Doctor just doesn't seem to care, what can I do?

Question

I had wrote a question about my symtoms and the possible diseases. My doctor has done a blood test and it came back normal so they wanted to say "oh, you're fine. go home." I've done my research and i KNOW there are many conditions that don't come up in blood work or if it's Lupus it hasn't been affecting my body long enough to show up and there are occasional cases that nothing ever shows up in blood work. I'm so distraught and frustrated. This all came to a head after I had my daughter and I've just been getting quickly and consistently worse since then (she's 11 months old). It's not fair to me or her that I'm living this way. My doctor denies it, but like I've experienced with MANY of my doctors they don't trust nor offer me equal treamtent because of the piercings and tattoo I have. Its obvious, and it's frustrating. If my doctor won't do anything and is in no hurry to treat me, help me, or find out what's wrong. My hope that I will ever get treated is fading so fast now.

Answer 1

There is a special blood test for Myasthenia Gravis. Pregnancy can trigger this muscle disease. When I was five months pregnant I started talking funny and they (the Drs.) said it was sinus. When they finally diagnosed me I couldn't talk right, I had trouble swallowing, and I was unfunctional. So from 1983 to 1995
I suffered and in about 18 months after having my baby I was in so much pain I was in the bed for about 3 yrs. Looking back fibromyalgia and arthritis had been triggered too. In 1995 when they finally diagnosed me they sent me to Emory and it was
so bad that 6 months later they did chest surgery (thymectomy)
on me. And then I found out that it could pass to my baby so we went ahead and had her checked and thank God she was negative. Have this test done now because when you are sick
for as long as I was and nobody is actively treating you so many
other things can go wrong. Good luck and God be with you.

Answer 2

I read your other question and the symptoms sounded very familiar. I spent years going to doctors and finally sat down and tracked the symptoms back to their beginning... nearly 30 years... to an embedded tick. Lyme's Disease!
I was originally diagnosed with Lupus 20 yrs ago, but with better testing that was ruled out as the cause of my problems.

This is not to say that is what you have, but it sure has many of the same symptoms and you may not have even known when/if infected.

Google for Lyme & Lyme support group in your area... You will get good links to information and others that can recommend a doctor for testing. I can tell you from experience, if you don't see a doctor that is familiar with Lyme, it will be a miracle if they pinpoint or diagnose it as the source of your problems... even if you remember the tick and the rash!
These Lyme literate doctors should also be able to help give you direction if it turns out to Not be Lyme's. They, obviously, are accustomed to seeing patients that have a sometimes unbelievable variety of symptoms that can change from day to day... A situation that leads many doctors unfamiliar with this type of insidious disease to think and react in terms of hypochondria when their usual tests keep coming up negative. This leaves the patient feeling abused and defensive, along with affecting the tone of future examinations with new doctors. They've heard this all before and are willing to try to see and test beyond what seems apparant. It is worth a look and possibly a consultation.

Answer 3

I have answered your other post - and I would ask your doctor for a referral to a rheumatologist and a hematologist. There is something going on. For the fact something ramped up after you gave birth to your daughter kinda tells me autoimmune problems...but with the problems in your other post listed hint toward ITP. You have a right to a second opinion.

It may also benefit to have your parent(s) or another family member there to stress the fact that there has been a definate change in your health.

Personally, I would be looking for another doctor in another facility. Can you take out your piercings for the appointment and if possible cover up the tats and see if that makes a difference. Are you sure all of those were done under sterile conditions.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

If this physician isnt listening, I would find another doctor. We pay so much for their services. Sometimes, they just dont listen.

Some time ago I started having hip pain on my right side. I went to an orthopedic who took one xray, told me I had bursitis in my hip and told me this was usual for women because of their physiology. For a year, I took injections, pretty much scheduling my life around the first two weeks of each shot. The last two weeks of each shot didnt help at all. I got tired of that, and told another co-worker I wanted to find a new physician. She recommended her orthopedic, so I made an appointment. The new physician told me the problem was that my right foot was slightly turned out and that was causing the bursitis. He put me in orthotics, and that was the end of that.

Answer 5

Try seeing a Neurologist. My mother was just diagnosed with Lupus after having problem after problem for over 5 years. She had several blood tests, MRI's, bone scans, Cat scans and others. If it is Lupus, the problem in getting a diagnosis is that it mimics so many other diseases. My mom had seen many different Drs. before seeing a neurologist and getting her diagnosis. If your Dr. continues to not listen ,change Drs.until you find one who will.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

If you do not trust your doctor get another. Some illnesses take time to dignoise.I got viral insolitis in 1979. It attacks the brain. I spent 9 wks. in the hospital. Thay finally said Had been bitten by a fly . It took them 8Yrs to determines that. so sometimes the cause take time.

Answer 7

Get a second opinion