Doctor no longer wants to help me

[Dippy]

I have been going to the same doctor’s surgery for over 8 years. Yesterday was the last time i will be going there. I was seeing a female doctor for a few years (she was also my sons GP) then she got so busy and didn't hide her impatience that i thought it time to move on to another doctor within the surgery. (her impatience was not my doing) So i have had the new doc now for 18mths. My conditions range from depression (severe at times) Arthritis, Spondilitis, Asthma, and now carpel Tunnel and RSI in the elbows. My sons issues have ranged from severe tonsillitis (hospitalized on two occasions he was so ill from it) He has had approx 5 operations for different reasons and is now also suffering from Depression with suicidal tendencies. The previous time i had been to my doctor was approx 2 mths ago, for my son; they informed me they were no longer bulk billing. As a single parent feared we would lose my doctor but would try as best i could to stay with this place. Then i had to go yesterday, budgeting on the excess i would pay, but i had to deal with some of my ongoing health issue's - one being to get a medical certificate from my doctor for Centrelink as i am in the process of applying for an invalid pension and needed the time to gather all the information and apply, so the medical certificate gave me time to do that. My doctor spent quite a bit of time going over things we had discussed in the past, he also asked me a couple of times to remind him of things we had already discussed in the previous 18months as though he couldn’t remember, which was fine with me, but felt time was being wasted going over things he didn’t seem to remember. He asked me if I was taking any medication for my ‘issue’s I informed I had been taking some things but the side effects were too much and I had to follow up with him prior to this but my time was pretty limited to dealing with my sons needs (which are my priority) and the fact this surgery no longer bulk bills slowed my visits down. With that he asked me what my prospects were for working in the next two years, I reminded him I was applying for an invalid pension, to which he seemed a little annoyed. (Centrelink have put me through the motions and advised me to apply)He asked me if I had ever gone to the chemist to purchase medications for any needs I have, I haven’t as I am on a strict budget and they aren’t always affordable (I am also entitled to PBS).

[Dippy]

He then basically started to tell me that after 18 months of trying to ‘fix’ my depression he felt he hasn’t done a good job and that I might need to find a new doctor as he couldn’t help me anymore. He also went on to tell me that most of my ‘issue’s’ were not so much issue’s but compounded by my depression. This I know not to be true as I push myself through my issue’s (and pain)on a daily basis as things have to be done and it’s me that has to do them. He also asked if I was receiving any help with care etc – he should know there is not ONE place that is able to assist me with care. I also informed him that 18 months wasn’t exactly a ‘long’ time to ‘fix’ someone’s depression. So I now have to start from scratch, find a new doctor, begin at the beginning and hope I get lucky with the first one I go to and not have to jump around a lot finding one that I can feel comfortable with.

[kadee]

Look on the bright side. This doc obviously doesn't care about you. Now you have a chance to find one who does care and who has a sincere desire to help you live a happier and healthier life.

Good luck.

[blondy50]

Dippy, don't forget to ask the doctor for all you medical history, so that you can give it to the new doctor, and a good doctor should go over your history so you don't really start from scratch.

[Dippy]

Yes Kadee your right. It's just a big step to move to a new doc. But i am sure it will work out good.

Blondy i remember when i moved to this area and got my med history transferred to 'this' doc it took ages and to be honest was the first time i had ever done that. I was told yesterday i can ask for a copy of my files (freedom on information?) from this doc so i don't have to wait for them to transfer them over.

I'm going to look through the Rate MD's website and start looking for a new doc that way

I must say i'm still tryin to get rid of the sour taste in my mouth this experience has left me.

But up an forward
Thanks

[kadee]

I understand that you probably feel let down even hurt. My elderly daddy recently visited and got off the plane in a terrible state. Turned out he had swine flu. I took him to my GP of 20 years and the next day I needed to ask the doc a question as I was terribly worried about him. I rang and arranged a phone consult and he never bothered to call at the appointed time or the next day or ever.(we went to hospital next day) Thinking back over the last few years I began to see a pattern of more $ less care.

Silly as it sounds I almost felt like he'd dumped me. After 20 years it was like a friend had betrayed me. I want to find another GP but like you it's not so easy.

[jm30]

Dippy, its a tough situation you're in.

It sounds as if the Dr isn't saying he doesn't want to help you, but that he's not qualified to help you.

Depression isn't best controlled by meds, its controlled by finding the cause and curing it.

I know about severe pain, etc, as I was in a major car crash a few years ago and i've had 2 lots of back surgery.

Perhaps its best for you to find a councilor and talk to them.

If the doctor is reluctant to put you on disability, there may be a reason, perhaps he's hoping that you can return to the workplace?

[alphasboystoys]

What is it with Brisbane Doctors lately. I recently got abused by my Doctor of several years & accused of lying when it was actually the receptionist who told bald faced lies & her mates backed her up ... they actually had to go in & read patient notes to concoct their story too no less!

Suffering the same health issues as you Dippy, I understand exactly how you're feeling ... it's like losing your lifeline, the person who knows more about you than another living soul & to start that over is a very daunting task.

JM30, reading your comment, "Depression isn't best controlled by meds" is about the daftest, most unqualified, blatently stupid thing I've ever read on any forum.

Umm, "finding the cause and curing it." ... well Doc JM, what do you suggest in lieu of drugs when the root cause is a CHEMICAL IMBALANCE hmm? Let's just put the drugs aside, eat mung beans & alfalfa sprouts & sing "If You're Happy & You Know it Clap Your Hands" and the depression will miraculously disappear, NOT!!

[vp1959]

Maybe swine flu vaccine will cure depression.

That one`s for you Alphasboystoys.

On one hand, you are discrediting the efficiency/safety of swine flu vaccine, yet on the other hand, you are advocating the use of antidepressants! I really don`t know where you are coming from.

[jemmael]

Hi Dippy, not really sure which medical practice you have been to but I used to go to the one on the corner of Mandew St and Bryants Rd, just opposite National Aust bank when I lived in that area. If this is not the one you are going to it may be worth a try because I found them to be OK. If you are willing to drive about 10 minute there is a very very good doctor at Slacks Creek on Kingston Rd. she has been there for years. A bit hard to get into because she is very popular but I have always found her to be excellent. She is just being the big pet shop near the Argonaught centre. Also there is a Dr on Ewing Rd at Woodridge who is pretty good too. A bit further away is the Dr in Sunnybank Hills shopping town - I cant remember her surname.

[Mystic]

Just want to make a comment so that others will be wary of attending to a Pediatrician in Mackay north QLD, what I would call useless.

[sossie]

This is a totally defamatory comment and against the rules of the forum. You are not to name individuals and this should have been removed the moment you put it up. You have failed to mention exactly how the doctor has failed to help you, nor have you presented any evidence to back up your statement.

NGE Note: The Forum Rules also include declaring a connection to the business/service being complained about.

[sossie]

I am the named doctor in this comment, and have asked for the whole comment to be removed - not just from the body of the comment but from the title as well.
The person making a complaint like this should also be made to name who they are, and then maybe resolution could happen. There are also other avenues in which to persue a complaints process within health-care that a person can turn to before making ridiculous statements on-line; the only motivation I can see is to cause ill-repute and damage my business.
There is no justification for the comment to remain, and if it does so, will attract a legal response from myself.

[kadee]

err...you've named yourself in the head of your own comment. Maybe a little attention to detail for a baby doctor...

[sossie]

you cannot reply to this post and defen your reputation without doing so; how about you read the comment from NGE before you add to the issue?