I Left The Doctor's Office Near Tears Again
By patgalca
@patgalca (18481)
Orangeville, Ontario
January 28, 2020 11:23pm CST
My doctor of 30 years retired at the end of 2018. Her replacement doctor is a man of East Indian descent. It seems that's all we're getting for doctors in these parts. I have met several of them and they aren't very friendly at all.
I called the office to book my appointment to have disability pension application forms filled out. I applied 20+ years ago and was turned down and am going to give it another go since I am obviously still sick. I also said I had a couple of medical issues (UTI's and tremors). He refused to talk to me about them saying it was 22 minutes after one. I told him I had a half hour appointment. He said he doesn't book half hour appointments and that I, even though I drove an hour to get there, would have to book another appointment. One issue per appointment he said. It's the way he has to make his "business" run smoothly. No compassion, no bedside manner. I mentioned what the two issues were and he said since they weren't life threatening I could book another appointment. (By the way - HE was the one late arriving for the appointment, not me).
He sent to me to the nurse to have my vitals check. No surprise that my blood pressure was high, which it never is. She waited a minute and took it again. I had taken a few deep breaths and the blood pressure reading was "better". Why did he have that taken? I confided in the nurse because I was just so upset. She said a lot of people have complained about being rushed out.
I don't know what to do. There are no doctors in my area accepting new patients... except the one I saw who was also of the same descent who said I was taking medication so I should be able to work. I.e. he was not fibro friendly. He would not defend my disability.
My only choice at this point is to go back to the very compassionate doctor who has been monitoring my kidneys. She said she would cover me through doctor transitions and she sits and listens and pats my knee and is just so wonderful. She is internal medicine. I think going there for UTI's is an obvious choice... then I can go on about other things.
When I went to my gyn/ob awhile back, as he was leaving he wished me a Merry Christmas. I said, "Don't get me started on that." He turned around, closed the door and sat back down to talk to me. THIS IS THE WAY DOCTORS SHOULD BE!!! I am angry. I am depressed.
Oh, and to add to all this, as I was arriving close to home there was an ad on the radio for Ontario Health Care with two "clients" who raved about how compassionate their doctor was and how he let her cry and gave her a lollipop, etc. The ad was raving about the doctors in Ontario. Alone in the car I yelled out, "Bullshyte!"
That's my rant for today. This has put me in a very depressive state. I have a lot of photocopying to do to get this application out (reports from doctors that are from 1998 - what good is that going to do?) And I just don't have the energy to do it because I'm so depressed. I know I'll be better off once it's done and in the mail, but I am just in such a low state right now.
Tomorrow (Wendesday, January 29th) is Bell Let's Talk Day, a day to bring awareness to mental health issues and to raise money for the cause. Perfect timing. 

4 people like this
3 responses
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
31 Jan 20
Sorry you're having it rough with your new Dr. I had an appt with mine today and took a list of things to discuss. I asked how much time was set aside and he didn't know or care. He's considering retiring in as few years time but I plan on getting on a list or two of another dr before then.
Can you do that at least get out on one or two lists?
We have a plethora of Drs around here but I still don't know who I'll want at present.
My husband is applying for disability and should have twelve years ago. He should get it but I'll have to work two more years to cover his insurance which I'm not happy about.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
1 Feb 20
My previous doctor didn't care how long any one patient took, which is why she sometimes had a full waiting room. He referred to his practice as a "business" which tells me he is all about getting as many patients in in a day so he can charge the province for each one.
I called my internal medicine doctor only to have the secretary say she would talk to the doctor and get back to me. Ugh. Still no word back yet either. Let's rave about Canada's free health care. But it has its shortcomings.
1 person likes this
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
3 Feb 20
@MarshaMusselman I called the specialist I am seeing and even she hasn't given the secretary the go-ahead to book an appointment for me with her. It's frustrating. I'm not worried about those health issues though. Just learned one of them is a popular fibro issue. 23 years and still learning about symptoms of this illness.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Feb 20
@patgalca I've heard about other shortcomings too. Different areas there might be more prone to less availability like you're running into, but it's not all peaches and cream especially when someone is sicker than the majority.
1 person likes this

@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
29 Jan 20
I understand. Getting out the funds is just so tough even if it is well deserved
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
29 Jan 20
@patgalca i understand..but you need to give time to him
@patgalca (18481)
• Orangeville, Ontario
19 Feb 20
Walk-in clinics are for one issue at a time. Family doctors should be there to handle whatever issues you have. My previous doctor would literally ask me what I had on my list when I went in for my annual physical (which they don't have anymore - they are now every 3 years). I hate that my doctor retired.
My daughter said just last night that her fiance's mother just finally got a diagnosis on her neck pain after a car accident 3 years ago (maybe 4). Doctors kept retiring, others did nothing. She finally got sent for an MRI and you could actually see the pinched nerve.
I am so frustrated I can't be bothered to go back to that dang doctor. I have so many problems because of the fibro but he doesn't want to hear about them apparently.





