Doctors...

[Travo7]

For the last three years my PCP has been treating me for "anxious depression", more specifically Social/Performance anxiety, and the "blues"

Three fucking years of " just you wait my friend, you'll get better you'll see."
So, I recently was finally able to get a recommendation to a psychiatrist. She talked to me for over 2 hours, and explained that I don't have social axiety, but generalized anxiety disorder w/ depression. The desperation I feel overcome me, she says is a "panic attack" which I have 2-4 times a day. Oh and I have some paranoia as well.

I was so relieved to get out of there knowing for the first time what the fuck is wrong with me, why I can't sleep, or take the kids to the park, or go shopping at the store, or write on a message board without feeling like running away crying.

I also left there very pissed at my regular doctor who just basically made money off my ass. That and I'm pissed that I let him screw me over for that long.

Well, at least I got an automatized birthday email from this place. I would post more but I feel too insane and insecure. I actually don't know why I am posting this...

are there others out there?

 

[nomadic]

i been screwed over by my dentist.

Helen Vu, in Westwood.

Total shady biyatch. Gave me two teeth fillings that broke. She replaced those for free though. But charged the dental insurance though. Then she tried to double charge me for a teeth cleaning, and the dental insurance denied the claim, bc they said no one should get two teeth cleanings in one month.

Fortunately for her, she had me sign something that said in small print, I had to pay for everything if the dental insurance didn't pay. So I paid 1000 dollars cash for a fukkin teeth cleaning. Ridiculous

I think most dentists are crooks. My dentist friends say that LA is oversaturated with dentists. So given too many dentists, not enough people, SOME have to resort to chicanery it seems. It could very well be most, not some.

 

[Travo7]

i been screwed over by my dentist.

Helen Vu, in Westwood.

Total shady biyatch. Gave me two teeth fillings that broke. She replaced those for free though. But charged the dental insurance though. Then she tried to double charge me for a teeth cleaning, and the dental insurance denied the claim, bc they said no one should get two teeth cleanings in one month.

Fortunately for her, she had me sign something that said in small print, I had to pay for everything if the dental insurance didn't pay. So I paid 1000 dollars cash for a fukkin teeth cleaning. Ridiculous

I think most dentists are crooks. My dentist friends say that LA is oversaturated with dentists. So given too many dentists, not enough people, SOME have to resort to chicanery it seems. It could very well be most, not some.

It's weird, my doctor is always double booked and never spends more than 10 minutes with me. Ever.
My father(who is a doctor,hehe) knows people on the board who know for a fact that my doc is just in it for the money, to finance his real vocation. Who knows how many people do it for just plain fascination anymore.
or maybe you just lose it over time, IDK.

nice to "meet" you helen

 

[nomadic]

^ well, if he is that booked, he's probably doing it to others too. Stringing them along, although he knows someone else is probably better qualified. hence, a zillion bookings.

well, i think a lot of that is a myth nowadays. i hear a lot of med schools want ppl with econ backgrounds. lol? so they can understand better the workings of HMO's, medication contracts, etc...

but at the same time, they never lied and said they are doing it for the fascination, so its not like ppl have the right to be disappointed...

i just hate the deception involved when it comes to money. i mean, wth? what makes them any different than a traveling hustler who tries to sell you fake luxury goods then? at least the street salesman tells u its a fake.

 

[Travo7]

^ well, if he is that booked, he's probably doing it to others too. Stringing them along, although he knows someone else is probably better qualified. hence, a zillion bookings.

well, i think a lot of that is a myth nowadays. i hear a lot of med schools want ppl with econ backgrounds. lol? so they can understand better the workings of HMO's, medication contracts, etc...

but at the same time, they never lied and said they are doing it for the fascination, so its not like ppl have the right to be disappointed...

i just hate the deception involved when it comes to money. i mean, wth? what makes them any different than a traveling hustler who tries to sell you fake luxury goods then? at least the street salesman tells u its a fake.

Words of truth, well said.

 

[avolkiteshvara]

I don't trust any General Practicioner. I try to act as my own GP, do my own research on the internet, and bipass the GP to get to the specialist.

Even if they weren't incompetent, they simply don't have enough time to spend with you to accurately diagnose.

Last time I went to my GP for a sinus infection, he told me I was depressed and offered to give me some anti-depressants.

I know in HMO also, many GP get annual bonuses for not referring their patients to specialists or keeping it under a certain level.

You've really got to take your health in your own hands.

