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- - Bad Doctor (https://www.neurotalk.org/peripheral-neuropathy/124708-bad-doctor.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by daniella (Post 664522)

Hi well I am sorry you are being treated this way. I have seen many doctors but am on no narcotics though I have seen a few pain management doctors but they were for procedures. A few thoughts the apt you have in July starting today I would call everyday to see if cancelation. For me I have insurance but all office visits are not covered. The only time I had to pay up front was through a small private office. Any hospital based neuro or pain doc I was billed. I may not be the case for you but that could give you time to at least pay and some will work out a payment schedule. May I ask what state you live? The current doctor if you call and state that if you don't get the referal for another opinion you will file a complaint through the medical board I think or what ever hospital he has rights at maybe he would. I would not see this doctor. Most of the ones I have seen have known I may go for another opinion and seem fine with it. I would not see one who did not. I can relate to lack of sleep. I sleep but a few hours right now a night and like today have been up since 2am. Can you see a psychiatrist to help with meds for that and also the depression. For me though it did not take away my physical pain it as helped with my mental outlook overall. Not to say I am cheery but some progress. Sending painfree thoughts.

How do I find a hospital based neuro dr? Should I call around? I don't even care about the meds, I just want to see someone that is going to care.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BREMOM1159 (Post 664373)

I did state to him "OK, then forget about the medications, just send me to a specialist or tell me what I can do". He said that all I can do is take the Gabapentin and thats it. I told him that it made me dizzy and sleepy and he said that was part of the side effects. So, I asked him if he could give me something for the depression and he said no. So, I asked him what else could I do, like with my diet or vitamins. He said he did not know. He is a first class jerk, believe me. I did a internet search on him and found out that he has had 2 DUI's and he served 30 days in jail for it last Xmas. My husband got in our car and was going there to tell him off and I had to stop him.
I wish I knew who to write to about him and get his license taken away. I would do it.
Anyway...it does no good to go on about him because I can't change that. I can only hope that the new DR is a god send.

He may be working under a limited license due to the DUIs ...hence no control DEA permissions!

Here is a link to most of the state licensing boards. Look him up in your state and see if he even has a license anymore. DUI in my state will revoke MY license if I had a DUI..that is. They are very strict nowadays. I know a guy who had a DUI and was put in jail for it, and he lost his license and had to do 1000 hrs with supervision like an intern. He was not a doctor, but I think the same rules apply. Check your state's health code, and you may see the same thing.

http://www.clearhq.org/Default.aspx?pageId=481835

He may not be referring you because he is NOT LEGAL to do so.
He may be seeing patients with a revoked medical license!
He may have had his control prescribing license revoked and that is why he can no longer give you Percocet.

Some doctors engage in fraud big time, and this one may be too.
What you saw may only be the tip of a huge iceberg of problems, including drug diversion and unethical use by himself!

Quote:

But, my concern is that all these Doctors are County Doctors and they just seem to not care. I just want one of them to refer me to a specialist and to give me the combination of meds that I need.

Just wanted to add...a good doctor will not care if you are on "county insurance". My son has state insurance in Michigan, and he has found some really good doctors. Research online the doctors you can see through your insurance, then research each one individually, looking for remarks from patients.

Everything on the county or state level takes time, it's all that red tape they deal with...of course, they spend a lot more time playing with the tape than actually doing their jobs.

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BREMOM1159 (Post 664529)

How do I find a hospital based neuro dr? Should I call around? I don't even care about the meds, I just want to see someone that is going to care.

In the area you live is there a well known hospital? I would call the neurology department an explain what you are looking for. When I was looking for a new doctor many here suggested a teaching hospital since they are more educated and up to date so if there is one in your area that would be a good one to call.

With every insurance plan, you have a right to change doctors
and you have a right to a second opinion.
If necessary, call Legal Aid and have them contact
either your ins co or your doc (or both),
and threaten them with whatever your state law says you can do.
The teaching hospital is an excellent idea- look for one with a large neuro dept, and as a bonus find out if they do research in neuropathic pain. That's your best bet, and I'd wager that
the 'county' plan accepts local hospitals' billing.
Ask for a list of acceptable hospitals in your area & plan. Work from there.

