LymeNet Flash: disappointing appointment

This is topic disappointing appointment in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :

I had an llmd appt. Monday. I drove over 10

hours to get there. When I got there I found out

my doctor wasn't there. My mouth must of dropped

to the floor when I was told that. I had the

choice of seeing his assistant or coming back

the next afternoon- but was told he may not be

there then either. I reluctantly decided to see

his assistant.

Now if that wasn't bad enough. I waited over 3

hours (2 hours in the waiting room, 1 hour in a

exam room). It was very irritating and

disappointing. Totally different from last

time. I was also mad because the receptionist

made it sound like the dr. wouldn't be in the

next day... I figured he was sick. I asked the

assistant and he said my dr. had a lot

conferences over the weekend and was tired. If I

had known that I would of just rescheduled for

the next day, because I'm sure he would of been

there. It was too late at this point because I

had already waited 3 hours.

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

WOW. If you got that LLMD from LYmeNet, write back the person you got the referral from and turn in that review!! They need to hear it!!!

I hope you have a better one near you- if not, for many people their LLMDs are the only one in town!!! It makes it difficult if they are not the best- to put it mildly- I am sorry you had that experience!!!

Sincerely,
Sarah

Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :

Well this is my second time to visit this llmd. The first time was TOTALLY different. For one, my llmd was there! He spent a lot of time with me and really gave me a lot of hope. So that's why I'm hesitant to stop seeing him.

Right after my appt. I was so upset and disappointed that I thought about not coming back. However I think the only reason it was so bad this time was because my doctor wasn't there. I think it's kind of like when the cat is away the mice will play. You know?

I guess next time I'll have to call to make sure he is there. This was my nightmare too. Coming all that way for my doctor to not be there. Thank you for your response Sarah! I really think this was a one time incident. I do feel like this llmd is a great one. I was referred to him by several on this site.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

I'll PM you.

Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :

Dear Lauren,

I only see the LLMD. In fact, I would have been very upset

If my day had gone like yours. [Mad]

I think the office has a responsibility to call you when the person you

Had an appt with is not available, for any reason.

I also do phone conferences with this LLMD and not his assistant.

I try to do this every other visit. It is easier than doing the drive,

And I get the same personal attention I get in the office.

Maybe you should call the office or write a letter.

I wonder if the LLMD was under the impression that people had been called/notified of the change?

Hugs,

Geneal

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

lauren, i'd be damn disgusted too! that was really unprofessional they did not contact you to give YOU OPTION OF COMING or rescheduling!!!

Posted by SarahL (Member # 11452) on :

You've just described my nightmare. I'm about to travel over 10 hours away to see my llmd. We're using the last of our savings on this trip. I'm scared to death that he's going to be out the day of my appointment.

I mean, you wait how many months to go and have a dozen things to talk to him about and feel like you're finally getting your chance and he's not there?

I can understand being out b/c he's sick (of course) or if there was a family emergency, but you should have had a phone call, a rescheduled appointment and an apology.

I hope you can find another llmd who treats you with more respect, or that this md apologizes and makes things right somehow.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Sarah, if you're going to Missouri...never fear.

Posted by CaliforniaLyme (Member # 7136) on :

The MIssouri doc is an angel according to everyone I know- I know people who have gone from CALIFORNIA to see him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :

Dear Lauren,

Just a note. My neighbor generally sees the PA.

She has noted that there is much less "normal" office routine.

I think your analogy that when the cat is away the mice will play may be accurate.

I would definitely pen a note to him personally.

Hugs,

Geneal

Posted by tailz (Member # 10014) on :

Wow. My appointment with Dr. B was close, and I'm probably not going back.

My appointment was at 3pm, and I didn't see him until after 11pm. I even got locked out of the building during one of my smoke breaks to pass the time. By then I had brain damage from the cell phone users and had trouble finding my way home. I didn't get home until 1am.

I know how you feel. Having Lyme and being desperate does not mean we're to be taken advantage of, and it seems like some LLMDs forget that we already have no life and enough disappointment to deal with. It's a lack of respect.

Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :

Hi Lauren,

Have you considered calling the office and ask for another appointment...with the DOCTOR?

It may be helpful to speak with the office manager...share your disappointment and concern...maybe they'll get you in to see the doctor.

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

i'm going to hijack your thread for a few minutes, and then will get it back on track ok!

hubby and i went to his PRE-SURGERY PHYSICAL this am getting up 730 for his 830 appt. nurse took us back a little after 830, weighted him, height, BP, pulse, and noted his only 2 meds in file.

"dr. will be in a few minutes"!

i opened up the door for ventilation as it's so small and NO AIR FLOW thru it. little later this nurse asked to close the door; NO, I NEED THE AIR FLOW!

we sat there for 30 minutes; no dr! I finally got up and asked her RN what was going on?

I'm just going to page her now! later, dr. called in, and said she'd be in 10 minutes.

when she got there 950 am, she flew in, NO APOLOGY OR WHERE SHE'D BEEN!

preceded to talk to hubby only 5 minutes and listening to his lungs; THAT WAS HIS PRE-PHYSICAL for his cataracht surgery! will be interesting to see how much she charges for that visit!

no chest xray, ekg, or labs required, but eye dr.. office told him NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER MIDNIGHT!

hubby/i both held back, but we were upset she didn't have the decency to apologize for being late!

we're just glad we live 5 minues from clinic/hospital! also took paperwork to pre-admisssion, but they would NOT take any history now from hubby although he'll be in surgery thurs!

wow, 10 hr. drive....20 hrs. roundtrip! yes, i'd make it known how i felt also!

Posted by LaurenTurner (Member # 12320) on :

sorry I didn't respond back sooner.

Thanks everyone for all your words.

I didn't tell Dr. F about my experience. I just didn't know what to say to him. I know I wouldn't of had that experience if he were there... he is a wonderful, caring doctor. So I'll just leave at that and hope that it never happens again. In fact, next time I'll call first thing to make sure he is in. Though I will already be on the road, since I have to leave well before my appt. time.

Thank you for letting me vent. It really helped. I was so upset after my appointment, but hopefully things get better from here.

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

Personally, I think you should at least mention to him that it happened. What if he doesn't know you weren't called and he had told them to call you?