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Posted 8/30/2013 6:04 PM (GMT 0)
So I had my first visit with a rheumy this morning and I can't even begin to express my disappointment. First of all I sat forever in a freezing cold waiting room for almost an hour (appt notice said I would be charged if I was late, I want $50 for the Dr. being late!) so I felt like every muscle in my body was cramping.

Second, she asked about the ? next to family member with lupus. I told her my mother had a positive ANA panel and that after doing further testing her Dr. was referring her to a rheumy and they had made reference to lupus. She told me there was no way my mother had lupus because she's in her 60's and lupus is "a young persons disease". My grandmother was diagnosed in her 60's.

Third, my Dr. had told me that a little arthritis did show up on x-ray but it didn't explain my all over pain (notice he paid attention to the fact that I hurt ALL over, not just joints). She couldn't fixate on anything except the arthritis. She said it was responsible for all of my issues because if you have compression on the spine (she told me it was just a small amount of arthritis btw) it causes all sorts of problems.

She totally disregarded all of my questions that didn't fit her assessment of the situation, you know, silly little things like facts. That my pain has been around long before any arthritis, that I've suffered from the fatigue, insomnia and IBS almost my whole life. And while my joints do hurt and feel swollen they never actually swell and she didn't even attempt to check trigger points.

I called as soon as I was done and made an appt with my Dr. because she didn't offer any solutions and at this point am due to go back to work next week. Scared to go back until I get something done because of the harassment by my manager and the numbness in my fingertips.

Had to vent, thanks for reading.
Posted 8/30/2013 6:29 PM (GMT 0)
I am sorry you had an unpleasant experience. It's never fun.

One-sometimes doctors do get behind. My way of looking at it is that, if they are behind schedule, it usually isn't that they were held up playing bejeweled or footsie with the nurses. Other people, with complicated issues or emergencies, were being helped. I hate it, since I am always super-early to everything. BUT, I try to cut doctors a little slack, since usually their schedule has to adapt to unexpected issues. Sometimes, it is their office staff didn't do a decent job in scheduling, though.

Have you had blood work done? Or did the rheumie order some after this visit? Diagnosis is NOT going to come on your first visit. It may not come on second visit. It will come after the doctor, the medical expert, has a chance to look at the labs and apply his/her training. That is why the PCP sends us to specialists. Doctors tend to collect evidence, which your observations are a part of. However, your observations about your condition aren't the only thing they are going to use to diagnose.

I know it's frustrating, and that medicine doesn't move as quickly as we would like. Also, our pain and discomfort looms far larger in our lives, and so is concern #1 to us. But, we are one of many balls in the air for the doctor, and that is as it should be. It does sound as if the physician didn't give you the attention you wanted. However, Doctors do tend to get a little frustrated with Dr. Google doing their legwork.

Did the rheumie prescribe anything for you?

You mention problems at work, and concern about going back. Is this something that HR or perhaps a counselor can help you with?
Posted 8/30/2013 6:46 PM (GMT 0)
The Dr. actually walked through the waiting room where I was sitting and heard her tell the nurse that she overslept so that was the only reason that frustrated me. I'm not a morning person at all (which adds to my crankiness today sorry) but I was there early because I don't ever want to be the person responsible for putting the whole schedule behind.

Most of what I discussed with her was not from things I'd learned online but things my regular Dr. has discussed with me. He sent over the results of all of the labs which she wouldn't even discuss with me and the only one she ordered was liver function.

She prescribed Cymbalta which I had tried several years ago and it had no effect. I went ahead and filled the script because my regular Dr. has discussed trying it again.

I just hated the way she was so dismissive of everything that I tried to discuss like the results of my labs and the long history of my issues. Considering I've been trying to get something done for years I'm well aware of the fact that a diagnosis does not come easy.
Posted 8/30/2013 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Forgot, she also specifically told me that if someone has osteoarthritis they can not have fibromyalgia.
Posted 8/30/2013 7:24 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, I'd be a little cranky about that, too. Did she apologize?

Perhaps she needed time to look at everything together. It does sound as if she hadn't done the legwork she needed to do to be ready for your appointment.

Hopefully, the cymbalta will help this time.

