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How do You Deal with Dangerous Doctor, Abusive Provider? Tips?
Most medical professionals are the greatest people in the world bc they choose work that helps humanity. (Or animals) But sometimes people with serious problems qualify for Medical licenses. They have a different face towards their peers who they seek acceptance from than they often have to their patients behind closed doors when they don't truly value patients as people. I had the misfortune of just concluding a year with an abuser.
This doctor was an independent PCP + based in an office without oversight, which is not unusual. I'm a single Senior woman. I was stricken w COVID twice+ then signed in with him for treatment of many debilitating unresolved symptoms. He looked good on paper in terms of credentials. He had openings and I needed a PCP.
He had an initial interest in deciphering my symptoms. Blood panels were perfect. He ordered an MRI to rule out a stroke bc of what was PASC but which he didn't acknowledge. The imaging revealed a meningioma brain tumor. However, the local neurosurgeon and 2 Top Ten specials indicated it was benign but untreatable for various reasons, but with the good news was that it was asymptomatic + not the cause of my symptoms. Repeated MRI showed no changes. It is expected to never become a problem. I am simply on tumor watch.
I moved to N Carolina after a lifetime on the other side of the country, just months before COVID arrived. Prior, I had decades long warm+ wonderful relationships with my doctors, who honestly never were wrong. They were just that good. But I didn't have any serious problems to require ongoing care for anything other than a disc injury that I recovered from without surgery. So I expected to continue on my same course after moving.
This PCP has real Dark Triad + sadistic pathologies. He began a campaign of doom for me, rejecting all above neuro reports+ hammering his view that my life was going downhill without any form of help. He rejected any other diagnosis like Post COVID. He was verbally+ emotionally abusive unlike anyone ever spoke to me. When I brought in a wrong form he called me by phone and said my mistake "WAS UNACCEPTABLE!" in a tone like 'BAD DOG!" He often sat w his back to me+ never look at me during visits, after. He's a large man+ his contempt+ arrogance were palpable. I have trauma from previous crime. I gave him a LEO phone number to call at their request + he refused, blasting me for a " conspiracy theory" + mandated that I may never mention it again. It was horrible. I posted here Nov I wanted to change Drs. Never got to. This guy began harassment by not reordering my 1 medication I take for several symptoms which also suppresses potential seizures tho he got multiple requests. He let the Rx run out over Thanksgiving then approaching Xmas. He saw me the day before Christmas Eve. I had not a full dose of meds for days. I said to him - he wasnt treating me for anything, I had no care plan + why couldn't be just refill my Rx in time. I had an deep infection beginning on my sternum + my BP standing was dropping to 70/30, at home, which he never took standing, after he walked in exam room.
He became infuriated! Cold controlled rage + contempt. He said, "We're done here, right now. You'll get a letter." Punctuated w his forefinger tapping the table. Shocked but ill, I asked to be transferred to another of the 20 Drs in the building+ he said absolutely not, that he won't allow me to be seen there. He said with dripping contemptuous sarcasm "Good luck finding another Dr. " I then told him he failed as a Dr much more. He was 100% statue like + non responsive to everything. We had a below zero rare freeze alert pending that night then Xmas long holiday. He renewed Rx but pharmacy was out of stock. I went back+ did get some but I ended up having my first seizure as soon as I could get home. Without timely care for the bacterial infection, it spread fast. In days when services reopened I needed office surgery + now I've been told I need thoracic surgery under general anesthesia to complete the tx. Dr said had I been treated timely none of this would have developed Lost my (minor PT) job bc I couldnt work. Was on antibiotics for a month w side effects. Biggest ending: He excoriated me in his final medical records, creating false impressions and distorted content. A vile smear job. Just FYI, my career was as an RN Specialist at the very top internationally recognized hospitals. I never mentioned this to him until he terminated me with callous disregard for my welfare, since I'm retired. He never asked about me. But I confronted him as a dangerous doctor. He was totally stunned. But caught. Dr E is not typical. But it does happen. It happened to me. He intended to extend his abusive reach into my future healthcare via medical records. But I'm blocking them + silencing his evil voice.
This is surely an anomaly. But it does happen to innocent patients behind closed doors of licensed medical professionals who are of the Dark Triad personality disorder w sadistic enjoyments.
I got a much needed cardiology consult on my own w problems identity, + under tx. I connected w someone for Post COVID tx + it's helping
These are all basic txs I could've had a yr ago.
Chest surgery is hopefully going to be easy. The surgeon is highly respected + known to be kind.
That's my nightmare story.
Any support would be appreciated. I'm still shaken by this. But moving forward.
