Bad bedside manner on first visit

rella1965
rella1965 Member Posts: 34
edited 19. Jan 2009, 13:16 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi there - I had my first visit to hospital Friday and was very relieved to be attending after waiting 40 days for an appointment. I know now that I had too many high hopes.

My consultant started off by saying that my GPs had written "several" letters and that they had no right telling me I had RA, he was the consultant and that was his job. He also said that the X ray I had taken 6 months ago only showed barely perceptible evidence of OA in my hips and that it was a matter of opinion whether or not I had arthritis in the first place.

Both of those comments were made before I even opened my mouth. He then asked me to tell him what had been happening, pain in hands and feet, stiffness, sore eyes, lump on ankle etc etc. Unfortunately for me it seems I was having a good day ( only the third in two months) and he couldnt see any red hot tender joints. He really made me feel about two centimetres high and that I had been lying about all my symptoms.

His final fling was to say I was very bendy and it may be muscular problems - write me a presciprtion for about a million co codamol (which I didnt ask for), and to tell me that I could go elsewhere if I didnt agree with him. He smiled all the way through the consultation. I think I will ask for a second opinion! He did send me for blood tests though, and said I should get an appointment in about another month for a ultrasound scan of my hands etc. Felt like crying all weekend. Am I just being oversensitive? Will I get to see the same rheumy all the time?

Comments

  • petmad
    petmad Member Posts: 252
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Rella
    I am sorry you have had this experience. I am afraid it is one a lot of us have experienced. I would advise you to have a second opinion, I did not now 3 year on I am a mess and have not worked for 14 months.

    I thing Rheumatologists should read the threads here and be aware of the suffering they are causing through their cavalier attitudes.

    I wish you all the bast and hope you make headway soon. Linda
  • renard99
    renard99 Member Posts: 19
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    This makes interesting ready, especially as I have my first appointment tomorrow morning!!!!

    LOL

    I'm sure I'll be fine!
  • colinone
    colinone Member Posts: 1,039
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    renard99 wrote:
    This makes interesting ready, especially as I have my first appointment tomorrow morning!!!!

    LOL

    I'm sure I'll be fine!

    Hi all I'm sure you will be ok all Rheumys are not like that, My exteriance has only been good in the years i have attended the clinic. However its a bit like any other proffesion there are some good and some bad. The only thing you have to watch out for if your going for a second opinion is that the doctor you have seen is not the head of department. It might be better if your not happy to chose another hospital but have a good chat with your GP before you make up your mind. Take care
    Colin

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