Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group " Bitter Old Bag "

Yep - that's what I'll become if I keep banging my head against the wall - visiting these rheumatologists.
Yesterday's new rheumy visit went very badly.
First I was seen by a student who asked a few questions and then wrote an essay. He took the essay out and then about 10 mins later - retuned with the new rheumy.
New rheumy looked very angry.
His first words were " Ms. Newby, I'm not sure what it is you expect me to do for you "
I was completely taken aback - this was not what I expected at all.
I stayed calm and went through the whole diagnosis and undiagnosis business. I also told him absolutely every ache and pain and fatigue problem, including the rib pain, the B27 + and Iritis. I explained that I sought out a rheumy because everything was intensifying - especially at night. I needed to know how I should be dealing with it all. My thoughts were as Brent said - mechanical damage should be treated differently than Spondy. Also, the mechanical back pain theory dosn't explain all the other things ( ribs, knees, neck etc.... etc.... ) I said I realize I am not as bad as many but on the other hand I do try very hard to function normally,and I know I do have a high pain threshhold.
I said that I am pretty scared and worried about what is happening to me.

He said he cannot diagnose anything either. Mechanical back pain is from natural aging
No answer was given at all for evrything else, including the rib pain. I remained polite and calm about it but when I asked again about all these other things, besides the back - he kept looking at the student and then back to me and even gave several annoyed sighs.
In the end he cut me short and said he needs time to asses me - come back in 3 months and in the meantime take Tylonol or Advil.
If Tylonol or Advil were cutting it - I never would have approached any doctor in the first place.
By the time I left, I was in tears.

I am so incredibly frustrated now. I know they see me a a shallow, whiny, insignificant nuciance with nothing more than a sore back and a great imagination.
I doubt I will ever go back. We'll see in 3 months, how I feel
I know that right now, I feel completely lost.
I will probably coast along with my GP instead.

I think one moral here is not to switch rheumys within the same building.

Sorry for the novel

Maggie

Maggie

The guy sounds like a real **** but I found that most rheumatologists are when it comes to AS.

John

Edited by Michelle in Md on 10/21/04 01:26 PM (server time).

ohhhh maggie. i am so sorry to hear your visit went bad. i had hoped to hear better news. i think if they are in the same building it could be why that happened. i know when i once went to see this rheumy b/c my old rheumy was unavailable at that time. he went through xrays, did blood work and requested all my old paperwork from my old rheumy. he went out of his way to prove him wrong. he was younger and so arrogant. he had no explanation for the plantar fascitis YET he gave me steroid injections. even though my sed rate was elevated and have fusion. he tried to play it all off as fibro. it was unbelievable. i went 2x's. that was when he gave me the results and stuff. never went back.

when i went to my old rheumy he asked. i explained he had been very busy. he said that's a pretty fancy building they have over there eh? i told him it was but the doctor wasnt too bright. he was stunned at his dx. he said i had all the mechanical damage and inflammatory damage and signs. 'nough said. your pain is real and you are not a whiny person. you are a person in need of answers.

the fact that you have had iritis as well. i cant believe he seemed annoyed. he doesnt deserve an educated and well prepared patient as yourself maggie. as the "donald" would say " you're Fired" to rheumy!!

hugs]]]


Adios!
Buggie

Maggie if you read some of my post yo will see the same thing happening as I have been to several neurologist and neurosurgeons since early 2003. The neurosurgeon I first saw said if he had the experience for doing the surgery he would be more than happy to do it. He has the training and models and cadavers but not a live patient and with the multiple thoracic discs causing spinal cord pressure he did not feel he wanted me to be his first patient. He said he only knew of two surgeons in the US with the experience to perform the surgery with one being in Texas and the other in California. He said in July 2003 if I didn't have the surgery by December 2003 I would be pushing my luck and will become paralized from my nipples down eventually if I don't have the surgery. I respect him because he treated me in 1990 and this time he was honest with me about his feelings of not enough experience to perform the surgery I need. The neurologist I saw Tuesday was in the same office as him

I had seen two other surgeons with the first saying I needed to be treated at a pain clinic before a surgery attempt was made and the pain clinic would most likely put a morphine pump in to help control the pain. The second told me he would do the surgery if I didn't have AS. He felt the risk of my heart disease, COPD and the AS would put me at to much risk and I may not survive the 8 hours of surgery. I think part of it was he talked to my cardiologist who told him I would have to have another stress test to see if my heart could handle it. I share your frustration with you.

