Just wanted to check in

[Guest guest]

Hi All ...

Haven't posted much. Was coming out of my depression after seeing Dr. Natale

and learning how bad the damage to my heart is from the previous SVT

ablation, yet feeling good he thinks I can have an a-fib ablation. I've been

working

through my health care system to try to get it approved (doing all the

positive, moving-forward actions I could), and it doesn't look good. The

barracuda

doctor (who I filed a complaint against) not only won't treat me (not that I'd

let her lance a boil on my butt at this point), but she also refuses to write

the consultation for an outside second opinion stating that I am NOT a

candidate for an ablation as I have not exhausted all medication options. She

already knows I can't take any of the medications. In fact, Dr. Natale told me

not

to let any doctor give me any rhythm control drugs, any beta blockers, or any

calcium channel blockers, even in an ER or urgent care setting, as the damage

to my heart is a conduction problem and very severe and it could kill me. The

only med I can take is the digoxin I am taking. I'd call that exhausting all

the medication avenues. My guess is she is punishing me for daring to file a

complaint against her. She refuses to treat me, and she is now blocking me

getting outside treatment. And I found out yesterday that she does a-fib

ablations, so there is no way the healthcare plan is going to pay for me to have

Dr. Natale do it in 2005 (which was Dr. Natale's plan) when they have someone

in-house who does them (even if she is unprofessional and a horrible person).

To say I am depressed would be to make that word very small. I am

functioning at work, but that's about it. I feel like I've become a cardiac

cripple ...

I come home and go to bed as I'm so tired from the a-fib. I'm afraid to move

because moving makes the rate go higher if I'm in a-fib, and it might make it

start if I'm not. It all just sucks, and my last hope just frittered out the

window. I have documented all my phone calls with the health care plan, the

patient advocate who was helping me until the barracuda doctor stopped her in

her tracks with the refusal to write the referral (that's all the advocate can

do now). I do plan to file a complaint against this doctor with the AMA and

the State Department of Managed Care and anyone else I can think of, though I

realize it's more to make me feel less powerless than thinking it will

accomplish anything. I just don't see how a doctor can refuse to treat someone,

then

block their ability to seek outside treatment (she is the only EP in my

health plan, so my options there don't exist).

Basically I'm done. I have no hope left for any quality of life or any

effective treatment for my worsening a-fib. I've tried living with this

disorder

for years now. I've tried to continue my life and be positive and all that.

Now I feel like I'm just waiting to stroke out or die. Not a nice way to live.

Sorry this post is so negative (this is why I don't usually post when I

don't have something more helpful to say). I have a follow-up appointment about

the digoxin with my regular doctor today (a woman Ivery much like). I was told

yesterday that the barracuda doctor and my regular doctor " had a long talk

about you " ... not about my case or my file mind you, about ME as if I'm some

naughty child who dared question the grown-ups. I'm curious to see if my

regular doctor's attitude toward me has changed at all when I see her today as

we've

had a very good relationship in the year I've had her. It's all just a mess,

and I'm on empty and have no fight left in me. Thanks to all of you for all

your support and love. I'm going to go back to lurking and not posting. I

just feel so alone that I needed someone to know how I feel, and I know you all

understand. I'm sorry for being so selfish as a positive, helpful post would

be better for the group. Thanks for listening.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

> Hi Toni ...

>

>I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with your managed

care provider. I have been reading your posts over time and

wondering how things were going. I never was able to find your

original post about the doctor from hell. If this doctor was the one

who performed the procedure for SVT that has damaged your heart to

the extent that Dr. Natale has told you then you can expect that she

may be very defensive about her medical expertise being questioned,

particularly by someone of Dr. Natale's stature.

A few suggestions to add to Trudy's suggestions. File a formal

request for all your medical records from the doctor from hell. Also

request a listing of whom the records have been provided to, under

HIPPA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act - a federal

law) they have to be able to provide this to you. You have a right

to them and if there are errors in them request in writing to have

them corrected. If the doctor from hell refuses to make any

corrections your letter requesting the corrections should become part

of your medical record with the institution. You need to know what

information this doctor is providing to other providers when

requested to do so and to whom the records have been provided. You

may find that your records contain subjective comments on you and

your personality or reaction to treatment plans. Although those

would be hard to get a physician to change you will at least know how

she is presenting you in her records. Find out from the patient

advocate the procedure to appeal the doctor's refusal to refer you

for a second opinion there has to be a process. Follow it to the

letter and send all your correspondence return requested so you have

a records that it was indeed received.

If your state has an insurance commissioner that oversees all

insurance companies file a complaint with them and send a copy to the

managed care companies head of quality control, legal department and

chief executive officer. You may find that you get a surprising

amount of help from such an office. It is part of their job to

protect the public from unfair treatment by insurance companies and a

managed care organization is an insurance company.

