Ask MetaFilter posts tagged with doctor

How quickly do I get this thing checked?

ohio — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 17:02:43 -0800

How soon do I need to get a mole checked? I have a mole on my upper arm that worries me. It is small (smaller than a pencil eraser), but peels like a sunburn every few weeks, even when I haven't gotten any sun. It is slightly irregular, has slight color variation and little tiny black spots. There is an even smaller mole about a centimeter and a half away that is more irregular and has a couple larger black spots. I think the mole is starting to be raised now, when it wasn't before.

I am away from home until December, so I would like to wait until then. The things I find on the internet say to get the moles checked, but not how quickly. Can I wait until December, or should I find a doctor here? If the latter, how soon should I make the appointment?

PCP in pittsburgh

the druid — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 09:39:10 -0800

Primary care doctor in Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh, PA? I live in squirrel hill, part of the UPMC health plan - just need a good PCP for regular checkups. I have no real medical problems; young guy in my mid-twenties. Any recs or particular offices to avoid?

Using a large teaching clinic as my primary care provider: good idea?

grouse — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:34:30 -0800

Using a large teaching clinic as my primary care provider in Seattle: good idea? I need to find a new physician for annual checkups and unexpected needs. I work for a med school, and it is quite tempting to make an appointment with their General Internal Medicine Clinic for a checkup. I will likely be seen by a resident if I do so. I am trying to decide whether this is a good idea.

Pros:

The location is highly convenient to where I work and convenient to where I live. This is a special concern since I do not have a car right now. This means any appointments will have a minimal impact on my other life, which means I am more likely to make those appointments.
The clinic can refer to specialists within the university healthcare system, some of whom only accept referrals from within the system.
I will be seen by physicians more familiar with the latest research.

Cons:

Residents have less experience
Residents are only here temporarily, so I might have less continuity of care.
This clinic seems to be in high demand, and I think I will have longer waits for appointments here than at a non-university provider.

Any other thoughts on this? Another option is that I could ask to be seen by an attending, at least for annual physicals which I can wait for (and I imagine there will be a long wait, if it is possible at all). Would this go over well? If not, would it be a better idea to go with a more experienced resident, or one that will be in the program longer and able to provide more continuity? Should I just go pot-luck with the first available appointment?

I would also appreciate specific recommendations for an internist or GP convenient to Fremont or the University of Washington.

Walk-in medical clinic near Oak Park, IL?

new-xero — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:33:50 -0800

Is there a decent walk-in medical clinic (i.e., urgent care center) near Oak Park, IL (Chicago area)? I'm posting this on behalf of my wife, new-xero (I'm korpios, and I just burned an AskMeFi question last night); she's pretty sick right now due to a panic attack and the aftereffects, and we were hoping to find a walk-in clinic within reasonable driving distance. We're loathe to use the emergency room unless we're forced; she probably just needs a prescription for some benzodiazepines. Any suggestions? Yelp isn't really helping.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

waraw — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:51:46 -0800

Is there a common sense guide to symptoms requiring immediate medical attention? I'm looking for a broad sense of symptoms requiring an immediate visit to an emergency room. Set aside such things as gunshot wounds or javalin impalement; I'm looking for a sense of how bad certain symptoms should be allowed to get before hospitalization becomes absolutely necessary. In terms of pain levels 0-10, particular parts and pieces requiring special rules (fingers, eyes), and excluding situations such as Lion Tamer or Experimental Medication Subject and Pregnancy and the like, I am interested in knowing symptoms that scream (to some) "Go To The Hospital Now."

Have medical license, will blog.

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:16:38 -0800

I'm a doctor in private practice. I love to blog, just not about medicine. I like to do more personal writing, post photos and links, creative projects, write about recent trips, my city, etc (i.e. nothing political, offensive). How would you feel if you found your doctor's personal blog? I've written a blog like this in the past anonymously, but I feel that readers couldn't connect to me. Also, I feel that there is some ego involved in blogging. If my blog was completely anonymous, no one would know it was my work. Why bother putting it on a website? Why not just have a private online journal?

