NEY MD: F/U

[Deleted User]

I just got off the phone with my doctor's office.  they forgot to call me yesterday.  :-\

anyway, the only thing that showed up in my bloodwork was low Vitamin D levels, and they are setting me up with an appt for a sleep study.

maybe I'm just being grouchy, but shouldn't they contact ME before they set up an appt?  do I not get any say in this?  I don't want to do a sleep study.  I don't want to be TOLD that I am doing a sleep study on such and such night.  ugh. 

I would rather look at other options... but I didn't get an option to discuss it with my doctor.  or at least be consulted about it.  I'd rather take a look at diet and lifestyle and possibly hormones before I'll do a sleep study.

is this just one of those things they make you do to say that you did it?  because I seriously don't want to do it. 

comments and happy thoughts please.  I'm really discouraged.

[Deleted User]

Aw...I'm sorry Coco. I have no idea on the sleep study thing (personally I wouldn't want to do that either!) but I do know that most people are deficient in Vitamin D. BF actually found out about a month ago that he was and he's been taking a supplement ever since. Seems to have helped with his tiredness and lack of focus.

Elle1036

Do you mind me asking why you are so against the sleep study?  I understand feeling like you were left out of the loop, and that's always frustrating, but you could learn a lot from the sleep study.

[Deleted User]

yaga - the doctor himself said when I was there Friday that he was postive I was a "no" on sleep apnea...  I don't snore at all, I don't stop breathing...  my mom has sleep apnea, so I'm pretty well-versed in it.  it frustrates me because I feel like he's pawning me off, instead of meeting with me again to go over what we found, and what we want to pursue.  when I left Friday, I expected we would meet again to talk about the bloodwork and what options we wanted to pursue.  I mentioned to him that I was interested in meeting with a nutritionist or something to talk about my diet, lifestyle, etc. 

I don't get to pick a day or time.

I don't know that I'm going to do it.  I feel like I should have a say in my health care choices and a doctor that respects that and respects ME enough to talk to me about what's going on.  I don't feel like my doctor should just make appointments for me without informing me, or talk to me about my health issues.

[Deleted User]

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ney-md-fu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:e3bc9232-f626-4d83-9626-a5a653e6bbdcPost:60171bda-88d6-4d6e-819e-6878c7fe3c5d">Re: NEY MD: F/U</a>:
[QUOTE]Do you mind me asking why you are so against the sleep study?  I understand feeling like you were left out of the loop, and that's always frustrating, but you could learn a lot from the sleep study.
Posted by Elle1036[/QUOTE]

first of all, I explicitly said that was my last choice.  second of all, I was left out of the loop.  third of all, I would rather take a look next at other factors, including lifestyle, diet, hormones in my BCP, etc.

mostly, I feel like I've been just pushed aside and given a number.  this is my health and I want to know what's going on.  I want to know his reasons, my options, etc.  I don't want to just get put in a sleep study, or referred to another doctor, or anything without being told and having it explained to me.  I'm not a child.

they forgot to call me.  they shipped off my paperwork yesterday, and when I called yesterday to ask about it I got a pissy answer: "they will call you, don't call us."

I think I'm mostly just frustrated.  and scared.  and I feel like I have no clue what's going on, and that's not right.

csousa1

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ney-md-fu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:e3bc9232-f626-4d83-9626-a5a653e6bbdcPost:39ec4153-6b09-44d2-93ad-c3eff50f83b3">Re: NEY MD: F/U</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NEY MD: F/U : first of all, I explicitly said that was my last choice.  second of all, I was left out of the loop.  third of all, I would rather take a look next at other factors, including lifestyle, diet, hormones in my BCP, etc. mostly, I feel like I've been just pushed aside and given a number.  this is my health and I want to know what's going on.  I want to know his reasons, my options, etc.  I don't want to just get put in a sleep study, or referred to another doctor, or anything without being told and having it explained to me.  I'm not a child. they forgot to call me.  they shipped off my paperwork yesterday, and when I called yesterday to ask about it I got a pissy answer:<strong> "they will call you, don't call us."</strong> I think I'm mostly just frustrated.  and scared.  and I feel like I have no clue what's going on, and that's not right.
Posted by CocoBellaF[/QUOTE]

I can understand your frustration on all of this. Unfortunately, in the current healthcare industry in this country, more often than not you have to be VERY firm and clear on what you want with a doctor. As in, tell them everything you just listed here when you have them on the phone - verbatim.

