Why Do Doctors Think They Know Everything?
By KrauseHome
@KrauseHome (36448)
United States
January 14, 2013 2:49pm CST
and refuse to listen, or try and answer any questions and concerns. And then blame you like maybe it is time for you to find another doctor. Personally this is what just recently happened to me again. I will give this doctor one more chance, and then I will go find someone else. When I needed her, she never answered anyways, so I had to get help from someone else.
What I am refering too, is my Diabetic doctor. The last time I seen here there was a very stressful situation going on at home, and so I had been eating things that I really should not be eating as much of just to try and calm myself down some. So in turn, my Blood Sugar levels were higher than what they normally are, and she was acting as if I did not know how to take care of myself.
She even said after an hr. if you are in the 200s you should be down to 85 then? Since when unless you are pre diabetic, or taking too much medication and in risk of crashing. I had dropped over 100 in just an hr. from the high 300s to high 200s. And an hr later down to 157. So I think that is a good timing on dropping unless she wanted me to crash.
But personally when I brought up lows, she did not want to hear about it, even the times I have called there. So I said I guess it is up to me how much insulin I take and hope I do not go too low, even though I was running just barely 80 the night before and having to drink a little bit of regular soda to keep feeling ok while at work.
Truly she does amaze me, and I will give her one more chance when I see her on the 24th, and if she is still like this, it will be time to find someone else before I crash somewhere and end up in the Emergency room again. What would you have done?
~~TINA~~
6 people like this
34 responses
@peavey (16936)
• United States
14 Jan 13
Some doctors can be so frustrating. I really do think we need to be our own doctors, at least for some things.
I don't have blood sugar problems, but I have blood pressure problems. My doctor started me out on another medicine that dropped my blood pressure 40 to 50 points in a half hour. I could hardly walk. When I told her about it, she just said to "give it time." ?? I cut back to half a pill and still got a drop but not as severe. I haven't told her yet, but I'm keeping a diary of my blood pressure and medications, so we'll see how or if she argues with that.
When I had the flu, I had to quit taking any blood pressure medicine at all because my blood pressure was very low. It took over a week to return to normal, then a few days more before it got high enough that I started taking the medicine again. She would have had a fit if she had known that I quit taking it.
3 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jan 13
We need to remember, it is up to us, and many times a Doctor, etc. will not listen to us. I have gone back on a Blood pressure medication that does work, and just have to watch to make sure I do not go too low as I have done in the past, but when you tell them you get dizzy sometimes they tell you to give it time. So we shall see, but in your case with the Flu you got to do what is Best for you. They may not care but if something is making you feel worse, it is you that has to worry about it not them.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
14 Jan 13
I do not suffer from diabetes myself so cannot comment on that but what I CAN comment on are doctors that do not listen, as that has happened to me countless times since I moved from my hometown to this city, in 2005.
Now, in my case I am in the middle of changing medical practices. Fortunately, there is another one within walking distance of home (with more doctors within it) so I have more chance of seeing a doctor who will listen. At the practice I'm with now there are only 3 doctors, as opposed to 7 in this new one.
Instead of me signing up for the same doctors as my husband I should've shopped around, so to speak, right at the start..but I didn't know then that I'd have trouble with them. However, since researching various medical centres online this has been the catalyst for change, as my incompetent doctors only have to look after 5,000 patients or so..and they can't even do that properly, judging by the poor ratings patients have been giving them.
3 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
25 Jan 13
The interesting thing is there is someone else I know who is diabetic who has decided to not see a doctor there as well which makes me wonder. I know that medical is becoming harder to find a good doctor who willlisten and work with your needs and conditions but when it is someone always judging you and finding fault, it is truly time to move on.
@scorpiobabes (7225)
• United States
14 Jan 13
As the patient, you have every right to demand proper care! I stopped seeing my second neurologist (my first one's partner) after he scolded me for bringing my husband and toddler to an appointment (my ex fell asleep and our daughter started being a toddler). I switched to someone a bit closer to home, but he started over-medicating me, instead of finding why I was in pain (turned out to be a bone spur in my shoulder that required surgery), and my last one was dumped when I learned that she continued to discuss my case with my aunt AFTER I had expressly requested that she didn't.
