Health care in the US has gone down the toilet.

squatting dog

squatting dog

Remember when... thirty seemed so old.
Location
Arkansas, and also Florida
Some time back, I mentioned how my dr had perscribed some meds to me, that when taken together, had the chance to put you in a coma or die. (something he wasn't even aware of). What a journey trying to find another dr. Seems to be plenty of incompetentance to go around. Example... Latest dr. Wife has been suffering with severe anxiety for several months now.

Dr visits, blood tests, we've done it all. Nothing... not a word... instead, they made her an appointment for a month from now. I can't get her to leave the house or property. How will I get her to a Dr? Today was the worst. (sitting in the dark and suffering involuntary twitching of her arms and legs. So, I call them and explain that it seems to be getting worse by the day and is there anyway to check what the latest blood test shows.

After the usual 3 different call transfers, and the usual "what's your insurance" bs, I finally get through to the Dr's assistant. Explain everything AGAIN and she say's they will get back to me today. Come in from picking up a delivery at my door and find a voice mail. "we understand that you're wife is concerned about you and we're checking your bloodwork now. o_O :mad: Shit... I guess the search will go on.
 
I hear how frustrating and worrying this has been for you, especially when you feel like you’re not getting clear answers and your wife is getting worse while waiting.

A couple of thoughts that might help you get some traction quickly:

If she’s having symptoms that are getting worse day by day, especially the twitching and inability to function or leave the house, that really does sound like something that needs more immediate evaluation than a routine follow-up appointment. In many areas, that can justify an urgent care visit or even an ER visit, particularly if you’re worried she’s not safe or stable.

On the communication side, what you ran into is unfortunately common, but it helps to be very direct with the staff using specific language like “her condition is worsening and she is unable to function normally; I am concerned this may be urgent.” That tends to get escalated faster than general concern or asking about labs.

If you can, ask to speak directly with the office nurse or the on-call physician rather than the front desk or scheduling staff. You can also explicitly ask, “Is there a same-day cancellation list or urgent slot?” Some offices have one but don’t mention it unless pressed.

And if you ever feel like you’re getting brushed off while symptoms are worsening, it’s completely reasonable to seek a second opinion or go to a different clinic or hospital system. That’s not overreacting, it’s just trying to get timely care.

I hope you’re able to get her seen sooner. This sounds like it’s taking a heavy toll on both of you 🙏


 
My best successes at getting the right help quickly, was finding a Doctor who would listen to me and then ask questions.
A doctor that right off wants to tell you what something is and not listen, isn't getting the whole story.
That's about the best I caring advise I can give.
It could be so many things that came from something very simple and grew into this.
If I am lucky enough to find that in a Doctor, he's mine, I need to trust him or her.
 
squatting dog said:
Wife has been suffering with severe anxiety for several months now.

Dr visits, blood tests, we've done it all. Nothing... not a word... instead, they made her an appointment for a month from now. I can't get her to leave the house or property.
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I relate to your concern from my own experiences with anxiety - it can become overwhelming: panic attacks, escalated blood pressure, and an overall threat to the heart and general health. Keep screaming until someone listens.
 
Don't get me started again! Most general practice doctors I've encountered treat their patients like cattle. Get 'em in, get 'em out, send bill to insurance. Push medicines which can do more harm than good.

After my mom died, I was having nightmares and made the mistake of telling my PCP. She immediately put me on an SSRI medication. All that did was make me gain 20 pounds that I had a tough time taking off. I know worse than this happens.
 
Naturally said:
I hear how frustrating and worrying this has been for you, especially when you feel like you’re not getting clear answers and your wife is getting worse while waiting.

A couple of thoughts that might help you get some traction quickly:

If she’s having symptoms that are getting worse day by day, especially the twitching and inability to function or leave the house, that really does sound like something that needs more immediate evaluation than a routine follow-up appointment. In many areas, that can justify an urgent care visit or even an ER visit, particularly if you’re worried she’s not safe or stable.