I'm not saying it is okay for them to be this way, but the fact of the matter is that you may have to speak up for yourself a lot more to this doctor. You have EVERY right to know his reasoning for needing a sleep study, why he ignored your desire to make that the last option, when he can fit you in again BEFORE  the sleep study, and why they were lax in getting back to you. Your health is one area where the more demanding you are, the better - read: it's okay to be a bit of a bitch about it.

ETA: For example, in response to the bolded part, I personally would have said something like this: "When it comes to my health, I will call whomever I think can give me answers. If that isn't you, please give me the number of someone who can."

[Deleted User]

I called my GYN, and I'm going to phone conference with one of the nurses tomorrow.

I'll think about the sleep study for a few days.  I need to sleep on it. 

NurseyK

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ney-md-fu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:e3bc9232-f626-4d83-9626-a5a653e6bbdcPost:12e3f530-e4f7-46a1-9341-b6dd6b99a181">Re: NEY MD: F/U</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NEY MD: F/U : I can understand your frustration on all of this. Unfortunately, in the current healthcare industry in this country, more often than not you have to be VERY firm and clear on what you want with a doctor. As in, tell them everything you just listed here when you have them on the phone - verbatim. I'm not saying it is okay for them to be this way, but the fact of the matter is that you may have to speak up for yourself a lot more to this doctor. You have EVERY right to know his reasoning for needing a sleep study, why he ignored your desire to make that the last option, when he can fit you in again BEFORE  the sleep study, and why they were lax in getting back to you. Your health is one area where the more demanding you are, the better - read: it's okay to be a bit of a bitch about it. ETA: For example, in response to the bolded part, I personally would have said something like this: "When it comes to my health, I will call whomever I think can give me answers. If that isn't you, please give me the number of someone who can."
Posted by csousa1[/QUOTE]

I agree with all of this.... especially being firm part.

However, I want to talk about patience a little bit k.

Working in the healthcare industry, I can speak to having patience a little bit. Understand that by going to a Dr. they are making the assumption that you want <strong><em>all</em></strong> bases covered. This sounds like this is exactly what they are doing: In order to discuss treatment options with you such as nutritional counseling, they need to do a full assessment. In other words, your Dr is still in the information gathering stage. Try to trust your Doc that they know what they are doing.

Also... understand that to see a specialist on short notice, or for a specialized anything (like a sleep study) it requires a lot of work on their part to set it up. Another informational appointment with you probably isn't the next best step, in terms of time management. 

I'm sorry that that one office was less than pleasant - that never fosters an understanding patient, and the office staff should know that.  

Hang in there...

jorja86

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_ney-md-fu?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:e3bc9232-f626-4d83-9626-a5a653e6bbdcPost:1360b61b-bd05-4538-aee8-a817d89e576c">Re: NEY MD: F/U</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: NEY MD: F/U : I agree with all of this.... especially being firm part. However, I want to talk about patience a little bit k. Working in the healthcare industry, I can speak to having patience a little bit. Understand that by going to a Dr. they are making the assumption that you want all bases covered. This sounds like this is exactly what they are doing: In order to discuss treatment options with you such as nutritional counseling, they need to do a full assessment. In other words, your Dr is still in the information gathering stage. Try to trust your Doc that they know what they are doing. Also... understand that to see a specialist on short notice, or for a specialized anything (like a sleep study) it requires a lot of work on their part to set it up. Another informational appointment with you probably isn't the next best step, in terms of time management.  I'm sorry that that one office was less than pleasant - that never fosters an understanding patient, and the office staff should know that.   Hang in there...
Posted by NurseyK[/QUOTE]

This.

