Has Anyone Had Difficulties With "Specialists" (Such as Ignorance, Denying Further Work-Up)

[sakrt]

Question to others: In your State or wherever... You're paying high prems. health insurance, has anyone had difficulties with their "Specialists" such as feeling neglected, told condescending remarks during their appts. or denied further work-up to rule out other sinister issues that may be causing one's T or H? Even when you requested for it? I've had horrible experiences and continue to do so. You won't believe the amount of B.S. I've been through in trying to get ongoing care.
The insurance co. said it was all "Up to the Drs to decide to help you or not".
This is unbelievably wrong - we are the ones paying the insurance fees and they should be monitoring our files and advocating for their customers (who keep their businesses going). They *shrug* and give all the control to the Drs.
No-one monitors the System as a whole, to prevent fraud and low-standard of care to patients. I've requested for an advocate or someone to assist me in getting the care I require and they won't provide it. Even FDA is the same way.
Our healthcare system is all going down the blackhole due to politics, lack of privacy & way too much control within the medical system, who charge exorbitant fees and do what they feel like.

 

[Barbara777]

Yes, I found the same thing. When I first got T I went to my primary care doctor, who checked my ears and said there's nothing wrong with them. Go to an ENT. I couldn't even get an appointment for three weeks with my usual ENT who I've been going to for 5 years. So I went to another ENT who when the time came to see the doctor they sent in the nurse practioner instead and said the doctor couldnt see my kind of case at that time. Then they sent me to the audiologist who tried to sell me hearing aids which I already have. Specialists in T are sorely lacking. Insurance won't cover any treatments for T as they are "experimental." It's very sad that T just doesn't seem important to the medical field.

 

[linearb]

when I have had bad experiences with doctors, I have fired them and found other doctors.

It is a service industry.

 

[Dubbyaman]

I read on here way before seeing my ENT that they just shrug it off and ya know what happened? Exactly that. He did give me some of that useless bull shit snake oil, lipo flavanoid. I went to an audiologist and his words were exactly this, "So you have tinnitus huh? You're gonna have it the rest of your life." I wanted to sock the guy in the jaw. Its a shame that the internet knows what the doctors are gonna do before they do it.
It seems like most doctors just want their job to be easy. They wanna do what they know, get paid and go home. A good doctor will take on a challenge because he hasnt lost his way and knows what the word "Doctor" means. You join the medical field to help people asshole!

 

[Kevin08]

when I have had bad experiences with doctors, I have fired them and found other doctors.

It is a service industry.

I fired my GP of many years and my ENT who wasted about 3 months of my time. If your gut is telling you that they are too passive or dismissive of your condition move on.

 

[Bambi]

I live in Norway, but my experience is: my first primary doctor sent me to specialists at the hospital in same city, she saw I needed help, but realized she could´t help, so she called the hospital while I were there, they said "Come tomorrow at 10:00". I went, and sat there the whole day before they let me in. At 15:00 in the afternoon they told me they did´t understand why my doctor wanted me to come there, there were nothing they could do. Then why did they say so on the phone? To my primary? While I were in the room? I even had to pay them for this information....

Later I moved to another part of the country, and got a new primary. She sent me to another hospital, they took mris, but that´s all. They wrote me a letter practically saying "we can´t do anything for you, don´t come back". OK. So my primary sent me to yet another hospital. They said "take pain killers everyday for the pain (my ears ache a lot), go home and live your life. We can´t do anything. Don´t come back".

Long story short, I´ve been to many doctors, specialists, pmf, even a specialist in hypochondriacs... I just recently realized that everyone has just been treating the depression and anxiety I´ve got as a result of my tinnitus ruining everything, none of them actually treated my tinnitus.

 

[Brianna]

In your State or wherever... You're paying high prems. health insurance, has anyone had difficulties with their "Specialists" such as feeling neglected, told condescending remarks during their appts. or denied further work-up to rule out other sinister issues that may be causing one's T or H? Even when you requested for it? I've had horrible experiences and continue to do so. You won't believe the amount of B.S. I've been through in trying to get ongoing care.

Just thought I'd toss in my few cents but for me, you probably already know. I asked my partner about this a couple days ago and have discussed with w/a neighbor.

Yes! Women still tend to experience this behavior more. I thought it was bad in 1997 with my mom but it's still the same and I've been through it enough.

