Doctors that won't answer questions

maxcat40
maxcat40 Member Posts: 7
edited March 2014 in Emotional Support #1
Hi,
I was wondering if anyone has had problems with their Drs. on aswering questions.
Mine won't give me an idea about survival or the big one was he wanted to put me in a clinical study, but it was disbanded. I asked if I should be looking at other clinical studies and he refused to talk about it. I know he is cutting edge in his field, but he is not very human in the way he treats his patients. Any ideas? I go next week for my 6 month check-up. My cancer is very rare and I've done a lot of research about it. He actually told me to stop reading the websites on the internet. Thanks for any help!

Comments

  • debwilbanks
    debwilbanks Member Posts: 5
    #2
    Hi - Get a new doctor. Ask questions and expect straight answers. Sometimes you have to get downright ugly with them. I know how you feel.
    Most doctors treat you like a child and need to understand you have the right to know what is happening. Research everything you can find about your condition. Doctors are not gods and they are not always looking at what is best for you.
  • maxcat40
    maxcat40 Member Posts: 7
    #3
    debwilbanks said:

    Hi - Get a new doctor. Ask questions and expect straight answers. Sometimes you have to get downright ugly with them. I know how you feel.
    Most doctors treat you like a child and need to understand you have the right to know what is happening. Research everything you can find about your condition. Doctors are not gods and they are not always looking at what is best for you.

    Thanks for your input. I'm going to him one more time next week and if he doesn't have time to answer my questions, I've already contacted another doctor on the east coast. I always end up leaving there like I'm totally alone in this. I haven't been able to find a support group where I live, etc. It takes me 9 hours to get to my doctor by car and He could take a few minutes to answer my questions. I always have them written down and I've done my research beforehand. I felt like I should've left his office elated because my tumor had shrunk, but I felt worse because of the vagueness of his mention of the clinical trial.
  • dpomroy
    dpomroy Member Posts: 135
    #4
    maxcat40 said:

    Thanks for your input. I'm going to him one more time next week and if he doesn't have time to answer my questions, I've already contacted another doctor on the east coast. I always end up leaving there like I'm totally alone in this. I haven't been able to find a support group where I live, etc. It takes me 9 hours to get to my doctor by car and He could take a few minutes to answer my questions. I always have them written down and I've done my research beforehand. I felt like I should've left his office elated because my tumor had shrunk, but I felt worse because of the vagueness of his mention of the clinical trial.

    I'm glad that you are willing to look at other doctors. It is SOOO important to have a doctor that you believe in, trust and can talk to if you have a tough battle in front of you.

    In the mean time can you bring someone with you to appointments to bolster your confidence and help insist in getting answers to your questions?

    It is YOUR body that you are talking about, YOUR life, and YOUR future. You have every right to insist on answers whether your doctor likes it or not. If the doctor can't give you the answers, and doesn't want you to look on the internet (which you should do anyway if it helps you), then he at least owes it to you to tell you where you can get the information you need.
  • debwilbanks
    debwilbanks Member Posts: 5
    #5
    maxcat40 said:

    Thanks for your input. I'm going to him one more time next week and if he doesn't have time to answer my questions, I've already contacted another doctor on the east coast. I always end up leaving there like I'm totally alone in this. I haven't been able to find a support group where I live, etc. It takes me 9 hours to get to my doctor by car and He could take a few minutes to answer my questions. I always have them written down and I've done my research beforehand. I felt like I should've left his office elated because my tumor had shrunk, but I felt worse because of the vagueness of his mention of the clinical trial.

    How's it going with your doctor? Did you get anywhere with him on your last visit? Have you checked your area for a Gilda's Club. They offer support groups in most cities with major cancer clinics. They are great to be a part of both during treatment and afterwards.

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