Topic: Frustration at Medical Community - Presumptious Attitudes
seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
I was in the hospital today for a minor procedure on an O/P basis.
I swear everytime I go there, the staff reviews my history. They seem to make a bigger and bigger point about my 'anxiety' issues and act like it's such a giant issue. The nurse is acting like I'm scared to have an IV in my arm and trying to comfort me. I'm not on anxiety drugs. Not one ER doctor there or staff member EVER said I have anxiety to my face during a visit. Backstabbing way to deal with a patient IMO.
So damn ridiculous. My heart rate is 68. My BP 130/68. O2 = 99. Zero signs of anxiety. I feel belittled. I have blood drawn every week.
Then, the nurse makes a comment about my test and says maybe they'll get to the bottom of my issues and I can stop treating things that aren't there Shs did not say the words Lyme / Babesis, but obviously, it's what she meant. I never mentioned Lyme to her today! I'm off all Abx.
The thing they are looking for I was told is under a 5% probability. I have a 23-25++, 31 IND, 41 IND, and 58+ on my Igenix WB IgM. CD-57 score of 54. They act like Lyme is impossible.
Will this stuff truly ever end? Does the 'anxiety label' just get slapped in your file somewhere and it gets more and more blown out of proportion as time goes on? It gets me so mad I feel like screaming at them for challenging my intelligence.
She was nice to me, but acting like I was 10 years old. She asked if I lived with my parents. WTF? I'm in my thirties, own my own home, married with a child, etc. I had a successful career and am pretty intelligent. She must've thought I was a bumbling idiot who can't take of myself because I've been off work on disability. It's amazing how many assumptions one can make, huh?
[ 02-18-2009, 01:31 PM: Message edited by: seekhelp ]
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Starfall1969
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 17353
posted
Oh, I can relate, believe me!
Every time I see a new doctor (even for non-Lyme things) the anxiety/depression thing gets thrown into whatever report they make.
I was diagnosed with post-partum depression after both my kids, so I guess I'm now branded for life.
Now that I'm having these other health challenges that no one has found a cause for, it's obvious that I'm just a psycho-loon who needs to get out of the house (yeah, THAT'S why I chose to go to the ER, to get out of the house).
The second time I was in the ER, the arrogant so and so doctor who "treated" me flat out asked me if I wanted him to give me something to "calm me down."
Yeah, give me your head so I can knock it through the wall. That might calm me down. I did rip into him when the hospital sent one of their satisfaction surveys, so I hope that at least got back to him.
You know, I keep thinking about the Golden Girls episode where Dorothy was so sick, and they couldn't find what was wrong with her.
When she finally did find a doctor who took her seriously and diagnosed her with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, she ran into the doctor who had blown her off and really gave it to him.
I'd love to send a copy of that show to every doctor who has blown me off and tell them to learn something from it.
Posts: 1682 | From Dillsburg, PA | Registered: Sep 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
Sorry you've had to contend with the typical attitude of the medical profession. I've been there many times as have most of the people here so we understand what you are going through.
When I was first getting sick, I was told that anxiety was causing my high pulse. I told at least 3 doctors that something was wrong with my blood pressure but they ignored me. Turns out the high pulse rate was caused by a low blood pressure.
I had to go to a research hospital 1/2 way across the country in order for them to figure out that it was my blood pressure. The typical doctor can't even figure out something that simple, even after I tell them that my blood pressure readings are way off.
After years of being disabiled, fatigued and in horrible pain I find out that I have lyme disease. Treatment improvements confirm it.
I am mad at the medical profession too. They are typically arrogant while at the same time clueless. For some reason, they think that just because they can't find something wrong with the testing that they have available, then it must be a psychological problem. Something that the paitent is doing to themselves.
It's the same with almost all doctors. If they can't figure it out then they will find a way to blame the patient.
Don't let it throw you. Just ignore their attitude and continue looking for those doctors who can actually apply common sense and brain power to your problem.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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posted
My personal favorite was when every doctor told me having five children was the cause of my problems. Of course, their logic went, five children made me one stressed out lady. Only one doctor scoffed at this theory -- he had seven children.
I would sooner have a doctor who didn't know all the answers and admit it, than a doctor who is convinced s/he is right 100% of the time.
Posts: 41 | From SC | Registered: Jan 2009
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posted
Yup, I am branded that way too. Every ER doc and any doc I see asks me about anixety. Then its documented about my addiction problem(rehab) so sometimes I feel like they think I am there for drugs.
Yea, thats exactly what I am there for. I guess I made them put in my charts NO NARCOTICS for ****s and giggles!!
When I landed int he ER the very first time, the ER doc blamed my drinking and smoking. She told me to change my lifestyle and I would be fine. Then she left for the day. Wonderful words of wisdom.
Granted, my smoking and drinking didnt help. I have been clean now for 119 days and still having problems and of course there are many more 8 months later.
I am sorry for what you have to go through. Its such a pain for all of us. Aniexty is just the scape goat. I really hope that my blood test comes back negative because I am personally going to my neuros and my pcp to show them.
Perhaps they will learn something from me. I know that sounds childish but if it makes them think about my case when someone else comes around with the same symptoms than it will be worth it!!
End of Jaimie's rant.
Posts: 171 | From the land of oz | Registered: Feb 2009
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I recently switched LLMD's and even my last lyme doc suggested that I was being a bit dramatic. (though he DID diagnose me with lyme and babesia). He said that because I got so wretchedly sick on Mepron, and he said he just hadn't seen patients react badly to it.
