Fired my doctor

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So the stupid drama leading to this was me needing a tooth pulled. Went to a dentist who said I needed a note from the doctor. Called his office they said call the clinic as that is where I go. Called the clinic they said they would take care of it. Get a call from the dentist who states my hemo said I needed to wait till mid September and that the dentist felt I should see a dental surgeon. This is after she had agreed to pull my tooth.

So last time I was at the clinic I asked my doctor about it. He point blank denied knowing about a letter or sending one and said there was not an issue with me getting a tooth pulled. and something to the effect there isn't a need to wait.

Today went to see the dental surgeon they won't touch me without a new letter and showed me the last letter. Stating that I was under treatment and saying to wait till mid September after I am finished. Signed dictated by Dr Blair Leonard. So what I had been told by the dentists office and what I said to him and what he denied. So in other words my hematologist lied to my face.


So as my mom would say I cut off my nose to spite my face. Told the dental surgeons office I wouldn't be getting my tooth pulled paid my bill and left.

Came home called hematologist office and informed them that I was firing/ withdrawing as a patient because I do not deal with liars. Informed his nurse that even if my count was zero and I was bleeding to death I wouldn't let him treat me.


PS: I just want to scream lying is one thing but to bold face lie to a patient is just plain wrong. surgeons office suggested he just may not remember as he has so many patients. Well I'm a nurse manager of a retirement home and we have over 100 people living in our assisted living side and I remembering information on each person so I don't believe that crap!

I had 3 wisdom teeth pulled about 3 years after I had found out I had itp and did just fine....my doctor said some dentist may feel uncomfortable...but as long as your platelets are above 50 you should be ok! Sorry to hear about both the dentist and dr....but maybe your hemo wasnt lying because your answer you got from him/her was the same answer I got...which getting a tooth pulled should be fine if your plateles are up(dont know your normal) hope this helped in someway! Good luck!

I told the dentist I wasn't getting the tooth pulled and for as long as I can handle it I will not do it!

Just booked an appointment with my family doctor to get a referral to a new hematologist. If he will do it I'm hoping. This means over 1hr drive to see a doctor.

cnwoods82 - I am a bad girl I do not monitor my counts regularly. Went for blood work had maybe a few dots and the odd bruise my count was 4. I was than given Rhogam followed by 2 full Rituxan treatments that I developed a reaction and stopped during my 3rd one - my last count was like 243 (approx. was too angry upset over the letter to remember clearly). For me I only treat symptoms so when I see symptoms I get tested to see the count. I respond great to treatments than sooner or later I drop and when I do it is straight to the bottom. Usually getting treatment when my platelets are 10 or less. Many times I've ended up in emergency due to bleeding issues with counts under 5. Been to zero many many times!

I just met with my neurosurgeon to discuss my latest platelet count ahead of a neck surgery I need. Fortunately I'm in the safe range at the moment, but I understand your desire to keep the treatment team functioning well.

I hope the new hematologist is worth the drive. I can say this about surgery: my neurosurgeon, who I saw last week, is ready to operate on my neck: my platelet count is high enough for her tastes and my hematologist approves. So sometimes doctors can cooperate with each other and take good care of a patient.

but to bold face lie to a patient is just plain wrong.

I'm really sorry that happened but finally 'the straw that broke the camel's back'. I would have fired the guy a long time ago as you know. Know your system is different than ours but I would think, knowing what happened, your family doctor would refer you to the other hematologist. Were you able to get a copy of the letter he sent to the dentist?

My family doctor only said one thing! Did you tell him you were not going to be his patient. Seems he can't look for a new one unless I have. He thinks there is one more doctor in my area that may work as a hemo. If not than he will look into the big hospital doctor 1 hr away.

No Melinda did not get a copy of the letter. Dental surgeon stated they could not give it too me and I never bothered to go to the dentist and ask.

Aoi - Good to hear your doctors talk and work together. My problem with doctors is I have over the many years read up on ITP and it treatments and low counts high counts. Clotting factor blah blah blah. Lets just say I sometimes feel like I know more than the doctors because I have focused on ITP.

Winnifred, I've been in that situation with my doctors, too. I've replaced several in the past few years, though not for anything as difficult as what you've described. With obscure disorders, patients often know more than their doctors do because we specialize in ourselves. At least my current docs are willing to let me participate and contribute to my care. I'm trying to make the most of that while I have these docs. Who knows how long it will last?

Got a call this morning I have an appointment with a doctor in 2 weeks. She works out of the same office/ hospital. My family doctor thought starting there would be good because they would have my records and would know what works and what doesn't!

So here's hoping I like her sad part is I'll probably make judgement on day one! Saying a little prayer I will have patience and give her a chance!

Good luck Julia! Hope you give her a chance , you have had your share of bad docs. I am getting a new hema too. I loved my old one but she retired. I was really unhappy about that. The new one is young, just finished her fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess in Boston. I am also going to work on giving her a chance.

Julia:

I do the same thing and so does my daughter. Sometimes it only takes one visit to see if they are good enough.

My daughter's Endo told her that she doesn't have Graves Disease any more because she had her thyroid removed. Huh? She had a good laugh over that one. She still has all of the antibodies and carries risks of Thyroid Eye Disease and miscarriage, etc. That's like saying a person doesn't have ITP anymore if they had their spleen removed.

Good luck with this new one!

Sandi - Isn't that what they used to say about having your spleen removed. It was the only cure there are still doctors who make that claim. Every doctor I have ever met except one has said that!


Going to ask this doctor two questions:

1. Are you a hemo or an oncologist working as one?
2. How many people with ITP have you treated?