We Need To Start A Thread On Stupid Stuff Doctors Say!

[Meggielynn13]

My GI Doc just apparently came out from under the rock he was living under. IH knows all about this guy haha.

"I think you're lactose intolerant. I think you should stop drinking milk." Really doc, haven't had a glass of milk in 3 years since being diagnosed by my PCP.

This one is even better. " That test that you came up positive on (DGP IgA) is the old test that they used to use. It really means nothing. It might mean however that you could develop Celiac Disease at somepoint in your life. You also could develop Crohn's from this test too." Well i didnt know that they did the gene test from my blood. I'm pretty sure they just did the celiac panel from looking at my paper work. Oh and I don't think you can tell if you are going to get Crohn's from a CELIAC PANEL. Idiot

[sariesue]

Well my gi told me that I couldn't possibly have celiac because no one in my family is diagnosed with it.

And my new allergist keeps trying to tell me that I don't have asthma and all my asthmatic symptoms come from acid reflux. I've had asthma for over a decade and my endoscopy last fall showed NO signs of acid reflux. How on earth does he think that I could have daily acid reflux for so long without any damage or symptoms of acid reflux?

[lc1333]

wow, i'm sorry to hear about all of the stupid doctors out there...

as time goes by and i am feeling so much better, i have been reading more about celiac and the various symptoms and so many of them click, it just makes so much sense now...

and it's really weird to eat and not feel the food moving through my system like a firey torpedo

just a repeat of my last doctor's visit for y'alls enjoyment...

decided to give the gluten free diet a shot after talking to y'all, other docs, and nutritionists

went to a follow up today to discuss the results of going gluten free, this is a synopsis of the conversation:

doc: so how are you feeling?

me: so much better, could i have celiac disease?

doc: no, because you had negative blood work

me: oh, ok, not even with a positive biopsy?

doc: no, because you had negative bloodwork

me: i heard that you can have a false negative and still have celiac if you have a positive biopsy

doc: no, because the blood tests are much more accurate these days, you are probably just gluten intolerant

me: ok, do you think i should be concerned about my kids, they've had many of the same symptoms i had

doc: oh, you have to get them tested

me: oh, really, why?

doc: because you had a positive biopsy

me: oh, so if they have positive bloodwork then they have celiac disease, even without a biopsy?

doc: well yeah, but a biopsy IS the gold standard, but because you had a positive biopsy, you can assume that if they have positive bloodwork that they have celiac disease

me: oh, ok

doc: it's very important that you get them tested, because if they do have celiac and it goes untreated they could have long term health problems like fatty liver and other problems

me: oh, so could my results showing fatty liver be because of longterm (35 yrs) untreated celiac disease?

doc: no, because you had negative bloodwork, but if the gluten free diet is working for you, you should stay with it, but it is difficult and expensive, so just having an intolerance is better because you don't have to be so strict...because if you did have celiac and weren't diligent enough it can cause long term health problems like fatty liver...

hmmm....i think i may actually be losing my mind...

[IrishHeart]

Well my gi told me that I couldn't possibly have celiac because no one in my family is diagnosed with it.

Oh yes, I forgot that one!

My answer to that one was...?.

"Well, someone in the family has to be diagnosed first. Guess that's me."

[GimmeMoe]

When trying to figure out what is wrong with my daughter, my doctor said "it can't be Celiac - you'd know it. She'd be having bloody diarrhea". *sigh*

[GFSAHmom]

1st visit to the Pediatric GI for my 2.5yr old son.

Us: How is Glute Free Food?

Doc: It's horrible. I'd have to kill myself if i couldn't have regular pasta.

I'm glad my son was too little to pay any attention to him.

He's still a good doctor though....just alittle ODD!

[Marilyn R]

Yesterday at my office visit, my D.O. was reviewing my blood work ordered by a neurologist in the same medical group about four months ago.