On the communication side, what you ran into is unfortunately common, but it helps to be very direct with the staff using specific language like “her condition is worsening and she is unable to function normally; I am concerned this may be urgent.” That tends to get escalated faster than general concern or asking about labs.

If you can, ask to speak directly with the office nurse or the on-call physician rather than the front desk or scheduling staff. You can also explicitly ask, “Is there a same-day cancellation list or urgent slot?” Some offices have one but don’t mention it unless pressed.

And if you ever feel like you’re getting brushed off while symptoms are worsening, it’s completely reasonable to seek a second opinion or go to a different clinic or hospital system. That’s not overreacting, it’s just trying to get timely care.

I hope you’re able to get her seen sooner. This sounds like it’s taking a heavy toll on both of you 🙏


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What an excellent response.
 
Patients are the customer and sadly need to stand up for themselves or loved ones to get the service they need. Most will take people seriously when you do not just fall for the basic dismissal. escalation is OK.
Also, if you do have a bad experience they will not address make complaint to your insurance company or the state they are licensed in. .... They need to know.
Insurance companies credential doctors on a schedule and complaints can lead to DR unable to take that insurance.
 
I don't know how old your wife is so I don't know if she has a Medicare or a Medicare advantage plan. I don't know what kind of urgent care or hospital are available for you to take her to. I do know what you describe rises to the level of taking her to where they will see her & take the time & use all diagnosis processes available to come up with a diagnosis.
I wish you success in getting help with your wife's issues.
 
I've been through severe depression, and the twitchiness and nervousness are common. One would think you would just be listless, but that is not the case and it is quite uncomfortable.

My mother had clinical depression for many years, and she would just sit in the corner and rock back and forth when I visited her and my father. When he passed away, she hadn't left the house in 4 years. She wouldn't even go to the mailbox. I started forcing her to go to the grocery store on errands with me on Saturdays when I was off work and she eventually realized the world wasn't as scary a place as she'd thought. Making her responsible for things like keeping track of her household bills helped her feel more important. Unfortunately, my father had given up and had taken care of everything.

I knew she'd had multiple TIA's but I didn't realize that she was having epileptic seizures as well. Once at the grocery store, she just zoned out standing by the vegetables, her eyes glazed over and when she came around she was talking gibberish. Depression always followed. I took her to a specialist who prescribed medication.

Oddly, through all of this her PCP had never put her on anti-depressants, and since Lexapro worked so well for me I asked him to prescribe it. He did, and she greatly improved. I'm actually not sure how many times my father had taken her to a doctor for anything other than physical ailments. Again, I think he had given up. Anyway, I never saw her severely depressed after she started a Lexapro regimen, even into her late 80s.

I'm sorry you've had so much frustration with the medical system @squatting dog, but please continue to be persistent. @Naturally made some great suggestions. Based on my own experience, there could still be light at the end of the tunnel.
 
squatting dog said:
Some time back, I mentioned how my dr had perscribed some meds to me, that when taken together, had the chance to put you in a coma or die. (something he wasn't even aware of). What a journey trying to find another dr. Seems to be plenty of incompetentance to go around. Example... Latest dr. Wife has been suffering with severe anxiety for several months now.

Dr visits, blood tests, we've done it all. Nothing... not a word... instead, they made her an appointment for a month from now. I can't get her to leave the house or property. How will I get her to a Dr? Today was the worst. (sitting in the dark and suffering involuntary twitching of her arms and legs. So, I call them and explain that it seems to be getting worse by the day and is there anyway to check what the latest blood test shows.

After the usual 3 different call transfers, and the usual "what's your insurance" bs, I finally get through to the Dr's assistant. Explain everything AGAIN and she say's they will get back to me today. Come in from picking up a delivery at my door and find a voice mail. "we understand that you're wife is concerned about you and we're checking your bloodwork now. o_O :mad: Shit... I guess the search will go on.
Click to expand...
That is very worrying. Can you avail yourself of paramedic help. If you rang for an ambulance to come, they might be able to assess her condition and take her to a hospital. There could be a MD who hakes house calls?

