Dr rant :(

laujam31

So....Before we found out that we were expecting, we booked a trip to Florida (2 .5 hours from NY) to be there when BIL gets engaged.  I called my Dr today to check his opinion about flying during the first trimester, as I have gotten mixed reviews online.  The receptionist/nurse WOULDN'T take a message.  I fully understand that he cannot come to the phone when I call.  I am NOT his only patient.  I don't even ask to speak to him when I call I just ask to leave a message.  She told me that she could answer my question and then wouldnt take the message.  She told me to call back another time.  So I did.  Different nurse SAME ISSUE!  I have NEVER had the warm an fuzzies for this office- dr or staff.  But all the women that I have spoken to have always told me "wait until you have a baby, it'll all be worth it"  I sit in the office for hours I means at least 3 and the staff is rude in person or on the phone..  The Dr.- I feel like I can just take him or leave him.  I have been going to this dr for 9 years.  I mainly stay because my whole family goes there.  Am I over reacting or just prolonging a switch.  So on a side note- it's 6+ hours since I called initially to ask my question.  And i still havent spoken to  damn doctor!!!  GR!!!

Thanks for listening! 

JBos82

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

GraceyandTroy

Change offices if you don't like the staff.  They are the ones who make or break your experience.  I don't understand how your family going there means you need to go there.  It's your health care, not theirs.

Also, why wouldn't you just ask the nurse?  They are trained professionals and they will consult with the Dr if they don't have an answer.  He's busy with other patients, he doesn't have time to take/return calls, that's what his staff is for. He probably is the one who told them to answer questions instead of taking messages. 

You'd probably be better off switching. 

laujam31

Thanks so much.  I've heard that too.  (Not the baby tylenol part though)  It's not even the flying im frustrated about.  If i can fine If I can't fine.  It's just that damn office!!!!! 

Many nurse friends have given me the same advice 

laujam31

I don't feel I have to go there.  I just said I feel like that is why I've stayed for years.  And I didn't ask the nurse because she is not a doctor.  This is my first pregnancy and I want to hear it from him, someone who knows my history and my chart and me.  Not some miserable women who is trying to rush me off the phone.  

StaceyS123

I just flew to California and back last week from Ohio. It was fine.

JBos82

laujam31:

Thanks so much.  I've heard that too.  (Not the baby tylenol part though)  It's not even the flying im frustrated about.  If i can fine If I can't fine.  It's just that damn office!!!!! 

Many nurse friends have given me the same advice 

 

While you wait for them to call you back, do a little research and find a new doc. I changed mine because I moved after I got married (5 years ago). I didn't mind driving 20-25 minutes for an appointment once a year, but I figured that would get very old once pregnancy was in the picture, so I started going to a new doctor as soon as I got pregnant. I got his information from my primary care physician. I called to let him know I was pregnant, told him which hospital I wanted to deliver at, and he gave me my new OBGYN's name and phone number. New doc is nice, his staff is great. Hopefully you will have the same luck! If you don't want to ask your primary, get some suggestions from close friends who have had babies. Good luck!

CloudBee

I have a 21 hour flight (with one 2 hr layover) next month.  Nothing will stop me from taking that vacation.  Pregnant woman fly/travel all the time. 

rowan20

Flying from east coast to west coast at the end of September when I will be about 4 months along.  I am not going to cancel because the trip was expensive and already paid for.  At 4 months, I am not concerned. 

I did cancel my plans to go to Disney World at the end of November.  That is just too far along for me to feel that I would be comfortable that far from home.  I also think I won't be able to deal with being 6 months pregnant, in Disney World, with a 2 year old. 

BuckyBalls

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

tevagirl

I would find a new Dr. 

I never wait that long for my doc, even when I was late because the lab took a full 30 min to get me in for my glucose test, and she took another patient ahead of me because of the lab delay.  I still waited less than 20 min. If I need something, I leave a message and she calls me back - that day if she is in, or as soon as she gets in.  And if she's not in, I have the option to leave a message for someone else if I need an answer right away.  I also have the option of sending an email through the online chart system.

Jasmine1082

I would switch just because of the long wait time.

stever

The receptionists sound like they're handling it badly, but not like they're wrong. Most doctors won't speak to you personally, especially for something as minor as advice about travel.

JBos82

BuckyBalls:

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

 

He said specifically "baby Tylenol," so my guess is Children's Tylenol since aspirin isn't recommended in pregnancy, but Tylenol is okay.

BTurner86

I am going through something similar with my docs office. The people answering the phone make a HUGE difference. I am already basing what the doc is going to treat me like off of the way these people have treated me.