So, I'd like to have my about page actually have my name on it, but want to know what repercussions this might have. My concern is that my patients (or colleagues) will find it easily with a search on my name, especially since my practice has a website. If I were a designer, having people find my personal blog might be considered a good thing. But would it be too much information for prospective and current patients? Does any professional in the non-online world have a personal blog (e.g. lawyers, doctors, etc.)?

Would it make me look unprofessional to, you know, have a life outside of my job?

What should I know going into a conversation about nicotine addiction?

parmanparman — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:32:31 -0800

I am seeing my doctor tomorrow about quitting smoking. I have tried quitting so many times I can no longer keep count. But nicotine has this tremendous hold on me. I have smoked for almost four years and would like to see my 29th birthday as a turning point. What questions should I be asking my doctor and what questions should I be prepared to answer?

Real diagnosis in general practice

crapmatic — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 18:41:00 -0800

US doctor question: do general practitioners practice real diagnosis anymore? Every doctor my wife and I have gone to in the past ten years has turned out to be incompetent or disinterested in doing more than the bare minimum. My son has a fever and some other symptoms, and my wife and I were talking about finding a pediatrician. This led to a discussion about whether it's even worth bothering. We both remember that back in the 1970s, doctors (GPs) here in the US seemed to make serious efforts to diagnose colds, flus, and illnesses. My wife recalls it was normal for them to take throat cultures, do bloodwork to check white blood cell counts, temperature, and so forth. She remembers that sometimes the doctor would decide on a diagnosis after the visit (I would assume to go look in a book and research the symptoms). I recall similar experiences.

Fast forward to the late 1990s and 2000s.... when my wife or I have gone in for minor ailments, we've both had the experience of doctors shotgunning our diagnosis: i.e., half-attentively listen to our problems, do a cursory check of the lungs and ears, not do any more physical checks, then just say that some sort of virus is going around. Typically the doctor would then scratch up some Rx's for something like doxycycline, nasonex, and promethazine and bid us adieu. I'm not talking about one doctor... this is the typical sequence with seven doctors we've had in three different places we've lived in TX and OK.

Does our experience agree with anyone else's? Is our memory flawed or has there been some change in recent decades about how GPs approach diagnosis? Is it possible that new doctors are less technically informed than "old school" doctors used to be? Are we supposed to actually ask for a detailed examination (is there some code word)? Is there a trick to increase our odds at finding a doctor willing to check things out completely, for example using a DO instead of an MD or avoiding a multi-doctor practice? Many will say "word of mouth" but I don't trust it since by the reviews I've seen on Google Maps and ratemd.com, people seem to put emphasis on doctor cheeriness, wait time, and submissiveness about wanted prescriptions.

So as things stand now, we want to bring our kid in but we're hesitant about the idea of getting nothing but 5 minutes of time, an antibiotic, and whatever the pharma rep is pushing.

Somehow I suspect that basically I'm asking about shopping for a doctor. I know. But it's hard to call it shopping when I haven't been able to find a good one, ever, and I suspect there is a systemic problem. Maybe my expectations are too high. Please enlighten me.

Minocin is pretty, Minocin is good

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 10:34:24 -0800

Husband diagnosed with long-term staph infection. Is this MRSA? And should/can I get tested to see if I have it too? Background: My husband has had a bad rash for almost a year and after six months, I finally made him go to the doctor. One round of antibiotics sort of helped, but the rash came back worse a few months later. A GP and a dermatologist have given him three rounds of various antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Bactrim which resulted in a bad allergic reaction, and Levaquin) before finally running a stress test to figure out what this is resistant to. They've got him on something else this time (Minocycline), but it'll be two weeks before we know if it worked. It's a "penicillin-resistant" staphylococcus infection. Is this the MRSA everyone is talking about? Are MRSA and garden-variety staph two different things?