I think many people, myself included, build a doctor's visit into a magic bullet. It, so many times, does not live up to what we want it to. But some doctors are not helpful, or are not a good fit. I would give her another chance, but then it may be time to try again.
Posted 8/30/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
I have to wait a while for most of my doctors.  I either carry a good book or my Nintendo DS Lite.  That whiles away the time and I don't get stressed or angry about it.  I just expect it.  I do have one doctor that purposely over-books appointments.  I talked to the office manager about it, they tried to tell him, but he wants it that way.  $$$$$  Sooo, he has an assistant who I actually think is better than he is.  I make my appointments with her and I always ask for the first appointment after their lunch.  Heheheh  Don't have to wait long doing that.

 

Poy, not all doctors are created equal.  You have a rheumy that doesn't know much about fibro.  You can develop fibro at any age so they are wrong.  It usually hits women in their 30's but I was 40 when I developed it.  We have members on here in their teens with fibro and others well past 50.  I think your doctor avoided your questions because they don't know much about fibro OR they don't believe it's a true illness.  There are still doctors out there in the Dark Ages when it comes to this illness.  Rheumy's that do believe fibro is an illness usually take a lot of blood work to help rule out the other illnesses that have many of the same symptoms as fibro.  Once they are ruled out, then a diagnosis of fibro is given.  This all takes time.  

 

Now....how to find a GOOD rheumy.  See if there is a fibro support group in your community.  Check the phone book, call the local hospital, do a google search, etc.  If you have one, contact them and see who their members suggest for fibro doctors for treatment. 

 

I found my excellent rheumy by talking to my hair dresser.  Customers yak while getting their hair done and the beauticians know a lot about what is going on in the community.  I asked her, she had a customer that had a rheumy she loved so she called that customer while I was still there and got the doctor's name and phone number.  I still wasn't satisfied but happened to go out to lunch with a friend and  I asked her.  Well, she went to the same rhemy and loved him.  So, I went home, googled his name to see patient reviews and the reviews were excellent and so was his rating.  I made my appointment and the rest is history.  I'll be seeing him next week...I see him every four months.  

Meanwhile, you need to head back to work.  Have you tried any of the supplements people have mentioned on this forum?  Only one thing that I take for fibro is a prescription.  The other is over the counter things.  So, you might try some of that to see if you can get relief until you see your new doctor.  The magnesium malate and vitamin D3 do help quite a few on this forum.  The other things I take are ibuprofen with food and Tylenol. 

I hope some of this helps you.

Sherrine

 

 

Posted 8/30/2013 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
LOL@ Sherrine.

I, too, usually expect to wait. Sad, isn't it?

My psychiatrist in Virginia (who I loved, BTW) was always more than an hour behind schedule was the worst. I always made sure I didn't schedule anything after, took earplugs to counteract the antsy kids int he waiting room, and took a book or a pile of grading.

When I was at my mom's doctor a few weeks ago, waiting on a prescription, one of the nurses came out and said "Dr. S. is running at least an hour late, just so you know." People groaned but smiled at the same time. There is a reason he is one of the best elder-care people in town.
Posted 8/30/2013 9:21 PM (GMT 0)
I see a neurologist for my fibromyalgia. My rheumatologist wasn't comfortable treating my fibro. She has her hands full with my osteoarthritis, which you can have with fibro. I have oa in my shoulders, wrists, hands, hips, and knees.

I think since you found this rheumy so dismissive that finding a new dr may be a good idea. I have a rare genetic disorder that some drs refuse to treat so I know first hand how hard it is to trust a dr who is dismissive of you. Asking other people is a good way to find a good dr. There are also websites that help you find good drs.

I always bring my noon to dr appointments. I'm always early and I know in going to wait no matter what. I don't mind waiting at a dr office, they do get behind because of other people's health issues. I prefer to have a dr that puts the time I need into appointments rather than be ruled by a clock. Having said that, there have been a couple times when I felt the wait was excessive ( my former poco had me waiting in the waiting room for 3 hours). If you feel that your dr is excessive with their wait times then you can fire them. You hire them just like any other service provider. You can fire them if their service is unsatisfactory.
Posted 8/30/2013 11:05 PM (GMT 0)
I had a exam by a social security doctor who declared you can't have lupus and fibro at the same time.

I was glad he wasn't my regular doctor but he told the SSDI I could work.
Posted 8/31/2013 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Poy, if you're in Northern California, PM me - I love mine and would recommend him highly. Great staff too.

