Libby Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Or maybe it's just a cardiologist thing? I just wanted to share my most recent experience. My cardio (or her PA, rather) was concerned about my holter. I was having non-sustained SVT, apparently, which she said was weird at my age. I have palps, but I've always thought they were PVCs so I pretty much ignore them. But my dad's side has a history of heart issues - not my dad, specifically, but my grandfather - who my uncle claims to have died of a faulty tricuspid valve. And two of my grandfather's sisters had valve replacements (I think. Details are sketchy, but they both had heart surgery in their 30s.) And my grandmother likes to talk about how her mother-in-law had 'some heart condition' that made her pass out randomly, mid-sentence - sitting, standing, didn't matter - and doctors rightly predicted that she would one day just not wake up after an episode. So if there's something else going on with my heart, I kind of want to know.We did another holter and it came back normal, but I hadn't felt any palps while I was wearing it. I told the PA very specifically that on the first holter I documented an 'event' that was identical to all the palpitations I've ever had. If it was a PVC, then case closed, see you in a year. But if it wasn't, then I wanted to look into it further. Turns out it WAS a PVC (found out later when I got my hands on the report), but I don't think she really bothered to read the specifics of the report and chose to err on the side of caution and send me to an EP. Anyway, this EP guy is who my post is mainly about. First, he rescheduled on me twice, which wouldn't have been a big deal if they had called me before I had come in for my appointment. Either time. Or better yet don't schedule patients when you know your surgeries generally go an hour over (his poor nurse told me this happens all the time). When I finally got in to see him, he spoke to me like I was a hypochondriacal five year old. He dismissed my palpitation concern within the first minute, saying they were just PVCs and acting like he was indulging me. Dude, I told that PA that I didn't need an appointment with you if they were PVCs. I didn't come in three times, wasting my time and money on a copay, just because I thought it'd be fun.Then he spent the next 20 minutes picking apart my POTS treatment (which I really wasn't expecting). Lectured me on fluids and salt, even after I assured him I knew their importance, told me that he doesn't like midodrine (sorry, but I do and my vote counts more) and thinks I could probably due without the beta blocker.And then he told me that when he was a kid, he would be 'sitting down studying' and sometimes when he would stand up, he would "get a head rush". So he totally understood what POTS is like. And it's good for the patient to have a doctor who understands what they're going through. ...I'm sorry, what? I almost laughed out loud when he said that.The appointment was pretty much over at that point. He asked if I had any questions, and I mentioned my family history (which I had told the nurse) and asked if that mattered. He kind of yelled at me, saying that I had no clue what other factors went into their heart conditions and until I had some actual evidence I shouldn't concern myself. It was one of the most irritating experiences of my life. I wanted to punch the guy. He told me he doesn't need to see me again, which works out perfectly because I have absolutely no intention of going back to him. The appointment made me realize how lucky I've been with my docs up until now. And it made me thank God that I have a neurologist for my POTS treatment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyt Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Sounds like a doc too me. And there are too many of them. Or maby i have ust been very unluky over the years But there are some that are nice, but still clueless. I am sorry u have this meeting, but glad u have a nero that u can work whit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sue1234 Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Those are exactly the kind of doctors I have been running into to!! Especially on the cardio side, just because I need to find one to understand and help my POTS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
louloutinks Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 In November last year before I was told I had autonomic issues i saw a cardiologist with the results of a 24 hr monitor. When my HR and BP was taken by the nurse before I saw the doc, the nurse looked surprised as my HR went from 74 to 128 on standing and asked me if this always happened (my BP dropped as well). I said it did. My mum got worried as she saw the look on his face.When we went in to see the cardiologist, he did not mention pots, asked me if I drunk coffee - if so cut it out and told me to have more salt and water. Very abrupt and rude and said I was all fine. I told him the day of the monitor, I had a relaxing day at home and that I was not asked to record my activities. He said that my HR was fine.In the report, nothing was mentioned about the change in HR/BP whilst at hospital. It did mention that my lowest HR was 55 and my max was 168 (if I remember correctly) and that the holter showed just a few PVC's and APB's (?sp). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomtoGiuliana Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 Wow, I am really surprised that an EP would not be better educated about POTS/dysautonomia. I thought we were getting past this with EP's now. I'm so sorry about your bad and unhelpful experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopeSprings Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I could go on a rant, but I'll spare you. He compared this to a headrush? Yeah right! Unfortunately experiences like this seem more than typical than not. Sorry - I know how frustrating it is and how it can ruin your day. Hoping your next Dr. experience is a much better one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddm1960 Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I hate to say it, but this how 95% of all doctors today are. Good doctors are rare and few and far between. Do not think twice about firing the bad ones and moving on, remember they are our employees, we hire them. I'll leave my rant at that...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