She said she didn't know how to interpret the results, but it looked like I could be positive for Lyme Disease. She said "I never order blood tests I don't know how to interpret", then proceeded to tell me that her 12 year old daughter had lyme disease, with the rash, six years ago when they lived in the Northeast, but DD had been treated and was fine. Doc said she would call the Neurologist to discuss interpretation of the Lyme Disease panel and call me if I needed to do anything.

I bet any mother on this forum who had a child with Lyme Disease would know how to read the blood draw results.

I received a call from her office today. They said I needed to pick up a prescription they'd called into my pharmacy for antibiotics and referred me to an infectious disease specialist. I told both the Neurologist (in the visit when she announced she was ordering the test 4 months ago) and the D.O. who reviewed the results that I didn't have any signs or symptoms of Lyme Disease, hadn't lived in an area known for Deer Ticks for over 35 years.

I did a quick internet search and it turns out if you have high levels of antibodies or an autoimmune disease or are older, false positive Lyme Disease blood work isn't uncommon. I don't know if it's a charm, but I represent all three categories.

I didn't pick up the prescription.

In the same visit, she told me that something I bought in a Health Food Store couldn't hurt me. She said if it was sold in a Health Food Store, it was benign, couldn't hurt me, otherwise it wouldn't be allowed by the FDA to be sold in a Health Food Store. I don't know how, but I stifled myself. I'm fed up with doctors! In this neck of the woods, they're bull-headed and uninformed, and talking to them is like talking to a wall.

[Bubba's Mom]

Yesterday at my office visit, my D.O. was reviewing my blood work ordered by a neurologist in the same medical group about four months ago.

She said she didn't know how to interpret the results, but it looked like I could be positive for Lyme Disease. She said "I never order blood tests I don't know how to interpret", then proceeded to tell me that her 12 year old daughter had lyme disease, with the rash, six years ago when they lived in the Northeast, but DD had been treated and was fine. Doc said she would call the Neurologist to discuss interpretation of the Lyme Disease panel and call me if I needed to do anything.

I bet any mother on this forum who had a child with Lyme Disease would know how to read the blood draw results.

I received a call from her office today. They said I needed to pick up a prescription they'd called into my pharmacy for antibiotics and referred me to an infectious disease specialist. I told both the Neurologist (in the visit when she announced she was ordering the test 4 months ago) and the D.O. who reviewed the results that I didn't have any signs or symptoms of Lyme Disease, hadn't lived in an area known for Deer Ticks for over 35 years.

I did a quick internet search and it turns out if you have high levels of antibodies or an autoimmune disease or are older, false positive Lyme Disease blood work isn't uncommon. I don't know if it's a charm, but I represent all three categories.

I didn't pick up the prescription.

In the same visit, she told me that something I bought in a Health Food Store couldn't hurt me. She said if it was sold in a Health Food Store, it was benign, couldn't hurt me, otherwise it wouldn't be allowed by the FDA to be sold in a Health Food Store. I don't know how, but I stifled myself. I'm fed up with doctors! In this neck of the woods, they're bull-headed and uninformed, and talking to them is like talking to a wall.

Shocking!

A Dr. that doesn't order blood tests she doesn't know how to read...AND her own Daughter had it? I wonder what else slips through the cracks with this Dr.?

It sounds like the Dr. that ordered the test considered the variables and that's why they didn't contact you and tell you about it? I hope that was the case..and not just laziness?

How do these Dr.s stay in business? So many people just blindly follow whatever the Dr. says..and if Dr.s are so clueless that way of doing things is downright scary!

[love2travel]

Where the heck do you find these doctors?? In Canada our wait times are atrocious (i.e. I had to wait 18 months to see an orthopedic surgeon) but I have not heard of this celiac stupidity here. I would guess it does happen but man, have I been lucky. My family doctor is very aware and knowledgable, not to mention incredibly good looking. But that means that my heart rate increases when he enters the room which is, of course, an entirely different issue.

[Marilyn R]

Shocking!

