Does anyone ever get frustrated with Doctors

[TheHendrixFamily]

Well I got back from seeing my new neurologist yesterday. Finally found out exactly what was wrong with me. Occipital Neuralgia. He gave me a shot of steriods and a nerve block in the back of my head(left side) and within 15 minutes the pain was slowly fading I felt better than I had in 3 months. He also started me on depakote and maxalt. And gave me a prescription for PT which he said would include massages, water treatment and a few other things that would help the inflamation of the nerve.

Well afterwards we went into the office and he told both DH and myself that this was most likely caused from a nasty fall and concussion I had recieved in June. He also said the damaged nerve probably caused my vision problams and hearing loss. Then he noticed that on my paper work I had said I got the fall at work and even though workers comp had signed off of the case saying my headaches were not caused by that injury He told me he could not see me anymore cause he does not deal with workers comp cases.

I really liked this DR. He was the first DR in a while who treated me like a human. All the doctors my work sent me to treated me like I was out for DRUGS.

I don't look like a lot of 33 yr old moms. I look young for my age

I have waist length hair several piercings from my earlobes and tongue to my cartlidge and tragus and tattoos from an armband to a soon to be completed full back piece. I know the way I look is my choice. But why do people have preconcived notions that if you look a certain way you do certain things. Thats like thinking anyone on a motorcycle is a drug doing and dealing thug who would cut your throat in a heartbeat. I'm sorry but some of the nicest people I have meet are on this board and on motorcycles.

I'm sorry to ramble on but I just needed to vent a lot of steam.

 

[Nanajo1]

Amber,
I'm sorry you are treated with such predjudice. When will we stop judging by looks? Did that Dr refer you to another Dr. He had started treating you and he can not abandoned you. So he must make sure you are getting treatment from another Dr or continue to treat you himself. I know you don't want to appear threatening but do ask who he is turning your case over to for continued care. Contact your state Medical Board for help.
I hope the steroid injection helps. PD is coming your way.

 

[Michigan]

Just a little side note you need to have blood work done every 3 to 4 months when you take Depakote to check your liver function and if you are thinking of having anymore children don't do it while on Depakote you have a high risk of having a child with Spina Bifida.

 

[SueM in MN]

The other posters are right that he can't just abandon you. He needs to refer you on to someone else for treatment or continue to treat him yourself. Especially since he prescribed some medication for you that needs follow up.
On your other point, it is too bad that people are judged on their appearance. One of the sweetest, nicest guys in the hospital where I work spends his weekends playing in a heavy metal band called "Impaler". People who see him in his rock gear would certainly have different idea of who he is than those who just see him during the week.
There are a few things that I think should be required viewing by everyone. One is the movie called "Mask" that stars Cher as the mom of a boy with an illness that gives his face a mask-like, lion-like appearance. All their friends ride motorcycles, so the boy has a lot of stereotypes against him. It's based on a true story.
Another movie is "The Elephant Man," based on the true story of a man in the late 1800s who was rescued from a side show.
I'd also make people watch a new show that is on MTV, called "Flipped". The show I saw yesterday involved a teenaged girl who thought she was "not a 10; at least an 11 or 12". She and her friends spent most of their time shopping and made fun of people who were not as pretty as they were, especially anyone who was heavier. The show told her that she was going to be a host of an MTV fashion show for the day, visiting trendy shops and a fashion shoot. The part they didn't tell her was that she would do it while she was dressed in a "fat suit".

Well, anyway, here's some pixie dust to you to be able to stay with the physician you like or at least to be referred to one who will treat you as a person.

 

[mhopset]

"Get Frustrated?" Let me tell you about frustration. Speaking of Doctors, I go see mine tomorrow. Ok, he sends me to a PT who tells me I should take aqua therapy. Ok, fine, but how do you suggest I get out of the pool at the local Hotel that is the only place in my area with a pool. Needless to say that didn't happen. Then the doc sends me to PT and the Pt has no idea what to do with me. I was his prodigy. He was going to help me. WHAT A JOKE!!!!I haven't gotten up on my own in 10 years. Now I understand if Jesus was my PT I would probably get up on my own. LOL, but since he isn't I'm not going to be your miracle child. And, why is it the first thing the Docs do is sit down and start writing before they even ask you anything? I don't get it. How can you see me every 3 months and still not know my name. Am I paying for this? . Oh well wish me luck tomorrow, or should you wish the doctor luck. LOL

 

[teri]

Amber,
I would certainly be back in touch with the neurologist and make sure that he follows up on the medications he has prescribed, or that he refers you to another doctor who is competent to follow up. You wouldn't want this fine doctor, who has discovered the source of your problem and helped relieve your pain, to get into trouble for not following up on your case.

As for the workmen's comp issue, perhaps you can work out a compromise. If you have documentation of the fall, and symptoms started then and have continued, and you are relieved by the treatment that this doctor is giving you, and the treatment results in your being able to fully return to work or participate in rehabilitation, then it should be a learning experience for EVERYONE involved. I would be on the phone with human resources asking about getting an advocate to help with the insurance issues, take that pressure off the doctor. The doctor just doesn't want to get involved in litigation which detracts from his ability to do his practice. Fine. If your company has an Employee Assistance Program or other employee advocacy system, they may be able to assign a case worker to do the negotiating for you. That takes the pressure off you to do the negotiating, and off the doctor to serve as an advocate which he is not prepared to do. Something to look into!

{{{hugs}}}

 

[Tiggerish]

If I understand your post correctly, your new dr. thinks your problem is related to the work injury. If that is the case, get yourself to a GOOD lawyer who specializes in the workers comp for your state. Most worker comp laws are complicated but designed to be in favor of the employee if you know what is what and how to handle the system. For example, you may be able to pay the dr. direct and then get reimbursed by the comp carrier within a very short period.

Please don't give up if this dr. is actually helping you.