posted
So I reaffirmed my hatred in the majority of the medical profession today.
In November 2008 I had an MRI due to my symptoms (this is pre-Lyme diagnosis) and 12 lesions were found in my brain. I went to the neurologist and she ordered a bunch of special tests and today I went for my follow up.
I have NEVER been so insulted or angry at a doctor's visit as I was today and I just need to vent.
My doctor told me all the tests were negative (because they were for vascular problems, which I don't have). After reading in my chart that I take Klonopin for anxiety (I take it probably once a week) she proceeded to tell me that I am the type of person that "just really needs to be reassured about things." She says:
"You're pre-wired to overreact to everything. You need us to spend thousands of dollars on tests to tell you that you're fine."
Then she goes into a random rant - "Obama is trying to figure out how to deal with people like you. Because when you want all these tests under his standard health care plan and it's denied, you won't be happy - he's just trying to figure out how to deal with people like you."
She then states "I think you should just keep taking the Klonopin. You're fine, I really don't even think we need a follow up appointment - but we can do a follow up MRI in one year."
I then tell her that I am losing insurance in May, and since that will be 6 mos. from my MRI I ask if we can do the follow up MRI then. She replies with:
"We're not going to spend thousands of dollars to do the MRI at 6 mos. just because you're losing insurance. Just because you're not going to have money doesn't give us a reason to do the test. Sorry it doesn't work like that (laughs) We'll do it in one year, and if you don't have the money then we won't do it. I really don't think you need it anyway - I think the radiologist was just overzealous in reading your results."
She then tells me that even though the radiologist report says I have 12 lesions, she thinks I only have 3 or 4. I didn't realize she suddenly went to school for radiology overnight.
I asked her what part of the brain they were in and she wouldn't even tell me. She just kept saying - they're nothing. You're fine.
She was literally laughing at me. She says "I'm not trying to poke fun at you, but I'm just trying to show you reality."
I wanted to say REALLY have you ever sat up night after night and wanted to kill yourself because you were in so much pain? Or had to quit your job because you're too sick to work? But there's NOTHING wrong with me , it's just ANXIETY.... RIGHT.
If I didn't already have my LLMD and my Lyme diagnosis (which I didn't tell her about - because I can imagine the field day she would have with that) - I think that this visit would have put me over the edge.
I can't believe the people they are letting practice medicine nowadays and after I beat Lyme (yes I WILL beat it), I'm not going to the doctor ever again.
Sorry. just had to vent.
Posts: 34 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Mar 2009
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TadichGrill
Unregistered
posted
Sorry you had to deal with this ignorant condescending idiot. I have met my share of them. When someone close to her gets Lyme disease she may learn something.
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
request a copy of all your medical records there and especially from HER.
sign a release of info giving you that right. another post today stated they were charging $1 - 1.25 PER PAGE!
before i had them run off any pages, i'd read the page 1st to make sure it is worth it!!
so sorry she treated you like crap.
reminded me of mandy in UOS's dr. saying she wasn't getting enough attention!
throw her in tutu's alligator pit in support.
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
Oh no.
What a TOAD she is... worse than a toad.
In MY opinion, we need to start pointing fingers at the ones who act this way... or they will keep doing it.
Knowing what I know now...
I would go to the press and name HER name... and say what she did.
See how she likes that.
I would also write her comments down and write a note to the head of the radiology dept.. and cc it to the hospital administration where she practices.
Let them put her on the carpet.
I am so sorry you had a PIG in a doctors suit.
Toss her in the pit... and keep moving forward. And the next time I get a hard time from someone here for calling them DUCKS and being impolite...
MAYBE you could chime in with this story. It is a perfect example of what a duck is.
Hoosiers51
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 15759
posted
The way this woman (doctor if you want to call her that) behaved was SO unprofessional.
I can't believe she gets paid as much as she probably does to be so unprofessional and not do her job.
There are people that get paid minimum wage that, if they laugh at a customer, would get fired and loose their salary.
It is dispicable that this system allows people to get paid so much money for acting so unprofessional.
Is she your best buddy and she's allowed to give you life advice? Is she your mom so she's allowed to give you "tough love?"
Whatever! Do your job, lady!
UGH!!!!!
I'm SO sorry you had to be subjected to such abuse. Abuse is really what it is. This sickens me, and I'm sooooo sorry.
I bet you could even file a complaint against the doctor for acting so unprofessional.
I've been fortunate that most of the doctors I've encountered that didn't agree that I had Lyme were at least respectful and professional.
There is just no excuse for that kind of behavior from her. You can express your opinion without being a total jerk.
Another pet peeve I have is when people pretend like they know you. The "you're the type of person..." thing is HIGHLY insulting. Once again, I am SOOOO sorry you had to be subjected to this. How horrifying. This doctor should be ashamed of herself.
Posts: 4590 | From Midwest | Registered: Jun 2008
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posted
I am sorry you had this silly and unprofessional an amoral person who thinks she is a doctor just because she has a license.
