The continuing saga of Doc Crazy
First, I don’t have issues with all doctors – just my OB. I took Sabrina to her 18 month appointment yesterday and was reminded of how much I love her pediatrician. I have a little non-romantic crush on him because I am so tired of battling my own doctor and he is everything a doctor should be. Interested but not in a stalker kind of way. Kind. Warm. Informative without threatening death. Anyway, Miss Sabrina continues to be a little peanut. I was shocked to find she was only 21 pounds. I was sure she was in the neighborhood of 24 (actually by the end of some days she feels like 54 lbs). Her doctor wasn’t concerned because her height and weight are proportionate and still on the charts. She was declared healthy and seemingly well adjusted. I will continue to see him for both Sabrina and the new baby despite the fact it will be 25 miles from the new house.
On to the (hopefully) last chapter of my Doc Crazy story. I canceled my appointment with her last Wednesday because something came up. It is the first appointment I have ever canceled. Her office called at the time my appointment was to have occurred to inquire why I canceled (umm…none of your business) and when I would reschedule. I decided to find another OB and made an appointment with that office. This week I intended to call and get a copy of my file – officially completing the break up.
Last night in the mail, I received a letter (dated the day I canceled the appointment) from her listing all of the ways I’ve been non-compliant and threatening to break up with me first. I was livid. She was basically saying that I’ve been purposefully endangering my baby. The things she listed were ridiculous. She said I refused the cerclage. Not true. I simply wanted to discuss it before I let her sew me shut. She told me to go home and research it and we would discuss it at my next appointment. She never brought it up again so I thought she had decided it wasn’t indicated. She stated I refused the amniocentsis. Again not true. I consented to it but before doing so I told her I wanted to discuss the risk and the procedure and her reasons for wanting to do it. She gave me a very brief explanation and I told her that if she felt it was necessary I would consent. She said I have continued unaddressed high blood pressure. Not true. In her office my readings are always high (gee, wonder why). At her insistence, I bought a home BP monitor. I took it 3 times a day for a month. Each and every reading was below normal. I then backed down to once a day. Each and every reading has been below normal. At my last appointment, the reading in her office was again high. She looked at the chart of my home readings, sighed, and said that she had to believe what was right before her eyes – meaning she was calling me a liar and stating she believed her readings were correct and mine were manufactured. That was really the last straw for me. Her last instance of non-compliance was my refusal for weekly appointments and then when they attempted to “compromise” with me by making them bi-weekly I then canceled an appointment.
I can’t even describe my anger last night. It was probably disproportionate but honestly I felt like I was being likened to a pregnant woman who is smoking, drinking, and doing crack. I have done everything this crazy lady has asked of me but I guess my audacity at wanting to discuss decisions and be a participant in my own care makes me non-compliant. I wrote a letter addressing each point she made and faxed it over this morning. I also called and told the med tech to copy my chart and have it ready for me to pick up on Friday morning. I am so glad I had already decided to make the break.
You showed incredible restraint. I would have totally marched into her office this morning and detailed out each item and how she actually had failed ME.
I totally slapped your doctor silly in my mind alla Ally McBeal.
Good grief. If you haven’t decided on someone yet I can highly recommend the practice I’m in. All the doctors are wonderful.
Dude, she’s a freak!
I’m so glad you stopped seeing her. There are benefits and risks with every medical decision and its up to you (NOT HER) to decide what benefits outweigh the risks.
I would probably b-slap her, and I’m not even pregnant.
Holy Crazy Lady!! I hope you find someone wonderful! Congrats on the break-up!
Wow… I am so proud of you… You are being so nice…
But, you will be there Friday… So… Relax, do some Yoga ;)… You got to keep that Blood Pressure down!…
HUGS
wow. what a jerk. sooooo glad you already decided to move on.
I’m guessing you are not the first patient to break up with her. yikes.
Oh Michelle. I feel so badly that you have to go through this! Dealing with a crazy person sucks when you’re not pregnant let alone during this time when things are supposed to be special and full of joy. I can’t believe she sent you that letter. You’re definitely handling it better than I would. I probably would curl up and cry for a few days and then slap her ass with some kind of lawsuit!
I wish you nothing but positive experience with the new doctor. Maybe you can interview current patients before you pick.
I’m also very proud of you. Good luck with the new doctor.
This lady sounds like she is on a real power trip!! I can’t believe that she dosen’t feel that you have any right to your own concerns about your baby!!!!!
Good for you…I’d have dumped her too!
What a freak.
WHAT A NUT!!!!!!!!!!! I too would have marched my booty righ tto her office!!! Shame on her for being such a BAD Dr with no MORALS and RESPECT for her patients.
I’m glad you broke it off with her!!!
Hope your new OB is better… wait anyone is better that NUT LADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m glad you’re changing, too.
I have a feeling that none of this is personal, though; the letter faxed to you sounds exactly like CYA documentation should something happen and you decide to sue her later.
OB/GYNs have the highest malpractice insurance rates of any specialty.
