24hr Urine question and small vent

Now that I feel more co-herent I need to ask a question of those who have experience. The resident/intern said my protein level in my 24 hour urine was up but from earlier ones still in the normal range and expressed concern that we watch it closer. Then the big wig doctor (one whom I hate and who thinks he knows everything- this is the same guy who said lupus was just RF negative RA and that I couldn't have both SLE and RA) said there was no need so long as it was in the normal range. I am still waiting for an opening with the kidney doctor who takes my insurance and knows about lupus and kidneys. I see the regular OB the 8th and am wondering if I should ask them to do the 24 hour urine again to be safe. I really do not want to end up in kidney failure- we already lost 2 family members to kidney failure induced by lupus.

I am not supposed to have to see the bullying jerk I ended up seeing at the high risk doctors' office but he was the only one there. He is always horrible to me, asks if my rheumy sent any records and who she is- I have told him 6 times yes she sent records and her name. He walked out before he had her name. The intern/resident also has lupus so she knows what I am going through but I really wish she had been the only one I saw. That jerk did a manual exam to check my cervix and I still feel bruised inside (I was in the office Wednesday). Then he said my last blood sugar test had me borderline- It was well within the normal range but he seems to want me to become diabetic- and I needed another blood sugar test. I said I would have one if he would repeat it when I finished my prednisone taper. He scratched it off his sheet and never said another word. I know prednisone can raise blood sugar and I was on 10mg then. Not only that I am down to 5mg now and if the taper goes well will be off Pred on Feb 7th. So why do a test based on something that in all my other pregnancies was never a problem when the last blood sugar test was fine- 133 and the cut off is anything above 140 and the blood was drawn 10 minutes early. He is a total @$$. I hate him so much. With no problems showing up so far why do I even have to go to that office?! I hate the drive and it is pointless unless serious complications arrise. I know they are being careful with me but darn it all why should I be subjected to such a jerk, especially one who insists I cannot possibly have RA and SLE and who snears every time he asks my rheumy's name. Like he thinks he is better than her or knows better than her. The man is rough when he examines me and acts like he is God and I do not deserve his time. I am just supposed to fall in line and not ask any questions. Excuse me, this is my body and my baby and I will darned well ask questions if I freaking feel like it. He can just kiss my ....... I never wanted him involved in my care in the first place. He has a serious attitude problem and I decided that I would not tolerate being treated like dirt by doctors who work for me a long darned time ago because it was doctors like that who almost killed me.

hey redrose,
sorry to "hear" that you have one of THOSE doctors who believe they know anything and everything and the medical world revolves around them. i have had a few of those and after the first visit, i always made an appointment with a different doctor. what are you seeing that doctor for, u didnt mention in this post? are there other doctors there that do the same thing that he does? if so, i would pick a new doc asap, because you are right you (and every patient) should never be treated that way. doctors have tried that with me before especially since i am somewhat younger, they dont believe that i know much about medical things or my disease, or medications. but when they do try that, you better believe that i quickly explain to them that not only have i been dealing with my disease of 12 yrs i also have medical background and i have read, research, and followed current information and they realize that i am not a patient to put on the back burner, if i feel something is wrong with me i will call the doctor and i will make an appointment tell them whats wrong and i expect them to do what is needed. and you should be the same way, remember its not only you that you are taking care of but your baby too and you both should be well taken care of by all your doctors. if you cant get a new doctor, would recommend actually making an appointment just to talk to your doctor, or talking to someone above him who can talk to him for you, cuz what he is doing is just plain wrong. hope you get it worked out and i hope you find the answers you are looking for. oh and as for the doc always asking for your rhemy's name, the next time you are at your rhemy's get an extra business card and give the doctor one of them to shut him up once and for all about that. :)

You have every right to feel the way you do. I would seriously file a complaint against him and I would never see him again. People deserve more and you especially. Don't give up. Take care.

Redrose, I'm sorry you have to deal with that jerk of a doctor. I don't blame you for being worried about the increase in protein in your urine - you don't want stress on your kidneys, especially during pregnancy. I did a few 24 hr urine tests and it is hard not to spill some and also there's no way to get all the urine from the catch cup into the big container. The first 24 hr urine test I did was at the high end of normal and my rheumy and my pcp both said it was nothing to worry about . The second 24 hr test I did came back above normal, but wasn't extremely high, so now I just get monitored every few months with a UA and if I have protein I do a 24 hr test. I hope your docs do closely monitor your protein, especially with your family history.