You are getting FANTASTIC advice here! very caring folks!!
And BRAVO MrsD(etective):) ! I bet you are 100% correct!

If this cornball Dr is as he appears then you would be doing a big favor to the medical arena.....because the mental anguish that this type of treatment can cause it outlandish!! I would have ended up curled up in a fetal position in my horses pole barn!!! :eek:
Your husband sounds angry enough, let HIM do the talking! You don't need this mental anguish on top of what you are dealing with.
This doctor without a doubt needs to answer to someone!
PLEASE have your husband (or you) call the medical Legal Aid as Nide suggested!! If for no other reason, do it for the sorry soul who will be his next unknowing victim!!!

Truly Caring
Rae
:hug:

You ARE getting good advice...and there ARE things -

YOU CAN DO!
Nide44's advice is spot on!
Also Mrs. D's. And, all others.
Further check out if your county courthouse is on line IF there have been any lawsuits about him in either a civil, criminal sense... IF there are? Some mite be 'squashed' because they were settled out of court-Legal aid could help you here.
Next- how to find a good neuro? Any medical school hospitals anywhere near you? Go to their web sites and see what docs are in the neurology dept... Most of the time their bios are very short-and out of date. So do a web of say: Joe Smith, MD Neurology and see what pops up-you mite find out what papers he's done or participated in research on-which can tell you LOTS [even if not about PN treatments] but how he THINKS in a particular group setting. Then find out IF he's got a private practice and see what his web site offers. Next? Go to the 'stickies' and look at Liza Jane's web site [click on the blue+you're there]-and use this paper on PN as a guideline:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/980215ap/poncelet.html I have to say this doc IS the PITS! As bad as one of mine, long gone -thank you!
NEXT call the 'county' and gently complain that this doc 'apparently refuses' fill out any disability forms and has dropped me as a patient as he will not make any more appointments with you. Going to the county could be his carrot to fill out the paperwork-but, don't expect glowing or astute comments-just be forewards. Ask the doctor for a written explanation for dropping you and set a DATE he must get it to you or you may have to persue legal measures, which you would hate to do. Nice='honey catches more flies than vinegar'.
Next, go armed with CASH and change [about $50] and arrive at the docs office and ask for copies, tell them you will wait. Get those papers in your paws ALL of them ASAP. Or key things could get lost.
Do NOT I repeat DO NOT! Bad mouth this guy in any way until you've gotten what you want from him, have a lawyer and have gotten a disability award. Once given? You'd likely have established with a doc who's re-evaluated you and has proof w/test results about your PN. Once you get your award? [I pray that you will!] And it can take a loong time, THEN complain to the county and state medical boards and show them your proof w/bad doc versus good doc evaluations.
I truly wish I could do more for you! But, I am here and you are there. Ask questions here and good people can and do help! :hug::hug::hug:'s - j
Think of it as WAR on Jerks?

.....or you may have to persue legal measures, which you would hate to do...

Don't be surprised if this rolls off his back, as another 'legal measure' added to those he already has, is just a 'drop in the ocean', to him.
But you may get results if he has broken the law, an existing one,
regarding proper ethical medical practices, and your lawyer threatens
with pursuing it to the Medical Board........that may get results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BREMOM1159 (Post 664529)

How do I find a hospital based neuro dr? Should I call around? I don't even care about the meds, I just want to see someone that is going to care.

I wanted to give all you an update that has given me such great advice. My Disability Attorney has paid for my medical records. So, I have those now. I spoke with my County Insurance rep and she told me that I can get a referral through them and not the Dr. So, she is working on getting me to a neurologist.

So, I am moving along a little bit. There is some light at the end of the tunnel.

Thank you so much to all of you that are helping me know what to do. I do not know what I would have done without you.

Congratulations. Doctors can be powerful? But some abuse that 'privilege'. That's why I encouraged you to go 'tippy toe-ing' about him. Because IF you have to file for disability? All sorts of revenge could go into the 'medical history forms'. My standard line is and always will be: "We didn't communicate very well at all." Leave it at that until loong after.
We do suffer from such folks, and I truly wish they could be 're-educated' somehow. Not likely? But it's a small hope -NOT that I'd truly wish ANY neuropathy on ANYONE! - Just brings a small smile during my bad moments.
Keep working at it and don't give up! - j