 

[Kingfisher]

your doctor is trained to make a medical diagnosis, not a psychological one. it is in their nature to look for a medical solution. doctors look at the physical body, psychatrists look at the mind. that is a gross generalization, but you know what i mean.

however, for something like depression, your doctor should have recomended you see a psychatrist.

by the way, a lot of good doctors are overbooked because there is a shortage of doctors.

 

[juggernaut]

I personally cannot abide most physicians. I take my children regularly for checkups, but as far as I'm concerned the overwhelming majority of them are nothing but overpaid mechanics with god-complexes. After several years of sitting elbow to elbow with premeds I've come to realize that they are among the stupidest "educated" folks in the academic world. Most of those jackasses couldn't think their way out of a paper bag. We definitely put way too much stock in their supposed expertise. Biomedicine is just another false diety and we already have too many of those, IMO.

 

[Travo7]

I personally cannot abide most physicians. I take my children regularly for checkups, but as far as I'm concerned the overwhelming majority of them are nothing but overpaid mechanics with god-complexes. After several years of sitting elbow to elbow with premeds I've come to realize that they are among the stupidest "educated" folks in the academic world. Most of those jackasses couldn't think their way out of a paper bag. We definitely put way too much stock in their supposed expertise. Biomedicine is just another false diety and we already have too many of those, IMO.

I kind of know what you mean.

I recently had an acl repair done, and was cleared to go back to work, "play football" and what not. When I went in for my last visit and mentioned pain, just because three months is supposed to be the "official" time it takes to heal, he basically called me an addict, and said it wasn't about the pain at all. Then he asks me about the other meds I'm on, and frowns when I mention klonopin and lexapro, saying "Well, you shouldn't even be taking pain medicine at all." Easy for him to say when I'm taking 4000mg of tylenol everyday, and it doesn't even help (not to mention the fact that he should know about all my meds because I was required to tell him prior to surgery.)

About a week passed, and I began to worsen and have really sharp pains in my knee. So, after seeing my pcp, he referred me back to my surgeon for another MRI, because obviously something isn't right.

It's a good thing I can pull money out of my ass, you know...

I understand no one is perfect, and that doctors are worried about addiction to pain meds and such, but saying my pain is an just an excuse to try to get more painkillers isn't even funny. But I guess doc knows best...

Sorry for the bitter rant. It's made me very upset though, and I'm glad I can talk about here at least.

 

[nomadic]

^ I had acl surgery, I was on vicodin for about a month.

after that, you just need ice wrapped on your knee. they have this ice machine that constantly feeds coldness to your knee, but it seems you are past that stage.

professional athletes take 6 months for an acl surgery recovery. normal ppl should take 12-18 months. I wasn't 100% until about 2 years. by that i mean, losing the extra 15 pounds I put on etc...

either way, in that case, yeah i would lay off the meds bro. do your excercises, ice your knee, and elevate it etc...

 

[Travo7]

your doctor is trained to make a medical diagnosis, not a psychological one. it is in their nature to look for a medical solution. doctors look at the physical body, psychatrists look at the mind. that is a gross generalization, but you know what i mean.

however, for something like depression, your doctor should have recomended you see a psychatrist.

by the way, a lot of good doctors are overbooked because there is a shortage of doctors.

Yeah, I know. My dad is a shrink. In his view, most people are better off with both a psychiatrist and psychologist, where both forms are integrated.

I also agree that he should have. It's become quite common for primary care physicians to treat their patients for things a psychiatrist would know how to deal with more efficiently and accurately.

BTW, I'm not saying that doctor's are evil, and I recognize their value to society. I've just been having a bad time lately. So any doctor's please don't take offense.

 

[heart]

I've got chronic vertigo and fatigue. Depending on the medical professional's speciality at the moment, that's what I get dx with. It's been 15 years of this. It's really frustrating. for all you go through.

 

[Travo7]

I've got chronic vertigo and fatigue. Depending on the medical professional's speciality at the moment, that's what I get dx with. It's been 15 years of this. It's really frustrating. for all you go through.

Aww, thanks for the hugs, heart (aptly named) and right back at you, cause 15 years is a long time.

I'm wondering. Do people sometimes refuse to acknowledge that you suffer from this? The thing I hear most from people is "just get over it" or something like that. Just curious.

