Doctor, Doctor, Give Me The Cure


Don't you just love this song? I wish my primary care doctor would give me the cure to all of my ailments, but I really wish I liked my doctor! I love my dentist - Dr. Jay Wardius. I love my kids' dentist - Dr. Eric Felix. I love Ben's GI doctor at CHOP - Dr. John Boyle. But my primary care physician? Not a whole lot of love at the moment.

Today was my three month follow-up to my first physical exam as an adult. I was expecting a quick little chat with the doctor to discuss how I've been doing, but nothing is ever that simple. It's a rule, really, that everything be complicated.

It was a rocky start when the nurse asked me if I had finished all of my Lyme's Disease antibiotic that was prescribed in April. Our conversation went something like this...
"April?" I asked. "I had Lyme's Disease four years ago and finished the medication back then. The oral antibiotic did not work, so I had a picc line inserted instead."  
She checked her notes and said, "No, I see a prescription was called into your pharmacy in April of 2012. Did you finish that?"
I replied, "You have the wrong medication and patient. I know nothing about this." She got flustered and said, "OK, I'll remove it from your list of medications, but you've recently been diagnosed with Lyme's disease and you need treatment. You are Leanne Stapleton, birthdate 5/22, right?"  
"Yes, that's me."
So out steps the nurse and in steps the doctor. The doctor asked why I was here, to which I replied that she invited me three months ago to follow-up on my health issues. I'd assumed it was because I had been feeling so nauseated, gassy and bloated, and had some additional health concerns, which led to the physical. She asked me to give her a minute to check the blood work and notes. After doing so, she asked me if I'd had the ultrasound of my gall bladder yet. I asked what in the world she was talking about. She said that my blood work indicates a potential gall bladder issue and that I should have that looked at. "Hmm, shouldn't someone have called me about this? I only know of a Vitamin D deficiency as well as high cholesterol which can be corrected by added exercise. I've given up most dairy and all gluten and have been feeling better." She said it is clear from the results that I need to have further tests, and my decrease in fat intake from breads, pasta, and dairy as well as an increase in fruits and vegetables would make me feel better, even if I have a faulty gall bladder. I informed her I was leaving for vacation next week, and scheduling this before July would be difficult. She replied that I really should have this done before I leave. How is this even possible? This office sat on these results for three months and now it's urgent that I get an ultrasound before I leave for a two week vacation?

My poor gall bladder, sad because no one knew
She then congratulated me on my five pound weight loss. Five pounds is pretty frustrating, considering the way that I've been eating and exercising. According to weight watchers online, I should be down about 25 pounds by now, not a measly 5 pounds. She indicated that these were a "healthy five pounds" and that it's going to take a lot more work than I'm currently doing as well as a lot of time since it took so long to put it on. I need to readjust my expectations, she said. She then said that if I do have a gall bladder issue, that could be preventing me from losing weight and could actually be a reason for weight gain over the years; but that I am in my forties now and my metabolism really needs a lot of exercise to be raised. O-M-G. I have been working out for a solid four years, an average of five days a week, and in a structured hour class plus additional cardio most of that time. I've been (literally) sweating my ass off and torturing myself for years with exercise boot camps, and now I've added healthy eating to that mix with only two desserts in the past three months! I've given up all breads, most pastas, almost all cheese and ice cream. I should be losing more weight than this!! I seriously wanted to rip her 20 year old head off. (Did I mention that she looks younger than my teenage son?)

I did have my annual "female" tests recently, including the awesomely fun mammogram (which no doubt was designed by a man). My mammogram was worthy of a call back, as usual, but further tests indicate I'm just fine in that department. I will get the ultrasound and the additional blood work, but do not intend on following up with this doctor. Once the results are in, the search for a new primary care doctor and a new OB-GYN commences. Suggestions are greatly appreciated. My requirements are simple and based on my love of our dentists and GI doctor:

  • Good bedside manners - my doctor (and nurses) needs to look me in the eye and speak to me, not the chart 
  • Proactive instead of reactive - I want to explore all options, not just look at one option and then realize months later there might be another option to review
  • Good communicator - I need phone calls when tests are taken as well as copies of results with written explanations
  • Good reputation (I will be checking on this) - customer reviews and recommendations are a must
  • Preferably more mature-looking than a high school kid - I don't want to even imagine for a second that my teenager is treating me
  • Fairly local (I will drive up to 30 minutes) - don't want to drive too far if I am sick
  • Must take my insurance, even though I do not have fantastic coverage
  • Office technology and note-taking needs to be spot-on

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