doctor frustrations

Hi All,

I just got back from seeing my PM and boy am I frustrated! I like the guy, I really do, but he is so hard to talk to. He is very nice but he doesn't really listen to me. I feel like he is always rushing me - which I'm sure he is as he is waaaay too busy, it's unheard of to get in to see him after less than an hour of waiting, and it usually ends up being more like 3 hrs by the time I get out of there. He doesn't really give me much of a chance to talk. He just makes his suggestion & that's it. Fortunately I had brought a list of questions with me today. He kept starting to leave, and I would be like "WAIT, I still have another question!" He was always very talkative when it came to discussing procedures, but seeing as we have exhausted just about all the options, and we are just adjusting meds, he doesn't seem to care. Well, he does care somewhat, but he really just wants to get me in & out the door. I don't know if any of it has to do with the fact that I am so young, although I suspect not because my pcp gave me the impression that this guy has a reputation for being this way.

I'm thinking about switching doctors, to my pcp. He has told me in the past that he is willing to take over my pain management. My pcp is REALLY easy to talk to, and genuinely cares. He also seems to be more open minded than my PM. The trouble is, I feel bad if I switch because I do like my PM as a person, but I'm just sick of leaving his office every couple of weeks extremely frustrated, feeling like I'm no better off than I was before. I think I'm going to talk to my pcp when I see him next week and see what he thinks... Anyone have any opinions, or been in this kind of situation before?

Skeye

Post Edited (skeye) : 11/19/2008 6:36:43 PM (GMT-7)

Skeye,
After reading your post I found myself thinking that (please don't take this wrong!!) consider yourself lucky re: doctors. You really do have two doctors wiling to help deal with your pain; your pm doc and your pcp.

Now I hear that your PM isn't listening and responding the way you want him to, but he did increase your oxy, and he's probably trying to see how long the higher dose lasts and then he'll prescribe 3/day - but I also hear that you have to function, and he doesn't get that. But then you say your PCP does hear you, and probably would be more flexible in adjusting meds. So you have viable choices, and while you're feeling understandably frustrated, you're not up against a wall. Try relaxing a bit and then think about your two choices.

Yes, you "like" your PM, but that's not a reason to stay with him if you can get the same (or better) pain management from your PCP, with greater flexibility. Especially if your PCP understands the meds., and can continue on the course the PM was on (which seems reasonable) except add the BT meds until you get to the therapeutic dose of oxycontin. If you don't think your PCP understands pain meds enough, then that would be a reason to stay with your PM doc. You could also combine them and maybe have a visit once or twice a year with your pm doc to reivew your meds regime for any new procedures or meds that might be out there, but let your PCP continue as your main source of pain meds.

I don't know if any of this helps, and I don't mean in any way to imply I take this lightly, but in terms of doctors your glass is half full right now. You have two choices and that's great - as far as "great" can go with us CPP's!

PaLady

Skeye,
Does your prescription insurance cover C2 drugs when they are written by your PCP?

I know mine will only pay for C2's when they are written by a PM or an oncologist. Might be worth checking into before you make the switch.

Also, have you asked your PM why he's always rushing? I talked to my PM a while back about the same thing & he said that I always scheduled appointments during the busiest parts of his day. He suggested times I could book with him when he wouldn't feel so rushed. It's made a big difference. Just a thought in case you can't switch.

good luck,
frances

Skeye,
I hope you didn't take my comments as dismissive. I don't think there's anything at all wrong with you wanting to feel heard by your doctor, and wanting him to take more time. But sometimes their scheduling is so tight it just doesn't give them much leeway. I'm not condoning that, but it seems to be the reality with your PM doc. Maybe it's because he is good in most ways.

Could you see him more frequently? I don't know when your next appointment is scheduled, but if you didn't have to wait too long between appointments, you might be able to get your needs met sooner. I often write short notes to my doctors when I go in that presents to them my main focus for the visit, along with symptoms, etc. I wonder if that would help - and you could explain clearly how important it is for you to be functioning, and that you can understand his wanting to get you to a therapeutic dose of oxycontin, but in the meantime you really do need BT meds. It might be worth a separate appointment just for that purpose alone.

PaLady

There is also, a key element here if you go with the pcp, he'll not be able to try PM Procedures on you either,
Just some advise. It's a huge decision here you have to weigh in on all the pro's and con's and I truly wish you well
in what decisions you make, sure wish you didn't have to choose and had a great PM doc.
Lots of soft hugz and well wishes.