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The rules for interacting with neurologists will work only if the neurologist (or other HCP) is willing to be open-minded and to work with you. I have a wonderful working relationship with a family practitioner locally. We listen to each other. We respect each other. (have lived in this state only 7+ years......dx confirmed 6+years............symptomatic 30+ years) My diagnosis from Neurologists is Parkinson's Plus. I have very typical Parkinson's symptoms....some of which existed when I was in high school (I am now 52). I have additional neurological responses that are not completely understood by the medical community (major problem being an extreme sensitivity to light.....recall the recent discussion on the list re: lighting in supermarkets.....my problem even includes response to the colors in the sky at sunset/sunrise....I am almost non-functional in the afternoon sun during the summer). Secondly, I have an extreme sensitivity to many drugs (coma, drug induced, during a tonsillectomy at the age of 5.....any non-Parkinson's med that I take must be started as an IV to establish the rate at which I tolerate the drug).....my father and one son share this drug sensitivity problem. I was experiencing a very good relationship with a neurologist who moved from our local area.......because I was on the cabergoline trial, I remained with a neuro in-state because of frequency of visits required by drug trial protocol. During the past two years I have seen two different neuros at two locations; one nationally known and respected who would not listen to one word that my husband or myself uttered. In fact, he told my husband if he understood research, he would not be asking such questions (my husband is the Director of Biotechnology at UN-L and a molecular biologist/biochemist by training.....we thought he did understand research!) We tried to communicate effectively with both neuro groups. Our family practitioner tried to communicate with both groups. Both neuros repeatedly said.......most of her problem is anxiety; failed to return phone calls from emergency room physicians; failed to return phone calls to family MD. Finally, we traveled back to nationally respected (but more importantly patient/family respected) neuro #1 to resume my treatment --- 14 hours away but will deal with us by phone between visits and will listen to and respond to our needs. (Strange, that having done volunteer work which involved extensive interaction with this neuro in the past..........he does not/nor did he ever believe that anxiety is one of my problems!) One of the greatest maladies that plagues MDs is a chronic condition which I describe as "hard of listening". The wise professional realizes that we, as patients, contract with the physician for services. He/she needs the patient to pay his/her bills. The even wiser professional realizes that both HCP and patient /family are all people and deserve to be treated as such. Not knowing the answer to a patient's question is not a failure on the part of the HCP. Not listening to the questions a patient asks is the first step in failing to treat that patient. Rita Weeks