Couple days ago, I went with a friend (nurse) whose hearing has dropped (a little more than age-related normal). The new audiologist and I met beforehand - I had to check her and the equipment out first. I was there to protect my smart friend from bull. The audiologist said, "You'd trust your doctor to put in the correct knee prosthetic." That was one of several things I disliked about her. No! I told my friend I'd want to be part of the process in making the right choice. My ENT (that I'm going back to) was dismissive of my couple remarks about the cochlear implant. My CI ENT (male) listened and that was very atypical. There are cases here and there (but rare) when it doesn't happen. It's ongoing and I expect it to get worse and I'll keep fighting it.

Ciao.

 

[NiNyu]

..even a specialist in hypochondriacs... I just recently realized that everyone has just been treating the depression and anxiety I´ve got as a result of my tinnitus ruining everything, none of them actually treated my tinnitus.

So they forced you to see a hypochondriac specialist? That's utterly despicable! Of course, they do not take us seriously. We suffer of T and they tell us T is not the problem here but the depression is. Ridiculous! We wouldn't be depressed in the first place, if it wasn't for T. It's as simple as this, T is a life destroyer. Period.

But to tell you the truth, if they don't have it [T] they don't understand it.

 

[Bambi]

So they forced you to see a hypochondriac specialist? That's utterly despicable! Of course, they do not take us seriously. We suffer of T and they tell us T is not the problem here but the depression is. Ridiculous! We wouldn't be depressed in the first place, if it wasn't for T. It's as simple as this, T is a life destroyer. Period.

But to tell you the truth, if they don't have it [T] they don't understand it.

So true... but at least it was the best hypochondriac specialist in the country ... But I read the report he made after seeing me, and it basically stated that I should´t let my tinnitus prevent me from studying or working. He used himself as an example, because he´d hurt his leg and was now limping. Yet he did´t quit his job....

Yes! That! Why is that? If they don´t understand the condition, can´t they just say so? Instead of pretending. It´s so much better to hear a person say "I´m sorry, but I don´t know about this. Tell me how I can help you".

 

[NiNyu]

..I read the report he made after seeing me, and it basically stated that I should´t let my tinnitus prevent me from studying or working. He used himself as an example, because he´d hurt his leg and was now limping. Yet he did´t quit his job....

WTF? He did compare his injured leg with T ? That's outrageous! What a petty-minded dimwit. That's like comparing a broken finger with a blind person. If I can see it with my injured finger, you should be able to see it as well.

I'd punch him! And then make him eat his report.

If they don´t understand the condition, can´t they just say so?

It´s so much better to hear a person say "I´m sorry, but I don´t know about this. Tell me how I can help you".

You know, that would require genuine intelligence. The willingness to admit they are not omniscient.

 

[Mark L]

i have endless issues with doctors, psychiatrist, an endless cycle. wish i had not gone to any of them.now stuck.

 

[Evian]

I've also got endless issues with Drs, dentists and ENTs

In the UK GP's won't normally refer you to an ENT for 6 months by which time the chronic T is set in stone.

I also waited too long for a sinus operation which may well have saved me from all this grief as when I went to see him the T wasn't chronic, by the time the operation came round it was, and I was too Sick with anxiety and depression to go through with the general anesthetic.

Seems like wherever we are in the developed world T sufferers get the same poor treatment, goodness knows what it's like in the developing world, hopefully not so many suffer from it.

I've also been labelled as a depressive and suffering from anxiety, - well of course I am I am suffering from a debilitating condition.

I want my Drs to put C Tinnitus on my med certificates but the won't, I think they feel anxiety and depression is more credible somehow.

I never suffered from these before I had T.

 

[awbw8]

It makes me really sad to read all of these posts. As someone with T and other chronic conditions, I know navigating the medical field and much worse, the insurance one, can be a nightmare.

That said, there are good practitioners out there. It's unfortunate that they aren't all good, but there are good ones to be found, even great ones. Even the great ones, however, can't do anything to treat tinnitus in most cases - all we can treat is the result of the tinnitus (anxiety, depression etc.) I do think having patience, kindness and a strong bedside manner is essential to a good or great doctor. If I come in contact with a truly rude doctor, I always think it's a good idea to take the time to sit down, write a letter or email, and explain calmly the effect of their care or lack-thereof on you as a patient. Perhaps it will make no difference, but it may also may strike a chord.