A Dr. that doesn't order blood tests she doesn't know how to read...AND her own Daughter had it? I wonder what else slips through the cracks with this Dr.?

It sounds like the Dr. that ordered the test considered the variables and that's why they didn't contact you and tell you about it? I hope that was the case..and not just laziness?

How do these Dr.s stay in business? So many people just blindly follow whatever the Dr. says..and if Dr.s are so clueless that way of doing things is downright scary!

This office is paperless, so everything's on the computer. The D.O. clicked on lab results and saw that I had a low Vitamin D level. She asked me if I was taking supplemental Vitamin D. That result was from a year ago, so I asked her if she'd ordered a Vitamin D blood draw, and she admitted she had not, and that's what tells me in a nutshell she's not a good doctor.

I told her when my Vitamin D level is low, my hair falls out and I feel crappy. I supplemented with D-3 drops for several months and then started feeling bad, I thought from too much Vitamin D, but I still take 500 IU every day. She told me I needed to take Vitamin D supplements, and I asked her how she could know that. I'll probably get discharged from her practice.

The bad thing is, when you get these calls from your doctor's office, you get anxious. I'm pretty sure I don't have Lyme Disease, but earlier in this process I would have filled the prescription and gone on to the next specialist, next test. All of a sudden I feel cooked. I'm over it. I've been poked, prodded, scoped, had so many blood tests, I think I'm done. I'll get my mammo and annual OB/GYN visit, but I think uninformed doctors cause more damage than value.

[Marilyn R]

I love the term "celiac stupidity!" Way to go Luv! Thanks for the laugh, needed it!

[IrishHeart]

My family doctor is very aware and knowledgable, not to mention incredibly good looking.

well, some eye candy might take some of the irritation out of our frustrating doctor visits down here...

[love2travel]

well, some eye candy might take some of the irritation out of our frustrating doctor visits down here...

Irish, I know people who say they could not go to my doctor because he is TOO hot. But the great thing is he has no clue. I just don't like seeing him for, well, you know.

Maybe he has a brother in the U.S. for your sake.

[IrishHeart]

Irish, I know people who say they could not go to my doctor because he is TOO hot. But the great thing is he has no clue. I just don't like seeing him for, well, you know.

Maybe he has a brother in the U.S. for your sake.

I'm good now. I found a young one who knows what celiac IS. Talks WITH me, not AT me and always makes me feel like I am his only patient. RETURNS MY CALLS HIMSELF! (gasp!)

But he is young enough to be my son. Which is fine, as I am not breaking in any new ones.

I saw maybe 30 doctors? in 3 years--- and I'm done doc-shopping.

[Bubba's Mom]

This office is paperless, so everything's on the computer. The D.O. clicked on lab results and saw that I had a low Vitamin D level. She asked me if I was taking supplemental Vitamin D. That result was from a year ago, so I asked her if she'd ordered a Vitamin D blood draw, and she admitted she had not, and that's what tells me in a nutshell she's not a good doctor.

I told her when my Vitamin D level is low, my hair falls out and I feel crappy. I supplemented with D-3 drops for several months and then started feeling bad, I thought from too much Vitamin D, but I still take 500 IU every day. She told me I needed to take Vitamin D supplements, and I asked her how she could know that. I'll probably get discharged from her practice.

The bad thing is, when you get these calls from your doctor's office, you get anxious. I'm pretty sure I don't have Lyme Disease, but earlier in this process I would have filled the prescription and gone on to the next specialist, next test. All of a sudden I feel cooked. I'm over it. I've been poked, prodded, scoped, had so many blood tests, I think I'm done. I'll get my mammo and annual OB/GYN visit, but I think uninformed doctors cause more damage than value.

I hear you on the Dr. shopping! I've been to 6 different ones since my DX in late June. Two of them were Residents who said I was "too old" to have Celiac. Two GI's locally, and one at Mayo. I went to a PCP that someone from the GI's office said was good, but when I went to him I found out he's 93, and told me Celiac was a very rare condition.