As for me, I've been experiencing fairly bad chest pains (lasting a few hours each) about three or four times a month for a few months now, pains which I chalked up to acid reflux. A glass of milk helps, but laying on my chest works better. My hips are so achy every morning that I hobble like an old lady at 25 and I feel generally crappy. These are all symptoms of a bad MRSA infection. And from what I've heard, sometimes people don't discover it's MRSA until they're gravely ill. I don't know if my symptoms are enough to merit a doctor's visit, though. Is there a test for MRSA? Should I get it? Is that what I should tell the receptionist when she asks the reason for my visit? (I'm already iffy about my GP--I went in to rule out a thyroid issue that might've caused recent weight gain issues and was sent home with a script for anti-depressants and an order to lose weight. I don't want to get the same pat on the head treatment this time around, considering MRSA is some nasty stuff that can result in ER visits and worse.)

I feel so incredibly uninformed by both of our doctors that I am not sure what to do except switch doctors and try this all over again with someone else (which is impractical, as our deductible is very high and we're paying for every single visit and test out of pocket). Is this my hypochondria or anxiety or is this is a "VISIT THE DOCTOR NOW!" situation? I'm incredibly frustrated and embarrassed and I don't know what to do. Googling "MRSA" is not helping my fears. YANAD, but it helps to know what to expect, what I should ask when I visit the doc and what others of you might have experienced in a similar situation.

A doctor has just suggested that I take anti-anxiety medication.

Talez — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:44:30 -0800

A doctor has just suggested that I take anti-anxiety medication. WTF? So anyway, I was in a car accident a few weeks back and banged myself up a bit. As of late I've been having a general sense of lightheadedness and dizzy spells and just been a bit off balance. Sometimes I lose my appetite completely and just general things seem to be going wrong. I've visited the doctor the other week who said I was fine and they would go away but things started getting worse and I've visited a different doctor who said I should think about going on an anti-anxiety medication of "a mild mood elevator and a mild anti-anxiety drug with no dependence side effects".

It was all a little wink wink, nudge nudge for my tastes. It's costing me a little bit of money to seek another opinion for another person to say it's all in my head.

To drill down to the bedrock of my question, I'm scared about what these pills could do to me but I'm also scared that something's seriously wrong and that I am overreacting and can't stop. What would you do?

Need new GP; GP too thick to take "Please refer me elsewhere" well

Anonymous — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 12:53:55 -0800

I can't stand my doctor, and I don't think she likes me much, either. I need a prescription, though. How can I hint at her to refer me elsewhere? GPs are in short supply here. I think my doctor is, personally and professionally, a moron. Confronted with a lump and told "It doesn't hurt," she scratches her head and says "Maybe it's a bruise?" She's ditzy and prone to making spelling errors. Stares at polka-dots and calls it striped. Ask "Do I need to take these on an empty stomach?" and get a blank look. Etcetera, etcetera. I never have a visit where she doesn't screw up at least once. My asthma is getting worse and I'm not getting anything done because her suggestions have been so bad it's clear she doesn't know what she's doing.

I am extremely polite, but I suspect my disgust is palpable, and I suspect she doesn't much care for me, either.

I'd love to curb my doctor visits for the moment, but. A flare-up of an ancient insomnia problem has me dependent on her for a prescription. She clearly hates to be dispensing this (non-benzodiazepine) medication; getting any prescription from her has always been an adventure; a miscarriage got me lectures on the addictive properties of painkillers rather than helpful medication. However, I've seen two specialists, and both backed my use of the sleeping pill -- and certainly she has no useful alternate ideas herself, so she's in a bit of a corner. But every visit for a prescription renewal is a nightmare; stupid questions from somebody who dislikes me and squirms over the renewal. My insomnia is getting worse from the anxiety over this.

The specialists were a psychiatrist, who wrote a nice letter about me and declined to see me again, citing lack of actual psychiatric problem, and a sleep specialist, who didn't really have anything new to offer and who doesn't follow patients, so I can't see them for the prescription instead.

