I 'FIRED' MY ENDOCRINOLOGIST!

[blsdnsvd]

I think my blood pressure rose about 50pts this morning. Some of you are aware of my issues with my ex-endocrin doc..well, i took the advice that was given by some poster's here and called the office on wednesday to have my appt changed from 4mos to 6weeks because this sounds more logical due to the fact that i am not back on track as of yet due to my labs and levels.

I saw her on tuesday after my recent labs and she increased my dosage from 75mcg to 88mcg and told me to come back in 4mos. After posting on this site, it was recommended that i call and make a new appt (sooner) and that made all the sense to me as well. I even called my Surgeon who performed the TT in Dec for his opinion and he totally agreed! He says: Call the Secretary and and make an appt for 6weeks..."you are hypo" and you need to be monitored!...I said ok....So, although i called on wednesday, i received no call back as of today (friday)...so, i call after talking to the surgeon and the sec tells me "the other girl called and left you a message yesterday" (she did not!!!!) and goes on to tell me that the doctor says: i cannot have labs done in six weeks, to keep it at 4mos and my insurance won't pay for it...and to add on: she says: "the doctor says if you have a problem with that, seek another doctor"....!

My response was this: " I knew she would say that and i slam the phone down on the receiver" (she said that to me once before and this was the last straw! I immediately called my ins co to verify that what she said was a crock of bull in regard to the ins co not paying for labs every six weeks and of course they said that is not true! Then I called the surgeon back and told him what happened and asked him for a recommendation for a new doc and he gave me one. So i called and made an appt.

This is why it is very imortant to keep copies of your own medical records in the event that you have to fire one and hire another because they all want copies of your recent blood work! Thank God i have it...Pray for me all... Thanks for listening.

[TamraW]

What??? An endo who doesn't know how to treat thyroid levels? I'm shocked!

You are one smart woman for firing your doc and getting the opinion of the surgeon. I'm proud of you!

You are your biggest advocate for your health. Demand wellness!

:) T.

[blsdnsvd]

Yeah...I am one of those patients who is now seeing a Cardiologist for heart issues and thinking to see a Psychologist for the Anxiety and this is why i argue with them when they fix their mouths to say: It's not your thyroid, and it would not cause this or that...for example: My ex-endo told me flat out that my high sugar level has nothing to do with the thyroid which is why she wanted to send me for the Glucose 2hour testing . And what makes it bad is that she is an Endocrinologist!!!

I pray that this New Doc is more informed and caring about my needs which is why i trusted my Surgeon to give me a recommendation instead of looking myself.

[blsdnsvd]

I totally agree..LOL

[LazyMoose]

What these doc fail to see is the BIG, BIG picture.

By that I mean, as we know, an under treated thyroid patient over time will develop major symptoms that may require them to seek other specialists in the medical 'system' . A gastrointalogist,  neurologist,  cardiologist,  PT's ...the list goes on. If the thyroid was treated correctly from the get go, it would also save the patient and health care system money - what the system is really concerned about is this day and age
(not necessarily your well being).

And of course patients wouldn't feel ill so long - many times this evil circle continues for decades untill thyroid is properly treated by a non TSH or one med only doctor. Also Imagine what some patients have $pent over the years as a result of being under treated. Thousands of dollars for some - many here on this forum will attest to that..Errks me is a big way.

So, blsdnsvd, good move. And remember as others have noted......endos are not always the answer, as they are the most stubborn sometimes in their following.

Finding a good doctor is like finding a good job - "You need to find your next one while your at the current one"........just in case.

[stella5349]

or maybe it is the branded mark on your hind-end??!!!? - lol

[stella5349]

Yes - the insurance is a ruler too. Adding that into the cattle herd story - your insurance card is your "tag" stapled to your ear as to who leads first in the herd - towards the slaughter house!

LOL - sometimes we must just laugh at the horror.

Good Luck.

[blsdnsvd]

Wow..what a story! What's great about it, is that he only allowed it to happen once.

I truly wish that my surgeon was an endo as well because he knows his stuff and that is why i chose him and not the other two to do my surgery. I knew when i called him today that he would be honest with me and when he said that he totally agreed with me in regard to having the labs done in 6weeks , that's when i attempted to change the appt date...but we all know what the end result was.

thanks for all of your help and encouragement.  

[goolarra]

Congratulations, again!  I know it's no fun shuffling doctors, but it's also no fun being at the mercy of an incompetant one.  

I was "fired" by one of my dentists once (actually his hygeinist).  I don't have dental insurance, and she wasn't going to put up with my going in there and telling her just how much care I wanted and could afford.  I wasn't following her program, so she told me to either expect to follow it at my next appointment or to find another dentist.

So, I searched the local dentists for one who could fill my need (and ONLY my needs).  When I finally found one, he told me that he'd do whatever I wanted him to do, and he told me why.  When he was a very young dentist, a man came to him with his son, who had a toothache, and asked him to pull his son's tooth.  He refused, saying he "could save the tooth".  The father said he couldn't afford that.  So he sent father and son on their way.  Later in the day, back came father and son with son writhing in pain after his father had attempted to pull the tooth himself.  My dentist is not a young man, and this happened early on in his practice, but it obviously left a lifelong mark on him...he makes his recommendations, but does what the patient asks him to do.  I bet he's close to 70, but as he told me this story, I could see that he still felt bad about it to this day.