I try to schedule all of my appointments the first part of the week, beginning of the day if I can help it. That said, mine was late the other day by ten minutes and I was the only one in the office. Sometimes things happen. And not discounting her bad behavior but maybe her spouse cheated on her, maybe her mother just passed away, etc etc. I think sometimes we forget that doctors have personal lives that can get in the way of their professional life, just like ours do. That said, she sounds grossly uneducated and I would move on unless you have the patience of a saint and feel like teaching her about fibro.

I'm so sorry for the rotten day. I have totally been there: all you need is to catch a break and all of your time is running out and there is endless pressure. Without being cliche, every time this happens - looking back, it always worked out. Why it's such a struggle is beyond me. Life really doesn't need to be so darn complicated, you know what I mean? But sometimes it's our time to take the junk so others can catch a break. At least that's what I tell myself. Hang in there - it will get better.

And what's going on with work?!
Posted 8/31/2013 12:38 AM (GMT 0)
Poy,

Hmmm, can't have Fibro with OA? This doctor sounds like a real piece of work!  mad  

Many years ago, when I was searching for answers to my severe pain and other symptoms (and didn't even know what Fibro was), I went through a lot of duds. One told me I should have my hubby take me out for Mexican food because the spices would clear my head. skull  Another asked, upon introduction, if I had a sexual disfunction (??)  So I feel for you!


Yes, what kind of harassment are you having at work?

Debbie

Posted 8/31/2013 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
There are a couple of issues with returning to work, the one of the biggest concern right now is the numbness in the fingers because I work at a casino which requires me to count large sums of money, scan winning tickets (as many as 50 at a time) and count chips. I'm having trouble just typing this because of the numbness and my regular Dr. told me to talk to the rheumy about how much Magnesium to take. She wouldn't even discuss it with me because she said that it was the arthritis in my spine causing compression.

Also, before I went out on medical leave I was using intermittent FMLA and my manager told me that he felt as though he was having to run the whole department around my problems. In fact my Dr. sent them something about me needing more frequent restroom breaks because of my IBS and they wouldn't accept it, said they needed something different and wrote me up for excessive breaks.
Posted 8/31/2013 2:15 AM (GMT 0)
And thanks Anna but I'm in Southern Indiana so unless anyone knows a good one here?
Posted 8/31/2013 2:35 AM (GMT 0)
Well, unfortunately for boss man, there is the ADA to back you up. If you have already spoken to HR about it, then you need to talk to a lawyer, and now would be the time. The point of FMLA is to also move you into a position with equal pay where you wouldn't be a 'burden' by your accommodations. And clearly this guy needs some leadership training immediately.

You can get free legal consults. I'd call one up and they will ask you to fax over your documentation and they can advise you on the best steps to take. There are also tons of websites devoted to this very type of near-retaliation. Are you in at at-will state?

Post Edited By Moderator (Acheybody) : 8/30/2013 9:24:56 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/31/2013 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
And big hug to you and your poor numb little fingers!
Posted 8/31/2013 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Someone remind me to send this rheumy a thank you card because as an added bonus to my visit with her I am flaring so bad this morning that I barely managed to get out of bed. During the exam she manipulated body parts past where I told her it hurt and I was in tears then and when I said it hurt she said no?

The one joint I definitely have arthritis in (shoulder because of a break in a car accident) she didn't even mention any problems with.

I'm going to tell my regular Dr. it's his fault, he's so good that I hold other Dr.'s to a higher standard. lol
Posted 8/31/2013 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
She said no?? That would have put me over the edge! Good lord, this woman should not be practicing medicine.

Hope your flare eases up soon.

Debbie
Posted 9/1/2013 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had to share this, if I had found it before I went to this doctor I would have saved myself the trouble. This is a review of the rheumy from a website that rates doctors. I left out the Dr.'s name because I didn't know if it would cause issues if I posted it.

... was very insensitive and belittling of my pain. For example: when I asked about my neck pain, she stated "Your neck works very hard all day to hold up your head. Neck pain is normal." Doesn't everyone's neck hold their head up all day, but very few experience excrutiating pain over a several month period! I will never return and have asked my family doctor to send me to another specialist.
Posted 9/1/2013 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like we can rule out a bad day then. Hmm. She is definitely in the wrong field. Maybe she should go into research or something so she doesn't deal directly with care.

Awwww sorry Poy. :(
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