Bad Doctors

NEVER let a doctor or a therapist hurt you! If a treatment hurts -- something is wrong and they should stop immediately!

Dave and I have both been going to a Chiropractor/accupuncturist/kinesologist for treatment. I have fibromyalgia and he has not been able to be diagnosed in spite of multiple doctors and every test they could do. I went to a Reiki practitioner who helped me and highly recommended Dr. T. Having had very good experiences in the past with chiropractors and with a kinesologist, I was far too trusting and Dave didn't know what to expect.

He did some things that I was sure were window dressing, including passing a vibrating tuning fork over your body and having you put on certain colored glasses. But since I don't pretend to know everything I went along with it. He also was using something called an "Ion Cleanse" that we had to pay extra for. It was supposed to cleanse the toxins by us putting our feet in salt water while this little box connected to a control box sat in the water. It turned it reddish brown, which was supposed to be the toxins being drawn out. Dave swore he felt better after the first few treatments, my legs hurt just as bad, but the doctor blew that off.

Then he started doing a treatment which involved him shoving his stiffened fingers deep into my lower right abdomen while holding a vibrator. The first treatments were uncomfortable. The next to last one hurt and I told him it did. Then he did it unexpectedly this last time and it was sheer agony. I arched up in too much pain to cry out or even try to escape. I was literally paralyzed by the pain. When he stopped and I blinked the tears away enough to be able to see he was scowling at me as was his assistant. I let my breath out, but couldn't speak. He moved to my head and hauled an arm above my head (he tends to grab and pull sometimes painfully) and demanded I "relax." I whispered that I couldn't and he didn't respond.

Dave came into the room as his treatment was after mine. The doctor then moved to my feet, grabbed the left foot and hauled it into the air. It hurt so bad I literally shot down the table about a foot. I startled him and he demanded to know what was the matter. I reminded him that it hurt me to be grabbed. I had screamed the last time he did that and I thought he learned his lesson. Apparently not. He finished with me, avoided my question about exactly what the "ion cleanse" did and went onto Dave.

I sat in the ion cleanse hurting like hell and getting madder by the minute. I was up half the night putting ice on my very inflamed abdomen. I experienced periods of incontinence (oh joy) and more pain for the next week. I'm still a bit achy and will go for a CAT scan this week. I wrote this quack a letter, told him he hurt me and that I will not be back.

I got today for therapy on my lower back, which he hurt earlier and my knees that he never did help. I am also going to find a lawyer and try to get my money back as well as seeing if his certifying agencies can smack him one. I found out that he has hurt Dave as badly as he hurt me, but being a guy, he didn't want to admit it. This "doctor" is dangerous and abusive and I am going to try to make him less so.

Now, I go to my regular doctor for help and I get a stern lecture on going to "quacks" (any chiropractor) and am told that my fibro is all in my head. This doctor who has been telling me that there is no new treatment for the last 3 years doesn't believe in fibromyalgia! I tell him about my knees (again, I've already been to him for a physical therapy referral for them) and he said it might be bursitis, but dropped the subject. Then he said fibro is caused by being out of shape and that I need to work out until I am very fit and my weight is normal (something that is NOT true.) He also said it's caused by depression and mentioned me going on Welbutrin, but dropped that subject to harangue me about chiropractic care again.

He did a blood test and I requested he test my Magnesium level since my leg cramping is still severe. He didn't like that suggestion but said he would. So I left depressed, hurting, insulted and thoroughly pissed off. I have had the worst medical care of my life since moving here in spite of being on Yale's doorstep.

I did some internet research and believe that my knee pain is from chrondromalacia (aka runner's knee) and that it responds well to therapy and that the doctor *should* have diagnosed back in December! So I'm going to get therapy for myself. I'm also going to find another doctor and try to kick Dr. T's egotistical ***. And I am going to question every freaking thing any doctor says to me from now on.

If you go to any type of health care practitioner and they hurt you without very good explanation...stop and find another person to see. If they will not explain a treatment -- find someone else. Ask questions, even questions as simple as "do you understand and treat the disease that I have?" Some doctors are even more ignorant than lay people and are quite willing to hurt you with their prejudices.

Good luck finding the care you deserve.