Okay… I know you must be livid because that has MY blood boiling. She needs help… perhaps her own doctor of a mental sort!
Yikes. What a mess. Make a clean a break and start over, I say.
She’s a whackadoo, and I’m glad you’re rid of her. I would have been crying in anger if I got a letter like that. I don’t think it’s enough to fax her. I think you should have it out with her to her face. Tell her what a psycho she is, in front of as many patients of hers as possible.
But I’m a Senorita Cranky Pants these days. Maybe it’s just best for your health to write her off and forget about it.
Go here and see how she rates: http://ratemds.com/social/
If she’s not on there, you can add her and then rate her.
What a flake!
wowser…
I agree w/the above comment…sounds like she was covering her own ass b/c she knew she was failing you. It’s doubtful she’s insightful enough to realize that, other than to think of self preservation.
All of that makes me even more pissed!! She KNEW something wasn’t right in the doctor patient relationship, but instead of working it out, she blames and runs.
Bitch.
Yikes!! Congrats on the breakup. I hope your new doctor is better – but as someone else said – anything has to be better than this one!!!
Oh, I’m afraid the pregnant me would have gone crazy on this woman! Y’know, it occurs to me there may be some board or organization you should send a letter to about Dr. Crazy. Kind of like when a lawyer behaves unprofessionally you let the bar association know. I’m all about holding people accountable…not necessarily to be vidictive! You just never know who you may be helping down the line.
Single, white, OB female. Cra-zazy!!
First I have to say that an amnio is NEVER required – EVER. There is a risk of miscarriage – so in the history of the world, amnios are always the providence of the expectant mother.
I agree that she’s maybe litigation concerned. That being said, I will bet you cash American money that if she is that liability minded, there is not a snowball’s chance in hell you would have had a vaginal delivery with her. Having had 3 csxns myself, you really don’t want them unless they are absolutely necessary – my 1st was necessary (breech baby, low amniotic fluid so no version attempted), my dr. wouldn’t do 2 & 3 as VBACs b/c of med mal insurance issues. If you need one, you need one – but you don’t want one just b/c the dr. is afraid you will sue her after a vaginal delivery.
I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this during what is suppose to be a time of celebration. Good thing she’s history! I hope your next doc is non-romantic-crush worthy.
Good job m’lady. sounds to me like she just has an issue with any patient that can actually THINK and will state her needs. A touch of the God complex, I suspect. I’d say the high bp readings in her office are enough of a sign alone (forget all of her inappropriate responses) to not deliver with her.
At least you found out the extreme level of crazy now while it is still early. And congratulations on your restraint…I would have gone OFF!
OH MY GOSH
you are so Elaine.
to the millionth degree.
Id have been on fire yesterday as well.
heres hoping you can kind of laugh today.
C.
PSYCHO. That is the only word I have. I also wonder about her concern for you. It is a bit over the top for a DR. Have you ever talked with any of her other patients??
At least the kids Dr. is good…………
Deep breathing…….keep the blood pressure down.
Did she ever stop to think… looking at your charts versus their readings… that perhaps SHE was the cause of your high blood pressure?????? Oh… and lots of people refuse amnio’s everyday (myself included)… doesn’t make us negligent parents. I just know that *I* wouldn’t abort no matter what, so… there’s no point in the risk. Choices… we all have them, thankfully!
Good Lord!! So glad you are changing!! Hope you love, love your new doctor!!!
Good grief. Michelle, how dare you question her and have the nerve to take an active role in your own medical care?!? How dare you be your own (and your baby’s) best health care advocate? How could you actually want to be a partner with your doctor as it relates to your care, instead of just following orders?
Did she have a postscript that said, “By the way, I’m sending this to my attorney so in case you ever want to sue me I’ve covered my butt.”
Seriously, after reading all the posts about her the last several months, I say good riddance! Good luck with the new doc!
oh no she didn’t!!!!!! That bitch has gotta go!
Chalk it up to CYA and the fact that she’s just a plain control freak. Never can understand why there are doctor’s out there like that or what they even think they are truly accomplishing. Good for you for GETTING out. This is suppose to be a truly “enjoyable” time and that doctor is certainly not worth the time or stress.
So glad you are moving on. The lady is nuts and she is covering her butt. RUN FROM THE PSYCHO!!!!!!!!!
I just discovered your blog. I really enjoy your writing. Thank goodness for standing up for quality care. I too went through a similar experience with my third and it was so hard.
Also, I looked for a way to contact you privately. Is there any way you could email me? I promise you it isn’t anything freaky or spam-ish.
Thanks,
Amy Lynn
I would kick her to the curb so fast.. What a fat head. Sounds like she is not used to patients that actually participate in their health care decisions. Besides she probably isn’t doing any of this to benefit you or your baby, she is just lining her pockets and cya. So typical of MD’s these days.
I highly recommend that you tell your health insurance company, and that you send a nice little note to the department of insurance in your state. I’m in the business, and it’s important for people to file complaints so they don’t endanger people’s health. This woman sounds like a nutjob.