She works in a practice with about ten other GPs. This is in Ontario where there's a doctor shortage; I have made it through in the past by always booking appointments on a flimsy pretense of urgency during the times when she's not there. The other doctors there are all great, strangely enough. I rang and asked if it was possible for me to see somebody else in the practice and got a curt "No, we don't do that." I have hinted at her that "maybe a few more sessions with a psychiatrist would be useful?" in hopes of her taking the hint and referring me elsewhere. No, [first psychiatrist] said you don't need that.

I'd just come out and say "Clearly this relationship isn't working for either of us; can you get me in with another GP?" but I'm pretty sure that wouldn't work with her, at least not immediately, and future appointments with her would be even less tolerable.

Is there a good way out? How can I even begin to explain this to another GP if I can actually find one? I have now asked three specialists for a referral to a GP and got nothing because I already have a GP; it seems I need her to want to hand me over to another GP...?

Can anyone recommend some doctors in Pittsburgh?

reddot — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:17:32 -0800

Can anyone recommend some doctors in Pittsburgh? I live in Shadyside (w/o a car, but could take the bus or Zipcar) and am looking for both a primary care physician, as well as a physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Can you recommend me a wonderful female OB/GYN in Seattle, WA?

krisken — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 16:03:44 -0800

DoctorFilter: Can you recommend me a wonderful female OB/GYN in Seattle, WA? I need to find a new one and I'm paralyzed by the number of choices. Suggestions/experiences appreciated.

Please help me find a doctor in seattle

Shutter — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 11:31:21 -0800

I need a doctor in the Seattle area who can do something for my knee. It's a ten year old injury (to the meniscus/patella I think), surgery didn't correct it. I'm open to traditional medicine, acupuncture, massage, voodoo, anything that works. Does anyone have recommendations?

i'm (not) keeping my baby

Anonymous — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 09:03:44 -0800

i live in dallas-fort worth, texas and i'm getting an abortion. i'm an adult and i am in a relationship. i do not have insurance.

is there anything i should prepare for? what type of abortions are open to me? is there a better place to go to have this done (i'm willing to travel if it's really worth it)? if you've gone through this were there after effects you weren't anticipating and could have prepared better for had you realized? any particular locations, doctors, etc that are better than others?

if you'd rather keep your answer private, please email me at anonformefi@gmail.com

(i know this is a hot button issue and you may have well meaning advice, but this is the course of action that i'm going to take. please don't try to change my mind)

Which Who? Doctor Who DVD recommendations.

mtonks — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 02:23:52 -0800

Looking for recommendations for (original series) Doctor Who DVD releases. I enjoyed The Five Doctors anniversary DVDs and want to wallow in more nostalgia but there are so many available, I don't know where to start. Any Doctor is OK by me; I'd like to have a good selection across the series. I'm looking for a combination of story, production and extras but mostly just classic Who-ness. What are the must haves?

Please, I don't want to be a Typhoid Mary!

aetg — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 20:13:13 -0800

Will I get typhoid? I purchased the oral typhoid vaccine (vivotif) at the pharmacy last week and have taken two pills so far on schedule.

My pharmacist said to take it on an "empty stomach" and when pressed clarified that to mean at least two hours before eating or two hours after eating. This whole not eating thing seemed rather important so I've been taking the vaccine in the middle of the night by setting my alarm. However, now I find that it is recommended to take the vaccine one hour before one eats or two hours after, which is rather different. I've been not eating for up to 8 hours before and after these pills.

Obviously I am going to call the pharmacist to clarify, if not the doctor, but I want to know if I should expect the pharmacist to replace these pills since the directions given are not actually how I should take the pill.

If I can't get the pills replaced I will probably just get the shot because of a completely different problem : my power went out yesterday and my pills were in the fridge. Any idea how hot a fridge gets in two hours if the door stays shut? I just noticed it was hot enough to curdle some milk.

