discrimnatiing doctors.. GRR

[ACC_gal]

I saw a cardiologist yesterday due to these weird heart symptoms I am having ( Recently diagnosed as Dysautonomia by my nuero) And she more or less shrugged me off and said WITH ALL YOUR BRAIN ISSUES WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME?? And told me to DEAL WITH it weather it kills me or not Sometimes I FEEL like I am having a heart attack and it's even been heard by my nuerologist as well as my fainting in his office. he was NOT happy with the cardiologist and told me to DROP her and go to a center that specializes in autonomic disorders... he gave me a few meds to make me more comfortable and did what he could for me, So I am not blaming him for my worsening depression. The cardiologist called me a faker, told me I have "esopahgeal spasms" causing my chest pain ( mky swalloing is just fine thank you!) and talked down to me like I am some idiot... My neorlogist told me I am extremely smart for the defects I was dealt before my birth. I ended up calling my nuerosphycologist before I even left the building( hospital) becuz I felt like I was gonna have a breakdown. That was NOT the first doctor that discriminated me for my neuro defects either. I had a hand doc do the same thing a yr ago. I ussually end up going to the U of MN to see a specialist where they first diagnosed and understand me. My nuerologist is VERy thourough and smart and sees me monthly to see how I am doing. Even he don't get why people discriminate against others with brain issues.. he said it's not right. Now I am being tested for any genetic DNA abnormality that can go along with my ACC and septo optic dysplasia.. that test is next week. Also a tit table test and holter monitor ( ordered by my NUEROLOGIST.. of course). I told him I joined here for support and he smiled.. told me I sure can use it to help me cope.

[joy]

aw poo i lost my 1st response. so will just wish you well and ask you to keep us informed on what happens next.

[houghchrst]

gal I am so sorry you got one of the bad ones. Unfortunately there are too many of those and it keeps many of us searching for years for a good one. It's wonderful that your neuro is a good one and can direct you in the right direction. I think many of us have had the same 'it's all in your head' reaction from docs here and there. The trick is being smart enough to know better and obviously you are.

honey depression and illness tend to go hand in hand. It's exhausting, frustrating and depressing trying to find someone who cares and believes you.

We are here so you come on in and rant, cry, rage and laugh. Whatever you need we're here and I promise not one of us will tell you it's all in your head.

[tic chick]

dear acc_gal !

I agree with chris wholeheartedly! sometimes finding ONE good doctor is the best thing you can do. i rely on my primary care physicain to lead me to other doctors, he knows that i do not complain unless i am really bothered by something. i think you should be taken seriously by all your docs, that would be an ideal situation. at least you have one doc who believes you and is standing in your corner. don't let him get away !

yes, you can come here to tell us about your probs. we will answer the best we can and as chris said, we will never tell you it's all in your head .

jeannie

[Jo6]

Welcome ACC....GAL. I HOPE YOU DO FIND SUPPORT AND KINDNESS HERE. MANY OF US KIND OF USE EMOTIONAL SUPPORT TO RANT,RAVE,CRY OUR HEARTS OUT AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE EACH OTHER.

MOST OF US HAVE PHYSICAL ISSUES AND MANY ARE CAREGIVERS SO YOU CAN FIND US MOST ANY PLACE. YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK OUT OTHER FORUMS, BUT YOU ARE MOST WELCOME TO STAY HERE.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT STAYING ON TOPIC EITHER. WE TALK . ABOUT ANYTHING FROM A TO Z. PLEASE EXCUSE THE CAPS, I HAVE TO USE THEM IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT I'M TYPING. HOPE TO GET HELP SOON .

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO COME AS MUCH AS YOU WANT. I'M SORRY YOU ARE GETTING SUCH SHODDY TREATMENT FROM DR' S. SO THINK WE ALL HAVE GONE DOWN THAT ROAD MORE THAN ONCE. GOOD LUCK IN FINDING A FEW GOOD ONES.

AM GLAD YOU STOPPED IN AND WILL COME BACK SOON.

TAKE CARE, JO

[clouds z]

report them to the state medical board-what they said is wrong

there are a few bad doctors out there -maybe 5% are bad

[roadracer]

I was recently diagnosed with autonomic dysfunction (dysautonomia) also. Sorry you were treated so badly! Hope your TTT and holter go good and give you some answers.

I actually got the dysautonomia dx from my cardiologist (cardiac electrophysiologist) after a positive tilt table test. I was fainting all the time from orthostatic intolerance blood pressure crashes (bp goes to 60/40!) He prescribed me medication (midodrine) and I feel so much better! The medication totally stopped the fainting, and reduced my daily headaches/migraines. I am also lucky to have a awesome general physician who is helping me with the numerous other issues. It seems that dysautonomia is rare enough that only select specialists have heard of it. My general physician had to look it up online, and had never even heard of the medication I am on.
I have a appointment to see a neurologist, I have not seen one yet. The neurologist is supposed to help me with migraines and trouble sleeping. I also hope to get help for gastrointestinal issues. So many tests, so many scans, I feel like I might start glowing in the dark! Unfortunately it seems like only a few hospitals have dysautonomia clinics/programs. It seems most people are traveling to Cleveland Clinic or Mayo Clinic for comprehensive testing and treatment for dysautonomia. Out of health Insurance network for me, and cant afford to pay out of pocket to go to those hospitals. It seems common for many people to need to try many different doctors before they find one who knows about autonomic dysfunction.

Hope you find a great cardiologist, and find the proper medication to feel better! Feel free to message me!

[Leeaelle]

Bless your heart! There is something wrong with that doctor! I'd report her to the State Medical Board and tell them exactly what happened! You should NOT have been treated like that. There is NO reason for it!!

I'm sorry you had to go thru that. That was totally uncalled for, when you go there expecting help for a serious problem! Being talked "down" to is bad enough, but then being told basically that it's all in your head is ridiculous!

I hope you DO write the Medical Board, and they take some action against her. I'm sure you're not the first one she's treated like that.

God bless you my friend and please take care of yourself. Hugs, Lee