Switching doctors - what would you do?

[gritsar]

I've only seen my current rheumatologist twice, but I can't stand her. I find her rude and condescending. At my first visit I thought it was just me, so DH sat in on my second appointment. He got the same impression. Basically the attitude that she is God's gift to medicine.
Specialists are as rare as hen's teeth around here. I have to travel three hours to see her. Now with another visit looming, I'm weighing my options.

Option #1 - I can just put up with her, since I only have to see her twice a year. Still it kinda bums me out to travel to three hours one way just so someone can be rude to me.

Option #2 - I can call the office ahead of time, explain that her and I are just not meshing and ask to see her partner instead.

Option #3 - I can explain to my family doctor that I just don't get along with the rheum. and ask him to refer me to another rheumatologist, perhaps one in the big city that is only an hour and a half away.

What would you do?

 

[Germaine_11.20]

I would get another rheumatologist. You need to feel comfortable with the one you have and yes some have a very lofty way about them.

However, make sure that you can get in with the new one before cancelling the one you don't care for.

Whether you see the partner or a different one makes no difference as long as they come recommended.

 

[Cindiloohoo]

Memphis? or Jackson MS?? The Memphis rheumatologist my DD went to was a total snot!

 

[gritsar]

No, Hot Springs.
An example of her rudeness: At my 2nd appointment I told her that my internist (family doctor) said that he was very pleased that the medicine she had put me on was helping me, but he wasn't comfortable with the drug and wouldn't prescribe it himself. Her response was "Well now, I didn't ask him to prescribe it, now did I?" (Add sarcastic tone).
She asked me if I was exercising. I told her I walk a few miles on the farm every day, with a (now) 90 lb. dog on a leash. She said if I wasn't carrying free weights all my walking was useless.

 

[Junkmanme]

Rheumatologists are RARE. GOOD ONES are "scarce as hen's teeth" !!!

The nearest ones to me are 140 miles away. Of the 5 there that I know of........ONLY ONE has a "good recommendation" from his patients. (There is a "website" which allows folks to "rate" Doctors.)

I have found that very few have any understanding of my "RARE" Auto-Immune disease. There aren't many folks with the disease..so it doesn't PAY to deal with it.

It just kind of "puts you OFF" on the WHOLE "Medical Profession" !!!

IF you find a GOOD ONE...hang on to him/her !!!!!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[easttxchick]

I would go with option 3.

It irks me to no end when a doctor is patronizing. The insurance that WE are paying for is paying his/her salary. No, I didn't go to medical school, but I AM NOT A MORON! Sorry-had to get that off my chest.

Hope you find a great rheumotologist.

 

[SunnyDawn]

Dump her! She sounds awful! I'd go with option 3.

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Exactly! I may not have her degree, although I do have a degree; but I'm not an idiot. I can almost guarantee I have more life experience than she will ever have.
I had a great rheumatologist back home in NC. Unfortunately I can't jump on a plane every time I need to see one.

 

[MagsC]

Whoa. Not much worse than a doc you cant really relate to. I guess I would go with option three.

 

[debilorrah]

Quote:
Get another one not in her office. You need to feel open and comfortable around your doctors, especially for something like that. Rheumatoid issues are painful and hard to deal with and you should feel free to discuss your issues and feel comfortable that the doctor is hearing you and sympathetic.