Hello!
Today was my first neurologists appointment after 7 years. I was afraid of the doctor not believing in my symptoms, saying it's depression, but what actually happened shocked me so bad, I was left speachless and couldn't stop crying for 2 hours.
So I went in the consulting room, gave her my 8 years old MRI that clearly shows Chiari Malformation, some papers, and while she viewed them, I started teling about my symptoms, trying to explain what are they like(how sevire, how long they last in different situations, if they ever stop), but she interrupted me after a minute or two. I managed to tell that I don't have the headache type I used to have, and that I'm feeling so bad, I haven't worked for 2 months. I remember ~30% of what happened in the visit, because I was so shocked and upset. So she aksed some questions(symptom unrelated). She asked what do I do for living, to what I replied- I play(or used to) online poker. That was it. She had all the answers she needed. Started asking about my finances, and to my answers she had some sarcastical comments, like" I didn't know you could make money by sitting at computer" or something, half of that saying in russian. We live in Latvia and our national language is latvian. Then she said: "You probably have depression because you are looseing money". How the f*** do you know that?! Have you sat beside me and witnessed that? Never mind the fact I have lived with this for 8 years.
How can a person be a doctor by having absolutely no interest in their patients symptoms, and then jumping to such conclusions?
I was crying so bad, I couldn't speak. Then she said she can put me in the hospital for 3 days for obserations. After 2 weeks! "I will call the director and ask for immidiate mri" she said. 2 weeks. and not a word about what can I do until then. Then she gave me my papers back, got up from her chair and wnent to call in the next patient, while showing me out. WTF? I genuinely ask WTF?
I'm going back to the hospital tomorrow to see my family doctor(I don't know what they are called in the US), I'll tell about this, and I'll also write a complaint about my todays most unpleasant experience.
Oh, and I forgot to mention- the neurologist I saw, she is the chief neurologist in the department.
I could never trust that kind of person to be my doctor. So I'll find someone else. I don't think anyone could top this in terms of bad.
Sorry for the cursing. I just ... I can't.
I know I'll find someone better, who will help me. Thanks for reading. Have a nice day!
P.S. One suggestion- if you're seeing a doctor for the first time, take someone with you!