"Not Interested"??

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 11:26 am

      Ever heard this from a doctor? I did, just this morning. He’s the “top” neuromuscular guy in the state, and I’d contacted him a couple of times a few months ago, asking for referrals to neuro’s that he was familiar with, that might accept my insurance. His office does not.

      At that time, he’d seemed somewhat cold; said that I should trust the judgement of my current doctors and felt that I had been “well-served” by them. This was referring to recommendations made by a neuro I later found out was a sleep study specialist, wanted me to have a sleep study done (at his clinic, of course), and said that neuropathy only occurs in the legs.

      So, I contacted him this week, asking about a statement someone in his office made to me. They had said that if, at some point, I want to try and convince my insurance that his office is the last/best option, that they would help me provide data and information to make this point. Simply asked him for contact information of who to contact in his office to move forward with this.

      His reply basically said, “Not Interested”. Oh, he was very polite about it, but that was the point. No contact info, no encouragement, no referral…just “not interested”. Business must be booming for him!

      First reaction was to send a copy of his e-mail to the hospital administrator. But, I guess I’ll just take some lessons from all of this. First, doesn’t seem to be a good idea (in my experience) to contact doctors directly, unless its via an appointment. Second, don’t ever give the impression you’re “less than satisfied” with other physicians. Third, [I][B]some[/B][/I] doctors have far too high an impression of themselves. 😉

      So, the top neuromuscular physician in the state does not have enough information, via e-mail, to diagnose or offer suggestions, but that same information is adequate to decide that he can do nothing for me, and isn’t interested in my business. Doesn’t make sense to me, but then, I’m just a “PIA” patient. (I’ll leave it to your imaginations to figure out that acronymn):D

      Elmo

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 1:26 pm

      Acronym = Poor ignorant ass-ociate? Pain in the ass-ociate?

      Hi Elmo,
      I pretty much got the same response when I tried to get an appointment at USF clinic with Dr. Gooch. I was allowed to talk to 2 screeners who then emailed the doctor with what I said (which they immediately got all wrong) and based on this I was denied the appointment. I was told I could make an appointment with Dr. X. When I researched Dr. X, he turned out to be like a resident or a new doctor.
      Most of the neuros I have met have a God complex.
      We keep hearing “don’t give up” but how many times can you get kicked in the teeth and then billed for it without giving up?
      I was having an EMG done last week and the neuro had needles in my muscles and was asking me to push down on his hand with the ball of my foot as hard as I could. When I pushed, my foot quivered. He had the nerve to tell me that if I did not stop doing that he would have to stop the test!! I advised him he would have to stop because I certainly wasn’t doing it on purpose.
      Ok, Thanks for letting me vent on your thread. I feel better already:rolleyes:
      Sue

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 2:21 pm

      You can vent on my threads anytime! Can’t carry this stuff into Christmas, now can we? :p

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 3:25 pm

      I guess alot of professionals forgot about the oath they made when they were dubbed holy’er than thou.

      Probably many of us can attest that there are alot of these kind of doctors.
      I found one, My very first actually. their staff was aweful. always a problem.
      I went in there with a wealth of information and tests and not even a guess at a diagnosis. Just try a cane and reschedule to see me in 4 months.
      Eventually I contacted the facilties management and told my story. they wrote me letters and tried to get me back but I already had found “the one”
      6 months later the dr. was gone. They wrote me to inform me that the neuro dept had taken on some new Dr.s and that mine had left for personal reasons. LOL. I bet there were alot of complaints.–tim–

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 8:09 pm

      And, that attitude does more harm than good for ALL of us in the long term. They skew up diagnoses statistices [real diagnoses] Big Time!
      When I was having infusion issues with a local hospital’s infusion clinic? I’d asked my neuro about alternatives. One neuro clinic was suggested to me [who is respected in some circles? But I call him the ‘quack’], and it was at the neuro practice that I’d left to see HIM! I’ll just say that I’d heard things, bad pharmacy practices about the infusion services there as well as the fact that they were provided on a second story walk up in stackable chairs in a hallway to sit in for the duration of any infusion. I’d told my current neuro I’d rather be dead than risk my self in that place! Some neuro’s simply do not care about some med issues, they tend to focus on what interests them. And then expect you to kiss their feet for helping them. That is sub-standard in my book.
      I am guessing that the ‘chemistry’ between you and this neuro isn’t compatable. Are there any other neuro’s in his practice that might be? See if you can ‘web’ up any of the other docs there and see what their training has been and IF it falls into what you think you need. It doesn’t hurt to keep trying. What have you to lose at this point! Keep at it, please, there has to be a warm and trained body out there that you can communicate with!
      Please don’t give up! The next one just might be the ‘gem’! Hope and good things and soon!