How do I choose a scoliosis specialist?

desjardins — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:24:21 -0800

How do I go about choosing an orthopedist to monitor my adult scoliosis? Any personal recommendations in the Chicago area? I was born with severe scoliosis and am now 33. I haven't had an orthopedist since I was a child and he's since retired. I haven't been good about seeking regular medical care either since I take fairly good care of myself (don't smoke, eat right) and don't have any chronic conditions. Well, yesterday I went to the ER with severe neck pain and X-rays showed I have a degenerative condition in my cervical vertebrae. (Although the Dr. thought my pain was muscular; this was just an aside.) The ER doctor told me to make an appointment with an orthopedist but only gave me a general reference, not to one who specializes in scoliosis. I did some research online and came up with a list of specialists in Chicago. How the heck do I whittle this down? I live WAYYY out in the 'burbs, so none of them are near me.

How can I find a gay-friendly doctor?

tumbleweedjack — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:02:47 -0800

How can I find a gay-friendly doctor in my area?

Can you recommend a great eye doctor in New York City

AnyGuelmann — Sat, 17 May 2008 20:00:56 -0800

I'm looking to hear from people who have both astigmatism and myopia and have successfully transitioned to contact lenses. Also, if your eye doc is in Manhattan, can I have his/her number? I have astigmatism (under 1.00) and myopia (under 1.50) and I'd like to start wearing contacts. I'm sort of fed up with frames and I'd like to have another option, and especially avoid getting prescription lenses for all my sun glasses.

From what I've read, contacts for myopia and astigmatism combined can be somewhat tricky. There's supposed to be more issues to be considered as far as type and fitting. I'm all right with that, as long as it works. Did it work for you? Are you a happy, crisp-visioned contact person?

That said, I'm also looking for a great ophthalmologist in NY, preferably Manhattan.

Who's the one you call Dr. Feelgood?

Roman Graves — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:54:49 -0800

I'm a 25 year old fella looking for a good general practitioner in Austin. "Good" doesn't mean someone who will medicate me with whatever I want and send me on my way, but someone who pays attention to his patients and their needs. Preferably north, but it's not a deal breaker. I'll mostly be going for chronic headaches, if that makes any difference either. Suggestions?

GP for Chico

Pontifex — Sun, 04 May 2008 21:47:31 -0800

Recommend a General Practitioner in Chico California. I've done a bit of reading on Metafilter concerning finding a good practitioner. From the reading it seems asking about a specific location is the last step people take to "check around" about doctors in their area. I feel comfortable going out and doing the leg work of "interviewing" doctors, but I wouldn't be doing the due diligence for myself if I didn't post about it here.

So my question is twofold: Can anyone recommend a good doctor in the Chico Area (South of Redding north of Sacramento - for the curious) that I can use as a GP? And, related to that, if you were looking for a brand new doctor what characteristics would be most important for you?

The second questions required some explanation. During my reading I've found that the majority of the respondents recommended finding a doctor that was "right for you", but I have no idea what would be right for me. I haven't been to a doctor in at least 5-7 years due mainly to having shitty college health insurance and not having anything "seriously wrong" with me. Now I have some pretty nice insurance I want to exploit as much as humanly possible. But, I need some advice on what makes a good doctor. E.g. Good bed side manner, likes to throw around numbers, not a schmuck, etc. Hearing about what other people think is important for their own doctors would help me identify which traits I would like most.

Thanks in advance.

Help me find a good doctor. Please!

missjenny — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:02:14 -0800

Triangle NC Filter: I need a doctor! I'm tired of going to mediocre doctors. Anybody have a doctor you love? I'd prefer one in Chapel Hill or Durham, but I'd be willing to go to Raleigh for the right person.

I'm looking for someone who can do the girlie doctor stuff, but is also skilled in general medicine.

A woman would be great, but after having seen three or four "eh" doctors in the past six years, I'm willing to be open-minded.

