Which Doctor / Witch Doctor

This is a story of how traditional doctors failed me.  It's also a story about why people turn to those who practice alternative medicine, to a fault.

Last November, I made an office visit to my family physician for chronic 'minor' shoulder pain I'd had for a few months.  After an exam and x-ray, I was essentially diagnosed with tendinitis/bursitis and given stretching exercises to do.

Over the course of the next few weeks the pain was reduced by approximately 50%, but I made another office visit in late December, because I didn't want to wait again as long for the rest of the shoulder discomfort to go away.  I asked about getting a cortisone shot (more on this later), and my doctor said that seemed reasonable, and scheduled an appointment for me with an orthopedist.

It all seems very reasonable so for, right?  Well, here’s where it starts to fall apart.

First, the orthopedist’s office called to take my new patient information over the phone, which I did in a five minute interview.  Great idea, right?  Then I won’t have to spend a bunch of time filling out those pesky forms at the office.

Unfortunately, when I got to the office, I was given a bunch of paperwork to complete.  When I told the reception staff that I’d already taken some time to provide that data over the phone, I was told that my particular doctor “prefers to have you fill out those forms.”  Thank you for wasting my time, medical office!  Maybe you should inform the person who called me?  Just an idea.

Next, the orthopedist’s nurse tells me they need another x-ray.  I asked to see the orthopedist to understand why, because that had already been done weeks ago, and was informed they “needed it from a different angle.”  Factor in by this time, it’s already been ½ hour since I entered this office (plus a five minute pre-visit phone interview), so I’m officially getting annoyed that no progress has been made, nor will any be made until I get another x-ray.

After the x-ray (again negative – surprise!) and exam, I get a diagnosis of ‘frozen shoulder’ and the orthopedist simply tells me to do more and different stretching exercises.  What about a cortisone shot?  I was told it might temporarily help, but that would be something to discuss if my shoulder wasn't better in about 30 days, when of course, I should come back.

So let me recap:  I've already invested the time and money for three doctor’s office visits and assorted paperwork over the course of about 8 weeks, and for that I've got nothing but a few exercises and a still-problem shoulder that may or may not get better inch-by-inch, plus I can look forward to coming back for another office visit to get more of nothing in another month!

What did I expect?  At the least, I expected some temporary relief via a cortisone shot.  If you think that’s a dumb idea because it only treats the symptoms, I'd say you were correct, and I’d also say screw you, because you haven’t been bothered by (and lost sleep from) a bum shoulder for almost six months.  Throw me a bone, for god's sake.  At least give me something for my money.

In the end, I’m pretty much where I was months ago, spending more time with a chronic dull pain in my shoulder, with no immediate relief in sight.  This is exactly what I was trying to avoid happening, by going to see a doctor.

At this point, I see no reason to go back to see a traditional doctor if my shoulder is still hurting; I've already done that three times, with almost nothing to show for it.  (Note: That won’t keep them from billing my insurance for several hundred dollars, or more, for their ‘work.’)

Can you imagine paying for any other service, on multiple occasions, and getting no satisfaction, but still be expected by the servicing entity to come back to them?  If I had a car problem, and went to two different mechanics on three different instances to get it fixed, and it still wasn't repaired, is it reasonable to keep going back to them?  That's a 'definition of insanity' alert.

If I feel I still need medical treatment, what medical provider do I want to see now?  It isn't a matter of which doctor, it's more a matter of a witch doctor, perhaps -- a practitioner of alternative medicine.  Maybe an acupuncturist, massage therapist, or even chiropractor.  Why not?  At least somebody would be actively trying something.....

Of course, there’s a downside to alternative care, too.  For more on that, check back another time for Part II of Which Doctor / Witch Doctor!