Doctor leaving Country 2 months after implanting SCS - Question about future care
 

Hello all,

Does anyone have experience with finding a new doctor to monitor their SCS after it was implanted by another physician? I feel duped. My SCS is working great as I go into my 6th day post op but, I just learned that my surgeon will be leaving the UW, Seattle and heading to Canada in September. I feel duped in that I was not given this crucial piece of information prior to receiving the implant and wonder if another physician will not be as eager to accept and continue care/monitoring since they were not the one who received $$ for placing it. I've read on this board that doctors receive some type of a bonus from the manufacturer for placing these and if that is true then I think it would make finding another doctor difficult.. so sad.

I thought another physician from the same practice would take over my care but, I then learned they are referring all patients to another hospital out side of our University. I am worried, angry and utterly frustrated as many of you can imagine. What irks me the most is that I consulted with 3 physicians and ultimately chose this particular doctor because of his expertise and the high regard another physician offered. I would have NEVER went with this doctor if this information would have been given to me. Ugh...

If anyone has any words of wisdom or has been through something similar please, please share.

Wishing everyone the best day possible!

Thanks in advance,
Tessa

ONE who is THERE
 

But then I digress. I was rather enjoying the care provided by my surgeon.....one and the same who fired me and all other patients who are Medicare patients in a move toward better profitability for his suburban Denver medical practice. I was exorcised. Angry. Fuming. Feeling abandoned, and I now figure.......FINE, gotta find someone who will care for me if this device dies. I feel your angst..... right now, presently, in a very real way Tessa.

The thing is, dox do make business decisions, and obviously your med practice made decisions which they felt compelled to pursue. Mine made his business decision. Thing is, regardless how his hands are skilled, being so cut off, I will never lend a recommendation to someone to make use of his practice again....... and a good many people do ask me.

Feeling for you Tessa, really feeling for you, :hug:

I find it very strange how the medical
doctors sellers whoever involved
but not the hospital way WRONG
WRONG WRONG
Doctors always have backup
In case of emergency

SOMEONE WHO CARES

Mark56,

I remember a while back reading this particular part of your story and thinking how horrible it was to treat you in that way. I remember thanking God at the time how thankful I am that my injuries and surgeries were not the result of a WC claim. My injuries are still the fault of another person's negligence but thankfully not WC. I feel blessed very blessed to have one of the best medical insurance plans for which I have been able to keep thanks to the kindness of my employer and COBRA.

However - this lack of patient concern and acceptance of $$ from the manufacturer knowing full well he would not be around to follow on in my care is IMO FRAUD!! As a patient it is my responsibility to be honest with my symptoms, pain levels, side effects, and benefits of treatments being offered as well as do my own due diligence prior to agreeing to any treatments being offered throughout the course of care. Why, Why didn't this doctor by his own integrity, morals or standard of care committed to my care in the same way?

The doctor new I was concerned about my long term care, I had addressed this on several occasions even bringing my husband in for a second consult visit to discuss my concerns. And HE hasn't even told me yet, I found out through his nurse just this Friday 5 days after he did my implant. It isn't even a private practice office he works with, it our major University Hospital in Seattle so I can't believe he/they didn't know anything of his plans just 5 days earlier.. so, so wrong. (thanks for letting me rant)

Medical Oath??? I think he forgot the basic principles of this somewhere along the line.

Mark56 - I will follow your lead in not recommending this doctor to anyone.. even across boarders. Thankfully the internet makes this possible no matter how far this uncaring doctor travels.

Again, thanks for allowing me to vent. I will now put my faith in God and trust that he will help steer me to a physician who will selflessly care for me and my SCS because that is why he/she became a care provider in the first place.

I pray that this uncaring doctor will change his ways and I forgive his lack of honor & integrity.

God bless you all,
Tessa

Zoo....I am in Seattle as well. What make/model is your SCS? My pain doc deals mainly (quite possibly only) with Boston Sci units. I believe she has a bit of a waiting list - as do most docs in Washington thanks to our 'wonderful' lawmakers, but it might be an option for you if you no not where else to go. PM me if you would like her info...

-Coral

my experience
 

Hi Tessa,
I am so sorry you have had this experience. I consider it unethical…it happened to me and it certainly did harm.
At six weeks post op I went in for my check up and was told my surgeon had left the office and one of the other docs in the practice would see me. I am in shock…the entire office is scattered as it had just happened that morning and the waiting room was full of SCS patients. I met the new doc…he listened intently…noted I was in extreme pain and wrote me another 30 days of Loritab. None of the office personal would talk to me about my surgeon.
Four weeks later I go in and the second doc who had taken my case has left the practice…I now get to see the third doctor who says I was misdiagnosed in the very beginning and wants to do another surgery…he writes another 30 days of Loritab and leaves…I am still in way too much pain…want this crap out of me and he says that is not an option.
Four weeks later my case has settled …my LOP is no longer in effect…I need more meds…this same office agrees to see me once more for $175.00. I get into the office…in the room and they tell me they need $300.00 before the doctor will walk in…I left with EVERY ONE of my records right there on the spot.…I beg the receptionist ….long story short she gives me a phone number to find my original surgeon. Now his office will not see me for under $300.00 so I had to go get a limited insurance policy…finally @ 8 months post op I have xrays and everything is scarred in wonderfully…I still have way too much pain…still today 18 months post op---I still feel it and it hurts.
When I was looking for a new doc I went to my rep and he gave me a list of docs that he worked with…perhaps a start for you.
Again…I am so sorry…it is abandonment and confusing and scary.
Johanna

Re: responsibility of doctor
 

Your doctor owes it to you to give you a good referral to the best doctor for follow up. This is part of the oath they take. He can't just dump you and expect you to know what to do. Ask for the referral and don't take no for an answer. I am sorry you are in this position. ginnie:grouphug:

Oh Johanna
 

I did not know of this feature of your story. I am so sorry to learn you had such a hardship. I pray the pain will lessen and the doc will treat.

HUGZZZZZZZZZZzzzzz :hug:

thanks Mark,
I was one hot mess...no family support other than my son who I moved in with me...into my studio apt....with 10 birds...I worked 40 hours a week as a deli clerk and slept and stayed in bed every minute I could. Once my case settled I was able to get internet again and then found all of you here...my life line!!
That is one reason I stay posting here,,,,you never know how you can touch a person and save a mind or a life or pass on Joy.
HB

Johanna -I'm so sorry you seem to be going through such a nightmare! Is this happening to you right now? What is LOP? I just can't believe the way you have been treated, just horrible. Is your pain from the SCS or the reason for it?

Thankfully my only issues with the SCS is some abnormal swelling/fluid but not that abnormal given my history so we are just watching that. I am off all meds except Gaba & Amitriptyline (low dose) and started using my recumbent bike at 6 days post op (with permission) to help cope with pain not covered by SCS. I do better at coping when I can switch things up and worse when I am stationary no matter what the position is.

My rep also gave me a name of a doctor that might be willing to take me on as a patient so, I will be calling tomorrow. I'd rather make sure I have a new one on board before my old one leaves!! It is frustrating for anyone to go through this - it wouldn't be so bad if it were a different type of surgery but, and implant like this that has a fairly high failure/complication rate it just seems like it would be better to have the original operating surgeon available for at least the first year.. IDK maybe I'm just being worried for nothing. Sigh.

Ginnie - thanks and yes, I hope that he will honor at least that.

Thanks for the kind words,
Tessa