HoolahZinger

I flew constantly from Hawaii to Cali both first tri and second tri and there were no issues with my doc. She just didn't want me flying third tri. Make sure to move around frequently, drink lots of water (bring an empty water bottle to fill up after you go through the security) and bring compression stockings if your worried about swelling ankles. I'd say that doc is a no go. i would have switched right away. Just because they've been around a long time doesn't mean they should treat you like a nuisance! GL

ASmallWonder

JBos82:

BuckyBalls:

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

 

He said specifically "baby Tylenol," so my guess is Children's Tylenol since aspirin isn't recommended in pregnancy, but Tylenol is okay.

No offense but you either misunderstood or your doctor is an idiot.  Tylenol won't prevent blood clots and even if it did have some magic power during flight, you'd take plain ole regular adult Tylenol, not children's. 

laujam31

Thanks ladies.  I called another Dr that a nurse recommended.  Got an appnt on Friday morning and the receptionist was sweet heart.  I am keeping my monday appnt with my current dr just in case i dont like this new guy.  And on MOnday i intend to tell my Dr. that I am going elsewhere due to his staff.  If it were just these two phone calls that would be one thing, but it's EVERY time i call.  I havent gotten regular AF in years and when we were TTC and i would call because of no AF and a negative HPT the nurse still wouldn't put me through.  I get cysts very often and would go up to 9 months without AF at different periods of time.  They have tested my ovarian function in the past and one dr even wanted to put me into chemical menopause.  That being said.  If i want to ask the dr a question, I think i'm within my rights.  There are drs out there who are able to speak to their patients.  I just need to be somewhere like that.

whittier06

elmoali:

JBos82:

BuckyBalls:

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

 

He said specifically "baby Tylenol," so my guess is Children's Tylenol since aspirin isn't recommended in pregnancy, but Tylenol is okay.

No offense but you either misunderstood or your doctor is an idiot.  Tylenol won't prevent blood clots and even if it did have some magic power during flight, you'd take plain ole regular adult Tylenol, not children's. 

Yeah, this. If my doctor told me this I'd question him... 

kelly321

elmoali:

JBos82:

BuckyBalls:

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

 

He said specifically "baby Tylenol," so my guess is Children's Tylenol since aspirin isn't recommended in pregnancy, but Tylenol is okay.

No offense but you either misunderstood or your doctor is an idiot.  Tylenol won't prevent blood clots and even if it did have some magic power during flight, you'd take plain ole regular adult Tylenol, not children's. 

This. It's what caught my eye first about the responses, too. Tylenol is acetaminophen. It does nothing for blood. Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid and acts as a blood thinner. If you want to avoid clots, you can take a baby aspirin if your dr says it's ok. Some women who have clotting disorders take baby aspirin during pregnancy. I had a blood clot after my c/s and have to give myself heparin shots before I fly, but there's no reason for you to have to do that if you have no history.

Also, your question is not one that requires a personal knowledge of your medical record unless you have some sort of clotting issues or other things that could complicate flying. A nurse is perfectly capable of answering your question.

magel050485

laujam31:

I don't feel I have to go there.  I just said I feel like that is why I've stayed for years.  And I didn't ask the nurse because she is not a doctor.  This is my first pregnancy and I want to hear it from him, someone who knows my history and my chart and me.  Not some miserable women who is trying to rush me off the phone.  

 

You do know that the nurse has access to your medical charts correct?  And that she probably knows as much about your history as the dr because often times she is taking his notes and inputting them for insurance and to keep your file in order.   You will be hard pressed to find an OB office where the dr. is able to return your call during office hours- in fact, around here, it's in the contracts that if you have an issue during office hours that you ask the nurse and the OB will not return your call unless it is beyond the nurse's capability to answer it. 

FlashMeyer

there is no reason why you can't fly in the first trimester.

sorry but this is pretty dumb. women fly pregnant every day.

SPerry0376

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

Baby ASPIRIN, not tylenol.  

iamapixie

JBos82:

BuckyBalls:

JBos82:

I asked my doctor about flying when I saw him three weeks ago, and this is what he told me. The day before you fly, take a baby tylenol (both before flying there and before flying back). I guess this will help prevent blood clots. I see the flight is 2.5 hours. When traveling, try to get up and move every hour to hour and a half (so maybe twice on this trip - you'll probably be up to use the potty, so that should cover it). I know I'm not a nurse or doctor, but hopefully this information will be a little reassuring until you hear something more! My doc said it's totally okay to fly, just not at the end of your pregnancy (just in case).

I think you might have meant a baby aspirin, not tylenol. Baby aspirin is a common mild blood thinner.

 

He said specifically "baby Tylenol," so my guess is Children's Tylenol since aspirin isn't recommended in pregnancy, but Tylenol is okay.

 

Alot of pregnant women, including myself, are prescribed baby aspirin for clotting disorders in pregnancy. I've never heard of Tylenol being used this way, even though one of its side effects is prolonged clotting time.