Remember what you need is to get the copy of your tests results, AND ask this doctor in writing, tell her you need it for your employer, that you need the doctor's diagnosis and your condition.
If she refuses to, she needs to be reported to the patient care representative at the hospital. I report someone once to the patient care, and this Dr. I complained about HAD a history of behavioural issues towards the patients.
Believe me this Doctor of yours is like this to others, don't feel you got singled out, because people like this attack people in general so file a complaint with the patient resource at the hospital so others will be spared and you get your results in writing.
Posts: 24 | From JAPAN | Registered: Apr 2009
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posted
Laura, So sorry you got treated in such a horrible fashion!!
I had a very similar experiance, with a female neuro abt 18 mons ago. Including the laughter, while I was in tears and visibly sick!
I had to see what state you were from, cause I wondered if it was the same one.
Maybe, call the state medical board and tell them what she did. See if you can file a complaint with them ??
Hope you don't have that happen again.
-------------------- Take Care, DakotasMom01 Posts: 371 | From NJ | Registered: Dec 2007
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
What a horrible, despicable way to treat a person. I am so very sorry.
I agree with bettyg. Request a copy of your medical records. I would want everything for my files.
Try not to think too much about this wretched doctor. I know that's next to impossible to do.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
Obviously this doctor shouldn't be a doctor. It's sad that medical school is structured the way it is.
But why are you bothering even seeing a Neurologist or even talking about anything other than lyme with her? If you know lyme is the problem (which it is) there's no need to even waste time with this woman. Simply tell her she's an incredibly stupid woman that knows nothing about medicine, you have lyme, and leave her office never to see her again. Then go see a LLMD and get the problem fixed.
No sense in giving these doctors money when they aren't qualified to help us. See an ILADS doc Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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LisaS
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10581
posted
Wow what a jerk! Definately don't go back to her. I have gone to so many Drs that I know think that way. And I've seen a couple ER doctors who said close to the same things. It just makes you sicker. I'm sorry, hope you find the right Dr for you next time!
My last experience was bad from three fronts, a nurse, the ER doc, and the ambulance driver. I woke up the day after Christmas and couldn't move my arm, I felt all dizzy and thought I must be having a stroke.
The insults started when the ambulance driver asked me if I get stressed during the holidays, that was the first, then while I was in the ER room waiting, the nurse came in and I told her I coulnd't lift my arm and my legs were too weak to walk, she asked me, well then how did you get your bra on? I told her I've been wearing it for four days, cuz I've been too weak to get out of bed. That was number two, then the ER doc came in, he said, well I hear you're too weak to walk, and I said, yeah, I haven't even been able to take a shower for four days, (which is unlike me, I take at least one a day) and he said, well four days ago when you took a shower how did you get there. I said well I walked, but I was really weak, and I'm getting worse everyday. He said, well if you walked to the shower then you can walk.
It turned out I had three bulging disks in my neck pressing on a nerve running down my arm. These peope did not figure it out. A different dr did on a different ER trip.
[ 04-04-2009, 12:12 PM: Message edited by: LisaS ]
2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
I would get all your records, to include her statement of diagnosis, that way if this turns out to get bigger in the future you can consider a lawsuit.
I would also get a cppy of the films and run to another doc, preferably lyme lit neuro, and start from there.
What does your lyme doc say about such BS?
2roads
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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disturbedme
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 12346
posted
Is there any way you could turn her in or complain about her (to the medical board or if she's on your insurance, you might want to tell them as well, and tell the office she's a part of, if she has someone superior than her)? I definitely would. Tell them that you came to her with an MRI with 9 lesions on it and she laughed at you about it, basically making fun of you and telling you you're stupid. I don't think they would like hearing that about one of their doctors. How awful she was to you. It gets pretty awful when a doctor laughs at you in your face and tells you that you're the kind of person that just needs reassurance. That is BEYOND wrong.... and I wouldn't stand for it... because who knows how many people she'll see in the future and say the same thing to that have lyme and lesions and are at their last strawa and get THIS answer?
This is so sad. And makes me extremely mad that these type of people take an oath to help their patients when it's very obvious they are actually harming them more than helping.
-------------------- One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ~ Helen Keller
My Lyme Story Posts: 2965 | From Land of Confusion (bitten in KS, moved to PA, now living in MD) | Registered: Jun 2007
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posted
i wouldnt waste precious energy on this woman....what kind of doc is she? she should have here liscense taken away...lesions are nothing to laugh at....omg..please loook at my new post about dr m in nyc...un real
Posts: 92 | From bethel, ny | Registered: Jan 2009
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massman
Unregistered
posted
Nail her with a complaint. Have some other docs (ones with hearts and brains) review your MRI and then NAIL the WITCH. To treat a suffering human with such idiocy is a crime, in my mind.
