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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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You've nailed every point. And thank you for the compassion -you showed the humanity we all wish we received in the medical profession.
Your point about oversight is something I realized recently too. My career was in the hospital ICU where everything is team view and monitored. Those who work there are very different than those in a medical office. So I've seen the best of medical people. Now I'm seeing these worst, tho I believe my location has a great bearing on behavior. This would never have been acceptable in California + is illegal in S Carolina. And I fully agree that lack of oversight, accountability, peer review enables reckless behavior. Been pondering legislation options recently. I believe there's something wrong within many medical practices where I now live. In any case, I'm going to file the complaint as Becky provided the link. Then I'm going to look into other realms of complaint. Thanks for the reply.
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4 ReactionsIt seems connecting with medical providers is a roll of the dice. You could have been disabled. Fortunately you got the good care you needed. I'm so glad for that all is well. But one has to wonder how many people are disabled or permanent in pain because of the doctor behind door #1. This is just so wrong. I never knew of this side of medical care before. S Cal doesn't have this as a problem. Lots of laws+lots of lawyers influence that. Plus getting associated w a hospital - most of which are excellent- for a licensed medical person is a very hard achievement. If you don't meet a high standard, you're out.
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5 ReactionsHi. I encourage you to research for a cardiovascular surgeon associated with a reputable hospital and send your images for an immediate consult. And while you're at it, get a new PCP. GUARANTEED he wouldn't be laughing if it were his cardiovascular problem. If cardiovascular surgeons say you need surgery, you need surgery. Or some remediating procedure. Take peace in the fact that many times, calcification and other developments secure an aneurysm from being in imminent danger. In older people, they're often no longer 'soft " This is educational info+ not medical content for your situation Ask more questions as you proceed with repair. So sorry you've been left in such a stressful mental state not knowing if your life may suddenly be in the line. Again, proceed as you are led for your own life assurance.
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2 ReactionsYou weren't rambling. You were freely sharing and it was great content.
There's a seduction from the social prestige that many doctors attain that creates an offensive elitism and arrogance. That's an unfortunate corruption within them. The truly fine doctor at the top of the top are often the most approachable and humble, and sincerely relate to patients. I'm thinking that we as patients need to unionize lol so all Docs provide certain basics or else they don't get paid. What do you think?
Wishing you the best
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1 ReactionI’m with you
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1 ReactionQuestion
How to go about getting your films? Who has them? They always seem to “get lost “ is it the hospital? Is it my PCP? Is it my cardiovascular surgeon who doesn’t want to hear from me until next year? Does he has to give them to me without insulting him? Should I care?
My PCP works out of a clinic and is not affiliated with any hospital.
Our visits are approximately 10 minutes every 3 months and he has a tendency to talk over me and doesn’t show genuine interest in my issues as he doesn’t give me time to mention my concerns.
It’s just yeah yeah you’ll be fine see you in 3 months. And his staff takes over to inject me with a flu vaccine and weight me and take my vitals. The whole visit takes about 15 minutes if you include the flu vaccine.
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2 ReactionsIn my experience, you can ask for a disk copy of your images at the time they are taken. Otherwise they are at the location where they were taken. Obtaining a copy of them after however often requires making a written request thru radiology records Dept. Many hospitals + imaging services now have direct computer viewing access to images by other medical + outside experts. This is arranged without transfer of actual disk copies. It's computer viewing. When you select a 2nd opinion source, you can ask them if they participate in this tech option. Authorization for release is still required and can be done online.
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1 ReactionHi. Apparently according to their website, they refer complaints about Drs inc deficiency discharge arrangements to the State Licensing Board. And I'll have to report billing fraud to my Advantage plan. Unless I misread it.
Many of the hospitals I’ve used and most of my doctors have portals under MyChart and my PCP and dentist use Healow and even my gastroenterologist has one. Unfortunately my cardiovascular surgeon doesn’t have one and neither does my cardiologist.
All MyChart hospitals are linked together and the results of a hospital stay are on my phone via computers immediately when I get home.
The results are instant and you can check your diagnosis and the doctor’s and nurses notes plus any medication they gave you but the results from CT scans, X-rays and MRI’s are not available. I imagine there’s probably a fee to obtain them.
Probably need a release form in order to get your hands on them. I’m on the blood thinner Coumadin and the lab comes to my home every Wednesday morning to draw a sample to test back at the lab and I get what’s called my INR a measurement of my blood thinner numbers.
I get the results on my phone before our nurse does through their portal. I live in an assisted living facility and we have a nurse who gets the results . My cardiologist gets a copy and faxes my weekly dosage based on my results to the nurse.
My doctors also types up on his laptop any med changes but that pharmacy does not have a portal but their phone number is in my contacts list.
Having access through all these portals gives you instant results under one or both of the different portals.
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