Why?

Why are some doctors so hard to deal with?

I called my doctor's office today because I have been struggling with my blood pressure all weekend. I talked to one of the nurses who decided to page the doctor. I told her that my bp was unreadable this morning, but it had come up to 83/42 by the time I talked to her. I was feeling weak and slightly dizzy, but otherwise I was ok...I deal with my bp being low on a fairly regular basis.

When she called me back, she said the doctor wanted me to go to the ER. This doctor has only been seeing me for 4 months, and everytime I call him with a problem, he tells me to go to the ER. It's like he doesn't want to deal with me.

I know my body, and didn't feel like I needed to go to the ER for treatment at this time. I told my husband that we needed to keep an eye on things and that if I started to feel bad, then we would go ahead and make the trip.

I am so frustrated by this doctor!!! He did my last 2 ablations, and treats me well while in the hospital, but his follow-up care is not very good. I tried calling the doctor that reffered me to him, but I can't get an appointment with her until mid April.

I need someone to adjust my pacer and see what can be done about my bp. I can't just go running off to the ER everytime something isn't right. I am so frustrated!!!!

Sorry guys....I really needed to vent! I feel better already.

Amanda

11 Comments

Unacceptable

by ppt - 2009-01-06 07:01:24

Have you addressed this with your Doctor? Perhaps he/she is unaware of your perception ....

Frustration

by maryanne - 2009-01-06 07:01:42

I hear you on this one.....It's a catch 22. Your BP was very low and needed immediate attention...your doctor made the right call to advise you to go to the ER. At the same time I can appreciate where you are coming from and don't want to go to the ER for everything and would like to use the ER and doctor's office appropriately. I commend you on that.

My question is if you are on BP medications it sounds to me like they need to be adjusted...you should go to the ER advise them what your doctor said...I am sure the ER docotor will suggest some changes....then follow up the next day or as soon as possible with your GP explain that you took his/her advice went to the ER and this is what they advised. He cant' knock you for that...and you are doing the prudent thing and he should do the follow up.

If you are being symptomatic with a low BP you need emergent intervention....your GP can't provide that...even if you went to his office he would have sent you to the ER had the low BP dealt with and then as I said done the follow up.

Some GP's do get the I am god syndrome...but most really do try to be there for their patients...best thing you can do is be your own advocate....keep your records....be direct....and insist that this issue with your hypotension be dealt with...as I said it could be as simple as adjusting a medication.

Best of luck and please keep us posted....

cheers Mary Anne

Doctor Craziness

by kcruz - 2009-01-06 08:01:37

I am so sorry your getting the ER brush off. I too deal with low BP on a daily basis, one thing I have learned is to take things in stride unfortunately. Many times you can get the brush off when they aren't sure how to fix you, at least that is what my current doc has said and being a younger women you tend to get the "women label". I really feel for you, I would address all of this with the doc at a face to face appt. As all docs tell you keep fluids plentiful which I find hard when my BP is low you don't feel good all the way around. If you have POTS, is this doctor familair with it? if you ever need to talk you can send me private messages. Good luck

BP & ER

by scadnama - 2009-01-06 10:01:46

Thank you all for your replies!

I chose not to go to the ER because I felt that it wasn't neccessary. I deal with bp issues on a daily basis. I knew that it wasn't a life threating situation, so I chose to wait it out. I was not deliberatly going against his advice. This is not the first time that he has given me the brush off...he has recommended several times that I go to the ER when it just wasn't neccessary. In fact, the last time he suggested that I go to the ER, the doctor there accused me of being crazy...you can see where my hesitation comes from. The doctor I had before him was great about these things, but like I said, she isn't available right now and knows that I am in another doctor's care right now.
I am just disappointed.

Thanks again,
Amanda

The magic word

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-06 11:01:06

I know several of you who work in the medical setting don't like it, but a judicious use of the "L" word (lawsuit) can do wonders when you aren't being heard.

It is always best to try and work it out with the medical staff first, and my experience is that I have never actually had to initiate legal action. It just gets their attention. Heck, my doc doesn't hesitate to try to scare me to get me to go along with him. Why should I be reluctant to use the same tactics.

One thing to keep in mind is that the doctor likely doesn't get paid for all the visits. If a visit can be called a followup by the insurance company it often is considered part of the last visit. I talked this one over with my last GP who has since retired, and let him know I understood his predicament. So if I needed to see him again shortly after a visit I made sure I reported some new unrelated symptom he could put on the form. None were dishonest, just things I normally wouldn't see him for.

