[darkeyes]

This is synical, may even trigger, so I apologie before hand.
I even try to tell myself, this wouldn't be ethical, but docs are human too.
Here's what I started wondering after finding out my thyroid condition for many years was mis DXed cause of numbers on tests and not docs looking further.
GP and Internist seemed to blow my symptoms off and label me "depressed" (cause depression can mimic physical problems) and they went the whole SSRI route, etc.
Now I ask myself if docs I have seen after this ordeal view me as only having mental disorder(s), blowing off real, huge physical problem(s) especially when I am honest and tell the doc what meds I'm on and pdoc I see? The reason I tell them what meds and DXes I have,for their patient file and safety of not being given any meds that would cause any ill effects.
Now due to this bad experience over the years of one of my very real problem,the suffering, and being looked upon as being a hypochondriac (though docs never called me one)given AD's like lollipops, I ask myself should I reveal my Bipolar and the meds, with the feeling I may be taken more serious the next time I have physical problems and see any new docs?
I know I'm sounding pessimistic and even going against my usual optimistic feel towards the medical world, but I can't stop wondering if this has "branded me" and that is why, for a long time, hadn't gotten proper treatment that could of prevented me years of hair loss,weight,thyroid nodules,and other issues,such as,joint pain,ob/gyn,skin, and many other problems that are some of the many symptoms of Hashimoto's disease. I even told my pdoc, who has really been good, that I am losing faith in GPs and some of the specialists I've seen in the past.
He seemed to understand and encouraged me to this endocrinoligist who works well with his patients and together they help treat their patients as whole, helping meet a physical/mental balance.
Ah, I can't go back in time, but this question I have has really made me start to wonder.
Thanks for listening to my rambling on.

[biplol]

{{{{{{{{{DE}}}}}}}}}}}}} that's why i don't go to the doctor! I'm sorry you are feeling this way, it's not fair that docs don't take you seriuosly.
I hope you can find the right-care for patientes- real doctor someday.
Tons of hugs hon~

DE......please do go to the new doctor and tell ALL. doctors are all too human and they make mistakes. remember that i was misdiagnosed for years.......

when you make your appointment, be sure and ask for the maximum amount of time with the doctor so you'll have the space to explain things. a good doctor will listen and "hear" what you've been through. if he/she appears to be disinterested, don't go back.

shopping for a doctor makes a lot more sense than shopping for the right shade of navy blue shoes. a doctor can make decisions that can cause us to have years and years of misery. shoes just look funky or hurt our toes.

don't give up. above all, don't give up and keep me updated on this. i want to know how it works out......love, pat

[darkeyes]

Both of you,thanks.
I failed to remember to tell y'all, I did go to this endocrinologist that my pdoc mentioned when I told him the past docs blew me off.
My pdoc can be helpful at times, suggesting docs he has heard good raves about, I appreciate him doing so also.
Being fortunate to have a good pdoc, I haven't lost faith in pdocs and therapists.
Actually, I haven't lost faith, but was dissapointed, that it took another endocrinologist to finally take me serious and increase my thyroid meds and further tests/ultrasounds,etc. my dissapointment of suffering for about 10yrs with my problem, and it actually took my GP's PA to detect the nodes, that my own docs always missed (that's where I've felt blown off) now leaving me with more faith in PAs vs MD's.
Due to excellent care my mom has had, with the various specialists her health requires, I'm keeping the faith.
I find my veterinarians more on top, than several MD's I've seen. Heck, it takes a lot of expertise to be able to DX and treat animals, for they can't verbalize.
I've been fortunate of always having such terrific vets for my dogs and other former pets.

my "doc" in Oklahoma was a PA........she never missed a thing. i misssssssssssssssssssssss Crystal.......... and if she had a question, she went straight to the MD and verified with him..............

[darkeyes]

I am starting to believe the PA's are more thorough (sp?) than many of the docs, if it wasn't for the one who works for the GPs I see, I'd still have this dumb thyroid nodules unoticed.
Diane, felt it right away,sent me for ultrasound and told me to choose whatever endocrinologist who works at our medical center. Diane, will take the time most of the docs don't with "her patients", she will not treat other's physical complaints as if "it's all in your head" attitude.
She also appears to be more up to date on stuff than the docs. II think she is great.
Thanks for replying to my post.

