Urologist Visit Today Was Largely Useless

[Sarojini]

Well, I finally was in to see this supposedly wonderful uro that my previous Goddess of a uro recommended and did not see what was so wonderful about him.

He refilled my Flomax and Elmiron (which was okay with me), announced that he wasn't comfortable prescribing pain meds and that I should go to a pain clinic (but then refused to give me a referral to one :loco: ), asked me about my symptoms, and then finally decided to do a pelvic exam and poked every spot described in my records as painful for good measure.

The whole thing hurt like heck, but when he finally got around to actually poking the bladder, I yelled "F*** YOU!!!" right there in the exam room, which I'm not proud of, but hey, he hurt me on purpose and I'd already pretty much decided I wasn't going back anyway because his bedside manner is pretty lousy. He and his nurse laughed it off but I could tell he was very shocked because he then said "Wow, there is so much pain and tightness down there!" (No sh**, Sherlock, this is why I'm here?)

And then he RE-ITERATED that he didn't prescribe pain meds but added that he just wasn't comfortable with it, that he hadn't had the pain management training my previous uro had, and that "to be honest, he'd never had an IC case as severe as mine was described in my records."

He did, however, make an appointment for physical therapy for me, so perhaps getting back into all the stretching and things will ease up some of the PFD related stuff I have, as well as the fibro stuff... however, I'm not sure how the new insurance deals with PT and with just my income (hubby's out of work) I don't know if I would be able to continue that type of treatment.

Anyway, I will be seeing another uro in Greensboro on Sept. 7, and my husband is coming with me to that appointment (which usually gets doctors in gear faster than just having a "hysterical" woman there). Let's hope this next guy is a bit better!!!!!

[ICNJess]

I hope the next uro is more sympathetic to your pain needs. :grouphug:

Hugs,
Jess

[Elle]

Isn't it sad that we have to take our husbands along to get treated like were not hypos? It's such BS!! My husband is going w/ me to my new pain Dr for the same reason you're taking yours. Sickening, isn't it?
I sorry you had such a cruddy appointment :kissing: . Maybe the next one will be better!
And BTW, I would have probably told him to F-off too!

[tbokay]

I usually try to have my mom go with me - just so she can ask question too and be there for my own support. Plus she is there to drive me home should the doc decide he needs to exam and poke me.

[vm]

Well, that must have been a disappointing appointment. :( I'm sorry he didn't live up to his rep. I hope the Greensboro uro addresses your needs better.

[rhea]

Man Jen-sorry to hear about your apt. I have been with doc who too don't understand about IC. I sure hope your next apt is better. I also take my husband with me to alot of my appts but because I have a bad habit of sayin I am ok when I am not doing well at all. He will step up and ask questions i forget to or tell the doc something i have forgotten. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon...

[Babs RN]

Jen,
I can not believe what a mean spirited doc this was. What ever happened to the first do no harm thing??? I hope you have better luck on the 7th.

Hugs,
Barb :grouphug:

[emilyrose197377]

Jen, I am sorry that your appt. didn't go well. I hope that the new uro will be more help to you. I go and see my new uro on August 22nd.

[dyno]

Dang Jen, you had such good Dr.s before and this really bites with this wonderful new job and house that your Dr.s are being so difficult. I do hope you find the right one for you soon.

[dancemomof2]

Defineatly taek hubby, things I swear I will discuss he reminds me of after I get flustered by a outrageous comment. I will have to say mine is wonderfulat helping me with my pain control though. Wishing you luck at the new appt.

[jeanababy]

Jen,
If Dr. Evans in Greensboro is an in-network provider for your insurance, why don't you try him? He is usually very compassionate.
Jean

[Janie Miranda]

oh Jen. I am sooooo sorry about this Uro. I hope you find someone who can treat you quickly.
hugs,
janie

[Sarojini]

Well, jeanababy, I'm going to be seeing Dr. Evans in Greensboro on the 7th of Sept. We'll see what happens.

My husband is so outraged at the way I am being treated right now he found a supposed-to-be-good pain clinic here in town and yelled until he got someone on the phone there -- he proceded to tell our story, and to make a long story short they are going to accept a referral from my previous uro in Memphis. As most pain clinics do, though, they need to talk to my doc, look at my medical record, and "decide if they can help me or not." This is always a sore spot with me -- you treat pain, I have pain -- what decision would have to be made? But anyway, my uro from Memphis is going to call them and we'll see how THAT works out.

So I'll have that (maybe), and a visit to Dr. Evans coming up.

*shrug*

Running out of options here... totally sucks. As I said in a prior post, it's like there is a RULE somewhere that my life cannot go smoothly in all areas at once -- either I'm in Memphis either not working or in a job I hate, with no friends, but EXCELLENT medical care, or I am here in NC, with a great job, great house, great friends, and CRAPPY DOCTORS. *sigh*

[mallenajolie]

Hope Dr. Evans works out. He is one of the better ones from what I hear. I have one of the better ones and he treats my pain needs very adequately. No pain clinic, I did sign a pain agreement though. I have been on oxycontin for over two years, and no problems what so ever. Good luck, my calico cats are hoping it goes well too. They know what its like when their mom is sick. No play time, just mommy running to p** every ten minutes. Best wishes.