futurehope Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I think this experience highlights how the doctor "takes charge" or controls the few minutes allotted to you, to make sure that he does all the talking, in order to keep your from expressing yourself and asking questions which he cannot answer.Goal: Dispense with the patient in 10 minutes or less. To reach that goal, do all the talking. Pretend you know what you are taling about. Keep the patient from saying anything, then rise and say "it was nice meeting you."He just got his $220 for 10 minutes, and you got to pretend that you learned something. What a deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandymbme Posted October 2, 2011 Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 This is precisely why I drive several hours to see Dr. Grubb. It is not easy to travel to see him, or the trip I take 4 times a year to the Cleveland Clinic. (All my other specialists are there.) Because ultimately, it is worth not having the grief of Doctors who don't understand my conditions jumping to conclusions. It does nothing to improve my condition, or my attitude!Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Libby Posted October 2, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 2, 2011 I figured a lot of the people here would be able to relate. Unfortunately.It was the head rush comment that did it for me. It just makes me laugh. I wonder how he knows how his heart attack patients feel. He's probably had heartburn. They're basically the same thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katybug Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 Oh it's a sad state of affairs that so many of us have had basically the same experience. At least it seems that most of us can find some sort of humor in it.Last year the 1st cardio I went to spent 3 minutes with me, saw that I had been treated for anxiety attacks 2 yrs earlier (which was a mistaken attempt at dealing with what we now know to be POTS symptoms), and told me that he was sure that if I just committed to walking for a 1/2 hour every morning and didn't make excuses about it, he was sure 90% of my problems would go away. I thanked him for helping me chase my tail some more as I stripped off the hospital gown and put my clothes back on. The only fun thing that happened was the look of utter shock on his face at my response to his foolishness. When I got out to the waiting room my mom (she had to drive me because I wasn't safe to be on the road that day) asked what was wrong. I told her that I would have to wait until we got to the car so as not to embarass myself. Ooooo...I was so mad at the time! Needless to say he was fired, fired, fired. Maybe it is taught in med school?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sallysblooms Posted October 3, 2011 Report Share Posted October 3, 2011 And then he told me that when he was a kid, he would be 'sitting down studying' and sometimes when he would stand up, he would "get a head rush". So he totally understood what POTS is like. And it's good for the patient to have a doctor who understands what they're going through....I'm sorry, what? I almost laughed out loud when he said that.WOW, so glad he knows all about POTS! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted October 4, 2011 Report Share Posted October 4, 2011 Good Question! The fact that so many of us have the same experience makes me wonder if it isn't TAUGHT at medical school. Arrogant professors turn out arrogant students. Think about it: most physicians are extremely intelligent and have been praised throughout their entire educational career. In order to thrive in medical school, they must work hard and are, in turn, rewarded with extremely high paying jobs and subsequently high stations in society. After a while, they MUST begin believing in their own mythology. Add to that, many patients look up to them for their expertise in life or death situations. They believe they ARE gods walking among us.As a mental health professional, I was taught that the root of arrogance is a deep-seated sense of insecurity. Medical school is a competitive pressure cooker. Arrogance is a self-defense mechanism. I've also observed that many physicians are quite socially awkward among their non-physician peers. Too much time studying; no time for socializing? That combo- basically insecure, socially awkward, with a strong dose of god-complex can maybe begin to explain our healers. Couple that with patients who have an invisible, devastating, chronic illness that isn't even taught in medical school... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 There are way too many arrogant doctors out there and sorry to hear what happened to you but if you want to hear a shocking horror story then listen to this....One doctor told me within the first 5 minutes of seeing me that there was no such thing as POTS and then she diagnosed me as having clinical anxiety instead. So I presented her my specialists reports showing a diagnosis of POTS and then even with that paperwork she dsrepectfully dismissed 3 specislaits reports written by my Neurologist, Cardiologist and my Autonomic Specialist (two of which were Professors) .I could not believe how arrogant and narcisistic she was, I became so upset I walked out of there without paying for the consultation and soon as I got home I contacted the Health Services Department to lodge a complaint.When they questioned her about her behaviour she then shamelessly and malicisously lied about the whole thing claiming that I went there and demanded her for Valium (benzodiazepine) and when she refused I aparently became violent towards her :o I then wote a letter to the medical board explaining that she had lied about me and that I could prove she was lying because I was unable to take Valium due to my sensitivity and adverse reactions to depressants, stimulants, opiates and any drug that acted on my ANS. But before I could send the letter off, my family stopped me because they noticed a car parked in front of our house surveillancing us from morning till night everyday for about 2 weeks, a person sat in the car all day long wearing sunglasses. We live at the end of a street which has "no through road" and this car stuck out like a sore thumb.The crazy stalker doctor knew where I lived and was obviously trying to send me a message and scare me off, and unfortunately it worked because my parents did not want trouble and made me call off the complaint report. To this day I am still upset that I let such an evil, corrupt, deceptive, dishonest and incompetant doctor getaway with such behaviour. I hope she rots in **** Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliegee Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Whoah, Endure. So sorry that happened to you. I know you feel like you caved, BUT if you are right about your observations, etc; you made a HUGE impact on that doctor- the fact that she would go to those lengths. Makes me believe she will never be that arrogant again. You checked her behavior in a way that no other patient may have done. Kudos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frugalmama Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 I've definitely run into that attitude, too. I had an ER doc glance at my file and ask why I thought I had POTS. When I responded that I had all of the symptoms and a diagnosis had been made, he simply said, " It's really rare. i don't think you have that"....and he turned around and left. My hubby and I were so shocked that we burst out laughing as soon as he left the room. Apparently if something is rare, no one can have it....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.