Peace,
Jane

I could not agree more strongly. If you are seeing a physician or a healthcare provider of any kind ALWAYS know why they are treating you and take an ACTIVE role in your healthcare. If it hurts, don't continue without fully understanding what is going on at all times. Additionally, I might suggest that you interview physicians before becoming a patient. Call the office and ask if they are accepting new patients. If the answer is yes, then schedule an office interview. Make sure that you feel comfortable with your provider and that they are interested in working with you on your health. (often younger practitioners are really very open to this relationship as it is now part of their education!) Additionally, if you are sick and tired of the "its all in your head phenom" that is a well-documented part of women's healthcare, make it your business to seek out a female practitioner. Studies show that they are in fact less likely to chalk your condition up to your "hormones".

Lower back, boy do I now about that. And MAJOR arm pain, the type you literally scream over it hurts so bad.

The BacK: Years ago I blew out a disc, went to chiro and he kinda helped it simmer down. Was never right tough. Pain in the morning, almost always. But pain is something we can get used to. And I did.

The arm: Thsi one was bad. I believe it due to stress. Stress can do bad things to the body. My arm was so inflamed the pain was... indescribable. A chiro in Fla helped a little to get it dwon for my trip back to NC.

Now, the amazing part. Found a local Chiro, who practices MyoFacial (sp?) Release. 5 sessions and the arm was fine. No pain. She has worked on my back now for 2 years (I go every 2-3 months for a 40 min session) and my back is now that of a 30 year old, mostly.

She laments that chiros do not treat the cause - THE MUSCLES, but go to the symptoms- Out of line spine. Unless it is a direct blow causing damage to the spine, NOTHING moves that spine out of line but the muscles attached to it.

Physically, I have never felt better. But I must say that had she been around when I blew out my disc, she probably could have repaired it had I gotten to her soon enough. Now it is the best it can be, but will never be perfect.

If I recall, she treats fibromyalgia and is successful. I'll check with her next session, perhaps in Sept or Oct.

An older woman (60's, 70's) who walked hunched over is her patient. I have seen her, and she is standing straight. This chiro has also put a man back on the dancefloor.

I'm so amazed to see how many names people give to specialities that never existed.

I bet these guys are not MD, right? Most of them are physiotherapists who shouldn't be making any diagnosis, but following the prescriptions of a real medical doctor, because they are not qualified to make diagnosis. Unless it's very different in the US...

In Brazil some real MDs use their degrees to practice alternative medicine, I won't even name them since I know some of our members believe in these, and are now forbidden to do it. I agree with the medical association, these things are not submitted to research, they often refuse research, and are made essentially by those who want to make money or have unfounded esoteric beliefs... and if it's just a belief, they shouldn't be charging real consultation fees for that, as a doctor.

My opinion is, if you have a real condition, go to a real doctor. You can always try new things, but have no illusions.

And it shouldn't hurt, when it does, the doctor should prepare you before for what awaits you. This is what our code of deontology says, and I believe it's international.

i know women who have fibro & i have also done searches online...there r several things u can do to help the pain but cant make it go away completely...i have the symtoms for it but cannot say i actually have it....but i can say that if u r at a weight that is good for ur height that does help...i am a lil over 5'3 & weighed 103 lbs a couple yrs ago...i have gained 52 lbs...in 2 yrs & i have the aches & pains...my knees go out on me i have horrible pains & soreness in my arms...& i get spasms in my back...doc says im depressed also & too much stress which i do agree to some extent but i know there is more to it....& im only 31! i have heard yoga helps alot but im not a flexible person & i probably...i do need to learn to relax more....with all the problems i have its amazing i get outta bed at all...i just got a call tonite that the doc wants to c me in the morning cuz something came back in my blood test results...blah when does it end?...sorry had to vent...ive also seen my share of quacks

I also have fibro and chronic fatigue. The best medicine I have found for it is to fight it. Don't give in. Keep moving. I know that my stress and depression aggravate the condition. I know more weight does also. I smoke and that cuts down oxygen. I am not surprised, then, I have these things.
I have seem my share of dr. because I had thyroid surgery at 25 and hysterectomy at 35 so have to be watched. Finally, I quit looking for a "cure" for all the things wrong and learned to "manage" much of the pain. The loss of hormornal producing things causes much distress in the body even if replaced by synthetics. I have to live with this...........so, I read everything and keep on keeping on. If something knew comes along to help or manage better, I tell my dr. I am sorry for Jane and David's bad experience. I go to a wonderful chriopractic team. They keep all those pesky muscles where they belong. Helps a lot.