[inkblot]

I go to the doctor today expecting to get an antibiotic. I've been having fevers (confirmed by the nurse at the office). I have sinus problems. My ears hurt, and I feel fluid in one of them. This afternoon I can feel fluid beginning in my other ear. My lungs started to hurt yesterday, and added an occasional slight cough. My lungs are still "clear" though, since things are just starting there and haven't progressed to the point of being noisy and full of infectious phlegm. I'm barely getting any sleep, I'm hot and cold, and can't breathe through my nose. Tell me, all of you Non-MD's, does this sound like a problem?!

The dang doctor did NOT check my ears or sinuses--only took a quick looksee at my throat. That is all! He was with me an entire 60 seconds, maybe 90 if you count prescription writing time to refill my decongestent. Maybe I've spent too much time working in healthcare. Maybe a patient with sinus and ear pains does not require those body parts to be examined for an accurate diagnosis. I believe that my whole crime for this was to tell him that I stopped taking my decongestent regularly to cut costs and because the insurance stopped covering it at retail pharmacy and required mail-order. A week ago he said that he understood about not wanting to get prescriptions filled where I work at the mail-order pharmacy.

I am so pissed with doctors nowadays who think that they can examine a patient thoroughly in less than a minute! Now I will have to wait for an antibiotic. I have had so many of this type infection, I know by now if it's to a point of no return without antibiotic help. I'm tired from not sleeping and with the fevers and everything else, I have no energy to be at work and do anything. My coworkers are noticing. I'm not one to complain, so it takes time for them to understand that I'm sick, but they are starting to figure it out.

But really, it must be all in my imagination. If I really was sick, wouldn't the $#%^&*!@ doctor have given me a prescription for an antibiotic?

This could be my only or one of very few posts tonight. I don't feel like sitting here typing and chatting or whatever it is I do on the internet. Like surf, maybe. I can't think straight. Hate to miss Doc's chat for two weeks in a row, but I'm sure someone else will take my spot tonight. I had to vent about this today. Thanks for putting up with me. I'm sure many of us have been in that spot, though. All right, good night whoever you are reading this.

[Rapunzel]

Dear Inkblot,

I agree that doctors should spend more time with you. There is more to it besides just making sure that they do a proper assessment. Besides that, you should be able to feel like your doctor cares about you enough to take the time to help you. Sorry it went that way.

He must have concluded that it is something other than a bacteria causing your symptoms - either allergies or a virus or something like that for which antibiotics wouldn't be effective. Whether he's right or not, lots of peole want to be given antibiotics when antibiotics are not appropriate, and that is a problem too. You probably do know what you are dealing with, but people who insist on antibiotics no matter what are also contributors to doctors acting the way that yours did.

Get better fast!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

<font color=orange>"They accused us of suppressing freedom of expression. This was a lie and we could not let them publish it." ... from the Director of Censorship...

</font color=orange>

[bptoo]

Inky,

I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling so poorly. I think many of us have been down this road and can sympathize/empathize with how you feel. Please do the best you can to take care of yourself, and get into an ER if you must, don't take any chances.

Our healthcare in the US is degenerating in many areas. In the area you describe, with doctors not taking the time they should to properly dx us. My wife refuses to leave the office if she feels she or one of the kids have been treated this way. She's been known to raise her voice (insert screaming here) more than once over a half a**ed doctor visit.

My pet peave with doctor is overbooking. Doctors who purposely book patients up to as many as 6 per hour, when realistically they can only see 3 if they push it. I went to see my Pain Management Doc yesterday. My appt was at 3:30. I sat in the waiting room until 4pm when I was called back to the exam room. I sat in the exam room until 5:10pm until she finally came in to see me. I was pretty angry, and let her know that in a civil way. And then she had the nerve to get upset with me because I wouldn't let her leave until I finished asking her some questions I had. I wait nearly two months between visits, these questions are important to me. Some doctors, rather than lose a patient to another doctor, just overbook and inconvenience their patients. And because we have a shortage of healthcare providers in the US, they know we have no choice but to wait.

Inky, my heart is with you, and I hope you get better real soon. But please, go to the ER if you have to, OK? If it's viral, there's really nothing they can do. But it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Much love to you,
Greg