The Dr's Appointment

[Guest therisa]

Yesterday morning, I had booked an emergency appointment with my doctor, concerning my reaction to the last anti-depressant that he prescribed to me. Looking back, I would have been, better off, not making the phone call to his office. Anxiety had its grips into my body and had to fight to leave my apartment and take the streetcar, there. There were several times, I had to physically resist the impulse to physically, runaway from the waiting room. Nothing could grab my attention long enough to relax, in the half packed waiting room.

Finally, my turn came and I entered into my doctor’s little office. After exchanging banal pleasantries, I explain the past 6 days experiences with Burpropion and its affects upon me. The look he gave me, should have warned me, where he thought I was mentally and towards trans-patients, in general. This is the man, who teaching new medical intents, who plan to specialize, in family medicine, to handle us.

First, he tried to blame it on everything but the anti-depressant, which is the only change in the medical cocktail, I have to take on a daily basis, for diabetes and other related health issues. When that failed, he went after Estrogen, implying it was unhinging me, mentally. Give me, a freaking break, here. I have been taking Estrogen for almost 23 months now, with the last increase in my dosage, occurred more than 9 months ago. After failing on this, he blames the weather. Like hello? The weather has been, a lot hotter, in July, and I didn’t experience any of these symptoms. The weather in Toronto, over the Civic Long Weekend, was a very livable 23 to 26 C, with no humidity and a mild breeze blowing. Hardly, the type of weather to cause me, to want to crank my A/C down to 12 C, as a result of prolong periods of my body, rapidly heating up.

Maybe, the way I described my reaction, may have not been up to his medical standards, but I am not a doctor, either. But there was no excuse, for his treatment of me. Just another reason, I can’t trust and dread having to spent time, in his presence.

It was, only after, I started to talk with a friend, about my experiences, yesterday, did it really kicked in, for me. I started to break down and cry, as anger battled for, its spot beside me. This morning has been filled with alternating bouts of tears and anger at me, for letting this happen to me. I should have done something, more, at the time, instead taking it passively. When my nurse comes back, later this month, I will take action against him, even if, I have to take him, to a discipline board, to get my piece of justice.

[JJ]

Therisa

Can you find yourself another Dr, who is used to trans issues and HRT ? Statistics have proved that the majority of Drs see women as being more hysterical and less credible because of estrogen and the effects they are trained to believe it has on females. It's a prejudice that causes the lives of hundreds-perhaps thousands of women every year as women's symptoms are discounted as hysteria and conditions are diagnosed too late. Add the trans issue in with your HRT and this Dr. doesn't hear you. Has a mind already made up

If that is the kind of Dr. you have find another one. Even if it means a lot of extra aniety and going through the whole medical history again and extra travel. You need to find someone who will be able to hear you and give you the care you need.

Love

JJ

[Guest Elizabeth K]

It seems to me that his attitude toward you is flawed, and now your resentment against him has rendered your continued treatment under him as impossible.

I suggest you locate another physician, and as to the action you suggest against him? Just let it go. His behavour will eventually tell through, and he will either reevaluate his attitudes or will go into another field. Seeking action will only poison you, and you have enough drama in your life.

Elizabeth Anne

[Guest therisa]

Therisa

Can you find yourself another Dr, who is used to trans issues and HRT ? Statistics have proved that the majority of Drs see women as being more hysterical and less credible because of estrogen and the effects they are trained to believe it has on females. It's a prejudice that causes the lives of hundreds-perhaps thousands of women every year as women's symptoms are discounted as hysteria and conditions are diagnosed too late. Add the trans issue in with your HRT and this Dr. doesn't hear you. Has a mind already made up

If that is the kind of Dr. you have find another one. Even if it means a lot of extra aniety and going through the whole medical history again and extra travel. You need to find someone who will be able to hear you and give you the care you need.

Love

JJ

I am on a waiting list at another clinic, which trans-patient, but won't hear from them until late October, early November. I will asking my nurse to help me, find another dr, who isn't under his control, at this clinic that I currently go to. I have enough refill on my various meds, to last until early 2011, but its the various blood tests that I need done, which concerns me.

Doctors here, can cherrypick the patients that they want to have. Given my medical history, most will not touch me, with a ten foot pole and a $1,000 note attacted to it. Just the facts, JJ.

[gennee]

JJ makes a good point, Therisa. Find another doctor if you are not happy with the one you have.

Gennee

[Guest therisa]

It seems to me that his attitude toward you is flawed, and now your resentment against him has rendered your continued treatment under him as impossible.

I suggest you locate another physician, and as to the action you suggest against him? Just let it go. His behavour will eventually tell through, and he will either reevaluate his attitudes or will go into another field. Seeking action will only poison you, and you have enough drama in your life.

Elizabeth Anne

Honest, this is the one time, I have ever thought of taking a stance against anyone.

[JJ]

Hopefully you'll come across a Dr who will see your medical history as a challenge to get it right for you. Or one with the confidence and carring to meet your needs, They are out there-somewhere.

I understand your need and anxiety to get this resolved.

But sometimes it takes time. That hurts and I'm sorry for that.

Me-I'm one of those people who prays "Lord give me patience. AND GIVE IT TO ME NOW!!"

Love

JJ

[Guest Opal]

Hi Therisa,

Thank you for sharing this with us, and letting us know more detail as to what is going on. I would imagine that it would not work to see one of the interns who might be able to help you. Is there any way of contacting your nurse prior to your nurse's scheduled visit? It may be of use for your nurse to know now, rather than later.

Sorry Therisa, but there are a lot of differences between our two countries' Health Systems. Perhaps someone more familiar with your country's system will post here with some ideas not already mentioned.

Big Huggs,

Opal

[Guest therisa]

Hi Therisa,

Thank you for sharing this with us, and letting us know more detail as to what is going on. I would imagine that it would not work to see one of the interns who might be able to help you. Is there any way of contacting your nurse prior to your nurse's scheduled visit? It may be of use for your nurse to know now, rather than later.

Sorry Therisa, but there are a lot of differences between our two countries' Health Systems. Perhaps someone more familiar with your country's system will post here with some ideas not already mentioned.

Big Huggs,

Opal

Opal, she is on a sabbatical until the end of the month, upgrading herself, to a nurse-practrican (pardon my spelling here).

[Guest Opal]

Opal, she is on a sabbatical until the end of the month, upgrading herself, to a nurse-practrican (pardon my spelling here).

Would that possibly give her the authority to change the anti-depressant? Is anyone filling in for her while she is away?

Sorry, wish I had better answers for you.

Huggs,

Opal

[Guest therisa]

Would that possibly give her the authority to change the anti-depressant? Is anyone filling in for her while she is away?

Sorry, wish I had better answers for you.

Huggs,

Opal

Opal, just being here and talking with me, is helpful. There is a shortage of gps in most Canadian provinces, and if you got one, you hang on to them like dear life, even if, he's a royal screw up. Not sure, I know she will be able to prescribe some drugs, which ones, don't know.

[Guest Opal]

Hi Therisa,

Well by all means keep posting. People help me here all of the time, and it is nice to know that there are caring people out there to help us.

Huggs,

Opal