[Carito71]

#1059160

Hello everyone.

Can I share with you my frustration?

I’m so frustrated with my Dr. I had an ultrasound done June 15th and I still haven’t received my results. My 1st appt. w/ him was on the 14th after a trip to the ER with tachycardia/feeling sick on June 8.

Last week I had a couple of questions for him about my Rx and my symptoms and I related them to his nurse. I also asked about my ultrasound. She wasn’t able to help me and knows nothing about the Rx. She did help me with one question but that was it. As for the ultrasound, she told me that the Dr. had received it but not looked at it. Later on she called me again to tell me that he hadn’t said anything about it. She calls me again a third time and still nothing. Out of 4 questions she only helped me with one. I left a message for him yesterday asking to please call me that I had some questions but I had to leave it in her answering machine b/c he doesn’t have one directly. I left it exactly one day ago. I still haven’t heard from her nor him.

So frustrated. Do your endocrinologist respond fast to your concerns and messages?

I feel that at this point I need his help. Once I’m better I will not call him but right now I’m still learning about all this … not to say that I’m still tachy and that scares me a lot. Also dizzy, etc ….. Haven’t been able to work, etc.

So frustrating. Don’t know what else to do.

Thank you for reading me.
Caro

[Kimberly]

#1172613

Hello – Do you have a follow up appointment to discuss your results? If not, you might want to schedule one. When my doc orders a test like that, I usually have an appointment a week or so later to go over the results.

Your pharmacist can also be a great resource for answering RX questions.

Bottom line, for patients with thyroid issues, our relationships with our endos are long-term ones…so you definitely want to make sure you are dealing with a medical practice that you are comfortable with.

[adenure]

#1172614

I would be frustrated too!!! Especially when we’re hyper, every moment can be a struggle- you want answers! Who wouldn’t?! I would call for an apptmt as well. Are there other options as far as endos in your area? Could you shop around a little? Might be worth it. I am fortunate that my endo has an email system where I can email him and he responds to my questions within 48 hours. Getting an apptmt can take months and months… but, he is very accessible by phone or email. He always returns a call by the end of the business day. So, I have to give him credit there. When I wanted prescription Synthroid, he was willing to write out the prescription. He let me choose between the ATD’s in the beginning and, even though he really wanted me to consider RAI over surgery, in the end, he was willing to support my surgery choice (even though he made it clear it wasn’t his first choice). I feel like we are able to communicate and discuss options and work together. That is important. Also, through Kaiser (that’s the insurance we have), I get my labwork, results via email, so I’m fortunate in that I can see them quickly. I did have other work done (like an ultrasound) where I didn’t get those results via email, but I believe it’s more of a “if they don’t call you, you’re fine” type of thing.

Alexis

[adenure]

#1172615

I meant brand name Synthroid instead of generic.

[Carito71]

#1172616

Hello Kimberly, Alexis,

Well, I still haven’t heard any results about my ultrasound. The nurse did call me to tell me the Dr. will no help me with a Release to work form fro this week because once you are on Methimazole and Propranolol you should be able to do everything you did before … “even if heart is 112 at rest” (notice quotes). I asked that even if I felt dizzy and couldn’t drive yet. The response was “yes” …

So so frustrating. My heart was 114 yesterday at rest. I felt so sick. I have a job that requires all of my senses and this is so difficult. I just started to sleep again after not sleeping for a week and a half. I’m exhausted. I need some time to let the Rx work but the Dr. doesn’t want to help. You are so right … having a good Dr. is half the bottle. I could be resting right now and getting better but instead I’m trying to see what I can do to get help.

No … my next appt is in Sept. When I went to see him I was so out of it that I didn’t think of asking for one. The lab tech told me that my results would be ready in 24 hrs.

I’m glad you have good Drs. I will ask around about other Drs. Kimberly, you said something in another post about a Dr.’s registry. Where can I find that?

Thank you for your responses. At least there is a group of people who understand what I’m going through.
Caro

[Kimberly]

#1172617

Carito71 wrote:

Kimberly, you said something in another post about a Dr.’s registry. Where can I find that?

Caro

Hi Caro – You can get to the physician registry from our home page at gdatf.org; there is a menu in the top right-hand corner of the screen, where you will see the “physician registry” option. If you are asked for login information, you can use the exact same user name and password that you have on this forum.

The registry just started this year, so if we don’t have listings in your area yet, you can also check out the “Looking for a Doctor” thread in the announcements section of the board for additional options.

Hope this helps!

[Carito71]

#1172618

Thank you Kimberly.

[snelsen]

#1172619

Hi CAro, from my view, the doctor inferring that you are “fine” yet not agreeing to provide a medical release to go back to work does not make any sense to me at all.
Perhaps I misunderstood. We’re you asking a not from the doc NOT to back to work, or a release saying it was ok with him TO go back to work?

