Re: Why all the doctor bashing?

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 2/20/2005 4:23:27 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,

shados@... writes:

I do agree that most doctors dont have the time to spend with each

patient.

Hi Angelia,

I agree with this 100% and part of the reason is people. I know someone

that left work one day complaining with a side ache. She went to the ER, then

to 2 other doctors the same day, never telling any of them that she had been

to someone else. She was constantly calling the doctor or going to the

doctor. They never found anything wrong. Suddenly she stopped talking about

the

pain. That was over 2 years ago and she has not mentioned this again.

People make the comment, " well why don't you fire your doctor " . I think in

this case, the doctor " fired " the patient. lol

hugs

Eunice

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

Why is it that people blame the doctor for everything? Take some responsiblity

for your own health and body.

------------------------------------------------------------

The only way I can answer this is to say that when ALL the symptoms are THERE,

but the doctor ignores your complaints about the symptoms and fails to ask for

that patient to be tested, then there is negligence on the part of the doctor.

My symptoms should have been blatantly obvious to any doctor. But none of them

caught it until I ended up in the hospital repeatedly and kept passing out.

I'm not a medical professional. I had no idea what was going on. But I did make

way too many doctor and hospital visits for a medical professional to not pick

up on the symptoms I was complaining about. I even had one doctor tell me that I

was imagining it, there was nothing wrong with me. But he never bothered to ask

for tests of any kind.

Sure, NOW I know. But unless one has had medical training, how do we know?

How can we take responsiblity for our own body if we have no idea what is going

on?

They HAVE HAD, medical training. That's what we PAY them for.

I just think many doctors are way too busy to take the time needed with a single

patient.

After all, it just took one simple test to find out.

Why didn't at least one of those doctors I was seeing ask for tests?

Does anyone know how scary it is to be driving down the road and pass out?

Or to be standing in your own kitchen and not be able to figure out how to turn

on your stove?

To try to sign your name to a check and suddenly can't remember what your name

is?

Then have the doctor tell you there isn't anything wrong with you?

I DO~!

And it scared me to death.

Now that I know my blood sugar levels can drop so low that I pass out or can't

remember my own name; now I CAN take responsibility for my own body. I haven't

had another episode since I've learned to control my BS levels.

Donna

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[Guest guest]

Donna,

Actually my doctor was on the ball and still missed it. Why? Too many other

things going on in my life. I passed out, I couldn't/still can't remember

things, etc. My doctor did a diabetes test every year during my physicals and

always tested my blood sugars when I went in for visits and nothing was ever out

of the ordinary. I did keep a journal of complaints, when, where, how, etc. and

brought it with me when I saw the doctor in case he saw a pattern I didn't - as

you said - he is the professional. I also don't automatically take my doctor's

answer as gospel. When he told me I was diabetic, I was on the web, reading

books, talking to other diabetics.... anyone who might be able to 'prove' him

wrong.

At the same time, I had cervical and uterine cancer, surgery, a hysterectomy,

was dumped unceremoniously into menopause (menopausal women and older people in

general start to forget things once they're over 40 - I've talked to dozens and

dozens of 'normal' people who have the same forgetfullness), plus burying a

daughter who was killed in a car accident the day after her first birthday and a

2 year old grandson to help raise. This was all within 6 months. Oh yeah, on

top of the medications I was taking. I'm surprised I remembered to wake up in

the morning!

My point is - sometimes what should be sticking out as plain as the nose on your

face isn't. Sometimes it takes a little patience and detective work and keeping

notes and talking with your doctor, not yelling how inept he is because he

didn't take a look at you and say oh yeah... passing out, forgetfulness -

diabetes! My doctor's first guess was the meds I was on plus the shock of

dealing with my daughter's death.

Even the most proactive of people are going to miss something at some time.

That's why my journal. Besides, if I didn't keep my journal, I'd never remember

what it was I want to tell him when I see him! LOL

I'm sorry you had a hard time getting diagnosed and it is scary. I'm glad you

know what it is and can be more in control of your health. BTW: My memory

still sucks and I do get close to passing out. I get the shakes and I throw up.

Sometimes from diabetes, sometimes from my meds, sometimes from dealing with the

grief. When it happens, I stop, look at what's going on with me, what I've been

eating or doing lately and take it from there. My doctor is there for when I

can't get it figured out and need his help between visits. Thankfully, my calls

are getting fewer and fewer.

Good luck,

Deborah

----- Original Message -----

Why is it that people blame the doctor for everything? Take some responsiblity

for your own health and body.

------------------------------------------------------------

The only way I can answer this is to say that when ALL the symptoms are THERE,

but the doctor ignores your complaints about the symptoms and fails to ask for

that patient to be tested, then there is negligence on the part of the doctor.

My symptoms should have been blatantly obvious to any doctor. But none of them

caught it until I ended up in the hospital repeatedly and kept passing out.

[Guest guest]

Why didnt you ask for tests? If you were so adimant about having something

wrong, why didnt you ask to have a wide range blood test taken? That's what

I did when I wasnt feeling well. I went to the doctor and asked to have

blood tests, to test for diabetes, thyroid, and any other types of blood

disorders that could be causing my symptoms.