You definitely have a right to have your voice heard, and it doesn't sound like this office is doing very well with communication, but they are probably trying to get complicated appointments with specialists set up in a timely manner.

Also, you don't HAVE to do anything you don't want to do. You can refuse any medical treatment or intervention you don't want. However, your insurance may then have the right to refuse to cover any issues that pop up as a result of your refusal to follow your doctors recommendations.

I'm also curious as to why you are so opposed to the sleep study.

[Deleted User]

I guess I want to know WHY we're doing a sleep study.  I want to be included in the process.  I want to know why we aren't looking at my BCP and hormones.  difficulty sleeping and drowsiness is only a small part of the problem.  I'm losing clumps of hair, steadily gaining weight, experiencing fatigue, trouble exercising... I used to be able to walk 3 miles, easy, and now just one mile is completely exhausting.  I have severe hunger.  my body, especially my feet, is always freezing cold.  I'm craving meat, when I've NEVER craved meat before in my life.  I'm not a meat fan, especially red meat.  but all I can think about is eating burgers.

my systolic BP has jumped 20 points.  my entire adult life, it's been 108-112.  now I'm at 130.  my diastolic has jumped, but not as drastically.  my periods are becoming unbearable with cramps, to the point where I just lay in bed and breathe through it.  my BM are extremely irregular.

but we aren't even talking about that.  I tried to ask him what kind of preventive measure I could take, or if I could get with someone about my diet and exercise or just get educated about what's going on.  do I need more fiber?  should I try a different form of exercise?  is it stress?  winter SAD? 

but they forget to call me at all, get pissy when I call and kindly ask them about the results, and then inform me that they'll make my appointment and let me know when it is. 

I have a job.  I have a tigerboss.  I can't just randomly say I'm taking off at such and such date for a sleep study.  my boss is the type person that says a back injury from bowling the night before doesn't count as sick time, even if you have a doctor's request to stay home on pain meds.

it's like you check in with them, and they don't even listen to what's going on in your body.  I've always paid very close attention to my body, what it's doing, how I'm feeling, my diet and exercise...  but I can't even get my list of concerns out before I'm signed up for a sleep study.  I feel like I don't even matter to them.

I'm frustrated.  I'm scared.  I feel awful, physically.  I feel awful about MYSELF.  I don't have any idea what to do to help myself.  I'm trying to eat right and exercise, but I'm failing at that. 

I guess I feel like a doctor should listen to what's going on and look at the whole picture.  but I don't feel like that's happening.  if the doctor would have had the nurse call, and say: "hey, this is what we came up with.  our next step is going to a sleep study BECAUSE..." then I most likely wouldn't have a problem with it, if the reason for the sleep study was at all logical.  I trust my doctor to do what's best most of the time.  but a lot of the time, health care is so busy and so "medical" (I can't think of a better word on only 2 hours of sleep), that they don't take time to really listen and find out the background of the problem.  they just cart you off to one place or another, and hope that they come up with something.

[Deleted User]

ETA:  I'm not bashing the health care profession at all.  I'm just questioning what's going on and my personal experiences with health care.  I know there are some great doctors and nurses out there, I just don't feel that I'm getting thorough care right now.

[Deleted User]

they did bloodwork on Friday.  yesterday I called again and all they would tell me is that they would mail me my results, but that the only thing low was vitamin D.  I'm under the assumption that the bloodwork would also test for anemia (it was briefly discussed before I went to the lab) and I'm also assuming that anemia is a "no".

I did purchase a vitamin D supplement of 1000 units to take once a day, like they told me.  I've read that low vitamin D can affect BP, hair growth, immunity, bone health, and possibly fatigue.  so I'm praying that it'll help at least a little bit.

[Deleted User]

yaga - yes.  but after about 5 or 6 of them, he started zoning out on me.  maybe because it was 4 PM on a Friday?  he interrupted, and said they were sending me to the lab to get bloodwork done.  I figured that was going to happen, so I just went along with it.  but I know he wasn't writing it all down. 

[Deleted User]

thanks Liv.