I know how tiring A-Fib can be and how depressing it can be when it

appears there might be an option to help with the problem but it is

out of your reach for whatever reason.

Hang in there and keep fighting for what you want and need to the

best of your ability. Take it one day at a time and know that we are

all on your side and rooting for you. Let us know how you are doing.

Beverly

[Guest guest]

> Hi Toni ...

>

>I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with your managed

care provider. I have been reading your posts over time and

wondering how things were going. I never was able to find your

original post about the doctor from hell. If this doctor was the one

who performed the procedure for SVT that has damaged your heart to

the extent that Dr. Natale has told you then you can expect that she

may be very defensive about her medical expertise being questioned,

particularly by someone of Dr. Natale's stature.

A few suggestions to add to Trudy's suggestions. File a formal

request for all your medical records from the doctor from hell. Also

request a listing of whom the records have been provided to, under

HIPPA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act - a federal

law) they have to be able to provide this to you. You have a right

to them and if there are errors in them request in writing to have

them corrected. If the doctor from hell refuses to make any

corrections your letter requesting the corrections should become part

of your medical record with the institution. You need to know what

information this doctor is providing to other providers when

requested to do so and to whom the records have been provided. You

may find that your records contain subjective comments on you and

your personality or reaction to treatment plans. Although those

would be hard to get a physician to change you will at least know how

she is presenting you in her records. Find out from the patient

advocate the procedure to appeal the doctor's refusal to refer you

for a second opinion there has to be a process. Follow it to the

letter and send all your correspondence return requested so you have

a records that it was indeed received.

If your state has an insurance commissioner that oversees all

insurance companies file a complaint with them and send a copy to the

managed care companies head of quality control, legal department and

chief executive officer. You may find that you get a surprising

amount of help from such an office. It is part of their job to

protect the public from unfair treatment by insurance companies and a

managed care organization is an insurance company.

I know how tiring A-Fib can be and how depressing it can be when it

appears there might be an option to help with the problem but it is

out of your reach for whatever reason.

Hang in there and keep fighting for what you want and need to the

best of your ability. Take it one day at a time and know that we are

all on your side and rooting for you. Let us know how you are doing.

Beverly

[Guest guest]

> Hi Toni ...

>

>I am sorry to hear you are having such a hard time with your managed

care provider. I have been reading your posts over time and

wondering how things were going. I never was able to find your

original post about the doctor from hell. If this doctor was the one

who performed the procedure for SVT that has damaged your heart to

the extent that Dr. Natale has told you then you can expect that she

may be very defensive about her medical expertise being questioned,

particularly by someone of Dr. Natale's stature.

A few suggestions to add to Trudy's suggestions. File a formal

request for all your medical records from the doctor from hell. Also

request a listing of whom the records have been provided to, under

HIPPA (Health Information Privacy and Portability Act - a federal

law) they have to be able to provide this to you. You have a right

to them and if there are errors in them request in writing to have

them corrected. If the doctor from hell refuses to make any

corrections your letter requesting the corrections should become part

of your medical record with the institution. You need to know what

information this doctor is providing to other providers when

requested to do so and to whom the records have been provided. You

may find that your records contain subjective comments on you and

your personality or reaction to treatment plans. Although those

would be hard to get a physician to change you will at least know how

she is presenting you in her records. Find out from the patient

advocate the procedure to appeal the doctor's refusal to refer you

for a second opinion there has to be a process. Follow it to the

letter and send all your correspondence return requested so you have

a records that it was indeed received.

If your state has an insurance commissioner that oversees all

insurance companies file a complaint with them and send a copy to the

managed care companies head of quality control, legal department and

chief executive officer. You may find that you get a surprising

amount of help from such an office. It is part of their job to

protect the public from unfair treatment by insurance companies and a

managed care organization is an insurance company.

I know how tiring A-Fib can be and how depressing it can be when it

appears there might be an option to help with the problem but it is

out of your reach for whatever reason.

Hang in there and keep fighting for what you want and need to the

best of your ability. Take it one day at a time and know that we are

all on your side and rooting for you. Let us know how you are doing.

