Doctors....grrrr!!! - Multiple Sclerosis Message Board

taosdaphne · 06-23-2008, 06:22 PM

I'm trying to get hold of one of my neurologists. The guy who initially diagnosed me gave me the polite brush off today--says since I went to Mayo fo a second opinion, THEY can manage my case. Great. I'm in need of drug refills and can find no one to write them for me. I need to tak to Mayo, but my doc there has not answered phone, email, fax, or regular mail. So Im going to have tp spend another $100 to see my GP for five minutes and see if she'll give me the scrips. She's unhappy messing with anything that has to do w. MS--but I'm going away for a month, and CANNOT survive w.o valium and Lortab or its equiv. I know how to cry on cue, and this may be a case where I'll have to.

Sheesh. Mayo is a 2 day drive from here, so we're talking 4 night in a motel plus $4 gas. I wouldn't mind if I had other reasons for going, but realy I'm doing OK. It's such a rip-off--$100 for a dopey visit to make sure I'm not a drug addict or whatever. And I can't get into the pain clinic till August.

We're planning a 1 month trip up into the Tetons and other exciting places, and I'm not changing all those reservations to fit Mayo in. This is what I get for living in the back of beyond--the closest decent medical care is 1.5 hrs away,3.5 if I go all the way to ABQ, and 2 days to see an MS specialist.

I'm feeling abandoned by the health care system and more so by doctors I genuinely like and respect.

I'm going to be snarky w. the nurse tomorrow, and insist that I talk to him TOMORROW.

And the horse was highly uncooperative today--just lazy, and I could pound on him forever without him moving. I've dealt with his sort before, and he's going to be getting a lot of ground work on the lunge, and then he's going to be surprised by spurs.

Not the ones with rowels, but the kind dressage riders use to make their signalling clearer. He responds nicely to leg,but I haven't got enough oomph in my leg mucles to make him really pay attention.

Nenu · 06-23-2008, 07:10 PM

Eeek. It's not like second opinions are that uncommon. That's what smart patients do. I can't believe your original guy just brushed you off (as you say).

Does he not want to earn his living? Geez.

Canadian gal · 06-23-2008, 08:12 PM

Aren't Lortab and valium fairly habit-forming meds (I don't do meds, so don't know too much about them)? If so, I can see why the doctors would want to you stick with one professional, as people could just go from one doctor to another to get additional rx's.

A friend of mine has MS and finds that valium is the only thing that helps with some of her symptoms. Her doctors won't even rx it to her because they don't believe how much it helps with her symptoms.

Cherie

MSNik · 06-23-2008, 08:25 PM

Daphne..just want to say Id settle for a snarky horse than NO HORSE anyday! I miss riding more than anything, and one of these days, Ill have the energy and $ to rent a horse for a lousy hour! Its just been soo hot here, I have no energy to do anything that doesnt include sitting in the a/c!

Sorry to hear about this doctor..and yes, they can be a real hassle when you need something- but your vacation sounds terrific, and dont let anything mess it up! Im sure youll get what you want- crying on cue only works on my doctors, not my spouse unfortunately!
big hugs..
Nikki

taosdaphne · 06-27-2008, 08:20 PM

5 actually thinks he's afraid I'm going to sue him--he never ordered any follow-up blood work for Rebif, which sent my liver enzymes into the life-threatening zone. Don't think I'd win though, because I had prior liver issues.So I wept at the therapist's for an hour.

But get this--we grew up within mere miles of one another. The big entertainment was the drive in, which had weekly rafles and prizes.SHE won a pony--she won my fantasy of a free horse--NOT FAIR!! And her parents let her keep him, which mine never would have done.Sheesh. I only ever got a horse (wll, the 1st 2) by mucking more stables and tossing more hay than I care to remember--have always worked off board, until I hit my forties. But she got my horse--a Welsh pony noless.

Got my pills today, see a pain specialist in August, and my MS doc in October. And I fell again today--after months of no fallling, I'm back to on\ce or twice a week. It's the heat.