You will find your GP can help you just as much as the Rheumy could if he/she wants to. They can prescribe the same drugs. The problem is getting him or he to do it. Nowadays the medical community thinks GP are just for cold, flu and allergy related stuff and specialist should handle the rest. I'm not sure if the insurance companies have pushed or if it government bodies causing it. I do know it gets all of us patients very discouraged and frustrated when no one appears to want to help.

Brent

Oh Maggie, I had sooo hoped you would be treated with competence and kindness this time.

THAT IS IT!!! I am so stinking mad, I can only imagine how you must be feeling. I've had it up to here ` with these Ottawa rheumys, and think it's HIGH time you made the nice (albeit long) trip down to T.O. to re-group with some fellow KAer's and see my old Rheumatologist! He is excellent!

I can promise, at the very very least, you will be treated with kindness and compassion.

I know you are far from ready to go through yet another rheumy experience Maggie, and may prefer to take a nice relaxing break from their lot for awhile, but when you do feel ready or the need escalates, please know there is yet another option for you to explore. When you feel ready, just let me know and I will discuss it with him, and send you all of his info to obtain a referral from your GP, and we can make it happen, okay?

BIG supportive hugs for you!

mig

Oh, I am so sorry that happened to you. Keep on looking. There are some really good doctors out there. About 20 years ago, I changed drs. in the same bldg. When I went to the second dr. he said that he saw by my charts that I had been seeing Dr. First and wanted to know why I wanted to see him and I just told him that our personalities didn't fit and he said he understood that, that not everyone clicked and he took wonderful care of me for the last 20 years. I only changed this year to go to the same one my hubby goes to because of his insurance. Don't give up. You need some relief!

Hugs.
Possi

Hi Maggie,

Sorry to hear about the less than ideal visit. The doctor does seem a bit insensitive from your comments. Is your last name "Newby".... or was that in reference to being a new patient? If it is the latter... that is rather alarming.

Hopefully you can find some answers either here or with your next visit if you keep it.

Tim

If you get up one more time than you fall, you will make it through - Chinese Proverb

drat it all...

i thought the fix was in and you'd found a good one.
i feel so badly for you...time for a hot bath, champagne and pain killers.

your gp seems to be helping more...wish you had some relief
and an action plan to ward of further damage.

don't go quiet...keep up the fight
best,
aloha Ben

Maggie,

I am sooo sorry you are having so much trouble!! I will adopt you and you can come to Bama!!!

Big hugs to you Maggie!!!
Holly

Ah honey, I wish this hadn't happened. When I told my GP about your experiences, she was disgusted. Wait until she hears about this!

I guess, for the time being anyway, your GP is the way to go. But I'm with Mig. Should you at some point want to make the trek to TO to see her old rheumy, you have a place to stay with me and a doc to go to with Mig and we'll look after you sweetie. No patient should have to go through what you have.

Makes me want to get in touch with the Ontario Medical Association and make a complaint about these so called doctors. I'm spitting mad on your behalf honey and I can make anyone feel about a nanometer tall with just one look when I care to. Should you want to take advantage of it, I'm right there.

You are not a bitter old bag, sweetheart. You are a vibrant woman who's in pain and who's sick of not being listened to. That would make Mother Teresa want to spit nails.

Many warm hugs,

Kat



"A life lived in fear is a life half lived." - Strictly Ballroom