would you change doctors? (warning: TMI and m/c related)

SoonToBeMrsDTS

When I had my kids I was with a very large practice. I think they have 10 doctors now. I really liked a few of the doctors there but I didn't like that I could have gotten one of the doctors I didn't like while I was in labor. They shared call with another practice so DD was delivered by a doctor I'd never met before. I also received some bad medical advice after DS was born which led to a major delay in treatment for a problem I was having. 

I switched to a practice that had just one doctor and two NPs. Two of my friends have gone to her and really liked her. Stuff was fine with them for my appointments, I really liked the doctor and the NP that I met. The office staff wasn't great but that has been my experience at many other practices. 

Once I had my m/c things have been a mess. Two days after my D&C I started having some heavy bleeding. I had the doctor paged, it was about 9pm. She called me back and told me it didn't sound like an immediate emergency and that she'd call me in a Rx first thing in the morning. I called the office in the morning and they said they needed someone to sign off on it. I was in a lot of pain and I asked if they could please do it quickly. After many more phone calls they finally called in the Rx at 4pm, 19 hours after I had first complained of the problem.

On Wednesday I went in for my two week post-op check up. I was still spotting  but she said everything looked good and ordered some blood work. Thursday I got a call that they needed me to call back regarding the blood work. I didn't get the message until after they were closed for the day. That night I started bleeding again but it wasn't too heavy.

Yesterday morning I woke up and I had leaked through my pad. I called the office at 9 to leave a message about the blood work and to say that I was bleeding again. It was 17 days after the D&C so this didn't seem normal to me.

By 10:45 I was having intense cramps. I couldn't stand up straight and felt like I was going to throw up. I called the office again and told the receptionist that I had called at 9 and still had not heard back. She said she could try to find a nurse to talk to me.  I told the nurse what was going on, she said the doctor was not in but she'd leave a note for the NP to call me.  I went to the bathroom and the bleeding had gotten a lot heavier. I had several golf ball sized clots and had leaked through a pad in less than an hour. I called back and talked to a very rude receptionist who refused to let me talk to anyone. I was crying and freaking out and she basically hung up on me. 

Finally at noon the NP called me back. She told me that she wanted to schedule me for an ultrasound and to sit tight. 20 minutes later a nurse called me back. She said that the NP had spoken with the doctor and that I need to go to ER right away. 

I went to the ER. The ER people were great. They figured out that during the D&C that some "material from conception" had been left behind. He said that it should pass through on it's own but I may need another D&C if my body can't get rid of it on it's own. After that we sat for over an hour waiting. By this time it was almost 4pm. The ER doctor came in and apologized for the wait, he said he had been trying for hours to get in touch with my doctor and that finally a NP called him back. They want me to come in Monday for another u/s to see if my uterus is back to normal and decide about the second D&C.

I am pretty pissed that it didn't seem like anyone there was making me a priority. I have been having a rough time emotionally since we lost the baby and then to be dealing with all of this stuff physically has been very difficult. I think it's pretty ridiculous that even the ER doctor took hours to get someone on the phone. I don't even really want to go back to that doctor on Monday but I have to. After this I think I may change to a different OB.  I chose this practice because I wanted to know the person delivering my babies but maybe it's just too much for one person? Am I overreacting? Is this just how doctor's offices are? I had pretty uneventful pregnancies with my first two kids so only twice have I had to call to speak to a doctor before this. 

 

tracy042206

I would absolutely change practices.  I went to a practice when I was pg the first time that only had 2 doc's and they always got back to me superfast on the phone.  One of them was always on call and while I only needed to call off hours once, taking hours to get back to you is unacceptable, especially given the situation.  I expect both my pedi and my OB to call me back quickly when I leave a msg with their services.

Mrs.Ram

I have no tolerance for unprofessionalism like that, especially in a situation like yours. I would definitely change practices, and let the doctor know exactly why. I'm sure you can find a much better practice that would treat you with more respect than you were given.