I suggest that you go into your appointment, and start out by telling your doctor that you have concerns that you feel aren't being addressed, and if she cannot listen to them, you'll be forced to find another physician.
With everything you've gone through health wise, you deserve to have a physician that works WITH you on your road to good health!
3 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Jan 13
Well, I do have an apt with her on the 7th. Had to move the next one due to it conflicting with my wound care apt. So I will be writing down my numbers, etc. and express some of my concerns and if she is not willing to work with me, I will let her know I am transfering back to an old endo in Seattle, and she can transfer any paperwork there. But hoping she will at least be a little more civil, but we shall see.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
15 Jan 13
Tina, listen to yourself! Are you a doctor? I am battling diabetes also but I don't change my insulin dosage without the doctor's ok. He sets the amounts that I take with each meal and that is what I take. Get away from the soda! You may be destroying your organs by such swings in your blood sugar, listen to your doctor not you internal wishes.
There you have my input and I have been blunt because I care for you as a friend and want to keep you around for a while. You may need to change doctors but get one that knows a lot about diabetes. My sugars will sometimes drop to the low 50s but that is usually because I was not able to get something to eat in a timely fashion.
I reading what you are saying here it sounds like you just want a dr to agree with what you want to do and not what is needed. So for goodness sake be honest with yourself and get a good dr that knows about diabetes.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Feb 13
Will do my friend. It is sad how many times people with major medical problems are still having to work, just to help make ends meet. And considering Medical is quite expensive, that is why I am Full time where I work for the Medical. I am keeping a better eye on my health it seems lately, but still all over the board. Wondering if due to being on an Antibiotic again for a slight infection, this could be part of it for sure?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
11 Feb 13
Well, the problem is partly she has never really set a regimin what will work Best for me, and maybe this is the issue, and makes me wonder sometimes if I should still be seeing someone else, as there was no phone call or nothing when my sugars were crashing. I had to cut back the amount myself.
I did see her again and it was better. I was having a really Bad day with other things going on as well, and maybe that was part of it. I am going to keep keeping track and remembering to take my Levimir and see how things go, and if I am still not feeling like I've gotten anywhere go see the other Endo I used to see, and then decide what is Best from there.
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
11 Feb 13
I can see what you are saying and it the main reason that I never try to post anything until my day gets better. stress will raise or lower your sugar levels also.
I am on NovoLog 70/30 as fast acting insulin and then the Levemir is taken once a day as long term, as it releases it's help slowly. I have to send a log to my dr every two weeks so they are monitoring my sugar pretty closely.
I have had to go back to work to pay my medical costs as they have gone up to where Social security does not seem to go as far as it used to. I sometimes cannot stop work and eat at the same time each day, this I know, keeps my sugar going wild.
I have had to stop the soda, even diet, as my kidneys are going bad. I have to keep working because I don't want to leave a bunch of bills when I die.
Hang in there and I will keep you in my prayers please do the same for me.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159538)
• Boise, Idaho
15 Jan 13
Well eating things that aren't good for you when you know you shouldn't is NOT TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF. You know better! A doctor can only do so much. You have had this affliction for how long? You keep looking for other doctors and one day there won't be one to go to.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
2 Feb 13
Well that was not the issue. Yes, my sugars were high that day because of Stress but why was she blaming it all on me? She never was there to return my phone calls when I called and let her know I was crashing all the time either. Had to rely on someone else for help. I am just saying if you are a Diabetic doctor you need to be willing to work with someone and help answer some questions instead of just wanting to blame them for everything all the time.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Feb 13
I made mention of that but she did not want to listen at all. All she wanted to do is judge me. So I am planning a back up strategy before see her on Thursday. I am already going to call and set up an apt with a doctor I used to see yrs ago who is an endo then I know if I get upset again at least I can tell them o have a back up plan on place.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (159538)
• Boise, Idaho
4 Feb 13
Did you let the doctor know that she wasn't available when you needed her? Sounds like she is spread too thin to really be affective. Perhaps she experiences alot of patiences who aren't doing what they should be doing. If stress is an issue then something needs to be done about it. Can't you take some medication for it?