I need to see my shrink more often.

hulahulagirl — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 12:46:32 -0800

Doctor-insurance filter: Any doctors out there have experience with becoming an "in network" provider for United Health Care? Can I convince my doctor to do this? I needed to see a psychiatrist rather urgently (med. management + some other stuff) and looked up who was in-network for my insurance co., United Health Care. Unfortunately the doctors on the list who I called were not accepting new patients. But I got a call back from the receptionist saying another doctor in their building was open. Assuming (I know, stupid) that he was also in-network, I started seeing him (fall '07). I didn't realize he was out-of-network until almost $2500 dollars later (spring '08). I paid my in-network co-payment at every visit, but for out-of-network, they only cover 50% after the first $1000. I talked to my dr. about this, we decided to ask for a gap extension (allowing him to be treated as in-network since we had established a relationship); however, my employer doesn't allow that on their plan. So now I pay $100 (which is 50%) at every visit, meaning I can only afford to see him every other week where my visits used to be weekly. It sucks, but I've been dealing with it.

My husband and I just decided we are moving later this summer. So there are some things I want to tackle in therapy before I leave town. Obviously more frequent visits would be helpful but I can't afford it. So I'm going to ask him if he would consider trying to become in-network so I can see him weekly again.

So I'm wondering if he'll feel that's too much hassle. I'm thinking it would mean he makes more money (depending on the rate the insurance pays---on top of that I would pay co-pays of $40 4x/month instead of the $100 2x month that I pay now). But paperwork is not what he (or anyone else) lives for, so how can I convince him this would be beneficial, even though I am a relatively short-term patient.

Is UHC a pain to deal with, as a doctor? Do they pay less?

Obviously I will ask him directly, but I wonder if anyone out there has any experience going from out-of-network to in-network, especially with UHC?

How do I report a doctor for bad care?

hal_c_on — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 19:27:39 -0800

I just had a HORRIBLE HORRIBLE experience with a doctor. This is the reason most people do NOT go to doctors. It kinda makes me not want to go to a doctor. Let me give you the whole story so you can assess the situation, get really mad, and provide me with constructive advice. If you don't feel like reading it all, scroll to the bottom and tell me what I should do if I am unsatisfied with the quality of care from a doctor. So within the last 6 months, I noticed a LOT of symptoms, including a DRAMATIC weight gain over 60 days ( I'm 30 years old, and started off weighing 140-145 lbs..it has NEVER gone over 150 lbs, but suddenly I gained about 30-35 lbs for a total of 175+).

Without going into too many details about the symptoms, so that everyone on the 'net knows what I have. I looked into it (webmd, mayo clinic, wikipedia), and said "wow...these are the same symptoms another member of my family had before being diagnosed with condition X". Maybe I have it too. I looked into patterns of inheritance...yes, it is possible.

So I found an Internal Medicine doctor through my insurance (BCBS-PPO), called them up, and scheduled an appointment. At the office, the medical assistants/nurses checked my weight and blood pressure, and told me to wait in the room.

I'll be honest, I didn't know what the hell to do in the room. The last time I went for a physical was 10 years ago. As I waited there for 15-20 minutes, I wondered if I should take my clothes off, or not...or what? Maybe the nurse/assistant forgot to tell me where those robes that don't cover your butt are stored, etc. In the end, I decided to keep my clothes on because the other option would have been a LOT more embarrassing if I was mistaken. When it doubt, don't let it hang out.

So the doctor came in, didn't introduce herself, and went to work. She listened to my heart and lungs, made me follow her finger with my eyes, and did some simple reflex tests. I started to talk to her at this point, told her about my DRAMATIC weight gain (w/o any change of diet/lifestyle), and she just IGNORED all my symptoms. She asked about my exercise habits, and I told her they haven't changed in 10 years. "Maybe you need to exercise more". The visit with the doctor took less than 5 minutes.

"Maybe, but theres no way that would explain 30+ lbs in 60 days", I said.

"You're probably not exercising correctly". She said.

"Possibly, but that still cannot account for the weight gain in such a short period. It could also be condition X that another member of my family has".

"No, men don't get that", she said.

"Actually, its rare, but men DO get it", I came back with.