Currently I have my own medical records and looking...

The Mayo Dr. told me to take the steroid capsule apart and divide the beads into 2 doses and take it with applesauce, twice daily. Then take one whole capsule at night. A 30 day supply..she wrote as 30 capsules.

She gave me a 90 day supply Rx to get the med by mail. When it came..it says take one capsule three times a day. 90 day supply = 180 capsules. I had to call her to see what the heck I was supposed to do!

I don't think I'd want a gorgeous Dr.? Just one who is knowledgable, compassionate and a good listener. Too bad there isn't a site like the dating sites to find the right match?

[mushroom]

Irish, I know people who say they could not go to my doctor because he is TOO hot. But the great thing is he has no clue. I just don't like seeing him for, well, you know.

This guy popped in to visit when I was in hospital once for surgery. My roommate said, "Wow!! Who was that?" and I told her it was my doc. He was really hot too, but he knew it The nurses all fell all over themselves whenever he was around I enjoyed my office visits

[IrishHeart]

This guy popped in to visit when I was in hospital once for surgery. My roommate said, "Wow!! Who was that?" and I told her it was my doc. He was really hot too, but he knew it The nurses all fell all over themselves whenever he was around I enjoyed my office visits

You're a Cougar, Shroomie. roar, girlfriend.

[stanleymonkey]

the stupidest thing we always seem to hear is the word virus

me- my 2 yr old has been having diarrhea on and off for a while, now its green water and mucus

doc - its probably a virus

me- what to I do

doc - keep her hydrated

me- what if it doesn't clear up

doc-its a virus it will

me- she's lost a lot is weight and hasn't eaten for days

doc-a virus will do that

repeat this conversation every few weeks at the emergency department for about 6 months

get an appointment with GI department head

I tell them all her symptoms, weight loss, fatigue, rashes, bloating diarrhea and constipation, lack of appetite or eating me out of house and home!, dental enamel defects, fontanelle still not closed at 2 yrs old and 9 months, joint pain, easy bruising, reflux, muscle loss, muscle pain, thin hair

the verdict VIRUS!!!! Has probably damaged nerves in her bowel,

a friend of mine is training to be a nurse and has noticed how often the v words is used

go back to this idiot on Friday if he says virus I may have to punch him out

[Bubba's Mom]

Ridiculous! I hope you don't strangle him?

I also hope thy help your little darlin'.

[revenant]

Great thread idea Mushroom!!

I went in to see my GP because I wanted to get my B12 levels tested as I was having neuropathy... The doctor said "There's no point in doing that, there's tons of B12 in bananas!" and because of that wouldn't refer me.

Not to mention I went to a different GP and wanted to see my B12 levels from the last time I had a blood test, and he said there was no point! I went in again, and he happened to have my papers so I asked to see them. Still he said "There's no point, it's in range!" but handed it over to me anyways. The range is 150-900 and I was 175! After I started taking B12 my neuropathy went away...

I went in with my mother to see my GP for a reason I don't remember and she asked about a celiac blood test. I told my doctor that I hadn't eaten gluten in 6 months, there was no way I was going to get a positive because it measures the antibodies against gluten, and he replied "that's not true, it will show up positive if you're a celiac no matter what you're eating!" My mom forced me to have the test, my doctor was very firm that I should have no problem with gluten, I switched doctors.

I used to have Dermatitis (a rash on my knees, back, chest, shoulders) and I went to see a dermatologist. At that time I asked him if it could possibly be some kind of allergic reaction and he said "Oh, nooo way it definitely could not be something as little as that". By the way, he didn't tell me it was dermatitis, he didn't know what it was, but now that it's gone I can see clearly that it was.

[love2travel]

I don't think I'd want a gorgeous Dr.? Just one who is knowledgable, compassionate and a good listener. Too bad there isn't a site like the dating sites to find the right match?