I realize that a doctor should request that the tests be done, But

sometimes, they dont. Sometimes they dont see the symptoms that you do. It

happens. I do agree that most doctors dont have the time to spend with each

patient.

Angelia in OR

----- Original Message -----

From: " Donna "

>

> The only way I can answer this is to say that when ALL the symptoms are

> THERE, but the doctor ignores your complaints about the symptoms and fails

> to ask for that patient to be tested, then there is negligence on the part

> of the doctor.

> After all, it just took one simple test to find out.

> Why didn't at least one of those doctors I was seeing ask for tests?

>

> Does anyone know how scary it is to be driving down the road and pass out?

> Or to be standing in your own kitchen and not be able to figure out how to

> turn on your stove?

> To try to sign your name to a check and suddenly can't remember what your

> name is?

> Then have the doctor tell you there isn't anything wrong with you?

> I DO~!

> And it scared me to death.

>

> Now that I know my blood sugar levels can drop so low that I pass out or

> can't remember my own name; now I CAN take responsibility for my own body.

> I haven't had another episode since I've learned to control my BS levels.

>

> Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi Angelia!

<< Why is it that people blame the doctor for everything? Take some

responsiblity for your own health and body. >>

Oh believe me, I do now!! I take everything a doc says with a grain

of salt and research, research, research!!

However, I think that a lot of people grow up thinking that doctors

are the gals/guys with all the medical answers. If you have a

medical problem you go to your doctor and they will tell you what is

wrong. And once upon a time, that probably WAS the way to go. I

mean, doctors (or shamens, wise women, etc) were the ones who had

information on such things ... and everyone else probably had no

clue. And there was certainly no Internet ... go back far enough and

many folks were either illiterate or read only a bible. So we have a

lot of history of believing our medicine men will have all the

answers. And if you have no health problems, then there is no reason

to believe otherwise.

The point of posting information about doctor mis-diagnosises isn't

to blame everything on the doctors. It is more to say that not all

doctors know everything and that you should do your own reseach and

get second opinions if you aren't satisfied with the way your care is

going. Doctors are people ... they aren't perfect and they don't

know everything. Thus, if you have diabetes (or suspect you might),

an endocrinologist would be a good person to see, since an endo is

well versed on symptoms and treatments. Posting information about

problems with doctors helps people avoid the problems that can come

from assuming doctors know everything. If you DON'T post the

information, some people might not realize it! (I certainly had to

be hit over the head with a brick (a third doc who sent me to an

endo) to realize it!) I was prefer to offer others the chance to

figure out faster. <g>

Peggy

[Guest guest]

You are so right that nobody can know everything. And medical

discoveries are being made everyday.

I wonder if some of the 'doctor bashing' comes out of frustration

and the fact that text on the computer carries absolutely no facial

expression or gesturing with it?

The medical professionals that a person sees are tools and sometimes

a special wrench is required versus an adjustable wrench (do not get me

wrong; I do not have anything against doctors who are not 'specialists').

That is why I have suggested to a number of recently diagnosed people that

they seek the advice of a doctor who specializes in diabetes. I have seen

docs that specialize in diabetes for a longtime,and depend on them to keep

me up with what is new. (I admit to missing my last appointment).

I would say if you have a good relationship with you present doctor,

you want to keep them on your team, but may want to also seek the advice of

a specialist to keep on top of new findings and hopefully it will be

possible for them to communicate with one another.

The relationship you have with a doctor is, I feel, a key to

treatment; do you feel comfortable disclosing details on how you really feel

and what you are (or are not) doing? Like you said, the doctors are not

mind readers, and, I'll add, you're not getting your money's worth if that

communication is not taking place.

How well diabetes is controlled really affects how you feel,

physically and emotionally.

I also suffer from depression and take meds for it. I can say that

experience tells me that the control of my diabetes and my depression are

very much related.

I am not one to blame my doc for things; generally they cannot spend

as much time with patients as would be ideal. So it is not a bad idea to

write down questions or things you want to tell your doctor when you see

them. I know I always forget to ask them, but I know when I do, they will

get me an answer.

Angelia, you make some excellent points. I thought I would add my

few cents worth.

Thank you.

Regards

Ted

in Seattle, WA

[Guest guest]

Ted Burzycki wrote:

> That is why I have suggested to a number of recently diagnosed people that

> they seek the advice of a doctor who specializes in diabetes.

What would this be called? An internist? An endocrinologist? I'd like

my husband to see a specialist.

Amber

[Guest guest]

Amber,

I am glad that you asked and apologize for not being specific.

An endocrinologist is the type of doctor who would be a diabetes

specialist, although I do not know that every endocrinologist is necessarily

a diabetes specialist.

I wish you and your husband the best.

Take care

Ted

[Guest guest]

Ted Burzycki wrote:

> Amber,

> An endocrinologist is the type of doctor who would be a diabetes

> specialist

Thank you. We don't have any where we live.

Amber