"Yes, I know, I'm the doctor". Ummm ok...what the heck do I say to her?

"So can you give me some blood tests, because I still think something is off".

"Ok, but you really need to exercise differently", she said. "You're getting older".

So I left the office, feeling like I'm dumb, fat, and old (I'm 30...I don't look old. I get ID'd all over the place). I went over to the lab and gave them my blood.

I joined a gym, and started working out hardcore. 2 hours each day, with 30-45 min of cardio EVERYDAY. During those cardio sessions my HR averages 145, and it maxes out at 171. I really am working out. After 2 weeks...no change in weight. Highly unusual. Whenever I want to lose 5-10 lbs, I go to the gym, hit a treadmill regularly for 2-3 weeks, and I shed weight like crazy. This time, its not working.

I also kept tabs on what I ate. I eat about 1800 calories a day, spaced out in about 5 meals. Thats how I've been eating. I also have a fairly healthy diet (vegetarian except for fish and eggs, no fast food).

The next week, I called the doctor's office and asked them about the blood tests. They told me that they can't release it over the phone, but if a doc didn't call me, its "probably fine". Umm, ok. So I came in that same day to get a copy of my blood test, and doctor's report. The report had NOTHING about what I talked about except that I was overweight (Alright, I'm a fatty...sigh). Everything on the blood test looks good (within range)...except for ONE test. I looked that up, and BAM...there it is. It confirmed my suspicion of condition X.

Still no call from the doctor, though.

I went in for a second opinion to another doctor. As soon as he came in, I said "I'm here for a second opinion. I believe I have condition X, "

"What makes you say that", said the new doctor.

"Well I have symptoms, symptoms, symptoms, and 30+ lbs weight gain over 60 days".

"Wow...thats over 20% of your weight in less than 2 months...bodybuilders would want to do that, except it looks like it wasn't muscle (thanks again, I'm such a fatty). Well the first thing we would need to do is some blood tests" said the doc.

"I have some from 3 weeks ago right here".

Within 30 seconds of looking through it, he goes 'WHOA, this is 4 times higher than average...you actually DO have condition x. Why did you not tell your doctor about these symptoms?"

"I did...she neglected to give them any weight, and even didn't write them down on the report. She just told me I needed to exercise'

"What did you say when she called you with the test results?", asked the doctor.

"Umm, she never called me...I had to go get them myself."

"Wow", said the doctor.

He took another blood sample, and prescribed me some meds...and told me I will need to come in monthly to see if I'm getting the right dosage, and vary if I'm not. He also said I will probably be on these meds for the rest of my life. Great. The good news is, that this should correct the symptoms I have been having, and I should see my weight back to normal by summertime.

In any case, had I NOT taken the initiative to get the blood test results from the first doc, and taken them to another doc for the second opinion, I wouldn't have found this out until something REALLY bad happened and a competent doctor would have done the test AND FOLLOWED up, or for another 10 years when decide to go to another doctor.

So now, I'm going to write professional, yet critical letter to the doctor, CCing her medical group, and the insurance company. Is this what I'm supposed to do? Is anything going to happen?

WHAT CAN I DO? I'm not suing for money, I just want to do something so this doesn't happen again with this doctor. It was this doctor's bedside manner, and attitude that made me think "Wow...I totally remember why I don't to the doctor every year". I also totally understand why some people say "I don't go to the doctor...I hate doctors". What I used to think was an ignorant attitude towards medicine, now seems legitimate if all the doctors were like my first doc.

If I was treated that way, I'm sure others are treated that way; thats just neglect. I checked the insurance to see the doc's bill. The insurance paid $155(for the doc, not the blood tests), I also paid $20 copay for a total of $175. $175 for a 3 minute visit, and a diagnosis of "FATTY!"

What can I do, who can I report this to? Is writing a letter to the doctor too small, is writing a letter to the AMA too big? Would sending it to the insurance company do anything? Where in Blue Cross/Blue Shield do I send it to? HELP!