I am sending you a PM TOO.
Shirley

[Carito71]

#1172620

Hello Shirley,

He pretty much is saying I’m better because I started the Methimazole 2 weeks ago. He is ignoring my symptoms/ labs and is saying that if I miss work that he will not cover for me …. even if I’m still suffering from tachycardia, dizziness and fatigue. I asked him and he said “yes, even if you are dizzy and can’t drive”.

I’m not well. I’m still as sick as when I went to the ER. Anyway, I’m seeing another Dr. I have already called and explained my situation and the Dr. will see me soon. I feel blessed about this b/c the other Dr. comes highly recommended.

I saw my regular Dr. today and she has given me a Dr.’s excuse b/c she could see today how affected I still Am by all this. She actually helped me with my Rx and prescribed something else for the tachycardia. My regular Dr. said that I’m still suffering from a thyroid storm.

I don’t know how PM works.

Thank you for your response and concern.
Caro

[adenure]

#1172621

Makes me wonder about the doctor saying you’re suffering from a thyroid storm. If you’re suffering from a thyroid storm, you should be in the ER! I think I’ve read if you’re heart rate gets to 120, you should go to the ER. Even though you’re on methimazole, it is probably something to keep in mind. I don’t know, but I want to make sure you’re safe and okay. I’m glad you got a letter from your doctor for work. I hope the new doctor works out better for you.

Alexis

[Kimberly]

#1172622

Hello – Maybe your doctor meant that you were still suffering from the effects of a prior thyroid storm? As Alexis said, if you are actually experiencing a thyroid storm, this is a medical emergency that requires an immediate call to 911. Here is some more info:

(Note on links: if you click directly on the following links, you will need to use your browser’s “back” button to return to the boards after viewing. As an alternative, you can right-click the link and open it in a new tab or new window).

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000400.htm

If you’d like to PM someone, find one of their posts and click on the PM link to the left of the post. This allows you to send info directly to another member of the board without being public.

[Carito71]

#1172623

Hello Alexis,

Thank you for your concern. You are right, >= 120 heart rate can convert to something like Atrial Fibrillation. I’ve been watching it and thank God it has only gotten up to 114. When I was at the ER it did go to 125. Mine goes up and down and so my regular Dr., who I saw today, changed the Rx to another Beta Blocker but I will only need to take it once a day and she said that it would keep it more constant.

She used the word “thyroid storm” but I don’t think she meant I was having it. I read that you have to have fever and I don’t have it. I do have elevated liver enzymes, elevated cholesterol, skin rash on elbow, tachycardia, nervousness, fatigue. She said is all caused by the thyroid problem. I think if I had a fever and my heart was more elevated then I would be having a thyroid storm. I thought she said “with your thyroid storm” though. Maybe she thought I had a thyroid storm at the ER. I’ll have to ask her.

Right now I have my regular Dr. helping me. She did tell me “you have Graves”. It hurt when she said it but I kind of already knew it. I just needed to hear it from my Dr. The ER Dr. nor the Endo I was seeing had said that to me. My reg Dr. came to this conclusion b/c my TSI is up I think (I haven’t had a scan yet). A new Endo will see me next Monday and I don’t think I’m going back to the Endo I’ve been seeing.

Thank you for your advice. Hope you are better soon too.
Caro

[Carito71]

#1172624

Kimberly, I think you are probably right. I don’t have a fever thank God. I do sweat at times and have tachycardia but my mind is still all there

Thank you for the link and the PM information.

Caro

[naumanb]

#1172625

Caro,

The beginning is so tough. I am still in the beginnings of my treatment. I was diagnosed in early April and every lab appointment I go to I have to have my medication lowered more and more. On top of it, I am weak and feel sick all the time. My heart rate before I started on Methimazole was high like yours, mine ranged anywhere from 109-127! I was put on Atenolol to lower it before they diagnosed me with Graves and my Endo told me to stay on it for a month because it would take a while to get back down to normal on the Methimazole. You could always see if you could get prescribed anything like that to help. I also went months on little or no sleep before I finally went to the doctor and got prescribed Trazadone as well to help me sleep. It took a while but I became extremely hypo and slept all the time. My sleep pattern is almost normal now but a lot of my original symptoms are unfortunately still there. I have heard it takes a while for everything to get all balanced out and once it does is when we are supposed to start feeling better and i hope for it. I hope all goes well with you and things start to get better for you soon!

[Carito71]

#1172626

Hello Bri.

Thank you for your message. It really does help to read positive messages. My primary Dr is helping me with the tachycardia. I went to see her on Mond and she prescribed Metoprolol. I like it better than the Propranolol because I only take it once a day and my heartbeat has been constant since then. I’m also not over 102bpm now. I hope it continues to stay that way if not better b/c the tachycardia was one of the things that really bothered me.

I’m seeing new Endo next week and I’m hopeful I will get better treatment.

In April I was already feeling tired but did not know it was thyroid related.

I hope you feel better soon too.

I really liked your signature.

Caro

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