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Indianagal

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This having fibro really really sucks. I am now trying to find a new doctor to treat me. The neurologist that has been treating me for the past 3 years apparently doesn't want me as a patient anymore. He didn't say as much but when I saw him over 2 weeks ago he really gave me the impression he just wants me to go away. When I first started seeing him he told me my fibro was caused by stress and physical work I had been doing at the post office as a mail processor. So I filed a worker's comp claim with the Department of Labor because I was a federal employee. And he went along with it, wrote a wonderful letter supporting his opinion. Each time I went to see him he would ask me about my case. Last summer I got a letter of denial from the Department of Labor. They had sent me to 2 of their doctors who of course disagreed with my doctor. I found an attorney(who won't be paid unless I win this case) and the attorney filed an appeal. The next time I saw my neurologist he said he would help out in any way he could. When the attorney asked me to get another letter from my doctor my doctor refused. He said I had asked for his help before and he was not willing to help out anymore.
When I saw him a little over 2 weeks ago he now says he thinks my problems are all sleep-related. Don't all of us have sleep problems from time to time. He said he wanted me to have a sleep study done and also a VGH test to test my balance. His office was going to arrange these and I was to get a phone call in regards to both the sleep study and the balance test. I haven't received any phone calls at all. When I saw him he didn't even ask me about my fibro or pain. And before I could ask him other questions about things that are concerning to me...he rushed me out into the waiting area.
I am now trying to find a rheumatologist or neurologist who will treat me as a patient. Only problem is the worker's comp case is pending. My lawyer told me whoever I see is going to have to know about the case. I have tried many doctor's and when I mention my federal worker's comp case they refuse to see me. I live about 30 miles from Chicago and am now trying to find a doctor at one of the hospital's there to take me on as a patient. It is going to mean taking a commuter train to go see a doctor.
Why does this have to be so complicated. I really hate this and wish the doctor I had been seeing all this time had never said he thought it was work-related
 
Hi Indianagirl, I'm so sorry you have to go through all this. I can feel your pain.. I myself have seen so many doctors over the past years and I was misdiagnosed lots of times. A couple of doctors were not only unhelpful but also downright mean and wouldn't acknowledge the pain I was in. I can only say that things do get better - despite the constant ups and downs. It's important to find a good doctor and perhaps also a good therapist or support group and I know it's not easy but you will eventually find them. Hoping that things get better for you very soon. All the best
 
Thanks Tigressa, I am beginning to really dislike doctors alot, but I need one to go to for my fibro. I know it is fibro and at this point I really don't what caused it. I have an appointment this week on Thursday with a rheumatologist and my lawyer told me I have to disclose the worker's comp case. I am expecting I will be escorted out of the office and told I can't be treated by him because of the worker's comp issue. I suggested to the lawyer calling this doctor's office and telling them but he said no...to keep the appointment and tell them then. It is just so embarassing to be escorted out...it has happened to me in the past. Wish me good luck.
 
Hi and welcome back. I am very sorry to hear your being treated like this. I had not heard of doctor's refusing to see patients because of worker comp cases before. I was going to ask you if your family doctor could help you manage your condition? Could you switch to apply for SSD, if this does not work out? I will be praying that all goes well for you on Thursday, and this doctor is more open to helping you. "Hugs" :)
 
Thanks Sweed,

Not sure why but there seems to be a big difference from regular worker's comp and federal worker's comp. Before I was diagnosed with fibro I had been diagnosed with bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The orthopedic doctor who diagnosed me with carpal tunnel told me I needed to have surgery ASAP. The carpal tunnel syndrome was worker's comp and I had no problem getting it approved by the DOL. When I called this doctor to schedule surgery she wouldn't do it because of it being federal worker's comp and not regular worker's comp. It took many phone calls to find an orthopedic surgeon who would do the surgery and when I did I couldn't go see him until worker's comp approved of him. Everything had to be approved in advance...took me months to get the surgery done.
When I started feeling like my fibro doctor was giving me the bums rush last fall I did start going to a GP to get my medicine. Never told her about the worker's comp. I may have to go back to her soon and I will have to mention it.
I am keeping the appointment on Thursday with this rheumatologist. I hope he is receptive to me....will have to let you know how this comes out
 
Hi, wishing you luck at your doctor's appointment. I know it's hard, but I hope something good/helpful will come out of it. Let us know how it went. I'm so sick of some of the ignorant doctors out there. On some days it seems like most of them only care about making as much money as possible, instead of helping a patient who is suffering.. It's really sad and hopeless at times. I hope you can cling on to some hope. Hugs
 
Thanks for all the responses. I am off today to see this new doctor and am nervous about this appointment. I will have to let you know how it goes, I really hope this rheumatologist will treat me as a patient. The medicines I take right now for my fibro are not doing very well for me so I think it is time for something else. Hope this doctor agrees.
 
Wow. I'm really sorry you're going through this. I didn't know that Federal Worker's Comp was different from the regular kind. I wonder what the issue is regarding doctors and Federal. Has your lawyer told you why it seems to be such a sticky subject with doctors? I've heard about doctors essentially "firing" patients before but honestly, I don't really know the reasons why that would happen.

I've had doctors that I felt like didn't believe me and they weren't willing to help me with any pain. I've had terrible periods for most of my adult life and I have found that a lot of doctors who can't physically see the issue, just aren't willing to help. I think Fibro sufferers have this issue. One thing I have learned is that YOU know your body best. I've also learned to be persistent with doctors and now I'm FINALLY getting somewhere.

Good luck with your appointment and please tell us what happens!
 
I had my first appointment yesterday with the new doctor. He was very pleasant and listened, I did mention to him about the worker's comp case and it didn't faze him in the least which was really nice. He says he wants to start me off like a brand new patient and I had blood work done by his nurse. He wants me to come back in 3 weeks and by then will have the results from the blood work, plus he is going to get my medical records from my old doctor plus xrays and MRI's I have had done.
I was pleasantly surprised and he seemed very interested in my condition. I am so glad at the outcome of this visit. I told him I was looking for a new doctor to treat me for my fibro, didn't say anything negative about my old doctor, just told him I belonged to this support group and many see a rheumatologist and think it is a good idea. I told him I don't think the medicines I have been taking for the past 2 1/2 years are working as effective as they have in the past. So am now looking forward to my next visit with him.
He also asked me if I had ever had psoriasis. I had a terrible outbreak several years ago, it was so bad I ended up having to see a dermatologist and had a series of light treatments to get rid of it...it covered my body. I also now am bothered with outbreaks of it on my feet and hands. He is not sure but he thinks perhaps my fibro is secondary to the psoriasis.
Has anyone ever heard of this before?
 
I'm really sorry to hear about your problems. Sometimes it can take a while to find the right doctor who is willing to properly work with you. Look around and I hope you'll find one really quick.
 
I am so glad to hear your good news. I hope this doctor sticks with you and helps you with your case as well. This is a great thing for you and also for others on this forum who need to know that all doctors are not bad and rude, and it is often just a matter of continuing to search for a nice doctor in your area who will help manage your fibro, or get you diagnosised. Let us know how this goes......! :) :)
 
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