Having second thoughts about my doctor.

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lookingforward4more
lookingforward4more Member Posts: 127
edited June 2014 in Life After Breast Cancer

I am definately having a tough time moving on after one year of treatment for stage 2 cancer. I am having some concerns about my oncologist. First, my pain. I had several complications during my TAC chemo and took three percocet per day. The issues were blood clots, bone pain and an existing slipped disc. My oncologist was not happy about the painkillers and on the day my chemo ended he refused to write any more. If my primary doc had not helped I would have gone from three pills per day to none in one day. I felt this was punitive for real pain issues. I am now on one pill per day  and doing fine (which was what I was before cancer).

 Also, I had one lymph node positive and had requested oncotype when I was diagnosed. At the time it was not being done and I was told it was imposible. I even offered to pay. Now they are routinely doing it on node positive women and I want my sample tested. My doctor still refuses to order the test. I am frustrated. Do you all think I am being too sensisitive? I truly like my doctor and he is well respected. The pain pill issue is really over but I felt I was mistreated at the time although I never complained. I also feel uneasy about being honest about any new issues with pain that I am experiencing with the hormone treatment. I feel he judges me.

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  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited December 2008

    This doesn't sound right to me at all. I have had few issues re pain, but a close friend of mine who has survived two nasty bouts of colon cancer and chemo has an onc who is on pain like nobody's business. Refusing requests for tests sounds insensitive--and perhaps careless. I'd get a 2nd opinion.

    I've got a great onc, and I must say that he has been my strongest advocate through all of this. I couldn't have made it through this w/out him. I think you need someone on your side.

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  • lookingforward4more
    lookingforward4more Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2008

    Thanks for your response. I am usually so self assured and strong but for some reason I cowtow to doctors. Its weird. I feel that my check ups are rushed and very superficial. I guess they dont' have the time and I am afraid to complain that much.

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  • car
    car Member Posts: 492
    edited December 2008

    It's easy to feel intimidated by MDs. Mine, w/the exception of one PS, have been excellent. I go w/a list and make sure that they see it--not a sheet of paper, but the entire tablet (though it's a small one, not 8 1/2 x 11--that'd scare the pants off of them). Do you have a friend or family member who can go w/you for support? That also might be a help.

    But, I have felt no compunction about changing MDs. I can't understand refusing to order a requested test that isn't trivial. My onc actually sent me downstairs for a CAT scan when I showed up at my quarterly visit w/a self-inflicted concussion complete w/black eyes--fell over the dog who was sleeping in the hallway while trying to go to the kitchen for some water in the middle of the night w/no glasses. He wanted to rule out a subdural hematoma.

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  • iodine
    iodine Member Posts: 4,289
    edited December 2008

    that's what second opinions are for!  get a consult from another onc and make sure he/she is not associated with your present doc or even practices at the same hospital.

    I know Many of us who have changed docs.  Not everyone fits with all docs.  You certainly deserve to feel comfortable with your doc.  If, heaven forbid, you get a recurrance, do you really think you;d want to stay with a guy who doesn't listen to you and with whom you feel uncomfortable?  Or would you even feel safe that he'd FIND a recurrance?  Thoughts to ponder.

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  • tos
    tos Member Posts: 376
    edited December 2008

    Absolutely I would atleast get a second opinion if not change docs.  Like Iodine said if you were to get a recurrence would you want to be treated by this guy?

    I too am in the market for a new Oncologist, I have put up with his rudeness and snotty remarks too long, he's history.

    Good luck to you

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  • lookingforward4more
    lookingforward4more Member Posts: 127
    edited December 2008

    Thanks for your response. I too have thought about what might happen if I GOD FORBID have a recurrance. I would most definately have to move on to another doctor or have a very honest converstation with my present doc about my concerns. The decision I have to make now is it really worth it to switch now.

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  • Harley44
    Harley44 Member Posts: 5,446
    edited December 2008

    Hi there.

    I didn't care for my first onc's attitude.  When I told him that my insurance wouldn't pay for the Oncotype test, he wanted me to participate in the trial.  When I refused the trial, because, again, my insurance wouldn't pay for the trial, he just decided that it was a given that I was getting chemo.  He wouldn't answer any of my questions, and just said that "you need to trust me."  On the way out of his office, I asked for a copy of my pathology report (he never gave me my copy).  I went to see my 2nd opinion dr., and never looked back. 
    I have had issues with my current onc, but we have an understanding now.  At my last visit, I told him that I didn't appreciate him making fun of me.  He seemed much better.  Maybe he didn't realize how his carefree attitude affected me. 

    In fact, I even told him that when I felt a lump near where the bc was, I went to my surgeon and I did not call my onc.  He seemed to take this to heart, and as we were walking out of his office, he told me that if I have any concerns or if I have any pain, I should call HIM, and he would run tests.  I think he now knows that I didn't trust him to find it, if I had a recurrence.

    This is just my two cents.

    Hugs

    Harley

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  • Erica3681
    Erica3681 Member Posts: 1,916
    edited December 2008

    It certainly can't hurt to get a second opinion. I think I would, if I were in your situation. While I can understand that your onc didn't want you on three percocet per day indefinitely, I'm especially concerned that he didn't at least provide enough percocet for you to taper down gradually--you should never go from three per day to none. And apparently you need the one for pre-cancer pain.

    It sounds as if you want a doctor with whom you can be honest about your wishes and concerns. I don't think that's too much to ask! If, after another opinion, you still feel your present doctor is the best, I agree with you that an honest conversation with him would be a good idea.

    I hate complaining to my docs, too. I want them to like me, so they'll be more motivated to take the best possible care of me. But sometimes that means I don't tell them things they need to know.

    Good luck with this.

    Barbara

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  • hooptiedoo
    hooptiedoo Member Posts: 100
    edited December 2008

    My oncologist has been highly prominent in our community for years. He's the leader in clinical trials here, and I thought I was in good hands. But right from the start, this guy unnerved me.

    I'd go in for a checkup and he'd start pawing at my clothes to take a look at my incisions. Since I was also under the care of a surgeon and a plastic surgeon, I felt that area was already taken care of and he was being awfully presumptious. .

    I was doing chemo when flu season came. I asked if I should get a flu shot and he said, "No, it can cause you to get the flu." HUH??? My friend's oncologist wouldn't let her out of the office until she had a flu shot, and it's been proven that flu shots DON'T cause the flu!  Most doctors insist that cancer patients have flu shots, but not mine!

    When I developed shingles, he didn't have a clue what was wrong with me. I finally got online and diagnosed myself. I could go on and on and on, but you get the idea. It just seemed to me that this guy was hopelessly out of tune with modern medicine.

    Ironically, when my insurance at work changed from a wonderful plan that covered just about everything to a crap shoot, he dropped me like a hot potato. I have just been going to my regular doctor for followup care ever since, and actually feel that I'm getting better care.

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