To be fair, I knew that he didn't have a TON of lyme patients. His nurse told me that he just didn't have too many that were really sick.
Anyway, way back when I first got sick--over 2 1/2 years ago--one of my main symptoms were severe thigh pain, fevers and severe sweating episodes. My PCP at the time was adamant that it was stress.
I went to therapy, etc. Still got sicker. She still said stress.
A catch-22 is that we all seem to end up with anxiety and depression at a point in this, like a self-fulfilling thing. It took a long time for those things to become prevalent for me, though. I hate even being honest with doctors or whomever about those aspects of this because I think they stop hearing me at that point.
Posts: 322 | From Venice, CA | Registered: Sep 2008
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
You know, the show I saw last night put it all in perspective for me.
It was about the onset of labodomies(?sp).
Can you imagine, even with your Lyme mind, a Neurologist using two long thin ice picks and a hammer to bang these prongs 7 cm into your frontal lobe? Then pull them from side to side in you brain matter........pull them out......and think that it was okay....a solid therapy?
They were doing the procedure later on housewives who were tired of their mundane work and a little depressed.....children with rampunctious behavior.....
Try not to get mad at their ignorance, atleast you still have an intact brain.....more then I can say for the medical profession treating you that way.
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
ps- They stuck the picks into the brain via the upper eye orbits...one for each orbit. But hey, it was faster, cheaper cause they only needed electric shock first not the outrageously paid Anestesiologist...heck they didn't even need a surgeon.
A half day training and line'em up. Picks for everyone.
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
What organization would welcome / receive complaints from patients that have a legit complaint???
-------------------- My biofilm film: www.whyamistillsick.com 2004 Mycoplasma Pneumonia 2006 Positive after 2 years of hell 2006-08 Marshall Protocol. Killed many bug species 2009 - Beating candida, doing better Lahey Clinic in Mass: what a racquet! Posts: 830 | From Mass. | Registered: Aug 2006
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posted
At this point I expect most medical people to be stupid and worthless. So every once in a while, when I'm pleasantly surprised, it is delightful.
Posts: 845 | From Eastern USA | Registered: Jul 2006
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lpkayak
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5230
posted
this is a good thread.
seekhelp-like the others i've been there two.
i'm pretty sure these docs must get a big kickback from psyc drugs cuz they really want to give them to everyone. the few times i've tried them i have gotten much worse-fast. none of them help me, unless you cound vistaril for sleep.
here's my favorite parts from above:
I have a 23-25++, 31 IND, 41 IND, and 58+ on my Igenix WB IgM. CD-57 score of 54. They act like Lyme is impossible.
Yeah, give me your head so I can knock it through the wall. That might calm me down.
I had to go to a research hospital 1/2 way across the country in order for them to figure out that it was my blood pressure. The typical doctor can't even figure out something that simple, even after I tell them that my blood pressure readings are way off.
I am mad at the medical profession too. They are typically arrogant while at the same time clueless.
IN DEFENSE OF REGULAR MEDICAL DOCS...THEY ARE TRAINED THAT WAY AND TAUGHT CLEARLY THAT PATIENTS LIKE US ARE NUTS AND THATS WHY WE GO TO LLMDS AND USE HERBS. THEY ARE TOLD THE LLMDS AND PEOPLE WHO SELL THE HERBS ARE RIPPING US POOR, SICK PPL OFF. ((MY KIDS ARE IN GRAD SCHOOL IN THE SCIENCES AND MY DAUGHTER IN LAW IS A NURSE-SO I HEAR THIS FROM THEM)
I would sooner have a doctor who didn't know all the answers and admit it, than a doctor who is convinced s/he is right 100% of the time.
THIS IS ONE CRITERIA I HAVE FOR AN LLMD...HE MUST BE ABLE TO SAY "I DON'T KNOW"
Aniexty is just the scape goat.
Perhaps they will learn something from me
I ROUTINELY GIVE OUT THE ILADS.ORG SITE ADDRESS
I got so wretchedly sick on Mepron
ME TOO MICHAEL! IT TURNED OUT TO BE I WAS HYPOGLYCEMIC AND THE SYRUP IS FULL OF SUGAR. I'VE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE ELSE GETTING SICK ON IT. MY SUGAR MEASURED 40 FOR TWO WEEKS-LATER I FOUND OUT I COULD HAVE DIED.
tRY not to get mad at their ignorance, atleast you still have an intact brain.....more then I can say for the medical profession treating you that way.
At this point I expect most medical people to be stupid and worthless. So every once in a while, when I'm pleasantly surprised, it is delightful.
cold feet-i'm gonna start a post that might answer your question
-------------------- Lyme? Its complicated. Educate yourself. Posts: 13712 | From new england | Registered: Feb 2004
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
Seek, what happened with your blood smear? Weren't they going to send it to a darkfield scope wizard?
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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TerryK
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 8552
posted
lpkayak wrote: IN DEFENSE OF REGULAR MEDICAL DOCS...
Yes, I know. My mother was an RN who was in charge of a hospital before she became too disabled to work and we also have a doctor in the family.
As soon as a patient presents the doctor with a long list of symptoms, the eyes glaze over and the psychiatric diagnosis comes out.
That does not excuse their arrogant attitude. Anyone with any smarts has to know that the medical profession does not have all the answers. Especially those who are part of the medical community. They are also likely aware of the politics of medicine or so I've been told.
There is no excuse for a doctor to insist that pallative treatment is all that is available when they haven't even bothered to look into the controversy themselves even when they have compelling evidence to do so.
Terry
Posts: 6286 | From Oregon | Registered: Jan 2006
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