 

[Dali]

Fortunately for her, she had me sign something that said in small print, I had to pay for everything if the dental insurance didn't pay. So I paid 1000 dollars cash for a fukkin teeth cleaning. Ridiculous

Bloody hell!!! And I thought the $90 I get charged here for teeth cleaning (by excellent dentist) was a rip-off. I suppose there are some advantages to being from a developing country.

 

[Travo7]

Bloody hell!!! And I thought the $90 I get charged here for teeth cleaning (by excellent dentist) was a rip-off. I suppose there are some advantages to being from a developing country.

Insurance is a funny thing too. Mine covers for disability, but only up to about 1/3 of my actual income.
So even though they covered 100% for surgery, and payed me for time off, I still ended up losing $2500.

 

[rainoneventide]

I had major depression, but I didn't know this when I started talking with my first psychologist. Apparently she didn't know, either. When I told her about the troubles I was having with my family, she suddenly gets this notion that I should have my father come in as soon as possible and talk with him about everything I've bottled up inside. Which is a good thing to do, but not so suddenly when you aren't emotionally prepared. So that scared the shit out of me. She constantly invalidated my feelings, giving me advice like, "Well, just suck it up and go get a job!" Or, "Write a list of all the chores you have to do!" and crap like that. And if you've ever experienced depression, advice like that is... not good. Moreover, she literally acted hurt when I told her I didn't think any of her advise would help in the longterm, so I felt as if I had to comfort and assure her. I would always walk out of her office in tears because she continually brought up horrible memories and topics without any therapy or motive. It was like ripping open a wound over and over again.

But yeah, she charged a lot and she was a crappy psychologist. Now I'm seeing a psychologist at my university for free, and he's amazing.

 

[Synarch]

Most doctors are like most people. Full of crap.

Do your own research. Don't get mystified by the white lab coats. Many doctors stop learning as soon as they get out of medical school.

Doctor workflow:

1. Inflammation? -> prescribe liquids and anti-inflammatory drugs, maybe steroids.
2. Viral infection? -> prescribe rest and liquids
3. Bacterial infection? -> prescribe antibiotics, either localized, topical, or general.
4. Injury? -> repair injury with cast, braces, and / or stitches.
5. General pain? -> prescribe pain killers to the ninny.
6. Anything crazy? -> refer to a specialist.

 

[INA]

I also left there very pissed at my regular doctor who just basically made money off my ass. That and I'm pissed that I let him screw me over for that long.

Yeah, lots of doctors are pure scum who hear "ka-ching!" every time you walk through their doors (yay insurance money!) and will tell you whatever it takes to keep you doing just that, including unnecessary and expensive tests and treatments that you don't need or that won't help. I learned this after a stress fracture years ago and have since had the opportunity to notice it several times over.

 

[Giggly]

I agree with KingFisher. Most doctors do the best they can. Please keep in mind that people expect, no, DEMAND cures for their ailments when they walk in the door. Imagine being under that type of pressure? I don't think they're so bad. I see them as helpers in our society more than anything and I think they do a great service for us.

 

[sculpting]

physicians have made thier owns beds.

About fifteen years ago they tightened up standards in med schools to limit the number of drs they admitted as they forecast incorrectly what they would need in the future.

Drs in america make five times the mdeian income where drs in briatian make only 3 times. Any dr making less than 100K a year feels cheated and they all feel really sorry for those poor pedistricians who only make 90K or so a year. Med students are now flocking towards specialities like dermatology and gasteroentology where they are paid by the procedure rather than the visit.

A typical visit by your internist/GP pays about 50 to 70, where a mole removal pays 300 as outpatient surgery. your internist /GP actually isnt a money grubbing monstor. Likely he is under immense pressure from the clinic he works with to book as many patients as possible to generate as much revenue as possible by his bosses given the low pay per visit. docs who choose to go into GP/internal med are actually awesome and love thier patients but are severely burnt out and overworked.

Also very quickly there is a dramatic decline in the number of GP/internists as 1) there are not enough drs and 2) the med students choose specialities instead meaning you wait even longer and get even less time with these guys.

also google "medical narcissim". Also keep in mind the complexity of the problems at hand. In the short time span you are there, they can treat easy stuff, but the more complex the problem the worse they screw it up. Or you get stuck in cycles of endless referrals. They have no time to think...

Med school is highly selective for NTs. So you take in a bunch of folks who should work in a lab or in front of a computer then stick them in front of 40 patients a day complaining. sounds like a plan to me...

DO NOT trust them. Do your research and call them on it.