Doctors suck (one dude's rant)

[Patches]

I am a victim. Oh you want a background?

Approximately Fall, 1997-

Freshman Year at UALbany- Play pickup game of basketball, and fall. Bad. Land on elbow. Swells immensely. Never see a doctor. I was immersed in my studies. I was fucking ripped. Pick which makes you feel better. But, since, till this day, a slightly audible click can be heard from my elbow.

September 2007-

Wake up screaming in pain- elbow appears to have a golf ball implanted in it, and will not bend past about a 60 degree angle.

- Visit doctor. Doctor dismisses click and diagnoses that Mr. O'Reilly (me) has "a hole in the elbow which somehow became infected." and is prescribed antibioitics. Whether this hole was inside the elbow or outside was never discussed. Was I bitten? Bug? Mammal? Ooh, who doesn't like a mystery! Apparently cause and effect is ignored; though understandable as Dr. House was never consulted. It would have taken someone of his pedigree to recognize the corrolation between an existing ailment and a previous unresolved ailment- but hey- we all can't be TV Doctors now can we?

- Wow, the Doctors were right! After faithfully taking his antibiotics (didn't even fucking drink), the swelling subsides. Its a goddamn miracle!

But of course it returns. Oh whats that you say? if that happens, call the doctor's office? But you are only there between 4 pm and 6pm? Well that's fucking convenient- right when I am driving home. I would SO call you but I already have 2 tickets for talking while driving. Oh you say you can walk and chew gum at the same time? Well, apparently Italians can't and fucked it up for everyone and I have 2 fucking tickets.*

Holy shit, can it be cyclical, and have nothing to do with the medicine? Can the patient be right and the problem have something to do with the existing problem? Who the fuck cares- throw antibiotics at it- when every disease known to man develops a resistance thanks to over distribution and causes a worldwide plague- fuck you, we'll be dead. Good luck with that shit though, douchebags.

November 2007-

Swelling, pain out of hand. Revisit doctor. Re-explain previous problems (previous injury, prescribed antibiotics which did not work)

Question #1- When the antibiotics did not work why didn't you come back to us?
Answer- While my insurance company is amazing (wait- opposite- my bad, America is awesome.) it costs money to visit you. I expect a correct diagnosis the first time. Especially when I give you a FUCKING hint.
Response- If you at least called we could have figured this out earlier.
My Response: Holy Christ.

Question #2- Why didn't you go to the doctor when you hurt your elbow?
Answer- It was 10 years ago. I don't remember.
Response- (and I swear to God she really said this) Wow, you are a real hero for not going to the doctor then. AND (swear this too)- Wow. apparently you don't like that elbow.
My Response- Got jokes, asshole?

Finally I am referred to an orthopedic surgeon. As a passing shot I am told that- "he'll probably want xrays, but we hope not- its obvious you have a problem going to one doctor, let alone two.

Thats 12/21. Wish me luck. Thank you.

*I love I-Talians. Please don't whack me. I am aware of hands free devices. Go scratch.

[SatCam]

sux dude... hope they figure it out.

I just hope dr joe doesnt read this thread :surrender:

[drjoek]

sux dude... hope they figure it out.

I just hope dr joe doesnt read this thread :surrender:

Im here, holding my tongue. After Heather8s debacle I started to agree with you guys.

[jauble]

I feel you, I had surgery on my shoulder I told the docs that I tore my rotator cuff. They said thats not possible you are too young for that. I said well thats fun but its a torn rotator cuff. I had to go to multiple mris, rehab sessions, specialists, etc. Lets put it this way it was expensive. After surgery...a torn rotator cuff that could have been fixed months ago. Instead I go under the knife two days before xmas and cant wear a coat all winter. Fuck all docs (minus drjoek of course).

[epo]

There is probably a little blame all over on this one:

First of all, 10 years with an elbow problem and no doctor...that's alot of blame on you.

The doctor did seem to diagnosis your short-term problem (the infection) but didn't address the long-term issue with the first visit. A key question would be...with this problem from 10 years ago, did you make the doctor aware of this issue immediately. If they don't have the whole story, they can't always be TV's Dr. House.

You are correct, some physicians do have very poor hours.

[Knowledged_one]

You did this to yourself plain and simple. And if you have problems paying for the doctor or getting X-rays then stop drinking and save the money.

Most times doctors do suck, but you are the one thats obviously hostile to them and let the problem go

With all that said, i hope things work out for you and you dont need surgery

[AngelAmy]

Im here, holding my tongue. After Heather8s debacle I started to agree with you guys.

don't worry, dr joe, there are pleanty of wonderful doctors out there......

[DiabloSammich]

I think this shows how inportant it is for a doctor to truly listen to his/her patient.


I learned that from Doogie Howser. The one with the old woman and her stupid clay plates.

[scottinnj]

The swelling needing antibiotics seems legit, and the bug that he was trying to get rid of is a real pesky one that is tough.

Was it an IV he prescribed? If not, you may want to consider doing that, because antibiotics infused through a picc line get deeper in your system then pills can and are more effective.

What was the antibiotic?

Clindamycin
Vancomycin
Cubicin

and others are quite effective in treating infections that are in your bone.

But the click noise is something different altogether. You need to get a referral from your Primary Physician to see an orthopedic specialist who can fix that. If it is a "hole" from a break or fracture that didn't heal properly, that is probably where the infection is getting into your bone.

GET IT FIXED SOON! I have seen patients with Staph infections post-knee replacement lose their legs because the bone is destroyed past the point of any medical help. One patient had her replacement knee removed, and a CEMENT brace was formed in her knee area to join her ankle to her thigh while she healed up. Needless to say, the 8 weeks she was on antibiotics waiting for the bone infection to heal was HELL on earth for her, she was unable to bend her right leg.


See your doctor, again, and see another one if he is not meeting your satisfaction. DO NOT LET THIS INFECTION SIT THERE OR SPREAD! And make sure you see a specialist that can fix the problem that got all of this started in the first place.

[Patches]

It was bursitis- never an infection to begin with. So a doctor once again needlessly prescribed antbiotics to a patient (its only a matter of time before the germs win because of this folks).

For an orthopedic surgeon to stand me over a sink and drain it with a needle, this cost me 268 dollars. It swelled up again within 3 weeks. This time I stood over my own sink and drained it with sewing pins and a rubber band.

It hasn't come back since.

I reccomend self diagnosis and medication.