Should I drop my doctor?

I'd call your doc, again. You didn't mention having a follow up appointment. Do you have one? If not, get one. Even if you decide to change docs, you may have to wait a while to get an appt to see the new one.
I had a biopsy done on a lesion on my ear. It took well over a week for the oncologist to call back. All I could think of was I'm dying of cancer and they're screwing around. Yeah, you're on edge, but a few days doesn't really matter.
BTW, I got angry about the changing of my doc's appointment till a later date-turns out he was in the hospital.
 
I can not even call my doctor directly. I tried. It goes to a general number and I leave a message. Then, a nurse called me back. That was last Friday. I sent my doctor another message this morning. No reply on this one either.
 

I really understand your concern/worry regarding your issue.
In my experience regarding GPs over the years, an attending nurse calls if GP is a busy schedule packed up with many patients. So, I was quite shock to read your thread/post, ... there is no answer/concern. In my guess tho', your GP has been consulting with other, specialists to determine the lump on your leg before telling you an accurate diagnosis, but again at least GP should instruct his nurse to call you back regarding the process/working on your issue.

Regarding whether you should drop the GP, ... it's very tough to say, because it's very hard to find a competent and good-natured GP. I went though four different GPs within four years' period after my truly competent Geriatric dr, retired, ... the next Geriatric was as very similar practice' as the former GP, but unfortunately he passed away after he contacted Covid which suspected from one of patients. After that, another GP who was good, but medication rxs is not like the previous GPs, guessing that he got his med. education/degree is in foreign county where he was born and raised that is not like here, in US, by hearing from my age, older-aged friends.

Last fall, I found a good, more competent Geriatric although it's 45 to one hour drive. However, waiting time is problematic because once I needed to sit to wait for almost 2 and a half hours. Afterwards, I chose his Physician Assistant working alongside with the Geriatric in the same office. He is almost really GP, but he has been consulting with Geriatric before rx any meds. and diagnostics. So far, I'm very happy about this arrangement.

In your case, it might be a good idea to seek for Demotologist because the issue is also related to the skin. If I were you, I stay with the current GP if he's competent and good fior prescribe any medications you need now and in future.
 
Well I finally heard back with a call from my doctor. He spoke with a specialist and said it was not a simple lipoma and an MRI should be done. So I am on hold with the MRI scheduler, which might be as long as a half hour wait. But at least I getting somewhere now.

I did not get a return message however.

UPDATE: MRI day after tomorrow!
 
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I'm REALLY glad to see your update, .... the Dr. has been working on your issue. Also, sound a good GP, but like my current GP who is less care about his patients waiting to see him for hours.
I did a couple of times on MRI for the past three years, one for my spine and the other for my scoliosis which is an excruciating pain radiating from upper thigh to ankle, but with Tramadol I've been doing well almost 'pain-free.'
Please keep update.
 
Looking like this cyst (I am assuming that is what this is) will be removed. I got a call to set up an appointment for consultation with a surgeon next Monday. Perhaps they will biopsy it after removal. I would want it removed as I feel it when I crouch down and that will only get worse if it grows.

I am guessing my GP did not want to leave any written record of what this was, or possibly was, for his own protection.
 
Michael Z said:
Looking like this cyst (I am assuming that is what this is) will be removed. I got a call to set up an appointment for consultation with a surgeon next Monday. Perhaps they will biopsy it after removal. I would want it removed as I feel it when I crouch down and that will only get worse if it grows.

I am guessing my GP did not want to leave any written record of what this was, or possibly was, for his own protection.
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That last line......... " Not wanting to record anything, for his own protection " is EXACTLY what is wrong with the practice of medicine in the United States. The fear of being sued is the cause of terrible mis-management of people's heath care , in your country. In Canada the practice is the exact opposite.

Doctors here RECORD EVERYTHING THEY SAY AND DO, to be sure that the patient is getting the correct care, from everyone included in their health care team. Example. TODAY I had a video conference with the surgeon who did a bilateral hernia procedure on me, on January the third of this year. We discussed my recovery, and how well my incisions had healed.

About 2 hours later, his summary report of our consultation was in my E mail inbox here at home, and it was also sent electronically to 3 other Doctors who also follow me, for various medical conditions. The same day. The same goes for any blood work, the results of which will be in my inbox the following day, or for any CT MRI or cardiac testing results. No hiding stuff from patients here. JImb.
 
Michael Z said:
Looking like this cyst (I am assuming that is what this is) will be removed. I got a call to set up an appointment for consultation with a surgeon next Monday. Perhaps they will biopsy it after removal. I would want it removed as I feel it when I crouch down and that will only get worse if it grows.

I am guessing my GP did not want to leave any written record of what this was, or possibly was, for his own protection.
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I'm not sure what you mean by last sentence? What wouldn't he be leaving a record of and why not?

A cyst is not malignant or urgent so nothing really seems amiss in the time frame of treatment or response to me.

Can't speak for US but everything surgically removed here in Australia is sent for pathology so "biopsied" if you like.
 
By leaving a message, he is leaving a written record that could somehow be used against him, should this be cancer resulting in death.
But I have a physical in a few weeks with this GP and I will ask him why he never returned my messages.
 
