If you happened to catch my Twitter stream last Wednesday afternoon, it wasn’t pretty. I am typically upbeat and positive and rarely vent, especially on social media. But last Wednesday, I was so angry I couldn’t keep it in. And sadly, many of you agreed with me. (Which means something has to change.) I was angry after leaving a doctor’s office with no real answers and feeling like I’d been pushed through an assembly line before I could even ask a question. To say I was frustrated only scratches the surface.
I’ve been suffering from supposed “trigger finger” for several months. After the first steroid shot (and high blood sugars) wore off, I saw a second orthopaedic surgeon. He wasn’t confident it was trigger finger since my finger had never locked up. I had never been convinced it was truly trigger finger either. I thoroughly enjoyed this doctor and the practice. So much so, I blogged about the appointment.
Last Wednesday, I returned to my original orthopaedic surgeon because the second steroid given by the enjoyable doctor hadn’t worked and because the second surgeon encouraged me to see the other doctor again. I was still in pain, and it was getting worse. In addition to the bothered finger, I was having minor swelling in other fingers, primarily the joint areas. My hands were often stiff and sore. Sometimes, it’s hard to grip things, and at this point, my right thumb (the “trigger finger”) is all but useless. It won’t straighten completely , and I can’t grip anything with it. The base of the thumb is so sore and tender, I can barely touch it. I haven’t been going to yoga because I can’t put pressure on the palm of my right hand, and last week, it hurt while I was riding when I gripped my handle bars.
After the doctor walked in, he pushed and poked my right thumb, each time causing me to jump out of my seat. He insisted on X-rays (this was the third X-ray, all which had come back with no visible signs of injury). So he drew a line at the base of my thumb and said surgery was the only option. I asked if he was sure it was trigger finger and he said yes. I preceded to tell him about my other fingers to which he asked if rheumatoid arthritis runs in my family. I said yes and admitted I was concerned about it, so he said he wanted me to have blood work done for rheumatoid arthritis, gout and lupus. He walked me to a row of chairs and pointed to a lady who would schedule my blood work. I was stunned. I didn’t even know what gout or lupus was. And what does it mean if I have them? And what does the blood work show? And how do they interact with diabetes?
As I waited, I began to form a list of questions to ask the doctor after my labs had been drawn, in addition of course, to the questions above. I didn’t want surgery without an MRI, because although he is a surgeon and an expert, I’m not comfortable with surgery until all tests prove a diagnosis. No MRI on my hand, no surgery. Sorry Doc. I also was concerned why he didn’t look or touch my other hand after I mentioned its problems. I wanted to ask about an MRI on that hand as well.
After my name was called, I quickly realized I was at the checkout. But what about my questions? And my other hand issues? I asked about the surgery and told the woman at the desk I had more questions. She said there was nothing written about surgery on my chart, only blood work — which was to be done at another location requiring me to call back and get the results in several days. At this point, the tears in my eyes began to well up. They were tears of confusion, frustration and anger. I had no idea what was happening. One minute, I’m being told I need surgery, albeit minor, on my hand. The next thing I know, I’m being told I could have three diseases, two of which I know nothing about. And to top it all off, my right thumb is still aching and throbbing with no relief in sight.
The entire appointment was a blur. I felt as thought I’d been rushed through an assembly line and ushered out the door before I had any time to ask a question or have anything explained to me. And I didn’t think the “easy-out” surgery option was the only solution — or at least not without further testing. So I walked to my car, tears forming and anger building. Now, I will sit and wait for my blood work to be returned to see where I stand.
If diabetes and this community have taught me anything, it’s how to stand up for myself when it comes to medical care. Yes, doctors are highly educated, highly skilled and highly trained. But like diabetes, no two bodies are the same and no two treatments are the same either. Two diabetics might both take insulin, but their doses are different.
I am a patient and a customer. I have the ability to ask questions and make sure I am satisfied with my service. And regardless of the level of expertise, no one knows my body better than I do. As a type 1 diabetic, it is imperative that I listen to my body. I must identify lows and highs, sickness and other ailments in order to maintain tight control and in essence, save my life. When something is wrong, I know it. It’s my job to know it. And it’s my doctor’s job to help identify the problem and TALK with me about options to treat it or heal it.
Why does patient-doctor communication seem to be such a difficult concept to grasp?
Because most people have spent their whole lives being told “trust the doctors. They know best.” it has become standard practice and now the DOCTORS believe they know best and we shouldn’t question them. But you and I know better. I say wait on the results from the bloodwork back and then see what Mr. Know It All doctor has to say. And then get a second opinion. I’m so sorry that you had to deal with that. I would be very, very frustrated by the whole deal as well.
It’s been my experience that the more specialized a doctor is the further removed he is from connecting with patients. That is not always the case, but to me it seems true more often than not. It’s like they no longer see you as a patient/person, but as a collection of symptoms they have to decipher & decode. I usually call it the House syndrome.
I’m sorry you had to go through that. If it were me, I’d call the cool doctor back, let them know exactly how this appointment went & tell them he is no longer your second opinion doc, but your primary. You might also call the endo & see if they recommend an orthopedist you can see. Someone they work with that is familiar with diabetes.
Poor honey! I know how much the “bum’s rush” approach to medicine sucks.
((((((Big Hugs)))))) Keep your chin up kiddo!