1 person likes this
@savypat (20216)
• United States
15 Jan 13
Tina, if you were here I would be all over your case. WE have had this discussion before and the answer remains the same. You know what you must do to manage your situations. No other person is going to have the answer. You keep alert to new treatments and are willing to try what may improve your life, but you constantly go outside yourself for answers. Only you can form the habits necessary to tune into your body, to protect your personal calm and allow exterior
stresses to float around you and not respond to them. Even if you are the target
you can allow this to just float away. Just tune out, quit responding to what others will think, it will not take much unresponse on your part for others to learn that you are protecting yourself no matter what your friends and family might do. Get something to eat that you use only when stressed, something that will not harm you, after all who are you punishing when you eat things that harm your body. You are a smart woman, you can form new habits to combate stress. The world is always full of stress, but you don't need to involve yourself it that, just stand back and observe the play. Blessings as always. Pat
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
9 Feb 13
Some interesting thoughts here, and I appreciate them. When things are not going well, it effects me in many ways. I just need to stay in control and do what I know is best. I did give her a second chance, and things were a lot better. Just hoping for many good things from here.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Feb 13
Plus I sometimes think it is their pocketbooks, and how they are ran in Society by the type of money or insurance one has. Too many times anymore no one wants to take the time to listen and work with or agree with you. They always think they know what it Best even when you know they just gave you something that will ail you.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Jan 13
tina you need to see an endocrinologist one who know about diabetes really not just lip service I never had such good sugars before when i was going to this woman doctor practitioner who was also up on endocrinology as she guided me about ups and down. then later I just went back to my primary care doctor who also has used some of her skills too and it helped immensely. Even if you cannot see him a lot he or she would be so much more knowledgeable than just a n ordinary primary care doctor.So please get a referral to an endocrinologist as it will be so much more helpful to you as they do listen and they do help one too.let us know what happens as that Doctor does not sound like she is very
knowledgeable to me.
knowledgeable to me.2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
26 Jan 13
Problem is, she is supposed to be an endocrinologist, and at first wanted to be quite helpful, and help get everything back in order, and get my A1c back down etc. as well. Then when I dropped too low I never really got any response back, and had to get help from someone else. Then just because my numbers were high due to Stress the last time I seen here, and with in 2 hrs. were back down to 157, she thinks I know nothing about being a Diabetic.
What happened to being able to hook up a Glucose monitor to a computer and getting results there instead of making someone write them down? People can lie on paper. But for her to really not want to listen, and just yell at me, and act like she knows everything, and then accuse me saying I will have all kinds of problems happen almost made me walk out with never going back.
I have promised myself to give her one more chance, but if she is of no help, I will go back to my old endocrinologist who has seemed to help me the most.
@wilsongoddard (7291)
• United States
14 Jan 13
Have you taken a look at your current doctors reviews? What do other people have to say about her? Have others had issues with her as well? If so, she is not going to improve in her interactions with you, and it is definitely time to find another doctor.
Some doctors are just not good. Others are good but just not good for everyone. Not all doctors and patients work well together.
I am of the belief that if things are not working with a medical professional, one should start exploring other options. The same is true if one likes one's doctor but has difficulty accessing that doctor; I had that problem with a particular doctor and, since I disliked the other people in the practice, found that it was best to look elsewhere for medical care.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Jan 13
I have not looked at the Doctor reviews for her, and I have heard the clinic itself has not been good for a lot of people. She is the second one I have tried there, and the problem is when my Sugars were running low no one seemed to return my calls so I had to seek help elsewhere. Thinking about going back to see one of the Endocronologists I really liked and go from there. But I promised to give her one more chance, and go from there.