I so feel for you and your doctor shopping, not to mention your health problems.

In addition to my doctor being gorgeous, he is compassionate, spends a lot of time with me even though the waiting room is full and is a superb listener. He is willing to accept suggestions, too. Plus he is knowledgable. So I consider myself extremely fortunate, especially after reading all these horror stories!

[Marilyn R]

Neurapathy just reminded me of another stupid office visit. I went to my follow up visit after an EMG and ENG (run the other way if a specialist orders that test).

The Neurologist told me I had neurapathy. I already knew that, but had been corrected by other doctors who said that was a diagnosis, so I couldn't call it that until it was diagnosed. Until diagnosed, it was "tingling sensations".

The Neuro told me she wanted me to have a nerve biopsy. At this point, I was vary wary and asked her to describe the procedure. You go to a surgery center and they take a slice of a nerve out of your ankle. I told her I wanted to think about it. When I asked her why she wanted the test, she said it would help diagnose me.

On the next follow up visit after peering at her computer for several minutes, she asked if I was ready to schedule the nerve biopsy. I declined. She asked me why and I told her I'd researched it and that test is no longer recommended and some people had to be on crutches for weeks, and had had permanent nerve damage from the biopsy. I told her my neuropathy had gone from an "8" to a "2" on a scale of 1-10 gluten-free.

She gave me a look, and told me that was a problem. "What's a problem?" I asked. She said "It's a problem that people get on the internet and then don't follow their doctor's orders."

I gave her a look back. "You mean making an informed consent?" I asked.

My OB/GYN is pretty cute. Maybe I should switch to all young, handsome male doctors. At least then if the visit is worthless I can get a little eye candy for my co-payment.

[GottaSki]

Too many to count - all time favorite was Cheif of Rhuematolgy at a major teaching hospital telling me he highly doubted I had anything autoimmune going on. Stopped my from talking to docs for almost two years during which time I became so sick I almost kicked it.....always, always trust your gut and utilize docs for the info they are able to understand and assist with.

[GlutenFreeAustinite]

I had shoulder surgery this past September, and at my follow-up appointment 1 week after surgery, I asked the doctor what exactly a "subacromial decompression with a capsular shift" meant. Now, my orthopedic surgeon, who has the bedside manner of a corpse, looks at me and says," Well, I put a rubber band in it. Tightened it up." Obviously meant as a joke, but he delivered it with SUCH a deadpan manner and since I had never heard him make a joke before...I just stared at him.

I also saw an allergist at Dell Children's Hospital over the summer. The doctor had recently graduated med school, and was VERY adamant that I did not have celiac because my symptoms were atypical. She also was convinced that my hands swelling up every time I touch wheat was not an allergy because I didn't get hives, just a burning sensation. Or when someone who has handled wheat touches me, I get a similar reaction. She refused to test me for a wheat allergy, or really any foods, because she said that if "someone scratched her with a bunch of food samples, she would test positive too!" My mother convinced her to test me for soy, and I tested positive (and indeed, I do have symptoms--I get a stomachache and my throat gets tight, not true anaphylaxis though), but she didn't really think I needed to avoid eating it, or to carry an EpiPen. Lastly, she ordered a blood test for celiac after I'd been gluten free for a year, and when I pointed out that the negative tests were because of that, she said she had to check with the resident gastroenterologist. At the next appointment, she told me, very reluctantly, that I was right.

[Ryniev]

My ex-doctor told me that she didn't want to test me for celiac disease because "I didn't have the right symptoms for celiac and even if I did have it, she couldn't give me any medicine for it and I shouldn't eat wheat anyway with my severe IBS with diahrea but she could give me an anti-depressant to take at night for the IBS and another one to during the day for my severe stress" (which she was causing at that appoinment). I had written down all my symptoms and she yelled at me for "throwing information" at her.

She moved to Kansas City and retired to have a baby. I sure hope she is a better mother than MD. Most horrible doctor EVER.