I 'was about to 'fire' one of my doctors..

[toban]

I have seen a specialist (not a surgeon) for 3 years now. For one thing I find I'm not receiving much help from her. Everytime I go in I feel like she is putting me down. For example "If Dr. Smith who is top notch doctor can't help then nobody else will want to help you." That's just one thing that has been said to me..I have alot of older injuries from domestic abuse. Some I will have to live with and other problems are cropping up and causing problems that are ongoing.Worse pain, function etc. I've had a few surgeries for older injuries.

When she makes comments like above it just drives me more to find the help I need!

I realize doctors do give bad news and sometimes you do have to live with certain health problems. I feel as though there is something wrong and need a second or third opinion.

At the end of yesterday's appt I planned on letting her go. Not in a rude way. Before I opened my mouth she said to me I don't think I can help you anymore and that was it.

The waiting list to see a surgeon in another Province is around 2 years for a consult. My neighbour said I should save money and go to the USA for help sooner. I don't have alot of money but I'm saving like crazy. I did look up one surgeon in the USA who said he could help me. Also one in Vancouver, BC. I already know the cost of one surgery which is isn't too bad. Of course need money for airfare, hotel etc.

I'm bound and determined to get help!

[Natalka]

I'm so sorry you've been having such bad experiences, but see your family doctor for another referral, if he lets them know it's urgent, it will get you in more quickly.

Hoping you get the help you need!

[$avvy$hopper]

i second what Natalka said and empathize with your situation. I hope something works out with referrals. hugs!

[toban]

I emailed a doctor in another Province. Actually I thought it was the office email but turns out it was the doctors lol. I did describe one of my problems (knowing he could not diagnose over the internet). He said he is not accepting new patients, a 2 year wait for a consult.

My family doctor is nice but I find it difficult to get referrals through him. I don't ask him immediately. I try other treatments first such as physiotherapy, accupuncture, meds etc. However some of these problems are not getting better and he doesn't budge easily. I'm tired of the waiting game. I plan on searching more and hopefully find someone who has a shorter wait list.

You know your own body. After one surgery I continued to have pain etc for 5 months. Recovering from surgery you have pain but it goes away eventually. I knew something was wrong but I didn't know what exactly. The surgeon at the time (not with them anymore... bad bedside manners etc) kept ignoring me and did one test which came back normal. She was about to release me. I became upset saying there is something wrong I don't know what but I feel and sense it. . I didn't want any more surgery but wasn't sure what else could be done. She finally decided to open me up and there was a big problem which was fixed.

Sometimes you have pain etc and you know this is okay, it's nothing. Other times you just know something isn't right. That is the way I feel currently with a few of my newer problems.

[Andit]

I went through 5 specialists before I found one who believed the diagnosis I had made on myself (that the problem was originally caused by my medication). The specialist suggested a change in my medication (luckily there was a different one that did the same job), I told the transplant clinic (since all med changes have to go through them) & combined with my version of physiotherapy, the symptoms are 80% reduced.

I'm lucky that I have a very open minded family doctor (the one I had previously should be drawn & quartered, but I won't say how I really feel about him ).

Keep pushing your family doctor for a referral to another specialist. I had to go through 5, before #6 finally believed me (& I had very visible symptoms, one specialist told me that it was normal for anyone over 30!).

I wish you all the best. Hope things get better for you soon.

[poppleton]

Stand up for yourself! . Remember that you are your own best advocate, since you are the one experiencing what you're going throught!