As to the "should I drop my doctor" question, personally, I don't think that is a good idea, not while you are having tests and/or treatment. I hope all goes well and it turns out not to be serious. (y)
 
Michael Z said:
By leaving a message, he is leaving a written record that could somehow be used against him, should this be cancer resulting in death.
But I have a physical in a few weeks with this GP and I will ask him why he never returned my messages.
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A phone call wouldn't be a written message though and I dont get what he would of sent in a emailed or texted message that would in any way be used against him and the time frame of response doesn't seem unreasonable to me anyway.
 
againstthegrain said:
Yeah you're reaching on this making drama were there is none.
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Well, the real prospect of a sarcoma with only a 65% average recovery rate provides the drama for me. And MyChart states “Please allow up to 48 hours for a reply” in the Messages area. No other doctor has ever not replied to my message. I might still leave this doctor in the future, just not now, as many of you have wisely advised.
 
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Michael Z said:
Looking like this cyst (I am assuming that is what this is) will be removed. I got a call to set up an appointment for consultation with a surgeon next Monday. Perhaps they will biopsy it after removal. I would want it removed as I feel it when I crouch down and that will only get worse if it grows.

I am guessing my GP did not want to leave any written record of what this was, or possibly was, for his own protection.
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I would be surprised if they didn't biopsy what they remove. As far as your doctor, they say "you know what you've got but you never know what you'll get". Perhaps it took him a while to get the information he wanted to have before getting back to you. But since you'll have a face to face soon, if I were you I'd let him know you were not happy with the time it took to get some answers, in a nice way of course. Wish the best for you with the surgery and resolution of this issue.
 
Well, there are a number of doctors accepting new patients in our 45 min driving distance as there are several large clinics. If I do switch, I will definitely not do anything until this current issue is completely addressed. Most likely, I would just schedule an annual physical with a new GP about a year from now.

Was supposed to have the MRI today but due to a staff shortage (emergency) I had to reschedule to Tuesday.
 
In my personal experience over the years, GPs, Ortho, Dentist, Demotologist and more, I did switch to other, more friendly and patient-oriented Drs, although it's very tough to find Dr. who seems to fit to my need and expectation.

For instance, my orth-dr. is an excellent and experienced dr. in his field, but I can get only 20 days' supply for each meds. (I take three different meds. for my Scoliosiss and arthritis on my back), although I'm his 5 years' patient, although each visit, asked him to send CVS 3-months' supply, but never done that. Recently, I asked my current GP for prescribing all of three meds. and he sent CVS for three months' supply with 3 refills to all of three). Dentist is very tough to find a right one. The other drs. are all good, but I rarely need to visit them because of no meds. needed.

Before venture to seek for a right dr., I always do 'Homework,' over the Internet, i.e., dr. overall ratings, such as waiting time, attentive to patients and more. I never chose any of dr. whose rating is below 70%.

It's totally in my opinion, but if you're not happy the current GP, it's time to look for other GP in the distance of 45 minutes' drive. It's worth after all, because in my personal experience, any of Drs. do not change his approach, i.e. response to messages and asking any questions in person. Some of drs. even no responses at all.
 
Rather than waiting weeks to see my GP, I recently visited a drop-in medical clinic about some leg pain I have and was informed that I should get an ultrasound done. It was a good thing I did since the ultrasound found a torn tendon in left leg and an even more serious problem with the right. I an now waiting to get a MRI done on the right leg. There are other medical options available in BC such as going to a hospital emergency location or contacting an urgent care nurse but for me finding a good drop-in clinic seems to work the best.
 
Well, I met with my doctor today for a general checkup. At the end I asked why I did not get a return message. He sort of himmed and hawed a bit, but said he was uncertain of the results and wanted to run them by the other doctor.

So what happened was he was concerned with what was reported, seeing this could indeed be cancerous, and wanted to get another opinion. That other doctor did not get back to him right away and he wanted to call me in person as opposed to using the messaging system, as maybe he felt it was essential to deliver such news in person over the phone rather than a message. He seems like he would think that. I said that even if he was uncertain, he should have let me know.

Meanwhile, I had a biopsy two days ago. The second doctor, an orthopedic surgeon, stated it was about a 50% chance of cancer, so yes, this was kind of an important thing.

So then, I get home and I get a message from the orthopedic surgeon clarifying the preliminary results of my biopsy. She messaged me about 15 min after I met with the doctor so I think he may have contacted her to give me an update.

I will stay with this doctor I think. I really do like him. I don't think I will have any more issues with messages not returned.

If it is cancer, the mass will be irradiated and then removed - the prospects for this look favorable.
 
I had a similar situation several years ago. My doctor of 20 years was stuffing me full of medications which in combination could cause a condition known as death. I asked for two years to review the medications and possibly change them; to which he refused. I got fed up, and also getting tired of the 80 mile round trip, I changed doctors.

My new doctor, after reviewing my medication list, made some slight changes. The result? My blood pressure is down to very acceptable limits [around 120/80]; 60 lb weight loss; no more GERD. Now my only medication problem is remembering to take them!

Plus, he also noticed another problem that the previous doctor didn't even notice [or did he even care?]. He discovered that 3 of my coronary arteries were over 90% blocked! I had the surgery; I'm doing just fine.
 
Update. The needle biopsy did not find cancer but could not rule it out. So it was recommended I get a surgical biopsy or a surgical removal of the tumor followed by biopsy and then radiation if needed. I will have the surgery for removal today. So things are moving to a point of some conclusion. I very much like my orthopedic surgeon - she has fit me into her schedule several times now to move this along. She is closer to my age and is a runner and will be careful to preserve nearby muscle in the surgery so that I can resume my jogging.
 

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