So...I've been thinking...My appointment with the LLMD is fast approaching, and I am so sick of being sick that I am READY to get this ball rolling.
I know a lot of you had been to SEVERAl doctors in search of a diagnosis. I know I have.
After so many doctors, probably (at least in my case) thinking you all were nuts with strange symptoms and failed medical tests...
What do you say when you find a new PC? I mean, I know that I can't make the long trip to Springfield, MO anytime I have a cough or sniffle, so I will need a new Primary Care.
I've been to so many! How did you guys deal with this? I am so sick and tired of new doctors, explaining my symptoms, etc....It's also a little embarassing.
Also, did any of your PC's act like your LD treatment and diagnosis was a crock?
How do you deal?
Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :
May I suggest...
Find a new PCP by checking out the one who has been practicing the least.. a young one.. a new one.
Usually they don't seem quite so stupid and/or set in their ways.... MOST of the time. Of course I'd think twice before following this advise if you are looking for a surgeon. Maybe stick with grumpy, old and skilled in that case?
Anyhow...
I would chose a female doctor because even if they think you are nuts... they are a little less likely to show it or be such a bull headed pig about it. I have also noted they tend to huff and puff and stomp around like a two year old a bit more quietly.
I would plan to go in there with as much "upitty" as I could muster and not ask or fiddle faddle around.. but approach it as ...
"This IS what I have.. and this IS what I am doing about it."
Then they are more likely to work WITH you on it rather than pound on your head. If you seem like you are asking for their opinion at the time.. then they've got you.
You may go in with a SHORT list of what YOU will need to make your life easier... not so much a list of complaints. Don't overwhelm them on the first visit.. just give a minimum.
And before THEY stand up and gentle push you out the door... YOU stand up, walk past them and leave them sitting there going.. HUH?
Be sure if they look like they might question you... or they actually do... be sure to practice that "look" before you go in. You know.. the one we always get that says..
"Are you NUTS?"
You must remember to do it in the right way to be the most effective. You have to practice it quite a bit before hand.
How to do the are you nuts look:
First you take a quick little breath and let it out so they know you are there.. but not so loudly that folks sleeping in Japan can hear it. And be sure it is a quick short one.. not a long deep one.
Then you tip your forehead down just a touch...
Give them the slant eye look from the side... and...
Complete the move while relaxing your shoulders... and closing your lips together tight but not TOO tight... and then wrinkle your eyebrows downward as you take the deeper breath.
Then you hold that pose for at least FIVE seconds.. while not saying a word.
The first words out of your mouth should then be...
Wwwwwwweeeeeeelllllll..
You sssssee.................. it's like THIS.
Of course you do that using your best John Wayne impression... minus the cowboy hat.
But.. if you need a refill on your antidepressants.. the cowboy hat IS acceptable.
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You said...
"did any of your PC's act like your LD treatment and diagnosis was a crock?"
Yes.. quite often at first. But if that were to happen.. you can go back out to the front desk when you leave and hand them the note from your purse that says...
"When the doctor knows more about my medical condition than I know... THEN send me the bill. Till then we are even because he just wasted MY time."
Then smile, say thank you.. and quickly walk out.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
You said...
"did any of your PC's act like your LD treatment and diagnosis was a crock?"
Yes.. quite often at first. But if that were to happen.. you can go back out to the front desk when you leave and hand them the note from your purse that says...
"When the doctor knows more about my medical condition than I know... THEN send me the bill. Till then we are even because he just wasted MY time."
You got it, TC!! Be ready with ammunition, tsmith!! Know your stuff and be ready to dish it out if need be.
Take medical abstracts with you that show that Lyme can be a persistent disease, difficult to cure.
And practice that LOOK!!
All you need a PC for is for the little stuff....so don't sweat it too much. Hopefully, you won't need a PICC line.
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
Contact your local lyme group and ask if any of them have references to a doctor who is open to you being on lyme treatment. It can't hurt and you may find someone really good.
Terry
Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :
I just told my GP (who I don't see anymore) that
I had been dx with Lyme and was being treated for it.
That's it. Period. End of sentence.
Most GP's have no idea what it even takes to be dx.
So when asked, I just say my blood tests confirmed it.
My approach was a little different (understanding doctor's egos from years of working with them)
I told my GP that I may need some help with certain meds, monitoring of things, etc.
Did she think she could help me and work with my Lyme doctor as well if needed?
This way it appeared that I wasn't telling her what to do....just asking her to help me..
However, if she had once inferred that I didn't have Lyme
Or that she didn't believe in long term treatment or was
Argumentative re: my Lyme treatment
I would have found another doctor somewhere else.
Good luck.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posted by shazdancer (Member # 1436) on :
Cracked me up, TC. I certainly don't want you mad at me!
I would just let your primary care doc know that you are being treated for Lyme disease. Don't ask for an opinion.
If you need the doc for back-up care later (to prescribe or do follow-up tests, for example) you can broach the subject later. Let the doctor get to see you as a level-headed individual first.
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