Good Patients Deserve Good Doctors

I had the specialists appointment from hell today. Except maybe not. Maybe this is just par for the course.

He ordered labs and when I asked which one's he was ordering he looked at me indignantly and said, "specialized lupus lab workups" - like I'm a moron and don't know wtf is up. I said, "I've recently had labwork only a week ago by the referring rheum and she might have taken these tests - my insurance won't pay for these labs. They will also be in this chart I've handed you. He didn't open it. I said, "Looking is free." as a joke. He didn't smile.

I tried to tell him I was not on cell-cept right now for a particular reason- but he said, "If we don't get through MY questions I cannot get through this apt. Then he said, "I don't treat fibromyalgia." And I said, "Well that's good, since I don't have it." And he looked at me. I tried to explain that the medication I'm on was for neurolological reasons but he continued. "You'll need to see your family doctor for the rest of these medications."

And I said, "My rheumatogist handled this in the past and if you're not going to I'd at least like to know WHY and if my primary doc is supposed to handle it I'm sure SHE'D like to know why its going to be her job to continue prescribing medication she didn't put me on and was originally prescribed for Lupus SLE. He didn't answer.

Then he said, "I will need to speak to your endo about this." He pointed to another medication I'm on. I gave him a list of every one of my specialists for a reason. I LIKE WHEN MY DOCTORS TALK TO EACH OTHER. I'M NOT HIDING ANYTHING.

Then he said, "I'm not going to continue keeping you on potassium." I said, "Well if you don't I'll go low." Then he said he'd refer me to a nephrologist. Which is fine. But in the meantime - WHY THE FUCK CAN'T HE JUST RX SOME K TILL WE GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT??? It's not like I'm going to sell the shit on the street? It's not that hard to reorder it. Now I'll have to have my rheum or neuro do it from ATL. My family doctor won't do it. You know why- bc she likes to treat strep and ear infections.

Then he said, "I don't prescribe opiate drugs." And I said, "My last rheum did and I signed a contract with them. But if you don't, that is fine. I'm not in pain right now where I need it- but I DO sometimes require opiate meds and LIKE to have a pain management plan in place for those times." Wait - guess what he said. "GO TO THE ER IF YOU'RE IN THAT MUCH PAIN."

I said, "I am building a relationship with you BECAUSE I AVOID the ER - why would I go to one if I have insurance and means to avoid one? ER docs HATE THAT." Then he said, "Then see your family doctor, I only want to see you during your scheduled appointment times." And of course. I said, "What if I have a flare? "Go to the ER if you flare."

I KID YOU NOT. That is such bullshit. I could fly to ATL and see my RHEUM before I could get in to see him. FUCK HIM.

Anyway- the whole point is - I'm leaving with three more specialists than I went in with and he re-ordered labs I just had a week ago and didn't even consult. And he NEVER LISTENED to WHY I went off the medications I was on a few months ago. HE DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR IT.

This is why I go to private doctors. But even then - it doesn't mean I'll get quality care. It takes time to trust doctors.

Doctors are always bitching about how shitty their patients are. But I have spent my LIFE learning to be a good patient, take care of my health and KNOW what docs need to build relationships and take care of me. But I can't do it if a doctor isn't doing THEIR PART. And this is the soul suck. Because now I will take several more months waiting on the razors edge to find a decent rheum, going to ATL to visit my old doc, AND hopefully getting a referral to a rheum here who CAN and WILL care for me if I need her urgently.

I'm a good patient. I deserve a good doctor.