What do you do when your Doctor isn’t Listening?


I need a team that will Rally Together!
I have been going to the same neurologist for over 10 years. Therefore, I love my doctor, my nurse, and the front office. My nurse was the first person to know I was pregnant. There were hugs, excitement, and nervousness, of course, but they were with me all the way. They were the first to tell me, “I’m not nuts.” They were like family to me. Thus, They have kept the office open on holidays for emergency visits, called in scripts, and made me feel like we were a TEAM. These are things I’ll never forget to talk about with my doctor.
Unfortunately, the front office has recently changed, and most dramatically, my doctor left. I was shocked when she left but understood her reasoning and believed I would be left in good hands.
Without bashing the new doctor, I will say that she and I don’t seem to mesh. She has been sarcastic with me, didn’t acknowledge what I had been doing for the last 10 years, didn’t listen to my concerns, and passed them off as unimportant. I had a knot in my stomach leaving after the few times I saw her.
I have not looked for a new neurologist yet because I still LOVE my nurse and plan to only work with her. Does this sound crazy not to want to see a doctor? At this point, I figure my nurse knows me well. She listens to me, understands me, and I can move forward with her. I trust being in her care, and that’s what I need right now.
With this said, I found it to be an opportunity to try different options. Maybe I’ve been relying on my doctor too much. Maybe I should seek answers elsewhere and get uncomfortable stepping away from what I know.
So here’s what I’ve done:
Acupuncture
Immunologist/Allergist
Massage (which I have been doing for a while but will report on)
and am continuing my search
I’m looking in new directions to continue my New Year’s “resolution” to solve a problem, dispute, or contentious matter. This is my year of discoveries!
Who else have you seen besides a neurologist/headache specialist to help with your migraine and headache concerns?
I moved and was forced to start seeing a new dr. She is known to be the best neurologist for headaches in the area. The only one who specializes in headaches. But I feel like she’s given up, and I don’t feel like she’s tried everything. Maybe I’m not a candidate for everything. I just feel lost. I’m thinking it’s time to try new things. I’m going to try functional medicine. I haven’t gone yet because we may move and I don’t want to get started if we’re moving. But I should know soon.
We’ll move forward together this year and keep trying.
I do know some people have specialist look into tmj, my neuro and dentist checked it and said I’m okay, but not a specialist….I don’t know what kind of specialist you go to?
What I often do when a dr isn’t giving me answers, I fire them. But that’s a big step when you have a good rapport with the nurse. Or like me, there isn’t another neuro to go to.
I lucked out that my second neurologist was not only a migraine sufferer but also the Head of the Neurology Department. We tried so many meds, and though he was trying, I started to notice that he pretty much only came up with ideas that were pretty standard for migraine patients. I decided to look for a headache specialist and see what opinions or thoughts they had. My first one was a disaster and my second one was a fruitcake but I liked how he thought of alternative methods and looked at things genetically, not just a MRI. Bottom line is, you don’t necessarily have to quit going to the doctor’s office you like, you can go to both. I utilized both their opinions, and even bounced their ideas off of each other. They both knew I was seeing both of them for migraines.
I’m sorry you are going through so much! What is functional medicine? I’d love to hear more and if you start how you are feeling. It’s all a guessing game and balancing act. Yes, we will move forward together! Best of luck and keep me posted.
For sure! Multiple opinions from multiple resources will give a better view, I think. It’s a puzzle only I can put together with lots of help!
I stopped going to a neurologist and went to a naturopath. She’s helped to find the source of the problem and do whatever it takes to correct the course. It’s a much better option to understand the root of the problem and not just throw prescriptions at it hoping it will go away. I have made so much more progress with her than I ever did with any other doctor.
Great advice. I am looking for other options besides just meds thrown at me. They don’t work and give me side effects. Although I do need abortive a for sure! The root of the problem is what I’m looking for. So I don’t need to be on preventatives. I’m glad you are making progress!!
Chiropractor & massage therapy
My husband does chiropractor and has tried to convince me to do that next. I like massage!
The right Chiro is key! When my daughter was 3 months she had colic. Took her to a Chiro and his hands were as big as her but adjusted her with fingers. She slept that night for almost 8 hours and no screaming. He was amazing for me too. Then he moved. But recommended similar practicing dr. Any colic baby I’d recommended a Chiro in a heartbeat
I don’t think it’s crazy at all to keep seeing your nurse and not your doctor!! Specialists don’t always know all the answers. I have an awesome Nurse Practitioner from a family practice that coordinates my care. Still looking for a good team of specialists, but I’m happy to have him at the very least.
Interesting. I’ll have to pass that on, never heard of chiro for colic. Thanks for sharing!
I agree. Keeping someone in my corner that knows me makes me feel most comfortable while I still search for other answers.
Chiropractors when you find the right one is awesome