I know that the US medical care system is very different to what we have in Australia, and health insurance limits who you can see but, and I hesitate to say this for fear of offending, there must be a solution. Think outside the square and look for a different solution. I would even try ringing local talk back radio to voice your complaint. That might just shift the needle to action for your wife.
 
I know how frustrating it can be when you feel so isolated and can’t get any help no matter where you turn.
If you feel like it is an emergency can you call a transport service to have her taken to emergency care!
I know it is a mess what insurance will pay for and what they won’t.
Do you have any friends or relatives who can help with the situation.
In early 2022 when my diabetic wife had a blood clot that caused a huge wound on her foot I even got on the local town Facebook site and explained how bad things were getting and several people offered advice and one guy was a real expert and gave me invaluable advice.
I am praying for you and your wife just like I prayed so hard that my wife would recover!
She did- I believe that all things are possible through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
Keep trying and don’t give up!
 
I'm going to echo everything that @Naturally suggested.

Something more to keep in mind, push when you're not getting answers. It's what I did after another echo showed my gallbladder had no issues. I pushed back. They finally scheduled me for a hida scan that showed my gallbladder dead.

My husband warned my new PCP that I didn't suffer fools easily. And that he would hear about it from me. He's been a gem. When I was forced to change my heart doc they asked who I wanted. I said one that will work with me. It's worked very well.

They are human with an MD behind their names. It doesn't make them gods. I fired more than one specialist who thought they were. Don't be afraid to firmly speak your mind without raising your voice. It can move mountains.
 
There's a woman in the church I attend that has some hematology issues. The poor lady has been in and out of the hospital for months and needs a blood transfusion every few days. I just wonder why the doctors can't so something better than that.
 
It seems to be more of an assembly line approach these days, and doctors have become drug dealers instead of people healers.

Not all - but many.

I can relate to your frustration!!! Hang in there, about all we can do - and advocate for yourself as best as you can.
 
IrishEyes said:
My best successes at getting the right help quickly, was finding a Doctor who would listen to me and then ask questions.
A doctor that right off wants to tell you what something is and not listen, isn't getting the whole story.
That's about the best I caring advise I can give.
It could be so many things that came from something very simple and grew into this.
If I am lucky enough to find that in a Doctor, he's mine, I need to trust him or her.
Click to expand...
For any physician applies the same rule as for computers: "Never change a running operating system" :ROFLMAO:.
 
I have given up on health (not) care. My latest round with them was pain in my feet. My doctor simply said it was arthritis without even taking a good look. I went back a couple months later and saw his assistant for the same issue as it was painful walking. She says it was Bursitis. Still having pain months later I went to a podiatrist and was told it was tendonitis. No real conclusion or answer to relieve the pain. Finally after about 8 months I can walk pretty good again.
My feet cured themselves without any medical help. My right Achilles heel is still swelled up and has been the entire time. I can live with that so long as I have no pain. To be blunt, I never had much help from most doctors and it is getting worse.
 
debodun said:
Don't get me started again! Most general practice doctors I've encountered treat their patients like cattle.
Click to expand...
Our medical professionals need our help. Democracy is about working together to meet our needs, and we have a cultural crisis due to technology-driven education. This is not just a cultural problem but also an organizational one.

We had a human model of relationships, business, and social, that empowered everyone all the time. This was replaced by a robotic/AI model that has more to do with who will pay the bill and how much time a doctor or dentist spends with a patient. The Professional is now treated like someone working on the conveyor belt, and more than once, the office manager came into the room and, with absolutely no respect for anyone, scolded my doctor or dentist for taking too long with me.

Please give this a moment of thought. Yes, everything is going to hell in a handbag. I know what I am talking about, but I don't have the words for it. It is complex and new. This is not the democracy we defended in two world wars. :cry: What I am talking about is very much about education and a failure to transmit the culture that was the foundation of our democracy.
 