(((((((( fayerody )))))))))

[wally]

That was an interesting question that you asked. I would like to believe that most physicians could properly diagnose and treat an illness correctly but sometimes that is not the case. I have always been very forthright in telling my doctors and anyone else that I suffer from bipolor disorder but sometimes it has come back to bite me. I hope all goes well for you. wally

[Laverne]

Hi Darkeyes, This is my first post on the forum and have been just jumping around as there is so much I want to read.
I saw your question though and had to post.
You see I am disabled due to spinal disorders and nerve damage, it has taken me yrs to get a dx and I still don't think they are all correct, to the point is that several yrs ago I was sent to see a nuero surgeon for thoracic cord comp. after traveling several hrs to see the dr and having talked to his office on several occasions to make sure everything was set up, this dr had a major attitude with me because he said he saw no reason for me to be there because he didn't even treat the thoacic spine.
He went on though to review my records, when he came across the fact that I had been dx'ed bi-polar he went on to tell me that, that was my problem and that if I would get the proper treatment for my mental disorder I would be much better..
I'm sorry to say that there are still drs out there that think this way and it makes it really hard to be completly open about our condition.
Laverene

[TouchedByFire]

The fact that doctors of another specialty tell a patient their problem is their BP is ridiculous.

I have had psychiatrist always going to bat for me. If they see a response from a doctor of another specialty writing in a chart that someone's BP is their true problem, these pdocs have immediately reminded the other (consulting) doc that they (themselves) are the doctors specializing in psychiatry. The "orthopedic doctor," for instance has no business telling you and /or your psychiatrist that your only problem is your BP! It is the pdoc's job to know of any psych. issues causing you distress and which medical issues are not related to your psych diagnosis. Pdocs find it very insulting to have a doctor of another specialty telling them they do not know their patient and/or their own area of "specialty!"

Of course, docs of other specialties can try to deflect any responsibility for the patient's/client's care by "bouncing" the patient/client back to the referring doctor!

Do your best, always, to not allow anyone to settle for this. Your doctor should be upset and further advocating on your behalf. You should be (and likely are/would be) upset and reporting your experience through the proper channels of the medical system you are utilizing for your health care.
(I do realize that we are not always up to "putting up a good fight" when these things happen. Simply do the best you can.)

My heart goes out to anyone who has, who is, and/or who will be, experiencing this irresponsible behavior on the part of any "specialist" called upon to assit with the "case," not to discredit a patient, another doctor, etc. This is not attending to the patient's/client's needs...at all.

I find it a bit dismaying that in this year of 2006-2007, people are still with absolute ignorance toward anyone with a "psychiatirc,neuropsychiatirc, and/or a brain function diagnosis!"

We have so much more to teach even doctors aobut these issues! We can do it though, as a community working with other communities! We can set that goal and make more education and awareness available. We must work together on this, however. Just think of the vast numbers of people affiliated with various forums, chatc, etc. Include all of the the administrator and the Boards of Directors, etc., that some organizations have! We could really make an impact, in my opinion, with a joint venture to educate everyone more!

When we are not working on a joint effort project, each one of us can do some educating on our own, with our families, friends, doctors, dentists, clergy, etc., etc.

**Blessings** ~TBF~

maybe this will give you all a laugh. for those who don't know, i was married to a surgeon for 16 years and have mostly always worked in healthcare field. from psych hosp to ER and now counseling geriatric patients/families......

my friend had a horrid wreck and was airlifted to the trauma center in OKC. when my daughter and i got there, we couldn't believe the damage to his face......90 stitches on forehead......jaw broken and hanging down on his collarbone.....oh, it was horrible. voice box crushed, etc.

i slept in his room, on a cot that my butt fell through every night. but i was determined to not let anything "happen" to him......

early, early one morning i woke up and a doctor was standing there with his chart..he started in on my friend saying things like "i don't know why you're here, you need to go back to Austin and come back for outpatient surgery" and more........well, i turned on a light and saw that i didn't know him. i asked him who he was and he haughtily informed me that he was going to repair my friend's larnyx.........it took me about 15 seconds to compute what was really going on. i told him to come out in the hall with me.

i grabbed his coat and shoved him up against the wall and said this, "look, buddy, you got a consult slip in your box this morning and your sole responsibility is to repair his larnyx..you ARE NOT HIS PRIMARY DOCTOR AND AS SUCH, DON'T YOU COME BACK TO THIS ROOM AND DON'T HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH HIM, you almost scared him to death and you don't even have the authority to discharge him from this hospital.....and i'll be here with him all the time and if i see you anywhere near him except in the OR, i'll report you to the state medical board"..........he literally slunk past the nurse station and into a door (that turned out to be a closet).....as he closed the closet door all of the nurses turned to me and applauded and gave me high fives.........the charge nurse said, "pat, that was about three years overdue".........i "dusted" my hands off, grinned and went back to the bed without a place for my butt and told Robert to now worry.....he didn't have to get out of bed and drive himself to Austin just yet............xoxoxo pat

[TouchedByFire]

Excellent Job!

What a good friend you were (still are)!

An excellent advocate, as well!

**Blessings** ~TBF~