    • Anonymous
      December 22, 2009 at 10:32 pm

      [QUOTE=Elmo]Ever heard this from a doctor? I did, just this morning. He’s the “top” neuromuscular guy in the state, and I’d contacted him a couple of times a few months ago, asking for referrals to neuro’s that he was familiar with, that might accept my insurance. His office does not.

      At that time, he’d seemed somewhat cold; said that I should trust the judgement of my current doctors and felt that I had been “well-served” by them. This was referring to recommendations made by a neuro I later found out was a sleep study specialist, wanted me to have a sleep study done (at his clinic, of course), and said that neuropathy only occurs in the legs.

      So, I contacted him this week, asking about a statement someone in his office made to me. They had said that if, at some point, I want to try and convince my insurance that his office is the last/best option, that they would help me provide data and information to make this point. Simply asked him for contact information of who to contact in his office to move forward with this.

      His reply basically said, “Not Interested”. Oh, he was very polite about it, but that was the point. No contact info, no encouragement, no referral…just “not interested”. Business must be booming for him!

      First reaction was to send a copy of his e-mail to the hospital administrator. But, I guess I’ll just take some lessons from all of this. First, doesn’t seem to be a good idea (in my experience) to contact doctors directly, unless its via an appointment. Second, don’t ever give the impression you’re “less than satisfied” with other physicians. Third, [I][B]some[/B][/I] doctors have far too high an impression of themselves. 😉

      So, the top neuromuscular physician in the state does not have enough information, via e-mail, to diagnose or offer suggestions, but that same information is adequate to decide that he can do nothing for me, and isn’t interested in my business. Doesn’t make sense to me, but then, I’m just a “PIA” patient. (I’ll leave it to your imaginations to figure out that acronymn):D

      Elmo[/QUOTE]

      Elmo, Don’t give up hope, there are doctors who can help you and will help you. I just had a very similar experience. Saw a top doc in Boston who belittled me, didn’t listen to my symptoms, or test results proving CIDP and showed me the door. Ended up in ER the next night with loss of feeling in arms and feet. Finally getting IVIG treatment. Pathetic we must be put through such awful treatment when we are so sick and in sooo much pain! Be persistant and move on until a doc is willing to take you seriously. Best wishes…..

    • Anonymous
      December 23, 2009 at 1:14 pm

      At least he didn’t have you go through the stress of having your insurance approve you to see him & then waste your time & money on tests or just tell you then there was nothing he could do for you. He was upfront & probably knew he couldn’t help you.

      I do hope you find a dr that can help you & soon.

      Kelly

    • Anonymous
      December 23, 2009 at 4:19 pm

      Thanks everyone!

      I have little doubt that he COULD help me, it just seems he’s decided I’d be a “high maintenance” patient and doesn’t want to bother.

      Oh well, I’ll find someone.

      Merry Christmas!

    • Anonymous
      December 28, 2009 at 10:22 pm

      Just feel lucky that he turned you down early, You probably would have wasted a lot of time and money with this guy.

      I hope you find the right neuro that will help you. They are out there. In the meantime read and learn all you can.

      Good luck
      Dick S

    • Anonymous
      December 29, 2009 at 10:35 am

      Thanks, Dick. That’s my plan…right now I have an appointment next week with the first neurologist I saw, and who referred me to some “specialist” neuros. Planning on going over the test results, symptom changes, etc., with him. Then on the 25th of February I have an appt with another neuro who did a rotation/fellowship/? at the U of U Neurology Department, and who (I’m told) specializes in neuromuscular. We’ll see. Going to try REALLY hard NOT to get my hopes up ahead of time this time. :rolleyes:

      Set the bar low and be surprised is becoming my new motto….:p