@Professor2010 (20162)
• India
27 Jan 13
Same situation here
TINA
Doctors think they know every thing, if you ask them about any thing or counter question, they say, who is the doctor, you or me?
ok he is the doctor but as patient we have the right to question and be alert.
Thanks for this nice discussion.
TINA
Doctors think they know every thing, if you ask them about any thing or counter question, they say, who is the doctor, you or me?
ok he is the doctor but as patient we have the right to question and be alert.
Thanks for this nice discussion.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Feb 13
Yes, it is getting quite scary. Ran into this situation again with a different doctor. This time again at the Wound Healing Center. They were questioning why my Blood Pressure was so high, and then why was my leg red, and saying for the 3rd or 4th time, even with approval from my Insurance that they were not going to be able to do an appligraph, and never told me once how my wound was. Every question I had they wanted to counter act. And blame me for swelling which is caused from my Gabapentin for the Fibromyalga, etc. It is getting horrible.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
15 Jan 13
The first instance that my doctor let me feel uncomfortable with the way he/she tells me things, I am out of his life for good! I want to be treated well, and also with it some little "heart" with the way he/she conveys info. The doctor may mean the best but not all the time our body is able to cope up.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
1 Feb 13
Well, for some reason I feel I owe it to her to at least give her another chance and at least comply with her whims. But I wonder sometimes why when you can hook my Diabetes monitor up to a computer and get the numbers this way, why the big deal about my not bringing in the numbers, and proving to her a lot of times my numbers are all over the board, and I do what I can to keep them under control. (Waiting to see next time, her reaction, and if it is time to go back to someone else.)
@asliah (11137)
• Philippines
13 Feb 13
hi,
that is hard for us who is not graduated in the field of Doctors or because we are lack of knowledge about it,so for us to make our life and health more safe and to have more assurance we sometimes go to other doctor to ask for second opinion.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Feb 13
Well, some of the comments she made, made no real sense, especially to someone like me who might be more of a brittle diabetic. It just always seems to amaze me though how many times just because they are a Doctor they seem to think they know everything and never want to listen to anyone else. Gone are the days they really wanted to help?
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
15 Jan 13
Why Do Doctors Think They Know Everything? ... hmmmmmmm was it because they studied longer than anyone else? that's very dangerous if she is all know everything but she should know everything because she is a doctor. but could not cause panic to patience. She might cause of the heart attack instead ..
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
2 Feb 13
Well, speaking of causing panic... I have seen 2 doctors in my past who when I seen them was having extremely high Blood pressure readings. None of them seemed like they really cared... and kept making me even madder. One even lept on checking my Blood pressure and asked if I wanted to have a Stroke or Heart attack.
Some doctors just do not care, and their bedside manner should have been retired yrs. ago. Wonder how they get away with it, without everyone complaining?
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
6 Feb 13
Well I am going to keep my apt with the diabetic doctor and just hope for the best. Still tempted to call the other doctors official of the doctor I liked to prove I am serious about my diabetes care. She acts like I don't care and not concerned with what goes on after insisting if I was having issues call her and she will help.
