you. Love ~~ CathyI agree that the bottom line is Joonie finding a dr. that works well with her! Joonie, I hope you find somone who meets your needs.[QUOTE=janiefx]Hi Phats, that was me who suggested not to pay her bill. I understand why you think that is not the way to do things, but I have worked for years as a medical secretary and also for 12 years for Medicare. If the Dr does not physically see the patient, it is actually against our Medicare rules for him/her to bill the person. I don't know if it is different in America? Joonie would be quite within her rights in Australia not to pay for a Drs consult. Regards Janie. [/QUOTE]

Janie,

I didn't think about Medicaid issues. I'm just saying that the medical field is like relatives, we all know each other or someone in someone's office, or someone who is married to someone in someone's office. I would hate for Joonie to get blackballed over not paying, non compliance, or whatever.

[QUOTE=janiefx]Hi Phats, that was me who suggested not to pay her bill. I understand why you think that is not the way to do things, but I have worked for years as a medical secretary and also for 12 years for Medicare. If the Dr does not physically see the patient, it is actually against our Medicare rules for him/her to bill the person. I don't know if it is different in America? Joonie would be quite within her rights in Australia not to pay for a Drs consult. Regards Janie. [/QUOTE]

Depends on the practice, the state, and the insurance. Nurse-practitioners can see patients and bill for services, under the supervision of a physician. At my gyne office, it is understood that I will probably be seen by a nurse practitioner unless I specifically ask that I only be seen by one of the physicians. I will then have to wait much longer for an appointment. No worries for me - I love my nurse practitioner. She's able to spend more time answering my questions and discussing things with me. The NPs review everything with the docs; if there is ever an issue beyond their expertise they will pull in one of the docs right away.
I'm with you Jas. I actually love going to the NP. They do seem to spend more time with the patients and I always get a better physical assessment from them.Plus, I work with them so it is always a blast just talking and laughing with them.You owe the money; pay. ARNP can see a patient and deserves the payment. It is up to you to set up guidelines with the practice. You have every right to say you want a cardiologist only, and no ARNP or PA, however, they also may have a policy that the patients get whoever has space on their schedule. You need to ask questions and see if that practice fits your needs.

I know I'm going to take heat for this, but I am sick and tired of patients demanding this or that with an attitude. Try to take a step back and see how you treat these people. Perhaps you are not asking the right questions or not giving the right information. It's best to be organized with your questions when you go into an appt. and not just go in whining. (not saying that's what you're doing...)

[QUOTE=Debrakay]You owe the money; pay. ARNP can see a patient and deserves the payment. It is up to you to set up guidelines with the practice. You have every right to say you want a cardiologist only, and no ARNP or PA, however, they also may have a policy that the patients get whoever has space on their schedule. You need to ask questions and see if that practice fits your needs.

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Couldn't agree more! Unfortunately some patients are non complaint, passive and don't ask any questions. This can make for a frustrating visit for all parties involved.

[QUOTE=Phatgirl2][QUOTE=Debrakay]You owe the money; pay. ARNP can see a patient and deserves the payment. It is up to you to set up guidelines with the practice. You have every right to say you want a cardiologist only, and no ARNP or PA, however, they also may have a policy that the patients get whoever has space on their schedule. You need to ask questions and see if that practice fits your needs.

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Couldn't agree more! Unfortunately some patients are non complaint, passive and don't ask any questions. This can make for a frustrating visit for all parties involved.

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Agree 100%.: As a business owner I would'nt repond well to a non-payer. Call the office and let them know you were disappointed in the visit. Ask them if you could fax them questions or concerns you have that you didn't ask at your visit. (most doctor don't know who pays and who skips out, they have a service that collect for them)

Hummmm....

Well... I would 1st like to say... I was very PISSED OFF. I had been up ALL night and all afternoon with no sleep. It is that time of the month. And I had another one of them headaches.

I was to see the cardiologist. This is how it works. The NP comes in asks a few questions writes it all down and then the real Dr comes in and goes over it with you and talks to you about it in more depth.

When that other nurse came in with the EKG appt papers the Dr came in right behind her and then she told him something. He looked at my file and walked to the door and another nurse told him he was to be in the other room next to mine.

He knew he was to be in my room talking with me, but they had him go to the other patients room, as they were having me leave.

