Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Dr.'s and opinions

I once had a GP pretty much tell me I was making my pain up, he didn't believe my story, wouldn't let me get x-rays, he did'nt suggest I have correct bloods done and basically couldn't see anything wrong with me...I thought I was going mad, I was in so much pain I let rip and told him where to go, I won't repeat my words but I was fairly direct :-)

Went to London travelling, saw a GP who put me onto a specialist, waiting list of 3 months! (of pain) finally got my appointment and he didn't have any of my records...I asked him if he received my x-rays from the hospital, he said he hadn't as the hospital don't release x-rays...WTF? so he took my word for it as I said my issue was AS and put me straight onto anti-inflam's no questions asked, was put on a strong medication which ripped my stomach to threads.

I then moved to Switzerland for 3 years, all the Dr's wanted to do to me was pump me full of drugs. Selling drugs in Switzerland meant the Dr's were on a point system earning them particular incentives i.e. their desks, chairs even pens had drug company names on them. So I wasn't getting proper advice, they gave me drugs to take the pain away so I felt I was a walking chemistry set after a while, couldn't sleep or eat properly as a result and suffered a little depression.

Finally back home in NZ years later, saw my Rheumy, got the best advice, proper x-rays and bloods to monitor the severity of the condition, he put me on the weaker drugs which had a better balance with my body and little harm on the stomach resulting in the pain easing and me feeling better both physically and mentally.

So yeah, I have issues with GP's in the past, I have found a good one I stick to now.

I too am so sorry you had that appointment from hell and I understand fully!!!

Hon, you vent away. It's an untenable situation to be in and I'm really sorry you had to be there for it.

I hope you can get the care you deserve.

Warm hugs,

What a truly *horific experience. Lordy, that sure is a saga of Drs from hell. Makes one feel so utterly impotent dealing with the likes of such.

So glad you found a keeper at last. And, that you are now in good competent medical hands. Huzzah.

Take care -

Certainly lousy to have to sit there and watch as Doc can't open the MRI and then opt not to view it .... and then for good measure to clinch the deal and undermne any possiblity of you ever having confidence ... he changes your diagnosis based upon data you know that he has not seen.

If you have the time sned him a letter and let him known your dissatisfaction. It won't help you but maybe next time he takes the time and views the test results before guessing at a diagnosis.

Ironically enough when I returned from my travels I did ask after "the GP from hell" as I wanted to send him a letter informing him of his incompetence in my case and to lodge a formal complaint against him, I found out he was sacked due to misdiagnosing a series of patience...funny that, although not so funny for the other patience.

This all happened about 10 years ago now and have put it behind me... although sometimes think about it obviously :-) At least now I know what I've got so when I talk to a GP they listen and understand that I know what works for me.

I'm almost pain free at the moment which is nice...lets hope it lasts for a while :-)

Thanks for listening/replying

that reminded me of the fact that yes, i was making such good progress in virginia. took about 15 months to find a PT that could help me but then between her, then another when she went on maternity leave, and then this really awesome physiatrist, they had me doing so well, just a little more work with the ultrasound and triggerpoint injections for the upper back and various PT things and cortisone injection to the SI.

but then i had to move up here to NY and then had to go about finding doctors and such all over again. it took about 4 years before i could find another physiatrist that could help me, but she is awesome. and i'd been looking for a comparable PT to what i had in virginia since 2003 and never did find one who knew how to do the same things that were helping me in the past. but finally this fall, 7 years later, and its a chiro of all people who is once again working on, not so much triggerpoints now, those were mostly eliminated back in virginia, but now all the fibrous adhesions that formed over the years due to all the muscle spasms and he's awesome as well!

so while it took time, once again i have people who are really helping with the soft tissue stuff.

and finally a rheumy, even if he's several hundred miles away, he's big on email, so that's working for now, as we try to get in to a new rheumy up here.

it all just takes time i think.............