Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Seriously, When Does This Party END?

I didn't make it to the doctor yesterday. I got up 23 minutes after the doctor's appointment, which was at 2 p.m.

That's because I was up all night with my operated-on foot spasming so much I couldn't sleep. I finally went to bed at 5 a.m. I often ask for signs whether I should or should not go ahead with some things. And when it comes to doctors, I ask twice as hard. I was, for some reason, having a bad feeling about going to see him. I never, EVER ignore my intuition (except when it comes to men because I'M A MORON) so I took it as a sign not to go. The foot hasn't spasmed since.

I also fired my internist for telling me I had fibromyalgia (I don't) OVER THE PHONE and trying to get me into his office for tests. I called him an idiot. Which he is. All they want is your money to keep their offices afloat. He's in Beverly Hills, surprise! Thirteen years in NYC and I don't remember one rip-off doctor there. Is it possible that New York doctors actually CARE about you more than money? I have seen more incompetent doctors in L.A. than anywhere else I've lived. I wouldn't be surprised if they're all just telling their patients, "But what I really want to do is direct."

I don't trust them and never have. If they can just lie and tell you whatever they want to get you back in their offices for bogus tests, how much are they telling you that IS true? They don't listen, all they hear is their God complex ringing in their ears. Always get a second or third opinion. The doctor who did my surgery was my third opinion. After I saw him I still contacted my Indian doctor in Mumbai, hoping he could do it. But the recovery prohibited me going back to India. But I know I wouldn't have been this stressed out. Every time I see my doctor, I come home three times as stressed.

But I am going to see the chiropractor next week for my pinched nerve. My doctor's office said I should come in, they would probably send me to a neurologist who would then send me to a chiro. Being full of metal, I can only see one chiro, a guy in West L.A., who I've known for 10 years and knows how to handle people with metal. So I'm cutting out the middle man because PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET WHO READ ME HAVE FIGURED OUT WHAT'S WRONG. FOR FREE. Do you see why I hate doctors?

There's someone on TV tonight and tomorrow that you really shouldn't miss. You have to go to Uproarious to find out who. But you'll want to set your TiVos for this.

End of chat.

8 comments:

  1. hey suze! I finally sucked it up and started my own blog and put you on my blog roll. Come on by to visit some time!

    http://jennygardiner.net/blog/

    hope you are well!

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  2. I hate that you feel this bad. What about the numbness in your hands? Any resolution yet? I'm guessing not since you didn't go to the doc. I seriously wish you could find someone you trust with your health. This sucks. Like I need to tell you...

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  3. This is completely, suckass not fair.

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  4. Anonymous11:17 AM

    Michelle and I just fired/left/ended the relationship with our doctor as well...

    While I have had some of the worst doctors on Earth here in LA, I must say that a few of my specialists have been fantastic. So if you ever need a rheumatologist, just let me know. :)

    Though, I'm still looking for a good dermatologist.

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  5. This sounds awful--I hope it turns around soon.

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  6. Anonymous11:32 AM

    You should be a patient advocate. I would (if you want) call Cedars in the morning and recommend you for the job.
    Aloha,
    MJ

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  7. Anonymous6:47 PM

    I totally understand and concur
    Suzy.

    I was told (from what sounds like
    very similar tingling that you have) that I had MS, again, before
    any tests.

    I have mucho experience as well,
    after 80 plus surgeries for 'rare'
    kidney stones that have produced
    over 2000 of the little gems
    over the years, I really think
    twice, no, make that three times
    before I go to the drs. office,
    let alone the hospital.

    I truly have empathy for you.

    Glad you have a good chiro who
    understands metal.

    I remember walking along a pier
    and seeing a beautiful yacht
    with my name on it, and thinking
    that it must be my urologists' boat.

    Yes, I am rightfully jaded, after
    seeing all I have, add in neurology to that after a car
    accident. Now, there was G-d
    complexes as I've never seen them,
    and truly, they knew less about
    the brain than I did, and cared
    more about the money (as they
    were paid from the Insurance Co.
    that was trying to tell me that
    my head was just fine). Oh yeah,
    fun times.

    Again, I empathize.

    And, I also became a patient
    advocate eventually, as MJ just
    suggested. I had to.

    To me, a good dr. works in
    partnership with his patient,
    not belittles them.. I've seen
    that way too often. I remember
    a researcher asking me why I was
    in the hospital so much (I always
    walked whenever I could) and
    when I explained, he said to me

    ''Learn all you can - don't ever
    forget - surgeons are paid to cut''.

    And after 4 years, I learned that,
    indeed, my diet did really matter,
    although not once did anyone say
    it did, since my stones were caused by genetics. l egg equalled
    l kidney stone, and when I asked
    my urologist, he simply said
    ''The diet is too hard to follow''

    Let ME decide that. Oh yes,
    I can tell we could swap lots of
    medical stories and make each
    other more ill just for speaking
    of 'them'.

    I remember one patient saying to
    me that getting old is not for
    the faint of heart - oh how right
    she was.

    Cathi

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  8. I've learned the pinched nerve thing is a bit of a feedback loop. Nerve pinched. Muscle makes a knot. Pinches nerve more. Lather rinse repeat.

    My advice, and take it for what it's worth. Some good deep tissue massage. I mean walk out feeling like someone hit you with a bag of oranges. Also... if you have insurance see if your doc will prescribe some Lidocaine patches.

    http://www.answers.com/topic/lidocaine-patch

    Since they are off schedule for your problem. Use the overly used diagnosis of Fibro to your advantage.

    Good luck to you. I hate to see that all familiar suffering.

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