I had one of them very bad headaches again while I was there. So, I was kinda like a dying dog and just wanted to "lay" there. I told the NP about my headaches, and she did not seem interested. Just said "Ummm..hummm..".

I did tell the nurse I needed more meds. She said that he would probably RX me different ones after my EKG. Well... how am I suppose to tell him about how I feel and that I need meds that insurance will pay for if I do not get to see him at all? My next appt is in 6 months.

And and as for the co-pay. I only owe a .

I am still taking my BP meds. I was just really pissed off. Not like the BP meds I am on now is really working, for my REAL problem.

I am going to the EKG. My hubby said he will just take half a day on Monday. So, that is a half a day he will lose pay. All because of me and my health.

I cannot drive because I ONLY have a learner's permit. My RA use to be really bad, that I could not drive or would not be a good driver because of the lack of ROM and so on. So... I just stayed with a learner's permit. I have to renew it next year. If my RA keeps doing well, like it has since starting infusions, then I will probably try for my license.

But it really was a bunch of BS yesterday. Well... at least I did get an answer on the bubble test. I even told the NP that I needed my pulse under control, because if it was rapid when I went for my infusion again, they would not give it to me. She said ok, the dr will be in to see you. But he never stayed and talked.

I laid in bed crying all day yesterday. My head hurt, my eyes hurt, I was tired, and I did not get much of anything accomplished yesterday in terms of why I went there!

It is just so frustrating! My RA is FINALLY doing WELL, and it is all about to be pissed away again because of my rapid pulse that no one seems to want to try to find out why.

I guess I better start getting use to being swelled, stiff, inflammed, lack of ROM, and all that "nice" stuff that happens when my RA is out of control. I just hope ya'll are ready to hear & see all my problems again.

Oh and they said if I needed anything to go to my GP. What the heck! My GP sent me to them because he could not help me anymore! DUH!!! Morons!
Write down all of your concerns and questions. Call the office back and ask to speak with the cardiologist. Explain to them that you weren't feeling well yesterday and still have several unanswered questions that you need answered. If that doesn't work, then see if your primary care doc or your rheumatologist can help you sort this out. Either of them should be able to pick up the phone and have a chat with the cardiologist. I would think the rheumatologist, in particular, would want to chat with the cardiologist since your cardiac issues may potentially impact your rheumatology treatment plan.

I know it's a frustrating pain in the behind to sort all this stuff out, but you're harming no one but yourself and your family if you don't. Joonie
did you speak up when the cardiologist was walking out of the room? You have to take control in situations like that...headache or no headache. You shouldn't have left until you had all your concerns and questions addressed. In a medical situation the passive patient loses out
I am sorry your appointment went so badly. I tend to get more stressed out with a specialist-especially not one I am used to seeing. I know how my RD's office works-no questions there. But, I would also be confused with the DR NP situation.

I am glad you are getting the EKG done. Can't mess with the heart-especially when we have little ones.

Take care!!!
[QUOTE=Debrakay]
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No heat from me. I totally agree. I work in a non profit hospital in an affluent community. I had a patient one time ask me which night we serve prime rib...and I had to wonder...Are there hospitals that actually do that? Now the big thing is bottled water. Patients say....You are giving me water out of the tap? LOL. Its funny how we have become. We are spoiled and yes, it all comes with an attitude. Maybe a trip to a remote village clinic in Africa would cure a bit of it.The UW-Madison hospital foodservice operates like room service. The food is good and the patients get what they want (within reason) when they feel like eating. It was a godsend when my brother was in the hospital - he had almost no appetite whatsoever and had his internal timeclock all mixed up. He slept right through normal dinnertime; he woke up and was mildly hungry later that evening. He was able to get a hot and decent meal of his own choosing, which he did eat a fair amount of.

Regular hospital food tends to be a disgusting amalgam of yuck - how is that good for anyone?
And some hospitals use the foodservice as a profit center - you can have the "regular menu" included with the price of your room, or you can order off the "room service" menu for an additional cost. Almost pure profit. SnowOwl - we refer to Madison as "20 square miles surrounded by reality" I used to live in Madison also! College days. [QUOTE=SnowOwl] [QUOTE=JasmineRain]SnowOwl - we refer to Madison as "20 square miles surrounded by reality"[/QUOTE]

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That is cute. We call Montana...Poverty with a View.
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