Spitting mad...

Cats134

I had to go see my GP yesterday to get some prescriptions renewed.  I have been seeing the same doctor for over 20 years.  One of the scripts I needed is for high blood pressure.  I explained to him about losing 19 nodes on my right side and 9 on my left from my mastectomy and asked him to take my blood pressure from my leg.  I had informative lymphedema literature with me which I tried to present to him.

He refused.

He told me he will not get an accurate reading that way.  I persisted, crossing my arms over my chest.

He told me that he would not write the scrpt for my blood pressure meds if he couldn't take my bp the right way...and added "would you rather die from a stroke?"

Lovely.

Since I need my medication, I relented but told him he could not inflate the cuff to the point where it hurts.

I'm still so angry...

Cats

Suzybelle

Sounds like it's time for a new dr. 

every8thwoman

Yeah, I agree with suzybelle.  It's time for an upgrade- wouldn't your onc be able to take your bp and prescribe the meds??  Or at the least recommend a Dr. who would be able to do an alternate type of bp reading?

Marple

Cat, if he refused to take your b.p. as you requested and DIDN'T prescribe the meds would HE prefer you died from a stroke?

You must feel so darned frustrated. 

Suzy has a good point.

Edit to add~maybe he doesn't know how to take it on the leg.

Artemis

I'm so sorry this happened to you, Cats.  I'm with the others; I'd be looking for a new GP.

Stormynyte

Ugh! I agree, time for a new doc. I would make sure he knows why he will no longer be seeing me too. How unprofessional.

etherize

I would be furious!!  I sure hope you can find a new doctor.  You don't deserve to be treated that way!

gramamuses

I would be spitting mad as well over such insensitive treatment  as well as putting you at risk physically.  I hope you report this, as he definitely needs some education, and I too would be looking for another doctor.  I hope you didn''t have any complications with LE. 

dlb823

Unbelievable!  I wasn't paying attention several months ago when a tech started to take my BP on my mx side, and I can tell you the pain made me scream.  I can't believe your doc would knowingly subject you to that.  Absolutely time to shop for a new doc -- one who is a lot more caring and open to individual needs.    Deanna

olearca

I'm joining in to say "I'm sorry".....I had a covering doctor do a pre-op for me and he was so rude and made me feel so small about the LE.  When I insisted on the BP in leg, he huffed and puffed and slammed the door on me.  I'm a nurse, and could not believe how he and his staff of techs were treating me.  I left the practice - after writing a very nice and informative letter explaining why I could no longer be a patient there.  It's not that big a deal to do a leg BP - just means more work for them - and I'd say look for a new Dr. too. 

inspiewriter

Wow you need to report him to someone!

kira66715

Reporting him is not a bad idea, IMO

Every state has a board of licensure, and they must evaluate and respond to every complaint: since this physician essentially put you in a position where you had to, against your will, perform an action that has the potential to harm you or the physician would withhold medications that are necessary to your health, I would believe a reprimand from the board of licensure is in order.

All too often physicians practice with no oversight, and they can drift into patterns that are harmful to patients, and there is clearly a power differential here, and this physician utilized in a way to force you to subject to a risky medical procedure.

Far too many physicians get away with this behavior as we all want to be good patients, and often the hassle of going to new physician can feel insurmountable.

Consider contacting the NY board

http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/med/medbroch.htm

http://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/conduct/

Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC)

OPMC investigates complaints about physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants and monitors practitioners who are subject to Orders of the State Board for Professional Medical Conduct. This section provides a listing of all physicians, physician assistants and specialist assistants who have been disciplined since 1990, or who are subject to a non-disciplinary Board Order, or against whom charges of misconduct have been filed that will be adjudicated by the Board in the near future.

You have rights.

here's a reference on blood pressure and LE: Zuther's blog

http://www.lymphedemablog.com/2010/10/22/lymphedema-risk-reduction-venipuncture-and-blood-pressure/

Kira

kcshreve

It is probably true that he would get an inaccurate blood pressure reading in your leg, since he obviously has no clue how to do it!  I needed a rx for my blood pressure meds, insisted the doc take the reading from my leg.  She grumbled about it, but attempted to do it. She wrapped the band around my ANKLE -  and then got a very twirky reading - 4 times.  Gee, I wonder why? She tried the other leg, too.  Ridiculous.  I bought a wrist BP (I have LE in only one arm at this point) and came back a couple weeks later to show her my readings and to let her compare the unit to her own readings (using her tech's arms).  Every time I see this GP she asks me, "Are you SURE this is permanent?" as though I'm trying to pull one over on her....... !!   I'm so sorry for your aggravation.  It can be so frustrating.

bak94

That is crazy! My docs are actually the opposite, I always say, just use my arm and they say no, we will use your leg! I don't know why, but it seems more painful on my leg than on my arm! But I am glad that they care about me getting LE. You should not have to put up with that doc! Seems like so many docs are ignorant about LE.

mrsnjband

I had similar issues with bp a nurse.  The nurse at my dr office threw a fit because I wouldn't let her. She never did take it.  IMO they don't know how to take in the leg.

Then she had issues with my DH & called him a bad name.  Dr chewed her out.  

So when I went back a few weeks ago & her to take the bp in the leg.  She just put the cuff back & walked out.   

It's not worth the risk, I would consider finding a new doctor. NJ 

camillegal

Wow what a Dr.  My arms can't be used either and I do have to remind my GP and he usually laughs and says he always forgets, but he doesn't have many people who he takes from the leg. He did say it's not as accurate but good enough. I'd be upset too-but I honestly think some dr. and nurses really don't know about the leg thing.  They should but don't know.

Anonymous

Cats, I just wanted to join everyone in saying how sorry I am you had this experience with your doctor. It blows me away that he turned your legitimate request into something negative just because he was unwilling/unable to do it. I appreciate your sharing, as I think it is helpful for all of us.




KC, so a wrist BP cuff can be used instead of a regular cuff to get an accurate read on your calf? I need to learn about this.

jinky

I am in Nova Scotia and they won't do it for me either. You know until it hits their own families they won't get it. le hugs jinky

mumito

Dump the doctor.

alexandria58

Agree.  Dump the doc.

BeckySharp

I am so sorry that happened to you.  We need to really work on awareness of LE  and its ramifications to nurses and doctors.  I agree maybe time for a new doctor.  Mine works with me not against me no matter how crazy my request.   

Binney4

Wow! That's all I can say, just -- WOW!

I'm so sorry. But you're a fighter, and when cats get to the spitting point it's a sure sign they're not planning to slink off into a corner. Go fix things! We've got your back.

Binney

BeckyRose

Hi BeckySharp,

I'm adding my agreement to everyone else!  Two suggestions:  1) Call your oncologist's office, speak with a nurse and ask her/him to put the requirement re: "no BP cuff on your arms" in writing, on your oncologist's stationery.  2) Ask the nurses and your oncologist for their recommendations for a GP or internist that they know and like -  "Would you send your sister to this doctor?" type of recommendation. 

I didn't have near as many lymph nodes removed as you, but I have dealt with the same idiocy from GPs. 

Hang tough.  Your anger is useful.

BeckyRose 

kcshreve

Tina -I use the wrist cuff on the wrist, as I have LE in only one arm at this point.  It's too small to fit round my fat ankle.