Beverly

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Beverly. I appreciate your concern. No, the barracuda doctor was

not the same one who did the ablation that damaged my heart. And I already have

the records from this health plan as I had to FedEx them to Dr. Natale since

I got an appointment so fast, so they let me pick them up. That's how I know

how inaccurate her records are. Interestingly, my regular doctor (the one I

like) had comments and records that were 100% accurate. I am already appealing

her refusal to write the referral. I was supposed to hear from the health

plan office last Wednesday, and I've yet to hear from them. I could call, but

I'm scared of the answer, so I want to live in denial a bit more. My birthday

is Wednesday and I'm trying to not be so depressed so I can at least enjoy

that day. And my regular doctor was as nice as ever when I saw her last

Thursday. Apparently her " talk about me " with Dr. Barracuda didn't influence

her

much. Basically I think I don't have any hope left for any treatment, which I

try

not to think about because I just cry. I can't take the meds, even more so

now that I know how bad the damage is. I'm moving toward chronic. An ablation

is my only hope for any quality of life. I'm in my sixth day of NSR, which

is the longest period of NSR since the 18-day-attack from hell that started

this downward spiral for me. So that's probably helping with my feelings a bit

.... though every flip-flop makes me think it's starting again. Do doctors not

understand what " quality of life " means? Or lack thereof? I know you all

understand, and I thank you. And as soon as I get my 2nd wind I will contact

the

State Insurance Commissioner (not one I'd thought of, so thank you.) I am

also contacting the State Department of Managed Care (which may be under the

insurance commissioner) and the AMA ... I want others to be able to look her up

and know she's a bitch with the personality of a python and the bedside manner

of a rattlesnake.

Anyway, thanks for all your insight and suggestions ... and the love and care

from everyone on this list. I'm still not posting much ... trying to spare

you all my negativity. We all have enough of our own ... hopefully (if I can

find hope) one day I'll have good news and lots of strength and positive stuff

to share again. Thanks again to all of you.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/04 11:13:17 AM Pacific Daylight Time, trudyjh@...

writes:

> Toni, what did your regular doc (the nice one) say when you say her?

> Can she help you get a referral? Also, if you get told by anyone

> that there is a denial over the phone, be sure to note their name and

> date etc for your written records, very useful when appealing and

> writing letters.

>

Well, since I got back from seeing Dr. Natale, I've typed lengthy notes on

EVERY phone call and saved everything to a disk ... so I'll have a lot of

back-up. My regular doc was the one who told me that Dr. Barracuda wouldn't

sign

the referral because of " patient non-compliance " as I didn't take the digoxin at

first. I did explain to her that the REASON I didn't take it wasn't to be

difficult, but because I had a really severe reaction about 90 minutes after

they gave it to me in Urgent Care (luckily I was home by then). I called Dr.

Barracuda repeatedly to ASK MY QUESTIONS ... I didn't take it out of sheer fear,

not stubbornness. I find it interesting, too, that Dr. Barracuda did NOT use

that excuse with the patient advocate. She had her nurse tell the advocate

that she wouldn't sign it because I'm not a candidate for an a-fib ablation

because I haven't exhausted all medications (the ones that will kill me). I

even

said to my nice doctor that what was Dr. Barracuda going to do? Give me meds,

then say, Oh, look, Dr. Natale was right, the patient is DEAD? Basically,

because it's a cardiology issue, my regular doctor doesn't have a lot of power,

though she is who I listed as a contact for Dr. Natale. I had already gone

over Dr. Barracuda's head and am working with the health plan office, who

submitted a " retro 2nd opinion consult " form. That's what I've been waiting to

hear

about. The supervisor told me last Tuesday that I'd hear by Wednesday

morning. No word yet. I also don't have a bill yet from my consultation, so I

don't even know what it costs yet. I figure if the CC online consult is $565,

then an in-person one with Dr. Natale will be more. It's all such a mess. I'm

actually grateful I'm so numb and that I've gone way past being depressed. I

can function in numb. And work is very busy, so that helps. At this point I'm

just trying to be patient and hold onto " no news is good news " cuz at least

it's not a NO yet. But even if they say no, I'll appeal. It's just that I'm

fresh out of fight. I'm a pretty assertive person normally (having been a

corporate manager for many years, kinda comes with the territory). But I'm just

beaten by not only this condition, but having to fight my health care and this

particular bitch doctor. Oh, and my regular doctor said she did NOT think the

health plan would expect me to let Dr. Barracuda do an a-fib ablation on me

given our " hostile relationship. " So I don't know what's going on. I'm afraid

to go to my mailbox, thinking they haven't called as they'd rather send me a

" no " in the mail so I don't burst into tears on the phone again (I've done

that a lot lately). I can't handle it right now, so I'm not. Cowardly

probably,

but it's the best I can do. I'm just on empty. Thanks for your post and

support, though.

Toni

CA

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/27/04 2:17:31 PM Pacific Daylight Time, KageyD@...

writes:

> perhaps a word from someone who is chronic, and I know I'm

> not alone, would boost your spirits a bit.

>

Thanks, Kathleen. It does. Digoxin is the ONLY drug I can take (and

low-dose aspirin) ... the SVT ablation I had 18 months ago damaged the

conduction of

my heart " severely " according to Dr. Natale. He said he was surprised I

wasn't on a pacemaker and that I even left the hospital after the procedure

without

one. He said I will probably require one within 10 years, even if he " cures "

the a-fib. It's all very depressing to me. It was preventable.

Toni

CA