Happy Friday Eve! I hope you have had a good week. The good news is the weekend is almost here, and the week will be over😊! I mentioned yesterday I had a follow-up appointment with my neurologist first thing in the morning, and I was not looking forward to the appointment. Everything that I expected to happen did, but it was worse than I could have anticipated. I explained to the Nurse Practitioner I could not afford the MRI they were demanding at this time, but if she could give me until the end of the year, I would make sure to take care of it. While she did understand, she had to discuss it with the doctor. Of course, the doctor walked into the room with the NP, but her behavior and mannerisms were unprofessional, distasteful, and inappropriate. She had the audacity to tell me she did not think I had accepted the fact that I had Multiple Sclerosis because I had not gotten an MRI. I was so taken aback and shocked that I did not know the best way to respond, but I did tell her I had dealt with this disease for over half of my life and accepted my reality of years ago. Unfortunately, no matter how many ways I tried explaining this to her, she is going to continue holding the medication I need to manage my MS until I get the MRI completed.  

What I experienced at my neurologist’s office yesterday morning had my blood boiling, and I am still highly upset about the situation. None of my previous neurologists had ever behaved how my current one did yesterday. My first neurologist, who retired many years ago, was a kind, compassionate, understanding, and good person, and he was the one who recommended the doctor I am seeing now. They had a good rapport, and my current doctor viewed him as a role model. I wonder what he would say about how she treats her patients now, but if I had to guess, he would be appalled. I cannot even say if I am more frustrated with her comment that I had not accepted I had MS or if her holding my medication hostage is worse, but the two issues together are disturbing. Doctors have something called the Hippocratic Oath, which my doctor is not meeting up to. I do not enjoy causing trouble to others, but part of me wants to report her behavior to the medical board because no one should have to deal with what I have with this office.

Have you ever experienced a negative situation with a doctor, and if so, how did you handle it? With what I have explained I went through yesterday, do you have any suggestions on how I should proceed? You would think a doctor practicing as an MS Specialist would understand how stress affects those living with MS and would not cause any additional stress. You would also expect this doctor to know and understand how crucial a medication that has kept a condition under control is for a patient and not cause delays with the patient receiving the medication. I am considering searching for a new doctor, but I am afraid they are all the same. They care more about making money for the practice and less about providing adequate medical care for the patients. As I am sure it shows from what I have written so far, I am stressed, upset, frustrated, and disappointed in the healthcare I am receiving, but I will find a way to deal with it and hopefully make things better. I have said this to myself several times, but I miss my first neurologist because he cared and was great at his job!

Thank you for visiting my site today and reading my rant about my appointment yesterday. It seems better for me to tell others about what I went through and get another person’s opinion on how to proceed or if I was overreacting. Many people reading this post right now have a medical issue they deal with and see doctors for their condition, so you might be able to understand my frustration. After reading this, if you think I am blowing things out of proportion, please tell me because your views matter. I have thought for many years that healthcare in the United States is going downhill fast, but never did I think any well-established and known doctor would behave the way mine did yesterday. Please never forget I am always sending y’all LOTS of love❤️, comfort, support, and MANY positive vibes🌈!

Always, Alyssa