Re: Reposted Post from Amy - please can you guys help....

Amy,
This is ridiculous!! I feel so badly for you and the way you have been
treated.
ARe you here, in the U.S.? If so, your doctor cannot talk to anyone
about you or your treatment, (other than other docs) without your
SPECIFIC WRITTEN PERMISSION. This is a privacy act that came into
affect last year, I think, or the year before. I often take my Mom to
the doc, and because SHE IS bipolar, she often cannot call the doc
herself and I have to do it. For them to even talk to me (her own
daughter!), we both had to fill out a bunch of forms, authorizing the
docs and nurses to talk to me. Your rheumy shouldn'tve even talked to
your father without having your written permission first.
I just cannot get over the treatment you have received at her hands.
I would certainly seek out another rheumy, or RD. I, myself, am on my
third one. I, not being as polite as you seem to be, especially when I
am in pain), ended up having a full blown, yelling argument with my
last one, who was condescending, rude and patronizing. I am not an
idiot and don't need to be spoken to as if I were. You don't deserve
this treatment either. I'm so sorry ((((AMY)))
Anyway, is there another RD that you could make an appointment with? I
have found a few things that have helped me in preparing for an
appointment. (I would often be in a lot of pain, because at first, no
one could find anything wrong with me...this went on for 2.5 years,
before I finally received a diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis and
fibromyalgia, and due to this pain and a lack of patience, I would
often get very emotional at my appointments, and this contributed to my
not being taken seriously). So, to prepare, I make a couple of lists.
1) a list of the trouble spots or issues with my body. I try to be very
specific, yet brief...where the pain is, what kind of pain it is
(shooting, stabbing, burning, etc..), and how often it occurs. 2)a list
of questions for the doc...like, "I'm not sleeping, what can you
suggest?", stuff like that. Also questions regarding exercise, braces
or splints,.diet, etc... 3)Just notes on what meds I need refills on,
etc...
The first two docs I had were rude and incompetent. They made me feel
like everything was in my head. In fact, if I had not insisted on MRIs
when nothing showed on my Xrays, I might still be in the dark right
now.
It is also unreasonable to be expected to wait 7-8 hours to be seen,
sign or no sign.

When I left my second doctor, I made an appointment with a new one that
a friend had recommended. I was able to obtain copies of my records,
xrays and MRIs, and have them sent over to new RD. (I had already told
my second RD that I was going for another opinion, as is my right).
After consulting with my current RD, I was on the phone within two
minutes of getting home, telling my last RD that I would NEVER be
returning.
A pain clinic is also a good idea. In the meantime could you ask your
GP to take control of your meds back, until you get in to another RD,
pain clinic, or maybe even a different GP?
I'm so sorry that you are going through this crap. Please don't let
these people walk on you...it is YOUR body and you know it better than
anyone. Just because someone has MD after their name, it doesn't mean
that they know everything and have the right to treat you like ***.
I hope that things work out for you, Amy...try to hang in there,
Charlene

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