Is it like this where you live when you need medical attention? - General Health Message Board

Jason27 · 12-06-2006, 02:12 AM

I noticed that where I live in order to be seen by a doctor I call a referral line, and they give me the name and number of a doctor in my area. The doctor usually just has a rented out office building with hardly any tools other than a blood pressure monitor. I noticed that with a few doctors who don't have the equipment to run real tests, gave me medicine that does nothing for me. Right now I have redness in my throat and it feels sore from my tonsils down to my chest.

I told one doctor my symptoms, and all she did was flash a light in my throat and gave me some antibiotics that didn't work. Then I went to another doctor thinking they would be more thorough and they did the exact same thing and gave me some other penicilin type medicine that didn't work. I returned and they said it may be acid reflux so they gave me some different medicine and now my throat feels worse.

Paying all of these $30 dollar copays and $60 - $80 dollar medicines that do not treat my problem has me concerned. I remember when I was in another city I went to see a doctor who had all of the necessary equipment and they took your blood, ran Xrays, etc. and once they discovered what was wrong they gave you the correct medicine and you would fully recover. Now I feel like I am just wasting money on doctors in little rented out office buildings taking guesses.

I know that they can refer me to a hospital but I don't want to disrespect them and say that they do not know what they are talking about. I remember a year ago when I had an infection the doctor said that everything was fine and that it was all in my mind, but when I went to the ER and they ran tests they saw I had an infection. I have recovered from that but it kinda makes me worried to think that I could have a serious health issue and they would never know it by only going by a visual inspection. So it is like this for you as well?

KittenPaws · 12-06-2006, 05:00 AM

Me and a few of my buddies have a saying..

"What do you call a studant who graduates in the bottom of their class? A Doctor."

I totally stand by this as of todays world. In my eyes and experiences, a patient is suppose to know nothing and the doctor everything, even though they are wrong. Been fighting for diagnosis on several things for over 2 years now. My most recent being my T3 being low, so i told my doctor they are low and showed her the results..she does nothing , until my PM doctor tells her my T3 are low...THEN she does something. LOL.

I know its not suppose to be about money, or being biased based on insurance/no insurance, and discrimination, but it happens a lot. Too much.

To see a doctor i have to call my GP, she calls the referal line, the referal line calls the specialist, the specialist see's me and sends me home with nothing but pills that dont work.

I'd take the referal to the hospital. 2nd,3rd, 4th...even 10th opinions MATTER, eventually it will be pieced together...eventually...

Jason27 · 12-06-2006, 10:57 AM

Yeah, I also lose confidence when the Doctor looks like they are only 24 years old and probably cheated their way through college. Back in the day or at least where I used to live, they knew their stuff. Now it is like I know more than they do.

Jason27 · 12-08-2006, 02:25 AM

Anyone else? I am sure more than one person can relate to this.

huffnpuff · 12-08-2006, 08:40 PM

Where are you visiting these store-front doctors? Are you out of the country or something? Where did you used to live? I can't imagine a place like you are describing in this US of A. In other words where you are now, there are no "real" doctors, just people with stethoscopes? They can't all be the way you describe. Would like some answers, as I can't fathom where you are coming from.