[Sarojini]

Mallenajolie -- my Maine Coon kitty hates it when his Mama is sick too. You're right, no play time, just going pee and complaining about pain! Tell your kitties I thank them for their support :) :)

[Elle]

Jen -
I think you'll like Dr. Evans. I've never been to him, but my uro has consulted with him on my case and Dr. Evans is always concerned about inadequate pain control. I know from what my uro told me, Dr. Evans uses a lot of cocktail instills and highly recommends Interstim for frequency. He also uses several drugs in trials. I hope you have a good experience with him! Hey, at least we know that he knows what IC is...that's a start! ;)

[gypsyjoy]

Jen, I am first sorry you had to deal with this jerk of a "Doctor" and I use the term lightly. Quack!!
I thank my lucky stars everyday for my uro and PA-C for my treatment and my pain meds and that my IC is being managed with compassion.
I am surprised that living so close to Winston-Salem and have Wake Forest teaching hospital right there that you haven't found the help you need and deserve. I am of the understanding that the are one of the best not just in the country but the world. At least they were when I lived there many years ago.
Joy

[Dixiefireball]

Oh Jen i'm so sorry you had to go threw that. that was so not right!
If things don't work out with dr. Evans ( I thought that who you was seeing, but must had gotten it backwards somehow) I do know a great one in the spartanburg area, and Know for a FACT he is wroth the Trip!!! if you click on my website below to the s.c support group you will hear a lot of great things about my doctor that new members are saying about him. They just love him.
granted spartanburg area is a heck of a drive for you, but if you can't find the care you need up there it may be wroth it to you.
sending you hugs and prayers
Rhonda

[SandyRN]

Holy cow girl, havent you been through enough yet? Good for you for yelling at that jerk when he pressed on your bladder. I have to admit when I read it I literally laughed out loud. BF think's I'm nuts.

I was glad to read what Elle told you about the newest uro, Dr. Evans. You sure are due a break!

I'm so tired of reading about the condescending, sneering, jack-ass docs out there who dont take care of pain, are in the field of UROLOGY and dont really understand IC, and really prefer to care for men rather than women. Perhaps if we said we have erectile dysfunction, and our bf's say we dont last long enough, maybe we would get some attention......what kind of attention we'd get is another matter :lmao: (WHAT did I just SAY?)

Oh well, I probably really SHOULD go lay down because I'm losing my mind...Ya know I luv ya and hope things get straight for you in EVERY way soon.

Hugs, Sandy

[mom_in_ma]

Jen,
I so understand where you are coming from. We adored living in the Pacific Northwest, but our healthcare s*#cked big time. We now live in rural New England (moved for my job as a college administrator), and although it's grown on me quite a bit it's definitely NOT my first choice of cities. However, our health care is AMAZING. I was telling my husband the other night that I don't think I ever want to leave because I'll probably never find such great doctors anywhere else. Good luck finding the right doctors.

[IHAVETOGO]

I had a "useless" Uro visit as well today. I called in complaining of urine retention from the Ditropan XL. My regular physician was not in today so I say his associate. This doctor listened to absolutely nothing I said!!! He picked out somethings from what I was saying but I know he did not truly understand why I was there. So, I took a urine test, had a catheter inserted (very freakin' roughly, if I might add), let the urine drain out, told me to discontinue my med until I talked to my regular doctor next Monday! He said this is how things go with IC.

????????????????????????????????????

What in the world is that supposed to mean? I barely made it to my car after the water works started. Complete with sobs and all. I called my husband for some emotional support and I got to hear "well, you know it's not bad so you will just have to learn how to deal with it and live with it" I said "Thanks", hung up and continued crying all the way home. I imagine what other people who saw me thought. If they only knew that I was crying cause I can't stop peeing/I can't pee!

There's gotta be a better way! There just has to be. I called University of California San Francisco, or was it Stanford? Anyway, I was told you can't just go there but you have to be referred by your physician. I am going to see my gp on friday and I am going to ask for a referral. I am going to lose my marbles and after all I've dealt with in this game of life, I barely got any left!

Signed,
I have to go! (or sometimes, it's I can't go)

[VickiB]

Geeze Jen, sorry you had to go through that! What's with these folks that when you tell them "it hurts", they have to push and poke all the more to see just how much?! -And you certainly let them know how much with your comment! (Made me smile)

Don't you just want to grab and twist their nose or something when they do that?

Hope your next Uro turns out to be the one!

Vicki

[Sarojini]

Thanks all!! Yes, I hope Dr. Evans turns out to be great. I've heard many great things about him... and several people have PM'd me about their pain docs that are within 3 hours of here, so if desperate, I will try them too -- sorry I have not responded to each and everyone of you individually, but it's been very busy around here the past few days :bonk:

Also, my husband called a private pain clinic here and they said they would take a referral from my uro in Memphis, so I emailed her yesterday and she is already working on getting me an appointment there. So, there are two rays of hope -- one is Dr. Evans, and the other is this pain clinic here in Winston-Salem... and then if neither of those work out, I'll be branching out. If I have to drive 3 or more hours for good treatment, well, that is what I am going to have to do. I REFUSE TO BE PUT THROUGH any more crap from uncaring doctors, and hubby and I are going to do our best to find the good ones out there!!!!!!

[SandyRN]

You know I'm 90 minutes away if it comes to that, with a great pain management doctor.

Hugs, Sandy

[Sarojini]

Yes... Sandy, you're one of the first people I'm calling should these two places up here not work out ;)

[Dixiefireball]

Jen if you need any other help please let me know Dr. Kerfoot in Spartanburg South Carolina is Wonderful caring man that has put a lot of time and research into our IC trying to help us. I've not meet a person as of yet that doesn't love him.
Just a thought. i know its a bit of a drive but I believe I would drive to the ends of the earth to keep him if he ever moves on me. (i pray to God he doesn't never move to far away)
Just a thought and trying to help.
Rhonda

[ICNDonna]

Wouldn't it be great if our physicians would move with us when we have to make changes. My uro has been on a leave and I'm almost afraid to telephone the office to see if he's back --- I really don't want to change.

Hugs,
Donna