By the way BP can be a real problem. You go to ER, get the run around which raises your BP, and then they accuse you of being crazy for thinking you have low BP.

frank

Law suit

by maryanne - 2009-01-07 01:01:47

Sorry Ted....but I take great offense to that. Law suit...my goodness....here in Canada although law suits happen they happen in the case of major malpractise....and even if a patient wins a case they settlements are no where near what the settlements are in the states.....I would be extremely fearful to work in a system that if I didn't say exactly what the patient wanted that I could run the risk of having my licence pulled or a law suit.....there are many ways to deal with these kinds of situation...and I don't believe law suit in this case is one of them.....dialogue....letter writing....write to the doctor explain your concerns...write to the medical board....again there are many other alternatives.....

I have written letters to doctors explaining my displeasure at their bedside manner or lack of treatment
that got me a lot further than any law suit would....and well I guess if you are rich in the pocket book to pay for a lawyer I guess that could be a solution.

Electric Frank please don't take any offense to this...as I know you do provide a wealth of information to this site...but there are many many memebers here who have direct cardiac knowledge and experience on a professional basis....so I hate to think people are putting all their eggs in one basket....I really appreciate all of you comments...and anyhow...I don't think using the "L" word would be one I would recommend.....but that is just my opinion....

Magic Word Will Leave You Without a Doctor

by ted - 2009-01-07 03:01:31

Electric Frank is probably the most knowlegeable person in this group when it come to technical matters, but I have to disagree with his suggestion that using the word "lawsuit" will get you more mileage at your doctor's office.
As a lawyer who both sues and defends doctors, I can tell you that no self-respecting professional will put up with such a threat. What will happen, is that your doctor will terminate you as a patient and tell you to take your best shot since a threat to sue has contaminated the physician-patient relationship. If your doctor has really committed malpractice, go ahead and get another opinion from another doctor or no lawyer will waste his time with you. But, if you are not seriously injured by a doctor's malpractice, or just have hurt feelings, don't go around making idle threats just to try to scare someone. Why would anyone want to keep seeing a doctor that they have to keep threatening to sue??
Remember that any lawsuit against a doctor will probably bring an inquiry by the Medical Board, so if you use the word "lawsuit" around a physician's office, you are also threatening his or her future and livlihood. Do you want a doctor who trembles with fear every time he sees you?? Isn't there a better way to communicate with those who hold our lives in their hands?

Huh?

by ted - 2009-01-07 04:01:04

Maryanne: I don't understand what you are saying. You are offended by what Electric Frank said and you are offended by what I said? I don't think that you really read my post.

New Doctor

by scadnama - 2009-01-07 12:01:46

I have every intention of seeing a new doctor. Actually, it is my first doctor that I really love, and will be going back to her. The only problem is, she is booked until April!

Thanks for your input everyone.

Amanda

ElectricFranks Comments

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-08 09:01:50

Interestingly I agree with most of the comments above. I realize that few people can use the hint of legal or ethical action in an effective way. It should only be used as a last resort and rarely. But stop and think..it is better that I let a doctor know what I am willing to do, than to say nothing and them bring action when he/she has no chance of correcting the problem gracefully.

I can only say that my willingness to mention the option saved my wife's life during her time in ICU after a major stroke. She was showing the signs of an anaphylactic reaction to an infusion of platelets. I contacted the nursing staff and was told "Oh she is just laying on the monitoring leads". I used the L word as well as threatening to push the Code Blue button, which got their attention. They tried to prohibit my being with her in the ICU, but again I simply mentioned the L word and that the recorded monitoring information would bear out my conclusion. We came to an agreement that I was welcome in the ICU and I would drop the issue.

Not, what should I have done? Let her die and then bring a malpractice suit. No thanks!

I realize that one of my characteristics (problems) is that I am not impressed by professionals when they are wrong whether they are medical or legal or whatever.

Best to all and thanks for your input. It is how I learn.

frank

Patient Abandonment

by ElectricFrank - 2009-01-08 10:01:29

There is a situation called Patient Abandonment that would likely apply to a doctor just not wanting to put up with a patient that demands the services needed.


The following is taken from a medical/legal website:

Abandonment generally means a unilateral severance of the professional relationship between a health care provider and a patient without reasonable notice at a time when there is still a need for continuing health care.

I'm not tying to give legal advice. Just put some perspective on the situation.

frank

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