Even with two different clotting disorders, i was cleared to fly at 6 wks. The only downsides can be that you are away fm your doc if something goes wrong and flying can definitely trigger m/s type queeziness. 

That being said, I'd personally switch drs if they won't even let you leave a message. That seems odd. Good luck!

Lariah14

laujam31:

Thanks ladies.  I called another Dr that a nurse recommended.  Got an appnt on Friday morning and the receptionist was sweet heart.  I am keeping my monday appnt with my current dr just in case i dont like this new guy.  And on MOnday i intend to tell my Dr. that I am going elsewhere due to his staff.  If it were just these two phone calls that would be one thing, but it's EVERY time i call.  I havent gotten regular AF in years and when we were TTC and i would call because of no AF and a negative HPT the nurse still wouldn't put me through.  I get cysts very often and would go up to 9 months without AF at different periods of time.  They have tested my ovarian function in the past and one dr even wanted to put me into chemical menopause.  That being said.  If i want to ask the dr a question, I think i'm within my rights.  There are drs out there who are able to speak to their patients.  I just need to be somewhere like that.

 

Omg. You are insane. Every office has the nurse take questions. I have never been to an OB practice where the doctor calls you back. The time to ask the doctor directly is during your appointment. Minor questions are easily answered by the nurse,eg flying. Also, sometimes, oftentimes OBs are delayed, you know because they have to go and deliver babies.... 

ASmallWonder

laujam31:

I don't feel I have to go there.  I just said I feel like that is why I've stayed for years.  And I didn't ask the nurse because she is not a doctor.  This is my first pregnancy and I want to hear it from him, someone who knows my history and my chart and me.  Not some miserable women who is trying to rush me off the phone.  

You're a peach.  Nurses are extremely smart and knowledgeable.  Yes, doctors need to be consulted for the big things but as to what's safe in pregnancy or not?  The nurse is well informed.  And someone should probably prep you now.  When you go into labor you are going to deal with nurses 99% of that time.  Doctors show up to catch the baby or perform the c-section.  So I suggest you adjust your opinion of nurses because if you treat them like crap, I guarantee they aren't going to be bending over backwards to make your experience pleasant.

iamapixie

elmoali:

laujam31:

I don't feel I have to go there.  I just said I feel like that is why I've stayed for years.  And I didn't ask the nurse because she is not a doctor.  This is my first pregnancy and I want to hear it from him, someone who knows my history and my chart and me.  Not some miserable women who is trying to rush me off the phone.  

You're a peach.  Nurses are extremely smart and knowledgeable.  Yes, doctors need to be consulted for the big things but as to what's safe in pregnancy or not?  The nurse is well informed.  And someone should probably prep you now.  When you go into labor you are going to deal with nurses 99% of that time.  Doctors show up to catch the baby or perform the c-section.  So I suggest you adjust your opinion of nurses because if you treat them like crap, I guarantee they aren't going to be bending over backwards to make your experience pleasant.

Yeah....as a nurse, I've got to agree with that last sentence.

LolaJr

I left my doctor for the same issue! The staff was HORRIBLE! They called me after a pap, told me it was abnormal and I needed to come see the doctor...I didn't sleep for 2 days and I went I saw my doctor he said I had 'traces of a yeast infection' - not anything scary like the receptionist made me think! I wait for 2-3 hours every appointment, so annoying! I found a female doctor closer to my house before I found out I was pregnant, I am SO glad I did!!! It is NOT worth it...especially now that you're pregnant!

laujam31

To be clear.  My issue is not with nurses.  My issue is with the nurses in the office.  I ma aware that the nurse will be around much more than the dr will and I have no problem asking them questions.  That particular question I did want to speak to the dr and as his patient I am entitled to speak to him.  If that means waiting until my next appointment  then so be it.  It's the demeanor of the nurses I can't stand.  And to Lariah14- Go scratch!  I'm not insane.  And that is rude.  If you don't have something constructive to say then don't say anything.  I don't like the nurses in the office not nurses in general.  I know they are educated and competent.  Re-read the OP.  

Jimsgirl5821

I'm sorry you aren't happy with your office and I hope you find a new one you like but I think all anyone is trying to tell you is not to expect anywhere you switch to have the OB call you back to answer all the common pregnancy questions. My OB has a specific number you call for the advice nurse and her sole job is to answer all those typical questions. From what I gather it seems even if they were the nicest staff in the world you wouldn't let them answer your question. With expectations like that you are goin to have problems wherever you go.

[Deleted User]

I've never been put on the phone with a doctor when calling with a question. I've spoken to a nurse or left a message. If you feel so "entitled" as his patient to speak directly with him, schedule and appointment and pay the co-pay to ask your questions. If you feel it can't wait, then suck it up buttercup, and let the nurses use the knowledge they got in nursing school to answer your very simple question.

If you don't like how the staff behaves, that's another story, and I'd consider switching for that.