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So I had a fantabulous doctors appointment today. And yes I am being sarcastic.
First off I had to wait an hour and a half because I was the first appointment after lunch and she was at lunch with a medical rep. She actually called the office and told them to tell her patients that she was running a little late. A LITTLE late!!! Give me a break!!!
Then I got in the room and she decided to take another patient before me and had us switch rooms. So we passed in the hall and the other patient and I knew who was first but the docs makes the rules and the other patient said sorry as we passed in the hall.
Then when the doc finally got in room, she was really snippy. We got down to business and asked why I wasn't seeing one of my two other docs that are in the clinic. When I told her that she was the only one available she got even snippier. We were talking about what was going on and she looked down her nose at me through her glasses and said "you know that pain med in not the way to manage chronic pain". So I said ok what is. She said that anti-depressants, exercise, and life style change is the only way. I almost cried.
I told her that I have a dog that I have to walk, but have a hard time getting up the stairs of my apartment building. She said that you may have to move then. WHAT????? So after making me do a bunch of movements, which had me crying by the end she gave me a prescription for Nortriptyline and Vicodin. And told me that I had to choose one doctor and stick with her. I have had two doctors that I have been seeing in the clinic. They have been working in tandem since the one doc had a baby and left to do some research of something. So I choose the one that I feel I can talk to more.
Then I told her that I can only exercise moderately on good days. I have had two major surgeries on each knee, four surgeries all together. I am very limited in what I can do. I am trying to hold on to them as long as I can. If I wear them out too soon I will have to have them replaced. I'm only 45 so I'm shooting for 50 before replacing them. She told me she has heard that excuse before.
So when she started talking about what anti-depressant to put me on I told her that I don't have insurance and she got offended. Like I didn't think she had the best for the patient in mind. Them made the comment "well you come to this clinic so I now you don't have money. But if you have the money to buy the pain killers you have money to buy the anti-depressants." I almost smacked her. That is not what I was saying at all. Just for her to keep in mind that I was paying for this on my own and to try and use one of the cheaper but effective drugs.
When I walked out I asked my hubby who was in the room with me, for a second opinion of the visit, if I had been out of line in anything I had said, that might have rubbed her the wrong way. He said no that I had been nicer to her than I had to him in the last couple of days. lol Had to give him a kiss and make up for that one. lol
The clinic I go to is the Community Health Clinic. It is a clinic that takes all forms of payment and does a sliding scale for those who don't have insurance. When she made that comment about the clinic she made me feel like I was poor white trash. Sorry I hate that term, but it's the only way I can say how she made me feel. Made me feel like I was asking her for charity.
By the time I left I was hurting and so downtrodden that my wonderful hubby took me out for an ice cream. lol
Should I say something to someone about how she made me feel.
Susan ~~ seattlesue
First off I had to wait an hour and a half because I was the first appointment after lunch and she was at lunch with a medical rep. She actually called the office and told them to tell her patients that she was running a little late. A LITTLE late!!! Give me a break!!!
Then I got in the room and she decided to take another patient before me and had us switch rooms. So we passed in the hall and the other patient and I knew who was first but the docs makes the rules and the other patient said sorry as we passed in the hall.
Then when the doc finally got in room, she was really snippy. We got down to business and asked why I wasn't seeing one of my two other docs that are in the clinic. When I told her that she was the only one available she got even snippier. We were talking about what was going on and she looked down her nose at me through her glasses and said "you know that pain med in not the way to manage chronic pain". So I said ok what is. She said that anti-depressants, exercise, and life style change is the only way. I almost cried.
I told her that I have a dog that I have to walk, but have a hard time getting up the stairs of my apartment building. She said that you may have to move then. WHAT????? So after making me do a bunch of movements, which had me crying by the end she gave me a prescription for Nortriptyline and Vicodin. And told me that I had to choose one doctor and stick with her. I have had two doctors that I have been seeing in the clinic. They have been working in tandem since the one doc had a baby and left to do some research of something. So I choose the one that I feel I can talk to more.
Then I told her that I can only exercise moderately on good days. I have had two major surgeries on each knee, four surgeries all together. I am very limited in what I can do. I am trying to hold on to them as long as I can. If I wear them out too soon I will have to have them replaced. I'm only 45 so I'm shooting for 50 before replacing them. She told me she has heard that excuse before.
So when she started talking about what anti-depressant to put me on I told her that I don't have insurance and she got offended. Like I didn't think she had the best for the patient in mind. Them made the comment "well you come to this clinic so I now you don't have money. But if you have the money to buy the pain killers you have money to buy the anti-depressants." I almost smacked her. That is not what I was saying at all. Just for her to keep in mind that I was paying for this on my own and to try and use one of the cheaper but effective drugs.
When I walked out I asked my hubby who was in the room with me, for a second opinion of the visit, if I had been out of line in anything I had said, that might have rubbed her the wrong way. He said no that I had been nicer to her than I had to him in the last couple of days. lol Had to give him a kiss and make up for that one. lol
The clinic I go to is the Community Health Clinic. It is a clinic that takes all forms of payment and does a sliding scale for those who don't have insurance. When she made that comment about the clinic she made me feel like I was poor white trash. Sorry I hate that term, but it's the only way I can say how she made me feel. Made me feel like I was asking her for charity.
By the time I left I was hurting and so downtrodden that my wonderful hubby took me out for an ice cream. lol
Should I say something to someone about how she made me feel.
Susan ~~ seattlesue
You need to report her to a higher up in the clinic staff..I am so sorry you had to go thru that.You are a very worthy person Shame Shame Shame On the Dr.
Why on earth are we treated like this?? I hate it and it pisses me off beyond belief.
Only good thing out of my being pissed is that it helpsme get the energy to clean my house...so off I go....
But you, if you can, find someone else to go to. This doctor/clinic is abusive and you DO NOT deserve abuse. Plus your hubby was there. File a BIG 'OL complaint NOW.
Sorry for the rant...just felt for ya, honey!
Love and peace,
MO
Sadly, I just went through this with a Neurologist a few weeks ago. I wrote my Internist a 4 page letter - word for word- of my terrible experience there and reported him to the Medical board as well.
My Internist supports and believes me...and said that that Neurologist was way off base.
gentle hugs to you...
That was out of line. It borders on inhumane treatment.
Clinics are funded by many sources. I would write a letter detailing your visit, just like in your post. I would call the clinic anonymously, star 67*, and ask for the board of directors address and names. If they ask why say you want to make a contribution to the clinic. They will give you the info. Then mail it to the director of the clinic putting confidential on the envelope.
I can guarantee you will get better treatment after that. If not mail it out to the town officials and your senator.
I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. I agree with Jen about having your husband in the room with you because then it can't be refuted.
Hang in there, Hugs, Keleee :)