Interesting chat with my PCP today

[shugarcookie]

I saw my family PCP today and while I was there talked to him about my communication problems with my ortho, described my problems with continuing constant pain 19 months after surgery and asked whether he felt it warranted a 2nd opinion or if I just needed to give it time and/or live with it. I gave him a copy of the MRI and surgery reports and some other things he asked for (had my trusty file with me of course). He said he'd call my ortho and ask for a status report for my records then he'd give me what answers he could.

Imagine my suprise when just a couple of hours later I got a phone call from his nurse asking if I could come in again to meet with the Dr. Since I was still in the area I went back today. The short version is that he spoke with my ortho directly who said he felt I was "magnifying" my symptoms. When asked why he thought that the ortho said many of his wc patients do it to delay their return to work or increase their impairment ratings. He said he thought bursitis was my only problem but admitted the injections didn't appear to help and so far none of the drugs have either. He also admitted no diagnostic tests have been done since an x-ray 18 months ago and that there was no evidence of bursitis during surgery. He said no further treatment is planned other than occasional injections and PT. Neither of which has worked in the past. (my pcp is a sweetheart of a guy, I can only imagine how he got him to spill his guts like that )

After picking my jaw up off the floor I asked my PCP if he felt a 2nd opinion was warranted. He said while rotator cuff repair and clavicle excisions can take a long time to recover and sometimes never get completely better, after this much time and with this much pain, I was right to be concerned and he would suggest a 2nd opinion if my ortho isn't willing to look into the matter further. I asked who he would recommend and he gave me a couple of names, one of whom he emphasized as being this area's "shoulder guru".

The IC CM changed her mind about authorizing a 2nd opinion a while back so I'll have to pay OOP for it but an office visit and x-ray I can do. If he wants an MRI, that might be another matter. Anyway, I feel better knowing I'm not imagining my ortho's attitude and knowing someone else thinks it should be looked into as well. I really hope I'm just a slow healer but at least I'll have that peace of mind and something to back me up if I need to appeal.

[lfoster21]

Wow, I am so glad that your Dr. was able to get the truth out of the Surgeon. I am afraid that this is how many of the Drs. see W/C cases, and they never give the pt. a fair treatment. Was your surgeon a W/C dr? If so, that would make sense, being that they see so many W/C cases and they would see those who do try to magnify things...even more so that they would be paid to give little treatment and send people on their way.

Good luck.

[sparkey]

In the beginning of my injury i was sent to a wc ortho also. This guy had the worst bedside manners i ever saw. I went to him the first day and he took a xray of my hand to see if anything was broken. When he found out there wasn't he put a thumb brace on my hand and sent me back to work one handed drawing blood. Imagine that? Of course i couldn't cause it was my dominant hand, and i worked light duty for 2 months. Ended up with frozen shoulder from protecting it so much for that length of time.

I had to go back to this so called doctor for injections. He was so rude that i refused to ever go back to him. He said he saw no need for surgery, and basically he blew me off because of it. He gave me two diagnosis. Arthritis of the thumb was the first, then tendonitis. Ended up i have recurring carpal and neuropathy. My two EMG's showed mild distal delay. The neurologist said i have RSD signs, but the doctors all refused to believe that.

If you do not like your doctor treating you, you can request to not go back to him/her. It worked for me. I would never recommend this idiot to anyone. If he is not going to be doing surgery, he has no time to deal with your injury.[/i]

[capricorn]

Hi shugar......Glad things went well and am wishing you all the best. We had basically the same surgery. I also had 10 bone spurs removed. Still in pain, still can't do much with the arm. BUT I do believe I can get a little better than I am now. It's been 8 months for me and every so often I feel the slightest hint of relief. I have changed PT's a couple of times and am heading into massage therapy since I also have a messed up neck and all muscles are screaming on the bad side. I wanted to also let you know that for 2 months I got in a warm pool 3 xs a week and worked it myself. Got the most relief from that. I'm not comparing the two of us as you are much, much longer into this than I am but I have been told by several PT's and Dr.s that my shoulder and arm are probably as good as they will ever get BUT with the frozen shoulder thrown in it could take a year or so longer. Don't give up. I pray you get some answers and some tests done to outrule any other problems. I know the pain you suffer.

CAP

[Still in Limbo]

Shugar, I'm Very Glad You had that Talk with Your Dr. Yesterday, and also I think it's a Very Good Idea to get that Second Opinion! With that Second Opinion, You may be able to get Better Relief, and if it is in Your Favor, it can also be Very Good for Your W/C Case, giving the Judge a different View of Your Injuries!! Best of Luck, and I Hope All goes Well!!

[Lilly]

Shugar,
Glad your PCP is on your side!
I also want to point out that "No surgeon" wants to hear, or admit that his work was not successful. This may be part of the problem....his ego.
I had the same problem with my orig surgeon, as after the 1st surgery...and several weeks of PT, I complained to him that I was actually worse, and I was having LESS ROM, and PT seemed to be aggravating my injury pain wise...he got pissy and stated to me "Of course it's gonna hurt!" "Your just going to have to start moving your arm, and quit baby-ing it!" After a manual manip for frozen shoulder....Again I got his notorious statement " Of course It's going to hurt, start moving your darn arm!!" "I can't be doing manual manips on you over & over!!!" This guy was a joke, and his bedside manner was absent, as he never came in & talked to me or my husband after the procedure. It was shortly after that, that WC sent me to a different MD!
Boy am I glad they did!
Good luck to you shugar, I can totally relate! Lilly

[shugarcookie]

Oh but of course the surgeon is a workers comp doc! Here in VA, the IC gives you three to choose from. How do you choose spur of the moment when you've never heard of any of them?? Once you choose you can only change with authorization from the IC, a referral from the treating dr or an order from the state. My CM said several months ago she would ok a 2nd opinion and change of physician but has since changed her mind. My surgeon says he needs a medical basis for referral and he doesn't see one and my hearing with the commission isn't until April. So, out of pocket it is.

I believe 100% it's an ego issue. Aside from his lousy bedside manner, I honestly think he doesn't want to admit it might not be perfect on the first try. I have researched and know it's not uncommon for this to require more than 1 surgery so I know I'm not the only one ever. I really hope I don't need another but I wouldn't be surprised. And I've found other cases of his in my online search for information. I'll just say I don't feel so all alone after reading those. I'm sure there's also a good healthy dose of IC pressure to close the case in there too