I'm venting today, as well as seeking answers. My mom has been ill since July, complaining of stomach pain in her lower abdominal area. At first it started out as constipation, gas and bloating; since, it has developed into chronic diarrhea. Over the course of time, her doctor ordered the following: a lower abdominal and pelvic exam, upper/lower GI, and a cystograph. It turned out that she had two polyps in her colon and ulcers in both her stomach and throat. The medication given to treat the ulcers, caused diarrhea and she also developed a UTI after the scopes.
My mom is very strong willed and has been resistant to having a colonoscopy performed on her. However, when other exams failed to provide results, I bullied her into the procedure. When she continued to feel bad, her doctor ordered the cystograph. At that time, it was going to take 3 weeks before the cystograph could be performed and another week before we could see the doctor. I loaded her in the car and she began to cry, so I took her to an ER in a larger city. When her family doctor found out he told her she could either see him alone or find herself a different doctor. I'm really angry because twice this past summer he has made her cry and he also had the nerve to tell her that she is the reason why America's health care system is failing. According to him, the test HE ordered cost roughly $10,000 and someone had to pay for them. That's when I became angry and informed him that he asked for the test and she wasn't the type to go to the doctors everytime she turned around. I said a few other things, but I'll keep this family friendly. He's also trying to tell her that this is all psychological. How can polyps, ulcers and diarrhea be psychological? Last week, I had her to his office again, this time seeing a nurse practioner who questioned why she wasn't seeing a specialist. I filled her in and she talked with another doctor, who at the end of the day tried to speak with my mother's physician, asking she be given a refferal to the gastrointestinal specialist. Mom's doctor refused and told the other doctor that she could either believe in him or get out. I'd like to know what I can do about a doctor who suffers from a "God Like" syndrome? Can I report him? Also, what can I do about my mom's diarrhea? She takes immodium, but it doesn't work. I had her into ER on sunday and they are checking for a viral infection. As for the doctor, I'm trying to find her a new one.
A rude doctor will probably cost his clinic business -- such as your mother leaving -- but I'm not sure that doctors are required by law to be polite or kind. If I were you (and I was in a similar situation once) after you find a new doctor I would send a letter to the head of the clinic explaining why your mother is leaving. Just matter-of-factly list the incidents that bother you. Don't embellish and don't rant. Just "this is what happened" and "since I don't find this appropriate or helpful my mother has found a new doctor at a different clinic."
Good luck!