Is this really happening? (dr. frustration)

gorby007 · September 2010

So I emailed my dr (who has been out for several months on her own maternity leave) to ask if I should be concerned for my variable LP. I let her know that since charting in Feb. it's gone from 17,12,20,18,and 12. Instead of spelling everything out for her (she's a dr, she should know the terminology!) I said that my LP was varying between the days above.I also gave her a link to my chart- and this is what i get...

She emailed me back and asked what I meant by LP. She wanted to know if that was how long I was bleeding at the beginning of each cycle.

omg. time for a new dr? or be patient, afterall, LP is a tricky abreviation for LUTEAL PHASE?

julieb1218 · September 2010

I would hope most OBGYNs would know LP but maybe...no, I can't think of a reason why she wouldn't, I tried, really I did...

HappyAardvark · September 2010

Wow.... well, if it were me, I would *try* to assume innocence and give her one more chance... maybe clarify the LP acronym (for all we know she could have been giving *you* the benefit of the doubt that you had no idea what you were really talking about), and ask if she was able to see your charts from the link you sent her... but any more funny business, and I might be looking for a new doctor that seemed more with it. Eesh.

punkymama · September 2010

If I really loved this Dr; I would give her a pass this time (only) and schedule an appointment to show her my charts and talk about the short LP in person.

cburitz · September 2010

I would email back and say "LP = luteal phase" and see what she says. Obviously, if she has no clue what you are talking about, time for a new Dr!

I would think she'd know the slang term... but maybe she... yeah.... I can't think of an excuse for her. I tried, too

hawaiianbride08 · September 2010

How common is it to use the abbreviation LP off the nest? I'm sure there are certain terms in my own field that aren't normally abbreviated that I would be confused about if someone did so. I wouldn't assume she doesn't know what she's talking about based only on this.

StephK · September 2010

hawaiianbride08:
How common is it to use the abbreviation LP off the nest? I'm sure there are certain terms in my own field that aren't normally abbreviated that I would be confused about if someone did so. I wouldn't assume she doesn't know what she's talking about based only on this.

I agree with this! I would spell it out as luteal phase and see what she says. Also, if she's on maternity leave, she could be pretty sleep deprived, right? Maybe I'm feeling particularly generous, but I would give her a pass on this first email response.

All of us know the lingo and abbreviations because we use them every day, but I wouldn't assume that she's an idiot just because she didn't follow your abbreviation automatically. L and P, as it sounds like she thought, could easily refer to words like Length and Period. Sounds like she assumed LP = length of period. Personally, I would have spelled it out in the first place to save on this kind of confusion.

gorby007 · September 2010

Update:

I emailed her back and spelled it out for her. I also told her (even though she could've found it on my chart...) the various CDs that I have Oed, how long each cycle is, etc.

She responded already (impressive) and said that she appreciated the clarification (big time side eye). She also asked if I was using OPKs and if it was successful. She said a whole bunch of stuff that makes sense, so that's good!

I replied back to her saying that I struggle in turning OPKs positive. I'm REALLY hoping she can shed some light on what might be going on here. She hinted at the fact that I might not be ovulating regularly and that might be worth looking in to. She's out of the office tomorrow but said she'd get back to me on Weds.

important note i suppose: she's a NP. When i called kaiser to sign up for an OBGYN, this is who they sent me to. Maybe she'll refer me to someone who is an actual dr...we'll see!

WifeofMrA · September 2010

I'd give her a pass...I think it's pretty impressive that your dr. emails you back and forth and looks at links to your chart

am I the only one who does nothave a relationship like that with mine? maybe I need to shop for a new one!

gorby007 · September 2010

WifeofMrA:
I'd give her a pass...I think it's pretty impressive that your dr. emails you back and forth and looks at links to your chart
am I the only one who does nothave a relationship like that with mine? maybe I need to shop for a new one!

All Kaiser Drs (as far as I know) are required to provide this service. Saves me a buttload of copays- I tend to get sick with really odd things on the regular

KaraG2B · September 2010

StephK:
hawaiianbride08:
How common is it to use the abbreviation LP off the nest? I'm sure there are certain terms in my own field that aren't normally abbreviated that I would be confused about if someone did so. I wouldn't assume she doesn't know what she's talking about based only on this.
I agree with this! I would spell it out as luteal phase and see what she says. Also, if she's on maternity leave, she could be pretty sleep deprived, right? Maybe I'm feeling particularly generous, but I would give her a pass on this first email response.
All of us know the lingo and abbreviations because we use them every day, but I wouldn't assume that she's an idiot just because she didn't follow your abbreviation automatically. L and P, as it sounds like she thought, could easily refer to words like Length and Period. Sounds like she assumed LP = length of period. Personally, I would have spelled it out in the first place to save on this kind of confusion.

I agree with both PP. I am a nurse-midwifery student and never heard the term LP until I went on the bump, nor have I ever seen it abbreviated that way in any of my classes. I'm sure if you spelled it out she would know what you mean. I hope so at least!

StephK · September 2010

WifeofMrA:
I'd give her a pass...I think it's pretty impressive that your dr. emails you back and forth and looks at links to your chart

am I the only one who does nothave a relationship like that with mine? maybe I need to shop for a new one!

No, you're not the only one. I have never emailed any of my doctors before. If I need to speak to them directly, I pick up the phone.

KaraG2B · September 2010

gorby007:
important note i suppose: she's a NP. When i called kaiser to sign up for an OBGYN, this is who they sent me to. Maybe she'll refer me to someone who is an actual dr...we'll see!

p.s. Ouch from a future NP....

gorby007 · September 2010

KaraG2B:
gorby007:
important note i suppose: she's a NP. When i called kaiser to sign up for an OBGYN, this is who they sent me to. Maybe she'll refer me to someone who is an actual dr...we'll see!
p.s. Ouch from a future NP....

I didn't mean anything against NPs. This is not this NP's 1st strike against me. I've been to OBGYNs while she was on maternity leave. They were SO much more helpful than she was. Perhaps it's not a NP thing, maybe it's just her!