Lyme Disease Support Group
Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the Northern Hemisphere. It is now one of the fastest growing infectious diseases in the U.S. Lyme disease is caused by infection with the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria, and is primarily transmitted to humans as well as dogs, horses and other domesticated animals by the bite of infected ticks.
((Yes, I do have a LLMD I will see soon....this is separate from that, tho...))
In my lifetime, I have never, ever done this. I actually fired my PCP today.
Part of me feels liberated...and I feel absolutely no guilt. I am very easy to feel at fault on things and feel guilt easily....but not today.
I had to go in today to pick up my medical records for the upcoming MS appt. (I dont believe for a minute I have MS). Just more running around to do. But, I will follow thru and go anyway.
The (PCP) doc saw me from accross the building today....ran up to me and asked how I was doing and if I would shake his hand. I looked him in the eyes and said no.
Didnt shake his hand.
He saw me signing the medical release forms and got squirmy. Asked if I was transferring to another doc. I said yes. He asked if I wanted to talk about it/things...I said no.
I handed him a letter I wrote terminating him as my PCP and asked him to better educate himself on Lymes for the sake of future patients. I mentioned the outdated protocols, the ineffective testing, the fact that he didnt know what a herxheimer reaction was and well, everything. I also mentioned the political nature of this situation; and called him on that.
I mean, this is a doctor, who on 2 separate visits offered me FOOD instead of care. And told me if I do have Lymes, I am "screwed" I went in one day obviously herxing like a son of a bitch and scared out of my mind...couldnt walk, talk...yet this doc refused to TOUCH me....I mentioned was this a herx??....he asked what is a herx....I had to explain it to him.
Yet another follow up appt, where he told me I now have MS....he refused to do anything until I had to actually force the MS referral....and yet, again...he doesnt examine me...my swollen glands, my gait disturbance, drooping eyelids,fever etc....he hastily wrote the referral and offered me food again....that is the day he told me I was screwed if it is lymes.
Guess what....he ended up calling me later in the day today and left a voice message asking me to call him back. He seemed a bit shaken; was pleasant with the voice mail and calm.
I am not sure what to do at this point. Is this a good faith effort on his part?? I dont know.
Im not returning to his office anyway...
Well, just wanted to share. It helped to have the bravery enough to confront him in person like that. I was calm and reserved...not bitchy....just frank, forward and to the point.
I pray for the treatment and proper testing for this disease...and all the political mess to get straightened out. Everyone with this disease deserves the dignity to get well and live happy lives.
In my lifetime, I have never, ever done this. I actually fired my PCP today.
Part of me feels liberated...and I feel absolutely no guilt. I am very easy to feel at fault on things and feel guilt easily....but not today.
I had to go in today to pick up my medical records for the upcoming MS appt. (I dont believe for a minute I have MS). Just more running around to do. But, I will follow thru and go anyway.
The (PCP) doc saw me from accross the building today....ran up to me and asked how I was doing and if I would shake his hand. I looked him in the eyes and said no.
Didnt shake his hand.
He saw me signing the medical release forms and got squirmy. Asked if I was transferring to another doc. I said yes. He asked if I wanted to talk about it/things...I said no.
I handed him a letter I wrote terminating him as my PCP and asked him to better educate himself on Lymes for the sake of future patients. I mentioned the outdated protocols, the ineffective testing, the fact that he didnt know what a herxheimer reaction was and well, everything. I also mentioned the political nature of this situation; and called him on that.
I mean, this is a doctor, who on 2 separate visits offered me FOOD instead of care. And told me if I do have Lymes, I am "screwed" I went in one day obviously herxing like a son of a bitch and scared out of my mind...couldnt walk, talk...yet this doc refused to TOUCH me....I mentioned was this a herx??....he asked what is a herx....I had to explain it to him.
Yet another follow up appt, where he told me I now have MS....he refused to do anything until I had to actually force the MS referral....and yet, again...he doesnt examine me...my swollen glands, my gait disturbance, drooping eyelids,fever etc....he hastily wrote the referral and offered me food again....that is the day he told me I was screwed if it is lymes.
Guess what....he ended up calling me later in the day today and left a voice message asking me to call him back. He seemed a bit shaken; was pleasant with the voice mail and calm.
I am not sure what to do at this point. Is this a good faith effort on his part?? I dont know.
Im not returning to his office anyway...
Well, just wanted to share. It helped to have the bravery enough to confront him in person like that. I was calm and reserved...not bitchy....just frank, forward and to the point.
I pray for the treatment and proper testing for this disease...and all the political mess to get straightened out. Everyone with this disease deserves the dignity to get well and live happy lives.
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theatre and I are there already. I'm having a very berry tea with crackers, cheese and cherry tomatoes and she's having a joint with some beer and we're both on really comfy recliners on thick pile carpet. we need some help with the decor if anyone is around??
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I'm trying to exercise daily. I was doing fairly well until I sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago but now I'm getting back on the horse. Today I walked over a mile with my arm weights that are about 22lbs total. I was out of shape and it was hard on my arms. I also did my 30 situps. I'm also going to drink a lot of water and try to eat healthy. I do tend to have a sweet tooth but I'm cutting...
If you do call him back, make sure it's for yourself and not to relieve his guilt. You owe him nothing.
Way to go, Cheppie
In his message to me, he thanked me for my note....said he has one thing he is very concerned about and asked me to PLLLEASE call him back.
Here is a doc who yesterday prances up to me and asks me whether I got the spinal tap done yet and what were the results...mmmmmmm, uh....the records went directly to HIM...he should know that already.
Hmmmm, I also had a heavy duty UTI about a month ago..went to urgent care, but the report also went to HIM....it was ME to discover upon reviewing my own report that I had blood in my urine, not to mention bacteria, protein, nitrites, etc....my urine was a mess and there was absolutely NO follow up from his office.
I also discovered in my report high levels of RBC....among other flagged things in my bloodwork that was never discussed with me.
And upon inspecting my medical records, I am appalled to see what he wrote on my file.....he wrote that I was healthy on key points he NEVER examined me on....SOOOO many things he skipped over, yet reported as doing so. I am furious about this.
One small point to make...in his REPORT he claims to have examined my breasts and nipples and reported them to be fine.....he never TOUCHED my breasts!!! How can he report things like that (and the list of other things he didnt examine me on are LONG)...yet reported on.
GRRRR>>>>I am totally upset by this.
It might be a good idea for everyone to get copies of records to go over and question and call things on.
Docs on avg spend, what a whopping 15 minutes with a patient....how can they claim to be throughouh with examinations??
Yes, last night, I left a voice mail back and invited him to return the call ONLY if there is a health concern he has overlooked. Is now 11am and no phone call back yet.
You are right, he needs to call for my health sake, and to not alleviate any guilt he may have.
Thanks again for the support everyone.
I think you handled this situation brilliantly--calm and straight-forward.
After all WE are paying doctors to manage our care. Just as we would not take our car to a shoddy mechanic, we should not settle for a shoddy doctor.
I am so proud of you for firing him, but sorry you needed to.