Have you had to deal with an arrogant doctor? Many of us with fibromyalgia (FMS) and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS or ME/CFS) have run into doctors who belittle us, don't believe in our illneses, or simply aren't interested in treating us. Often, doctors who act like that are egotistical.
If you feel like your doctor is arrogant - won't pay attention to you, doesn't want to hear your opinions or what you've found through your own research because he's always right - it's probably a good idea to find someone who's more open minded and a better listener.
If you can't switch doctors, though, you'll have to learn how to work around the arrogant one's character flaws. Trisha Torrey, About.com Guide to Patient Empowerment, has written a great article on exactly how you can do that.
To make the most of your doctor's appointments, you can also become a better patient (and I don't mean more compliant!)
What experience have you had with arrogant doctors? What did you do about it? Share your experience here, or in About.com's Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome community forum (under Newsletter & Blog Topics).
Suggested Reading:
- Find a Fibromyalgia Doctor
- Find a Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Doctor
- Questions to Ask a Chrioprator, Physical Therapist or Massage Therapist
Photo © dieter Spears/Getty Images
I have a neurological disorder and need to get Botox injections put directly into my neck. It took a while to find the right fit, as far as doctors go, but I didn’t think I would have to go through a bunch of jerks b4 I found the right MD! One of the dr’s that saw me, was a very prominent, well-known and experienced neurologist – working in the city (Boston) at one of the top hospitals in the nation!! There were two things I couldn’t stand about him. 1. He had a terrible bed-side manner, having the rude personality and behaviour that he had. 2. Most doctors that have injected me with either Botox, or any other substance, most always tell me when the needle is coming. Not this MD! He just stabbed me over and over with the same needle!! I finally asked him if he would be so kind to let me know when the next shot was coming and he said “NO.” I was like, what? He said, No, b/c we’re done, there are no more injections.. Ha-ha funny answer Dr! But in a way, he was right! We were done. Yep. I was so done with him after that first and last appt. with him.
Arrogance! Yes, we meet with much of that in our lifetimes. My deep peronal nerve is dead, leading to RSD. My first visit to a pain spec. was to have the nerve testing done. The doc. had asked me about pain and I began describing how it felt when he abruptly said “I didn’t ask you about that…” Talk about poor bedside manners. I’m paying YOU to treat me like this? Also, my Int. Med. doctor has indicated several times about an MRI to rule out MS. Last time I inquired about it (while he had a trainee in the room) I was told “Even if you had it done it won’t change your symptoms…” He was simply in a hurry and trying to impress the individual who was there. So now i’m playing the ‘waiting game’ with him because it continues to be put off. I’m currently seeking a neurologist who cares…if there’s one out there.
I could write a book on the past 2 yrs worth of docs. Prior to that, my primary was great but we moved due to jobs. Back to square one with arrangant idiots that tell you one thing, then send you to another who tells you different. So frustrating. Even the staff of most of them i’ve seen is rude. I’ve been waiting for ultrasound & blood test results for almost 2 wks now. I had asked for a rountine mamogram order(2 yrs overdue), and per their office “i’d have to go back to see him to get an order”. BS-he told he on my last visit he’d give me one but since he repeatedly told me that I(?)had only booked him for 15 minutes-there was only so much we could do. Total bs-i booked the appt as a new patient to get a complete physical. Was i supposed to tell the brain dead clerk that booked me that i needed a spefic time? If anyone out there knows of a good doc in the 93291 zip code(Calif) for Fibro, Hashimotos, neck and lower back disc issues(have my MRIs), please please let me know. Really depressed and ready to give up at this point.