Well, today was the big day to go back to the Neurologist and see what he was going to come up with for a treatment plan. Kaiser must hire the Dr.'s that barely made it thru Medical School and are willing to work cheap. This Neurologist Dr. Porecha was a real peice of work, 1st he comes in and asks why I'm here to see him? After I explain it to him he looks up my chart on the computer and proceeds to go over all of the test results since the beginning and telling us how they are all negative including the spinal tap. Which of course my wife and I already know!!! He then tells us that there's no cure for PN and that there's nothing he can do for me except to prescribe physical therapy. I told him I'm fine with the PT but what else are they going to do to help with the pain and exhaustion so that I can return to work at some point in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!!! (I capitalized because I was almost yelling it at him). He then told my wife & I that we were attacking him and his abilities as a Dr. which my response was that I wanted him to start acting like a Dr. Needless to say it was a very discouraging appt. and I won't be seeing him again!! He had me pull off my boots and socks and then pricked my feet and legs with a needle and noted that there was increased numbness in both feet and legs below the knee as well as in my hands and wrists. I also told him that I've had 3 instances since last Sunday where the right side of my face goes numb (kinda like when you go to the Dentist and he gets a little carried away w/ the Novacaine) and that it was actually feeling that way while I was in his office. He said nothing and continued to check my leg reflexes?? I also told him that I'm having problems dropping things, but I don't know if it's from loss of grip strength or numbness and loss of sensation? He ignored me on this also. In the end he never prescribed the PT, did prescribe a medicine that I couldn't understand the name of ( he's middle eastern and has a very thick accent) and told me to contact my PCP Dr. about whether to go back to work or not?? When we went to the Kaiser Pharmacy (the only pharmacy you can go to if you have Kaiser Medical) they said they were out of the Rx and it would take about 2 wks to get.
I left that medical center today feeling used, enraged, and dumbfounded!!!
How do people like that get a license to practice medicine, nonetheless a job somewhere??? I would love to type everything that was said in the office , but unfortunately I hen peck when I type and it would take till tommorow to type.

Thanks to everyone here for giving me a place to vent my frustration.

Roper0866

Oh, how absolutely frustrating and sad. Given this, can your PCP prescribe the medication you need? I can't imagine a pharmacy not having a medicine that will take 2 WEEKS to get. Must be some kind of miracle drug. You must let us know the name of it.

This condition (or whatever anyone wishes to call it) affects all of us that have it in so many different ways that it boggles my mind (which doesn't take much anymore ).

I hope you can find some measure of relief soon.

I am a Kaiser member also, but in Los Angeles. Fortunately, I have had nothing but exemplary and compassionate care from my Neurologist. He is the head of the Neurology dept in LA and also in charge of the Intern Program. He also teaches at UCLA. He always is willing to spend as much time with me as I want (although I do have to wait several months for an appointment). I can also call him or email him with any questions and he is always willing to order the necessary tests for me.

That being said, Kaiser does hire good docs. I take it based on your location, you are going to the Roseville Medical Center? You may want to look into going to the Sacramento Med Ctr or better yet..take the drive and go into San Francisco. It appears the Neurology staff at Roseville is all new to Kaiser. You can look at the individual docs on the www.kp.org website (which is temporarily down today ). Try to google and find out who is teaching the interns in Neurology in Kaiser Northern Cal and make an appointment with that person.

On the other hand, given your increasing symptoms, the ER is always an option. Again, ytry at least for the the Sacto Med Ctr. There has to be a Neurologist on call 24 hrs a day.

Don't give up hope...I've had great service and treatment from Kaiser...and you can too as soon as you get connected with the right doc.

Ann

a 2 week wait is unacceptable. Try another pharmacy within the Med Ctr or try another Med Ctr (just call). I can't imagine what kind of PN medication it is that they would not have in stock. I've never waited more than a day or two. Keep calm, but push back. You are an advocate for your health care.

Ann

Just like other places, Kaiser gets a mix of very good doctors, very bad doctors, and everything in between. Unfortunately, whether at Kaiser or any other place, it has become difficult to find even a mediocre doctor, in my opinion.

Also in my opinion, it is the Kaiser operation (administration, legal , etc.) that is bad. It shocked even me, and I wasn't expecting a whole lot.

rose

Ann-Elizabeth,
Actually I go to the Main Kaiser Medical Center in Modesto (they just finished the Medical Dept side and are still working on the Hospital side) It's their largest, newest and up to date facility in this area.
Thanks for the suggestions but unfortunately the ER is the ones who origanlly diagnosedit as vertigo. haha!! I'm just hoping to have insurance other than Kaiser soon. I definitely haven't given up though just need to regroup is all.

Thanks again - roper0866

Hi Rose,

I agree with you that it's mainly the management at Kaiser that's the problem. It just gets frustrating when the Dr's look to you for what to do next. My opinion that's what THEY get paid for. Oh well, just need to come at it from a different angle. Thanks for all your help on here.

Roper0866

Roper,

I'm sorry and it breaks my heart for you to be treated like that. I've had similar treatment early in my PN journey. All I can say is don't let the bastard get you down. There are certain specialties with a high percentage of incompetant arrogent jerks. From my experience and the experience of others in this and other forums, neurology leads the list.

I agree with Rose. Kaiser is worse than some, but there are good doctors there. With patience and perseverence, and the help of your PCP, you should be able to find one.

One thing I don't agree with is that all good doctors are primarily money driven. Some work for large HMOs for regular hours, a steady stream of patients, devotion to patients they've known for years, and not having to worry about business matters. My dad is with Kaiser. His PCP and orthopedist are excellent by any standard.

You said, "I also told him that I'm having problems dropping things . . . "

Perhaps you will want to check on your vitamin B-12 status? Rose is working on a web page, but she can tell you a lot right now.

I remember, years ago, reading about B-12 deficiency. It said one of the hallmark, really classic symptoms was -- silverware slipping through the fingers.

That is one of a huge list of possibilities. Symptom list is about endless, and how it affects people differs greatly from person to person, even in an immediate family.

rose