@Mavic123456 (21898)
• Thailand
3 Feb 13
there is only one thing to do.. look for another doctor... why stick with those doctors when they will just heart attack LOL
hmmm good thing they retire
@Nursefrai06 (2498)
• Penrith, Australia
27 Jan 13
Oh wow, that's quite surprising, I'm not used to that. Rest assured not every doctor is like that. My mom is a diabetologist but she's nothing like that, maybe it's the cultures and it's different from where you are. Your doctor seems to know what she's doing though, I can tell. It's just not nice that she treats you like that 
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
21 Feb 13
Well, I did go back to her, and she did apologize for being so rude, but she was only trying to help and knew I could remember to Write down what I ate, etc. if I would only do it. I have also been able to bring down my A1c since seeing her from 8.3 to 7.0 in just a short time, and know a lot of it was me, but Proud to see it continue to improve there.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
17 Jan 13
Before you even see them, you are anxious about the way they are going to deal with and whether they come up with the goods so to speak, you are on edge because you know they are not going to listen or fully understand you. It's your body, you are the best judge of what you need and if the doctor is truly not giving you what you want then it is time to find another doctor more acquainted with your needs. It's very difficult to find a good doctor sadly. I am lucky with mine in that she has been very supportive over my depression and has prescribed me with the antidepressants that I needed and which actually work. Because I do a lot of research online about my condition, she readily listens and is open to discussion about medication and my needs etc.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
18 Feb 13
Well, I found that having some issues going on at home that needed to be taken care of more than worrying about something else going on, it would have been nice if she could have been more understanding instead of jumping all over me that day. Yes, I did not have my numbers wrote down like I should, and when I seen her the next time, things were better. Maybe I opened her eyes a little more from this, but I guess we will only have to see.
@MsTickle (25180)
• Australia
19 Jan 13
I think they do listen. I think maybe it's US who don't listen and don't do as we are told and as well, we knowingly do the wrong thing then when things are not right we feel it's the Dr's fault.. I know in my own experience, my doctor has advised me based on what I have told him and what he has diagnosed as a result of tests he has done based on what I said. If I ignore his instructions and go back and tell him things are the same then it is frustrating for all concerned.
He may not know everything but he knows a dang sight more than I do.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
20 Feb 13
Well, for some doctors, it is because we will not listen, and they are only doing things out of concern, and to help us, and then for some no matter what you do, you are always wrong, and they never want to listen or work with your thoughts and ideas. Personally, I often think what is Best is to have a Good doctor patient relationship for things to be able to work out for the Best.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Well, I did give her a second chance, and seen where she was really only trying to help me more to see what I need to be doing. Just hope from now on, if I have other issues in the future, she will be there for me so I do not have to worry about things for sure.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
17 Jan 13
Being a patient with any kind of an illness, you really do have to learn to be your own advocate. Of course this does mean that you should find a different doctor if you don't feel like the doctor that you have right now is really able to do anything for you.
I do certainly hope that everything does work out for you and that you are able to find a doctor that will be willing to work with your unique circumstances and who is also able to answer any of the questions that you have.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Well, I chose to give this doctor a second chance, as I felt I was not being very fair, and things were better. Just hoping in the future when things are not going as Good as they should that she will continue to want to be there for me still. It just is a challenging game when you're Diabetic.
@LadyDD (515)
• Romania
17 Jan 13
It's only what they think! About doctors it's better to have a second opinion in every health problem. I was very surprised once when I to consulted three doctors for the same health problem and I received three different opinions. Some other time I had three different results at an abdominal echo-scan done at three different doctors. So I think doctors are just guessing all the time. Without a screening and tests they are useless!
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
20 Feb 13
It is often true that you can go to 3 different doctors, and get different thoughts and opinions on what is Best for your care. Also depends on how you are treated that will react to your reactions with them, and if you feel like you will ever get anywhere. Gone are the days where a Doctor knew almost everything and it is someone you could count on it all and never second guess them as well.
@IntrovertShy (2780)
• Marikina, Philippines
16 Jan 13
Hmmmm... they feel that they know everything is just because they have graduated as a doctor and so, they really feel that they know everything than their patients. They won't listen at all. Even if we argue with a doctor, they won't believe you at all because they're the one who have a doctor degree. That is the reason why. I guess if there is no hope, well, it is better to find another doctor than to end up in an emergency room. It is so hard to compete with a doctor if he has a degree or something.
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Over the years, I have found this to be the case where ever you go, and sometimes even in an Emergency room, and then the problem is they don't know you or want to take time to know you and your Medical history so then even everything you say is wrong. It makes me wonder sometimes why it takes so many Doctors these days to have to see just when you have a lot of different things wrong.