Anyway, yes, they are advisers, nothing more, and they should WANT us to be involved in our own care, never mind tolerating our involvement.  Especially when we have a lifelong condition...

I'm glad your surgeon was there to help you.  Good luck!

[Smilerdeb]

I would be writing a letter to the Endocrinologist Society and explaining what happened.
She will get  raked over the coals.

[blsdnsvd]

I didn';t expect to hear from you so soon...you must've been on a break. Anyway, thanks for responding.. Talk to you later..

[blsdnsvd]

Thanks for your responses...educating yourself is very important especially when dealing with professionals who are unprofessional.

[blsdnsvd]

Everyone here told me that and this is why i had to "fire" her because she didn't adhere. This is the second time she said that maybe i should find another doctor, well she doesn't have to worry about telling me that again!

Thanks

[blsdnsvd]

Thanks for the laugh...."Is it that they've all drunk from the same poison koolaid glass"..
They probably have!....It's scary to think that some patients allow the doctors to dismiss their symptoms and push them to the side because of their belief. Well, I am stubborn too, and i know alittle something and will not allow anyone (doctor or not) to dismiss me before i dismiss them...

Thank You

[blsdnsvd]

I love your theory on the cattle herd story....although it made me laugh, it's very sad that it's true. I really wonder  how they would treat a family member who is in the same situation.

I actually realize that most doctor's base the care that they give their patient's on the type of insurance they carry. The more money they receive from the ins co. the better care they give their patients...i'm certain that all doctors do not think this way and that some are in it for the patients but i often wonder.

Thanks so much....  

[froggy0936]

Got your messages! I'm at work and was able to log on here for a sec! I'm soooo proud of you! You are an inspiration to others..especially me! :-) It's hard to fathom that a so-called "professional" would dismiss you in that way! I'm glad you dismissed her! I think if some of these doctors would get very sick or scared themselves..maybe they would LISTEN to their patients. I don't know where they lose their way in terms of compassion and understanding, but so many of them do and it's sad.

Stay strong and blessed, my friend!
Talk with you soon!

Lynda xoxo

[Totie]

After a TT, you need to get your labs done EVERY 6 WEEKS, until the dosage is correct for you. Your EX -Endo is so wrong on so many levels......

When I had my TT, I literally went every 6 weeks for a YEAR, (did not need to see him, but just went to lab every six weeks).

Glad you stood your ground...

[annamae26]

yay for you    go girl and all that stuff. you did what was best for you and i support you totally.  you are an inspiration to all of us.  we are in control - NOT our doctor.  i would have done the same thing because i am now educated and i know what I need     God bless you  

[juliva]

I hope you find your new Endo to be everything that you need them to be!
I know I've been through a few myself but finally have a good one.

[magpieannie]

That's funny! That sounds almost exactly like what my daughters endo. said to me about the addition of t3 and her high TSH and t4 level, and her low t3 level. That "I was welcome to get a second opinion if I didn't agree/believe her, however, it needed to be from another pediatric endo.( hmm, why's that? Is that because they've all drunk from the same poison koolaid glass- I asked myself) It's a conspearacy of ignorant close mindedness and fear mongrals in my opinion,so no thank you! We no longer see an endocrinologist, as many are cluless to any other treatmant besides Synthroid and are "NORMAL" range driven instead of SYMPTOM resolution centered. We now see a family practice MD (1 year now) who specializes in hormone issues and really understands thyroid and sees many patients (adults) who are without one. She was recommended by my compounding pharmacist as someone who "gets it" and would be brave enough to take on my daughters case! So don't be discouraged! If this next endo. operates with the same EGO,( as they obviously don't like being challenged, nor do they want to spend any additional time with us, and they certainly  don't want us to be involved in any aspect of our own health and wellness) then keep looking. You will find someone. Ask God to guide you in the direction that you need to go for wellness and to open the correct doors!

Here is a Bible Verse that gave me peace in our journey to wellness!

"I am your hiding place, I will protect you from trouble and surround you with songs of deliverance...I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go...I will counsel you and watch over you. Rejoice in me..." -  From: Your Heavenly Father (Psalm 37:7-11)

[stella5349]

You have an awesome way of writing so it is understood what you had happen. I can totally relate to your situation and for me - when I was twisted up in bad care it was the most scariest thing I ever had happen.

Here ----- , you are still sick and you feel like you are a part of a cattle herd being driven down the path to the slaughter house. You have no control on your situation and require a different approach for your dignity, health and life. Yet the steer cowboy (doctor/endo) still takes his whip out and whips you to stay in the herd down his path he knows.

You are one blvdnsd, that is going to buck your way out of that sucidal path to the slaughter house and find your answers to be free and well again. You are smart and are guided by a true force that is challenging you to stay on task.

I hope this doctor your surgeon offered gives you finally -  the support you require to get past this situation. Your very intelligent and I know you are researching as best you can to uncover your answers. I do feel a doctor that has T3 support whether synthetic or combo natural thyoid medicine could make all the difference in the world for you.