10.21.2011

Is It Time To Break Up With My Doctor?

Warning: personal vent coming

For the last couple of visits, I felt the brush off.  You know that feeling from when you are in the end of that relationship... where there is no interest there anymore.

"I don't know."

That is really not the words that a doctor should say out loud, even if its true.  Now don't get me wrong, I totally respect a doctor that admits they don't have all the answers but please notice I have a period after that short sentence above.  There is no, 'we will try and get to the bottom of this' OR 'I think we may want to consult with another doctor for more insight.'  Nope, nothing... 'I don't know. Here are your med refills, see you in a few months'  Please note this has not just started happening, has been going on for a little over a year.

Let me trace back a bit.  I have been having extreme pain.  Pain coming from my joints and even my chest.  My tests show otherwise.  Yes, my tests show NO inflammation.  Now I don't know why this is but I'm just a patient but all I know is that I've been feeling unvalidated lately.  There is no record of drug seeking from me so that is a non-issue (heck, I can't even stomach a tramadol much less any kind of narcotic for pain).  BUT I'm in pain and even though you "don't know", can you please try and direct me to maybe someone who can try and find a clue?

I feel like I've been a good patient.  I don't question anything (like I should). I comply through the exams.  I NEVER argue but it's time I get tough about my health and quit letting these docs steamroll me so it's time to start anew.

Finding a new rheumatologist is always a gamble because you really don't know what you are going to end up with but I have rolled the dice and will be seeing a new one next month, wish me luck... I hope she's the ONE!

4 comments:

  1. First, I'm so sorry you are experiencing joint and chest pain. That's no fun and it's worse when your doc seems uninterested in finding a solution.

    I'm hoping the best for your new doctor. Having one you can really communicate with can make all the difference in the world. Good luck!

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  2. I know through experience that sometimes it takes forever for the doctor to clue in to what's going on in your body.Until they have a result on some test they've done, they dismiss the complaints. I know that these illnesses are difficult to treat, but they're REALLY DIFFICULT to live with! Good luck with your new doc.

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  3. Thank you for the wishes. I'll follow back up with the news on my visit next month.

    -BD :)

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  4. There's nothing more important than a good doctor! I hope you find one who will work with you and find some solution. (Or at least keep trying to find a solution.) Pain is miserable, and unexplained pain is depressing. Good doctors at least understand that.

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