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I'm going through a similar situation it started in late December and has persisted I have been diagnosed with a parasite by a second opinion Dr that I was referred to by my therapist and he knew nothing of my medical history but he diagnosed me in maybe 1 second of seeing it. He stated that he could identify that but as a PCP I would need to see a specialist for the other one he saw because he can't recognize it gave me a prescription and 3 different referrals was done in 20 minutes. My Dr said it's impossible verbal abuse neglect and I'm at the point where I believe they are doing permanent damage to my organs I lean left all day he can see this my memory isn't what it was have edema, cellulitis, heart pain. Chest pain, kidney and back pain, also feels like something is wrapped around my skull or brain to where I will pass out. I'm at the end of my rope this Dr ordered zero tests and just promised I didn't have it that it's was cocaine which I was doing socially on weekends that's it claimed I have psychosis which in the past few weeks has been ruled misdiagnosed by multiple Drs and therapists. They are also writing a referral for me to receive treatment at different hospitals that my Dr sent me to which he worked out of they'd literally laugh at me say that's impossible se I have not been out of the country in past 2 years I've been all over ours and go to Vegas every year. I dunno what to do but have literally zero expectations from any Dr/hospital cause they read my chart and are afraid to disagree with my Dr I can't work and want to I'm so bored but don't want to infect anyone else and I think this started with a misdiagnosis of mrsa because that hasn't gone away and still infected since at least December it's almost September hospitals have given me antibiotics but when I get off them all symptoms come back I'm living a nightmare my family stated as they finally believe me my brother was the first to see something moving on my body the next day s package from Amazon arrived with a blacklight and Mexican antibiotics I cried. They're trying to help but I can't live like this been saying this for about 5 months and it's only getting worse. He knows I have parasites but says they other Drs are just appeasing me, please that's ridiculous. And also said I have 2 weeks at most to live a month ago after listening to my heart and I got it looked at they all thought I was crazy when I said he used a stethoscope heard a murmur and said tic tock you only have 1½-2 more weeks while walking out of the office. I think he might be seeing or hearing things.
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5 ReactionsI am very very sorry for all your difficulties and all you suffer.
I see that you just posted 35 minutes ago.
I am East Coast USA, doing the 3AM insomnia dance here.
Anyway, just wanted to write a quick note, wishing you well through your difficulties.
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2 ReactionsWow. Well, unfortunately, I've met some bad ones too. There's bad doctors, and then there are evil ones. First of all, the reason someone abusing you, is because they can. They don't abuse those whom they can't. It's just plain as simple as that. You trusted him, that meant he, as an evil person, could use that. I know, it means you will now always know that new Provider might...? It leaves us harmed, in the permanent sense.
What can you do about him? There's actually a lot you can do. Each one is a choice, to use, or not to use. To employ now, or later on. Some take time. Actually, I think they all take a certain amount of time to put into action.
In my experience, the most important ones are to first, check what he did to your medical records. Because except for in one US State, you really have no control over whether subsequent healthcare providers can read his records about you, or not. After about 3-4 years, unless it's test results he ordered, most Providers don't bother. Exceptions do occur. So, you'll want to get your own copy of everything he wrote, including all MH/BH diagnoses. Also check what "affects" he noted for any given visit dates.
I say that, because the evil ones (and sometimes by mistake) tend to gaslight those patients that they can. It gives them a little extra joy to know their gaslighting of their patients follows long after they're their own. By that, I mean via the little MH diagnoses you may never know of. When you order a complete copy of your records by him and/or his office, ask for all diagnoses and all diagnostic codes to be included. They have to give it to you or to your legal representative. Some patients prefer to just go get an attorney to do all this for them. But it's not necessary. The last time I asked for my own record it was just a few dollars. Well worth it. One of the reasons for doctors gaslighting (slander and libel, with an added twist) is to slam dunk the patient's word, before they can even file a lawsuit. For that reason, I never sue them. Your options besides that are more than I've yet to even use all of them.
Then, your state should have the laws outlining your rights to request, to request an Amendment or Correction, and last of all, should he decline to Amend or Correct the record, there should be a procedure at law, for you to add a Statement of Disagreement. It needs to be concise (short as possible) and yet fully what you want to say.
Meanwhile, Seniors on Medicare can do a Kepro Complaint. It may be called something else in your State, but it's the same thing. Another thing is on the paperwork you signed like the Privacy Practices, agencies are listed that you may make a complaint to. Usually, I just start out with the Office or Practice Manager to begin with. However, they do tend to take up a lot of your time and prefer to hand out more work to you. This is true depending on the healthcare network he is in.
Keep a record of all you do. There is always his State Medical Licensing Board. Some of those like to decide if you may even file a Complaint against him or not. If they interfere like that, I would call my State Governor's Office and ask if that's even legal, stuff like that. Since you consider that he was sadistic, not just really ignorant, I would avoid any pressure to use a State Ombudsman. There might be an option with your State Attorney General, maybe not. I'd check it out. You can go fill out survey's if his network send them to you. In the future, avoid filling those out right away, and save the links, just in case they assume you won't be doing them and start in at your second visit, being what they really are.
There's also all those sites online where real patients of various doctors get to give their ratings. Why not, if it's true? I began calling it Free Therapy in my mind, after I got gaslit by one or two. It works too.
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2 ReactionsFirst of all, as with all abusers, you need to leave him.
Find someone else.
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1 ReactionMakes me want to cry. I know it's true. I don't doubt you for a minute. Doctors like that do exist. Big hugs to you.
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1 ReactionI had a "wonderful oncologist" NOT that complained to me that he had to spend 20 minutes on my case. And then threaten me to do what he said or we will not treat you. Gee I thought that was part of your job to work with patients. I make sure everybody I see to tell them how terrible this "doctor" was Word of mouth can be very effective
My God what a horror story, you poor soul, I’m somewhat acquainted with bad doctors or ones that started out good but time and perhaps age made them turn into uncaring, nasty, judgmental abusers. It’s very difficult to challenge a doctor and in a place where they are hard to get.. I’m very happy that you have a credible medical background and it helped you to fight back against this monster, yes he is a monster and he doesn’t belong in a job where innocent people are suffering from unspeakable abuse. I am grateful that you have fought back and won, you’re truly an inspiration to me, thank you for sharing your story and all the best for your future.