Mon April 30 called my PCP about a non life threatening pain in my back around my right shoulder. Fit me to on Tue. afternoon on April 31st. Listened to what my issue was reviewed my chart & said he would submit a request for an MRI. Holiday weekend but referral was approved by April 9th.

Scheduled MRI for Saturday April 11th. April 14th PCP called & recommended I see a specialist to discuss results of MRI. Looked up specialist in my UHC access to in system providers. Called for a consultation appointment. Scheduled for consult on April 23rd.

They have the written report the only thing I needed to do was pick up a disc of the MRI from the imaging center. I did that so I'm all set to discuss the results of the MRI.

Again non life threatening. If I thought my issue was life threatening I wouldn't hesitate to go to the hospital & pay the $150.00 copay.

While not instant I think the time frame for paying attention to my issue is reasonable.
 
Warrigal said:
That is very worrying. Can you avail yourself of paramedic help. If you rang for an ambulance to come, they might be able to assess her condition and take her to a hospital. There could be a MD who hakes house calls?

I know that the US medical care system is very different to what we have in Australia, and health insurance limits who you can see but, and I hesitate to say this for fear of offending, there must be a solution. Think outside the square and look for a different solution. I would even try ringing local talk back radio to voice your complaint. That might just shift the needle to action for your wife.
Click to expand...

Here last month, I had an ambulance come and take her to the ER. Kept her 2 days, ran lots of tests and said they'd send the results to the PCP. Fat lot of good that has done. :mad: All that came of that was the need for the Dr to run more blood work. Fine... but a little comunication could go a long way.
Ever since investor groups have bought into the health care system, there has become a great lack of doctors. Couple that with the massive influx of seniors coming to the state, and you have a recipe for disaster. :( It's amazing how many Doctors have quit so early.

Never worry about offending me. my hide is thick. :)
 
Vida May said:
Our medical professionals need our help. Democracy is about working together to meet our needs, and we have a cultural crisis due to technology-driven education. This is not just a cultural problem but also an organizational one.

We had a human model of relationships, business, and social, that empowered everyone all the time. This was replaced by a robotic/AI model that has more to do with who will pay the bill and how much time a doctor or dentist spends with a patient. The Professional is now treated like someone working on the conveyor belt, and more than once, the office manager came into the room and, with absolutely no respect for anyone, scolded my doctor or dentist for taking too long with me.

Please give this a moment of thought. Yes, everything is going to hell in a handbag. I know what I am talking about, but I don't have the words for it. It is complex and new. This is not the democracy we defended in two world wars. :cry: What I am talking about is very much about education and a failure to transmit the culture that was the foundation of our democracy.
Click to expand...
I can't agree with much of this and don't see the past through rose-colored glasses.

Healthcare through the early years of my life 1950s - 1980s was nowhere near as good as it is today. Patient's opinions and input were dismissed by most doctors because of that doctors-are-gods complex, and doctors often outright lied to their patients about the seriousness of their conditions.

How many of our older family members had terminal cancer, but the truth was hidden from them because the doctors (quite patronizingly) decided what was best for their patients.

I've never seen an office manager scold any doctor or dentist for the amount of time they took with me, and suspect that those office managers would soon be looking for another job if they'd dared do so.

Health care in the US isn't perfect, but treatments have improved, information access has improved, and most Americans can get appointments within a few days.

The shift in transparency is nothing short of amazing: Test results and doctor's notes are posted immediately to online portals, and so swiftly that it's quite astonishing. The full complement of my annual or specialized blood tests are usually posted within 8-24 hours. I see the results at the same time my doctor does. Access to all my medical records is available for me to download 24/7. Remember the days when you couldn't see your chart? I sure do.

Medical care is a commodity. Medicare and Medicaid help in the US, but nobody except the uber-wealthy can get every possible treatment, test and care available. It's not financially feasible whether in the American system or single-payer plans like Canada, the UK and AU.

I see no connection between what's happening in healthcare and fighting two world wars. That said, since the 1980s I've seen many erosions of what America had long stood for. Medical care has been among the least of it.
 
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