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What Happened to Medicine?
I am dismayed at the medical treatment, or lack thereof, that I have received to date. I sent an online message to my PCP a few weeks ago that I was feeling hopeless and depressed as a result of my illness and asked if he thought increasing my antidepressant would be of help. He did not respond. I have to see him next week and will ask what the purpose of the online message system is if a patient cannot get a response from their doctor.
I understand that my condition(s) are complicated, after all it has taken 3 years to finally get an appointment with a liver specialist, even though I had been told one would never see me. I apologize if I sound like I am whining, perhaps I am simply frustrated at just how difficult it is to receive the appropriate medical treatment these days. I try to remain positive, active, engaged in creative activities and things of that nature. I am not curled up in a ball in some kind of catatonic state. All I want is help from my medical team, and it has become such a struggle to get the treatment I think I need. Yes, I have a friend who is a doctor and who has been very helpful by telling me what tests my PCP needs to order, and when I ask him to order such tests he does. but really, how crazy is that? This forum and my disease have enabled me to become more empowered, however I had no idea that getting the right treatment, if any, would be such a struggle. I have good coping skills, but in all honesty there are days when I really do feel like curling up in a ball, but I don't because I am afraid I would remain in that state. So instead I take walks, work on my artwork, bake bread for my neighbors, care for my 84 year old friend etc. I am constantly on the move. Right now, I just want to step off and rest.
Also, the last time I saw my PCP he asked me if I wanted a new doctor. No doctor has ever asked this question of me. I am now planning to choose a new PCP after my upcoming appointment with a hepatologist. I am seeing my PCP this week so he can go over with me the information he received from the hematologist regarding my immunoglobulin disorder.
Interestingly enough, I met with a neurologist this week for the second time. I could not have asked for a nicer physician! Perhaps there are still medical providers out there who still care about and want to help their patients.
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I was born in Canada and most of my family still lives there. They will rebut your statement. I have an appointment with a dermatologist. From the time I called until I will see her is three months. So what's the difference?
I am not here to argue and I am happy you are pleased with the health care in Canada. However the long wait times are not a secret. For instance the Fraser Institute in Canada has published some of their findings at https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/how-canadian-health-care-differs-prerelease.pdf
Thank you. I am gearing up for my appointment tomorrow with my PCP. I have decided not to be confrontive with him at all because I know it will not make any difference. The last time I saw him, I told him that I wanted to feel as if I mattered. Mattered to him, to Sutter etc. That's when he asked if I wanted a new doctor. Well, I will find one soon. Tomorrow I will just sit there like he does and let him talk for a change. I am curious what the hematologist had to say about the blood disorder.
On another note, I can feel that I am approaching some kind of new depressive state, probably because my dog died one year ago on March 2. But, I just heard from the shelter that they need me to foster a dog, so that would be really great for me, as I miss having the "company."
There are some days, more recently, when I feel like giving up, or not continuing with my art or weight lifting, but I force myself because I will be left without any fortitude.
This forum gives me so much hope, I cannot even explain it clearly enough, Before I discovered this patient portal I felt so alone, now I do not.
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8 ReactionsI am Canadian as both my parents were born in BC and the majority of my extending family still reside there. I have never heard any of my cousins complain about the medical care they receive in Canada, and in fact, they seem very happy with "socialized medicine."
Regarding wait times, shortages of doctors, etc we have the same issues in the U.S. Just yesterday I read an article in the Washington Post about the shortage of doctors and especially nurses, many who quit following COVID. We have a huge shortage of medical care providers in the U.S, not only because many in the medical field are leaving their jobs, but also because there are not enough professors to teach medicine, including nursing. Nurses have an extraordinarily demanding job of which many do not appreciate. I say this from experience as I lived with one for 10 years.
In any event, in my opinion, I think/believe that the more complex one's problem is, the longer the wait time may be.
I'm sure you know the experience or opinion of small groups of relatives or individuals are anecdotal and have very little to do with the real picture.
Many Canadians actually leave Canada when they need health care because the wait is too long.
Here is a report from the Toronto Sun
https://torontosun.com/news/national/canadians-continue-to-leave-the-country-for-health-care-says-new-report
and a Research Bulletin
https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/leaving-canada-for-medical-care-2015.pdf
Many are coming to the US.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-countries/articles/2016-08-03/canadians-increasingly-come-to-us-for-health-care
This has been going on a long time - Why don't you know about this?
There are many shortages of health care technology in Canada as well.
@frances007 Like you, I was really really feeling down and out a few weeks ago. I just wanted my autoimmune disease to go away and let me be me. I finally took someone’s advice and started working with a therapist. She can’t make my disease go away, but she has helped me with my attitude towards it. My disease course has been long, slow, and difficult, but I know I can work with it and be successful.
Have you thought of getting a therapist>. Many doctors’ offices have licensed clinical social workers-LCSW- and they can be great to work with.
Will you let me know what you think if this idea?
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12 ReactionsIt's systemic! Yes! I have great health insurance through my husband's work and I have, for real, gained PTSD diagnosis due to medical trauma - one neurologist tod me I was a liar and a Googler - only half right and a good thing too, since she misprescribed me a drug that would have caused a horrible replay of coming off a dopamine agonist.
Another neurologist told me to just go to an entire other hospital system to have him read the MRI he ordered.
When I complained, the Providence "fact finder" was, I learned later, the department's head nurse.
Being a patient is basically the pits. Too many patients, too few doctors. And the more specialized drs get the more derisive many become toward clients if the dr isnt one of the good ones left.
And the US let it happen. It will never end because our government is weak and self-centered. People just don't matter any more.
It's a silent wave of suffering across this nation, and we can blame generations of politicians, corporations, and their lobbists.
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4 ReactionsAgreed
If you are on boards with a more international audience, it is shocking how bad they feel for Americans.
FYI, my mom restricted her insulin due to $. She's dead.
My littlest brother died a year ago because his heart pump power cord was ignored too long. The cut the power to his heart and sent him to my house to die. They said 3 days; it took 7 weeks for him to die.
11 months after Mom.
That's US medicine.
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