What if the doctor doesn't take me seriously?

Question

I asked a question last night.

http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au0QAMt0LthLlYqYtxb_ErYgBgx.?qid=20070717113923AA64Cg4

The general response was that I should go to the doctor, but every time I have ever been to a doctor in England I get treated as though I'm wasting their time, but I know I'm not. I can feel the pain.

Anyone else feel like doctors don't always take their patients seriously?

Answer 1

In your other question response section, Mr Big mentioned Lyme Disease and that it wasn't diagnosised well in England. He is very correct about this being a condition that is often missed by many physicians even here in the US. There can be others too that are just not those that are routinely seen. Sad to say it may be possible that when you present with these baffling symptoms the docs may just be chocking them up to your imagination or emotional issues, instead of spending time to find out what is wrong.

I know how frustrating this kind of treatment can be. Hopefully this is the only reason. If so, then your only choice is to try different doctors until you find one that will listen to you.

Try keeping a record of your pain/symptoms and anything at all that may be related to it. Does the pain start one place and then progress to another? Does the weather or anything at all seem to influence or effect the pain in any way? Is there anything you can do to make the pain better or worse? Make sure and write all this down and take it with you when you go to see the doctor.

Sorry I can't be of more help, just hang in there.

Answer 2

My husband does. He asked a serious question and got a flip response from our regular doctor (U.S.A.). He now calls the doctor "regular rate and rhythm", because that is what the doctor says after he listens to our hearts through the stethescope.

I have found if you know as much as possible about what your condition might be, and might be caused by, the doctor listens more seriously, because he may realize you are serious too.

I suggest you start keeping a diary, noting what days/times you feel the pain. (I did not go back and read your previous question, so this may be a dumb suggestion, if you always feel the pain.) Does is come on after meals? Then start keeping track of what you eat. Presenting the diary, along with a list of your questions/symptoms may help the doctor focus on you as a real person.

Answer 3

I would say to try a different doctor! Hell, try 5 different doctors! I know it's a pain having to go through all that information again and again, but it could be well worth it!

A personal example...I went to 7 different OB/GYNs telling them that my periods were too painful, too long and way too heavy. All of them told me that every woman has different periods and that I should just go on the pill to take care of it.

Well, a long story short, the last doctor I finally went to ran some tests and it turned out that I had stage 4 endometriosis (pre-cancer), 2 tumors and uterine fibroids! I ended up having a radical hysterectomy 2 weeks later.

Had that first doctor took me more seriously, a year before, my condition wouldn't had been so bad that I needed everything removed!

Again, keep trying new doctors, until you find one that will listen. And do yourself another favor by starting out your first appointment, with that new doctor, by saying "I have come to you because my other doctor won't listen to me..."

Good luck!

Answer 4

Oh yes, some are great and others don't think that earning £100,000 a year warrants them to actually do anything. I think that the truth is that most of the time, it's their "bedside manner" that needs addressing. I guess most docs know when they examine a patient whether they are really ill or just feeling down or anxious but instead of reassuring the patient they will just say "nothing wrong with you". I went to two doctors the other day regarding a headache I had for 8 days - the first one checked me over and said nothing wrong - and prescribed anti inflamatories. A few hours later my partner made be go back - the second doctor sent me to A&E - again, nothing wrong with me but I felt I was taken seriously and examined thoroughly - both of them were right but I felt better treated by one!

My advice is to spend a week or two eating REALLY healthy, take cod liver oil and a good multivit. Get plenty of sleep. Keep a diary of your pain and if you don't feel better, go back to the docs - armed with your pain diary. This will help him diagnose you. Perhaps ask for a routine blood test - this will pick up anything fundemantally wrong.

Answer 5

You need to find a doctor that will treat you seriously, and if you can't put up with the pain or don't have time to doctor shop, then you need to take a stand with your doctor - be firm and let him/her know that you want and need an answer...

This is your body and don't take no for an answer...

The only other thing I can think of is if you research your symptoms a little before you go in and suggest what illness could be causing the pain in your joints (joint pain is often related to arthritis, even in someone as young as yourself). It's sad that you may have to resort to this, but if it's the only way you're going to get the doctor to listen it might be worth a try?

Good luck with it :-)

Answer 6

If you dont think that your doctor is taking you seriously, or if your not comfortable with your doctor - i would suggest finding a new one.

Perhaps you can take a trip to the doctor and express the pain that your in to him. If nothing gets done about it, you could say something like "Is there another doctor that you can reccomend? I'm really in a lot of pain and I think I need a second opinion"

or "Listen I'm really in a lot of pain, if you cant help me I'm just going to have to find another doctor that can."

I cant stand when I'm in pain and the doctor tells me that nothing is wrong. When your body is in pain (expically if its been in pain for a long period of time) then something needs to be done.

good luck with this

Answer 7

I answered your question,last night, and pointed you in the direction of a clinic/hospital-There, you and your symptoms will be taken seriously- we all know GPs can be like that sometimes,thats why I include the clinic below again-this time will you read what I say-you could ask your GP to refer you.
If your GP doesnt take serious symptoms seriously,change your doctor for a proper one. But you could still refer yourself to the hospital below.They are used to dealing with unexplained symptoms,and may help you a lot.

Answer 8

I have the same problem, my Dr at moment talks to me like I'm an idiot (which I'm not - I have a Masters). They seem to think that because they studied for 7 (?) years that everyone they come across is intellectually inferior. Don't take it personally and be persistent - some of them get paid 250 grand a year, they should earn their money!! If you are really concerned ask to see another health professional. HTH.

Answer 9

Mostly I've been treated well by doctors (helps when you have a prior condition) but I went to see this one doctor when I was getting pain in my bladder and it was really hurting to pee and he said "drink cranberry juice". On Monday I was diagnosed with having a colovesical fistula which is basically where the stomach and bladder join together. Good job I didn't take his advice and decided to see another doctor.

Answer 10

Try changing doctors if that's the way he makes you feel. Joint pain could be an indication of all sorts of things from arthritis to Henoch schonlein purpura. Best to get it checked out; be forceful, don't take no for an answer, ask for tests or a referral to see a specialist. Doctors have a duty to fulfil in this country; afterall, it's our money that pays their wages!