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tdtid
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 10276
posted
Laura,
Is this neurologist from Concord? I ask because it sounds very similar to a song and dance I got from one of the many specialists my PCP sent me to before I got my Lyme diagnosis.
I underrstand how frustrating it is but you do have to shake these types of doctors off and just never give them another penny.
Good luck and hang in there.
Cathy
-------------------- "To Dream The Impossible Dream" Man of La Mancha Posts: 2638 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
Thank you everyone for your support.. I can't even put into words how nice it is to have people who understand.
Posts: 34 | From New Hampshire | Registered: Mar 2009
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Dawnee
Unregistered
posted
I ca't even read the responses right now, I'm just so ****ed off for you. Definately get ALLLL of your records and notes from this neurologist and immediately file a complaint with the medical board. I'm sure they'd love to hear her explaination of how Royal Mr Obama is trying to deal with "people like you". Won't get her in much trouble, but she'll think twice.
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Just get your LLMD to write the orders for the next MRI. Most any doc can write orders for an MRI -- does not need to be a neurologist.
Yes, get copies of the doctor's notes and also copies of the MRI film or it could be on a CD disc. The film or disc would be from the location that did the MRI. They usually just loan the films to the doc for your appointment and the film should have been returned to the facility that actually did the MRI.
So sorry you had to put up with this ducks attitude. Next to infectious disease docs I think neurologists are just about the worst.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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seekhelp
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 15067
posted
Somehow, somewhere this verbal abuse by docs needs to stop. A major undertaking needs to be done and soon. It's getting bad.
Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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Lymeorsomething
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16359
posted
I'm with Randi. I probably would have exercised some lyme rage and choked her right then and there
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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Geneal
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 10375
posted
Wow.
Is she a poster child for Obama?
I was denied a Western Blot that I asked to have.
The reason was we didn't have Lyme here.
I wrote a very heated letter to the state Medical Board.
In as such this idiot doesn't pay for any of the tests being run on you,
What difference would it make to her???
I probably would have lost my cool and let my mouth do
The talking while I was doing the walkin'.
Call your insurance company too.
File a complaint with them.
Ask if the visit has to be paid for.
I wouldn't pay anything for that kind of abuse.
Sending you hugs, and kisses
And hoping that the ignorance of that doctor
Doesn't eventually cause someone's death.
(Which I am sure it will).
This is what happens when you get the God Complex.
I know. My husband has one too.
Hugs,
Geneal
Posts: 6250 | From Louisiana | Registered: Oct 2006
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Reading your story reminded me of my 1st neuro. I had a very similar situation, with 8 brain lesions.
Except my neuro told me I was fat and should take antidepressants, instead of blaming an anxiety disorder as in your case.
It took me one year from then to finally get a Lyme diagnosis from an LLMD.
That first neuro made me feel responsible for my deteriorating health, and it took a lot of time and support to get past how I was treated.
I'm glad you came here and shared this and I hope you continue to benefit from the support.
Posts: 455 | From Was in PA, then MD, now in the Midwest | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
Ditto what everyone else said. Send a letter to the CEO of the hospital. I did that and actually got a call back from him, with an apology for the walk-in clinic's misdiagnosing my rash as ringworm. I've also sent out 20 or 30 letters to all the docs I've seen over the last 15 years who missed the Lyme diagnosis. Included pictures of my rashes and my IGENEX test results showing pos. for Lyme. They each got a verbal thrashing, civil but to the point.
I received similar treatment from a neurologist, and I could have punched her. Instead I restrained myself and wrote the letter later.
Someone's suggestion of going on the doc-rating sites and sharing your experince is a great idea too. Then make a copy of your rating and send it to her and the hospital CEO.
-------------------- Sick since at least age 6, now 67. Decades of misdiagnosis. Numerous arthritic, neuro, psych, vision, cardiac symptoms. Been treating for 7 years, incl 8 mos on IV. Bart was missed so now treating that. Posts: 765 | From nw ct | Registered: Sep 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
paulie, i applaud your taking positive steps on misdiagnosis and poor treatment/conduct given to you.
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David95928
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3521
posted
There's always ratemds.com. Get even!
-------------------- Dave Posts: 2034 | From CA | Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Yes Laura, I to am very sorry you had to go through this ABUSE froma supposed medical professional . Been there done that .I once cornered a neuro in his office when he told me "yes you have something , but I don't know what it is,lets do another MRI in 1 year".I tried to explain to him that I have Lyme and babs and that explains the legeons on brain and he told me I shouldn't tell a specialist his business. I got my records from him and leaft with a smile , I think he had to change his pants!I will not go see another doc without a recording device.
Posts: 97 | From West Chester ,Pa. | Registered: Aug 2006
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lymeHerx001
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6215
posted
what the !!!!!!!!!!!!!
YOU HAVE 12 LESSIONS!
I HAVE CHRONIC VERTIGO AND DONT EVEN HAVE 1 AND I STILL HAD AN MRI!
Posts: 2905 | From New England | Registered: Sep 2004
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