ETA: I'm also so sorry that after a devastation like you already went through you were treated the way you were. That's awful.

bh2720

tracy042206:

I would absolutely change practices.  I went to a practice when I was pg the first time that only had 2 doc's and they always got back to me superfast on the phone.  One of them was always on call and while I only needed to call off hours once, taking hours to get back to you is unacceptable, especially given the situation.  I expect both my pedi and my OB to call me back quickly when I leave a msg with their services.

this exactly. there's no excuse for the indifference with which you were treated. I'd not only changed practices, but I'd write them a letter making sure that they know why.  

ETA: {{{{hugs}}}} I'm so sorry you're having to go through all this. 

cmh06

I would definitely change.  You should never have been treated the way you were and your dr. should call you back ASAP.  I agree with pp that I would let the dr. know exactly why you switched.

fatjavacat

I am so sorry you had to go through all of that - I agree with everyone else, go find another dr!!

Gigs2000

I am so sorry for your loss and then the added frustration of dealing with your dr.'s office.

I would absolutely change practices.  There is no excuse for any of the waiting and being put off, but particularly if your dr. (or her office) learned that one of her patients was in the ER and continued to be unresponsive...completely unacceptable.

I agree with PP and would write a letter as well as address these issues with the dr. at your Mon. appt.

 

 

alwyzbsy

(((hugs))) I'm so sorry that you are dealing with all of this.  I would change practices.

Sofka

you deserve better care and compassion, switch!

 

slukd79

I just wanted to say that I am so sorry that you are going through this ordeal. It sounds awful and I hope it passes more quickly than the past few days have been for you.

Artslvr

My heart is breaking for you.  This whole thing is BEYOND ridiculous.  I realize you have to go there on Monday but after that get out of that practice ASAP.  Ditto everyone who said to write a letter. 

belizeitornot

I agree with everyone - change practices and tell them why you left. I go to a fairly large practice, and I can tell you that both leading up to and after my D&C they were amazing - nothing like what you have mentioned. I actually met the surgical scheduler in person amidst my bawling and she gave me the hugest hugs, and then called to check on me after the procedure.

It is not the size of the practice that matters but how the staff treat their patients. The whole situation is difficult enough to endure without a) complications and b) having your valid concerns ignored. They should be ashamed of themselves.

 

doggylovr

I am so sorry you had to deal with that...I cannot imagine having all that rudness/lack of importance/compassion after a D&C..I go to a practice with 4 dr's and both throught my m/c and pregnancy with DS, I have been very impressed with them at all.  I would definitely switch dr's and copy and paste your post here expressing your discontent...

 

so sorry!!! 

DCtoLowcountry

I am so sorry for your loss. I changed practices after my m/c because of one jerk physician and it was a welcome change. I'd encourage you to find another place and tell them why you're leaving.

mssaint

I agree with everyone else--leave the practice and explain why. Honestly, I'd even think about copying the state licensing board on the letter.

imkhris

mssaint:

I agree with everyone else--leave the practice and explain why. Honestly, I'd even think about copying the state licensing board on the letter.

 

THIS.

It's hard to imagine that you couldn't even get the sympathy of a female receptionist after all that pain you were telling her....

I'm sorry for you loss. Hope you feel better....

rnin02

That does not seem like normal behavior for a doctor's office, definitely not acceptable! I'm so sorry you had to deal with this. That is way too much bleeding...I hope you are doing better tonight! Good luck tomorrow and good luck finding a new practice. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Hey Jellisy

I am so sorry, that is terrible.  I too would change practices.  I just want to let you know that all solo practitioners are not bad.  I've had a great experience with mine. 

MrsNJSwimmer

Mrs.Ram:

I have no tolerance for unprofessionalism like that, especially in a situation like yours. I would definitely change practices, and let the doctor know exactly why. I'm sure you can find a much better practice that would treat you with more respect than you were given.

ETA: I'm also so sorry that after a devastation like you already went through you were treated the way you were. That's awful.

this.  So sorry you've had to go through all this!

VAJuneBride07

I'm so sorry for all of this.

Please find a new practice. No one should have to go through this experience. 

I left my gyn practice when I got pregnant because the front desk staff were miserable, even though I liked the doctors. It sounds like more than that here, but the staff can really make or break an experience. The practice I ended up at had AMAZING front desk staff that always made sure my questions got answered immediately if it was during business hours (they would ask the doctor right away). The few times I called in after hours, I had a call back within 20 minutes every time.