Doctors who don't give a shit and finding one that does.

[Gracie]

• Weight loss, despite increased appetite YES
• Increased heart rate, heart palpitations, higher blood pressure, nervousness, and excessive perspiration YES
• More frequent bowel movements, sometimes with diarrhea YES
• Muscle weakness, trembling hands YES
• Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck)NO
• Lighter or shorter menstrual periods N/

The symptoms of hypothyroidism, in which the body doesn't produce enoughthyroid hormones, may include:

• Lethargy, slower mental processes or depression YES
• Reduced heart rate or heart skipping beats YES
• Increased sensitivity to cold then sweating due to being hot YES YES YES
• Tingling or numbness in the hands YES YES YES
• Development of a goiter (an enlargement in your neck) NO
• Constipation, heavy menstrual periods, or dry skin and hair or alopecia YES

Subacute thyroiditis:

• Mild to severe pain in the thyroid gland
• The thyroid feels tender to the touch
• Pain or discomfort when swallowing or turning your head
• Appearance of these symptoms shortly after a viral infection, such as the flu,mumps, or measles

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For a few weeks now...all the RED above has been triple although it has been ongoing for years. It took me seeing the lady gynecologist and her ordering shitloads of tests to find out that my thyroid has been a major cause of all the above. Why did my regular doc not figure it out? Because he farms people out since that is the new fangled thang going on with docs now. And half the time, I had to ask HIM for blood tests...and the last one was long ago and I can't read the damn things anyway and he never said anything needed to be addressed. Well, yes, there is. My thyroid meds. I found a great new WOMAN doctor. And now I want to keep her.

All this shit I have been dealing with..mentally and physically...is connected to my damn thyroid. I am on new meds now and the flareup is GONE. No pain. No pain pills today. But I had a helluva time waking up this morning and staying awake. Just flat out worn out. But right now..I am all bright eyed and bushy tailed. I guess what amazed me most was how easily she made me break down in her office and crying. That is NOT me. But I did it. Which confused me more since that is not what I do. Maybe it was someone that finally showed they cared, or knew their shit, and took the added pressure off me that I have been carrying (ignoring) for so long concerning my health. Now I have someone I want to keep as my doctor, along with the non caring one since I have to keep him for referals (stupid rules). Anyway...that's what I have been a basket case. My thyroid is playing games with me. And my mental state. But it is now on the mend. In two days...bone density scan...from HER making the appointment for me.

So this thread is just to pass it on that if you feel any of the above, or experience any of the above...INSIST on a blood test with your doc. It could be something as simple/not simple as your thyroid.

And a big thank you to those who have showed kindness to me these past couple of days/weeks. I was close. Very close. Scarey close. But not any more. I have a doctor that cares and said on the phone when she called me (which is a rare thing nowadays) she would "take care of me. Not to worry. She will make sure what needs done will be done".
I think I like her because she reminds me of me. No bullshit. No games. Just up front honesty, DO IT OR ELSE type of gal.

 

[strollingbones]

good luck...i am glad you found a doctor you can trust...and yes the stupid referral rule.....i have to get the pcp to do that with specialists i have seen for a decade?

 

[Gracie]

Any ailment the reg doc can't do...its a referral. Just like with the womens health department in his own building. No just walking in and saying you need to see a gyneo...nope. Gotta have a written referral. Breast cancer? Referral. Colonoscopy? Referral. Rash or hair falling out? Referral. Only thing he is good for is taking my blood pressure, which he has to do after his nurse does cuz she always gets it wrong, filling out perscriptions that have not been checked for years unless I ask for a blood test, etc etc etc. He is the go between guy. How frigging sad is that? And when I was filling out AGAIN a huge pile of papers to see this new referral doc, I mumbled to the gal behind the counter "I miss the Marcus Welby days" and she said "who?"
Oy

 

[MisterBeale]

It's even worse today.

People can keep a diary of their sleep, diet, alertness, wakefulness, and then simple Google their symptoms.

Chances are, with the internet, your average high school educated person that has a tenth grade reading level can be a better diagnostician than a doctor that sees hundreds of patients and spends less than fifteen minutes with every patient and doesn't really take serious time or listen to a patient anyhow.

Never let them know you went to the internet. They will just quit listening to you.

 

[Gracie]

That's another gripe. You have exactly 15 minutes with the doc and can only discuss one problem you are experiencing. FIFTEEN MINUTES? Geez. If you have more then ONE, you have to make another appointment.

And I did mention to the lady doc that I google everything before sticking meds in my face or on my body. She said "good! You need to be aware of how your body functions." and I said "it helped me A LOT when diagnosed with the breast cancer" and she nodded and replied that she recommends WebMD. I found that informative, because my reg. doc has WebMD magazines in his patient room and in the lobby. Thats probably where he gets his info on who to refer me to.

 

[Katzndogz]

My doctor isn't a doctor at all its a physician's assistant in an office where a floating doctor shows up once a month. The PA knows nothing. When I go, I have to already have diagnosed the problem and found the correct medication and dosage. She will write a prescription for anything I tell her. Her favorite method of prescribing is to tell me to watch Dr. Oz everyday.

She is a major proponent of euthanasia and assisted suicide. I can expect a long lecture about my duty to the world to die as young as possible so my organs can still be used. After her talks, with sparkling eyes and dazzling smile she says "just sign these medical statements and you won't have a thing to worry about". Why does she get mad when I say No?

 

[strollingbones]

i am lucky......i have had good experiences with the nurses and doctors.....and you can have your own lab work done at lab corp...

 

[Katzndogz]

I have excellent experiences with doctors that I pay for instead of who takes insurance.

 

[Bonzi]

I have yet to find a good Dr. Living in a small town/county makes it harder. Because, there are only certain amounts of Drs. allowed to practice as it's a per-capita thing.....

You have to go out to the City to have more options.

Insurance is not an issue for us, but, most Drs. don't know or don't care enough to try to figure things out.