- idle prattle of rant worthiness

idle prattle of rant worthiness

07:53, 2008-Mar-8 .. 6 comments .. Link

I finally got to see a Real Brain Doctor, not a Pretend Brain Doctor. I'm not sure if there is a difference, but I'm so confused at this point, that I couldn't even tell you. I wouldn't say that I pleaded with my regular doctor to see a specialist about my migraines, but it's taken almost two years for me to get a referral to one. I like my primary care physician Dr. Pixie (she is the most adorable tiny little thing, and she literally looks 12), but she is definitely more conservative treatment wise than I've needed her to be. But, she's gotten to know me a little bit better through this struggle, and has come to learn that I'm willing to do my part when it comes to finding a migraine treatment that will work. Dr. Pixie and I haven't always agreed on everything. Hell... it's taken me a long time to get a referral to a neurologist (this took so long since we tried everything my doctor could try on her own) or a prescription that would help me when I have a headache. I've learned that two or three visits of asking the same thing usually wear her down. I'm evil, but persistent.

However, she never once made me feel like a stupid patient who knows absolutely nothing about her own body, or like less than a person because I didn't go to medical school.

My new Neurologist? The Real Brain Doctor, Dr. Bitchy VonBitch? Hmph. The name says it all. She's not someone I am going to enjoy working with. Not at all. Instead of feeling hopeful that I might actually feel better soon, I was left fuming. I don't expect compassion from medical professionals, although I've been pretty lucky in that department.

First she adamantly tells me that I am absolutely wrong about my allergic reactions to the triptan family of migraine drugs. She kept trying to push them on me.

I actually told her that I wasn't here to argue semantics with her, but that any pill that gave me severe chest pain, trouble breathing, the sensation of my throat closing up, that eventually leads to vomiting and/or passing out is NOT the right med for me. It's a reaction of some kind, whether it's an allergic reaction or not. I had some very scary experiences on the triptans that I DO NOT want to revisit. Plus, most of them do not work any better or different than advil for the headache itself... when they work. Which is seldom.

But I'm just a stupid patient... what would I know about my body?

She also tried to talk me into going back on Topamax... Good old No-Hope-A-Max? Suicide and homicidal rage in a bottle??? The pill responsible for one of the scariest days of my life??? Not an option. I had to explain... I could live with most of the side effects, but the fact that it changed me into a depressed, suicidal, psychopath with RAGE ISSUES for a day, I can safely say it's not for me. Still... she persisted that I was exaggerating.

Nope. I told her... any substance that makes me worry that I might hurt myself or others is not worth any relief that it might give.

Man... If I was on topamax, I would have kicked her right in the face for that.

I left with a beta-blocker and a stern warning to just put up with the side effects. Patients always exaggerate side effects. Patients are stupid.

Well... we'll see about that. I just want some improvement. Even to have ten headaches a month instead of 20 would be good. To miss out less work and less fun would be a really great thing. I'd love to have fewer instances to tell people that I can't go somewhere, or that I missed out on something, or that I have to leave because I'm getting or have a migraine. I am done with it. I've done everything that I can do...

Now fix my brain Dr. VonBitch, or I will go on triptan on you and throw up all over your office. Yes... Remember that time my plane landed in Canada, and I threw up everywhere? Pure triptan side effects, baby. I hope you know this means war, Dr. VonBitch.

Untitled Comment

10:19, 2008-Mar-8 .. Posted by sladewilson
Find a new doctor quick. This person sounds like they have the bedside manner of a rattlesnake. You don't need that in your life.

Untitled Comment

08:25, 2008-Mar-10 .. Posted by ben
What a crock of shit!
Slade is right find a new doctor. There must be at least one down there with some semblance of bedside manner (or manners in general) who will listen to you.

EclectaComment

12:31, 2008-Mar-11 .. Posted by Eclectablog
Funny, I never thought of you as evil. I guess I'm willing to entertain the thought.

I'm with Slade and Ben: there's a zillion highly-paid specialists out there. Find one that is actually a human being. You'll be glad ya did.

(I'm wishing you all the best, Heidi, flippancy notwithstanding.)

Untitled Comment

01:30, 2008-Mar-11 .. Posted by heidiland
I wish I had another option, but in my smallish town there is only one Neurologist who takes my insurance and who is taking new patients. I'm kind of stuck. That's the only problem with living in a small town.

Untitled Comment

07:01, 2008-Mar-12 .. Posted by bitzky
Yeah, a doctor you are not comfortable with is not really a doctor. If it's possible, change. If not, start plotting...

Untitled Comment

11:32, 2008-Mar-12 .. Posted by LadyVisine
I don't care how "speshul" Dr. Von Bitch is, she still has to answer to a higher board someplace. I know how it is with having to take what you can get in a small town. Perhaps you can consider traveling to a nearby town for a better doc?

BTW - our local news did a report on migraines & women recently. They reported that most women's migraines might be hormone related and the migraines usually disappear after menopause. Yeah, that was supposed to comfort you... *sighs*

{ Last Page } { Page 17 of 409 } { Next Page }

.:HEIDILAND FOR PRESIDENT of CALIFORNIA 2008

President of California? Wait... What? That's right. My Mama hearts Obama and my dad thinks it's Raining McCain (Halleluliah!!!). Me? Meh! I am running for President of California. Why? Because I'm awesome that's why. A vote for Heidi is a vote for strange!

.:TOP 10 REASONS TO VOTE HEIDILAND?

1.Freedom!
2.Shiny Happy People!
3.Peace!
4.The Environment!
5.Hasselhoff!
6.Awesomeness!
7.Irony!
8.Sex!
9.Drugs!
10.Rock & Roll!

>.:ABOUT THE BANANA HAMMOCK PARTY

.:HEIDEISM

.:THE PEOPLE HATH SPOKEN

get one

.:THE ISSUES

designy junque
i heart irony
mad ramblings
muzak
omg! shoes!
real life

.:ABOUT

Name: Heidi of the Land

Parts: 100% All Girliesque

Sign: 100% Leo, baby. Rawr?

Geographicals: 2nd Generation California Valley Girl.

Psych: Enfp! Yeah you know me!

Theme Song: "Les Os" by The Unicorns

Anti-Theme Song: Anything by Celine Dion or Kenny G

Can't Live Without: Kurtz, coffee, shoes.

Crack: MAC and Mac.