Other than that, the most valuable thing I learned in seeing doctors as a person with tinnitus is skip the ENTs, skip the general practitioners, skip the audiologists and make a psychiatrist your first step. I do not say this because I think T is "all in the head" at all, however, if you're looking for someone to listen, who is an MD (and therefore can prescribe meds, prescribe tests etc. as necessary) and who, hopefully, has some level of empathy or at minimum an interest in listening to others speak as a job prerequisite, then that's the best doctor to see first. My psychiatrist did more for me than any other MD I saw. They have a bad stigma, but in a lot of cases it's truly unwarranted. There are good and bad ones, of course, but the good ones are gems. Mine helped me with the anxiety, sleep, listened, sent me for other medical and blood tests, referred me to doctors (who had good bedside manners because he realized the importance of that for someone who is suffering) and was a general angel. He didn't understand T at all - but he was willing to listen and learn and even did a little of his own research - probably mostly out of curiosity, but I'll take it!

If anyone lives in the new york area, I've also gathered (after much testing and searching) a good group that I'm happy to share with others. Sending good wishes to all of you.

 

[Asian]

GP -> ENT -> audiologist -> Neurologist -> MRI -> Neurologist -> learn to live with it -> tinnitustalk ( lifesaver)

Docs are useless. We are still in the stone age understanding and treating treating neurological problems. The complexity of tinnitus makes this even worse. Most docs don't like tinnitus patients and are cold towards them. Regardless, we should get necessary tests to rule out serious diseases of the ear. Once this is done and things are fine, nobody has any fuckin idea what to do next

 

[Evian]

GP -> ENT -> audiologist -> Neurologist -> MRI -> Neurologist -> learn to live with it -> tinnitustalk ( lifesaver)

Docs are useless. We are still in the stone age understanding and treating treating neurological problems. The complexity of tinnitus makes this even worse. Most docs don't like tinnitus patients and are cold towards them. Regardless, we should get necessary tests to rule out serious diseases of the ear. Once this is done and things are fine, nobody has any fuckin idea what to do next

Sort of same journey as me except I didn't bother with a neurologist. But I went to a TMJD person and a Max Fax Person.

Still sitting here with screaming T.

I agree I don't think they like T patients maybe because they know they can't help, but surely they could be a bit more sympathetic and push us in the direction of tinnitus clinics if there are any around.

I've seen all those people and still don't feel like I have had a proper hearing test to establish if I do have a small high frequency hearing loss which I suspect is the case

 

[PaulBe]

Seems to be a recurring theme worldwide. Maybe if they were only paid based on performance....

(not saying cure, I know that's still a bridge too far, but a realistic management strategy, appropriate referral, basic compassion etc would be a start).

 

[PaulBe]

when I have had bad experiences with doctors, I have fired them and found other doctors.

True, but happens when you run out of Doctors to fire? It could happen.

 

[Quentino]

It´s so much better to hear a person say "I´m sorry, but I don´t know about this. Tell me how I can help you".

What do you mean? I hope you do't mean "letting the patient decide"?

 

[PaulBe]

What do you mean? I hope you do't mean "letting the patient decide"?

History, examination, education, referral, finding out what the greatest issues are, what possible differentials there may be to investigate, what the patient's greatest source of distress is, what has been done, what is available....lots of things. Putting the patient in a position of enough empowerment to make some decisions based on at least some understanding would be a good start.

 

[Mad maggot]

I couldn't even begin to answer your question as if I did this post would go on for hours! The worst doctors I've found so far are neurologists. I think part of their specific qualification is that they must be rude arrogant @$$ holes. There is apparently nothing wrong with me - it's all in my head. So my husband at one point answered this ridiculous comment with: "well it must be all in my head too as I come home to find my wife lying in the hallway in a pool of vomit and unable to stand up on her legs without falling flat on her face!" To which of course the idiot doctor had no reply.

 

[PaulBe]

I've never yet met a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon that wasn't worth losing my Registration over. The supreme arrogance and pig-ignorance in the one physical body are equally breathtaking.

 

[slc]

I found a helpful and insightful neurologist in the Boston area who takes my case very seriously and refers to the various studies that I have brought in . She has prescribed drugs such as gabapentin and also spends sufficient time to share psychological insight into my lifetime stresses that may have provoked the condition . Even during her very busy schedule she has spent up to an hour of office time with me . So I can at least cite one caring neurologist out there

 

[Ecip]

I've never yet met a Neurologist/Neurosurgeon that wasn't worth losing my Registration over. The supreme arrogance and pig-ignorance in the one physical body are equally breathtaking.

I found a helpful and insightful neurologist in the Boston area who takes my case very seriously and refers to the various studies that I have brought in . She has prescribed drugs such as gabapentin and also spends sufficient time to share psychological insight into my lifetime stresses that may have provoked the condition . Even during her very busy schedule she has spent up to an hour of office time with me . So I can at least cite one caring neurologist out there

She deserves a Xmas card

 

[slc]

She deserves a Xmas card

I think you're right !