Waiting For Test Results....

[Matuboo]

I've had a feeling of lightheadedness and headaches now for well over a year. I've learned to deal with the symptoms but finally decided it was time to see a neurologist. Initially, he had decent bedside manor but seemed unwilling to take my symptoms seriously, that was during my initial visit about two months ago.

My symptoms have gotten worse recently and I went in for a follow up appointment. After discussing my symptoms with the neuro he ascertained that an MRI of the brain and an EEG were appropriate.

I had the MRI on Monday, it was extremely difficult for me as I can't stand being closed in, the procedure itself took about 45 minutes, with contrast. Without the 2 mg of Klonopin I probably wouldn't have been able to get through the entire test.:o

I called my doctors office today to get the results of the test, of course, I was a bit worried about what would show up. They told me the results were not in yet and that I would have to wait 10 days before the doctor could read and give me the results of the MRI. So, I called the outpatient facility and asked if the results were available, they told me the results were sent to my doctors office on Tuesday! I asked if I could pick them up myself and they said it was ok. I picked the results up and after reading the front page, it was pretty obvious that it was normal. To confirm this, I called my father, who is a retired Radiologist, he agreed. When I called the doctors office and asked why it would take so long to speak to the doctor about the test (I didn't mention that I had already received the results) they told me the doctor was so busy that it normally took at least 10 days for him to get back to patients with test results, does that sound normal to anyone? After I questioned the line of BS the receptionist gave me, she immediately got defensive and claimed that most tests (ordered by any specialist) took longer and that I was fortunate to get them back that quickly.:rolleyes:

This is the same office that rarely answers their phone during normal business hours, you are very fortunate to get through at all as they simply have a repeating message the majority of the time. I remember after getting my heart scan done, the Cardiologist called me that same day and told me the tests were normal! Frusterating experience and perhaps, not a big deal but I'm wondering how competent these people are. I do not have a lot of experience dealing with specialists but do others find that they have to wait 10 days or more to get test results from a doctor?

Stress is obviously a big factor and since an MRI can reveal some pretty ugly things, I find this type of treatment to be cruel (including the fact that these buffoons don't answer their phone).:mad: So, I called the office and told them I would not be seeing their doctor anymore and would see another specialist for the EEG. "Well that's your problem," replied the receptionist. Nice huh? I didn't even take a nasty tone with her until she lashed into me. The so-called conversation ended in heated words as I simply hung up on her and then, she had the nerve to call me back. I told her not to call my phone again or I would file a complaint with the local phone company for harassing phone calls.

Thanks for allowing me to vent, there seems to be a real shortage of good neurologists in this area, I can't say I wasn't warned as I have friends in the medical field. It's one thing to have a bad experience at McDonalds when you're paying 5.95 for a value meal but when I'm shelling out thousands of dollars for insurance and God knows how much after they pay their end, it's a little upsetting to be treated so poorly. Especially by some clown who makes 300,000 grand a year and by the looks of it, probably deals with 10 or 11 patients a day. Rough life.:rolleyes:

[Mark N]

It isn't uncommon to wait that long or longer on seeing the doctor after your MRI. It does sound like you need to find another doctor, one that has a better office staff and is more willing to listen to you.

[BrokenBladder]

There is no excuse for bad behavior from office staff in a doctor's office. I agree that you should never put up with that since it's your money that's keeping them employed.
Now about the test results. Some doctor's are on top of their game, so to speak, and some aren't. It would be nice if they would all call us back right away to give us test results but in reality I think some of them require us to come back in for an appointment where they can see us face to face and give us the results, therefore it takes longer.
It sounds to me like you should find another doctor as this one has alot to teach his staff about patient care.

[Pharmacist.steve]

On your next appt .. I would talk to your doc .. s/he may not know how his/her staff is treating the patients .. on the phone & at the front desk. Your doc is nothing more than a small business.. often these types of attitudes comes down from the example of the office manager... without the consent or knowledge of the doc

[hoops2u]

I say it is one thing to wait for result from annual tests. That is normal. It is altogether a different story when we are talking about symptoms that seem to be rapidly changing.

I believe it is more the norm, when a patient presents symptoms that are rapidly changing, worsening, etc. Normal doctors would request an ASAP on the delivery of results and a 3 day turn around is typical. If the Pt. is in ER of course, the results are immediate.

I do think you are absolutely correct in looking for a new Neuro. When you are messing with something as finite as the nervous system and the brain, I certainly would not want a physician who is more concerned about how busy he looks rather than the pts. condition. And when the tests are normal, the staff/nurse can usually relate that type of information to the pt. over the phone while making the follow up appointment. Follow up is needed since the problem still has not been ascertained.

Even if I had to drive a hundred miles, I would rather go to a doctor who cares.

Good luck and God Bless,
hoops

[Matuboo]

Thanks for the feedback. I was pretty tired last night, so I left out a couple of important details. When I asked one of the girls at the office when the results would be in (she was actually nice on this day) she told me two or three days. I believe she was new though and not who I spoke to on the phone yesterday. There are two Neuologists there so there is more than one receptionist.

Yes, without the nasty attitude, I probably would have let it go (considering I got what I wanted anyway.) A ten day wait would have turned into a twenty day weight though as I am leaving the country early next week, they knew this too, or at least I told them. I think ten days is too long, I mean, how long does it take to pick up a piece of paper, call someone and say "the results were normal.":confused: What, 15 seconds?

Exactly Hoops, you hit the nail right on the head. At this point I think it's best to simply find another neuro rather than complain about the office staff, I believe it was the office manager I spoke with! Anyway, a clean MRI does not rule out everything but it does rule out any accute problems that need to be dealt with right away, aneurysms, stroke, clots....

So I move on with some piece of mind. My next concern is leaving the country with my meds, making sure I don't forget anything (especially my pain meds and Klonopin) and keeping everything in the right bottle! I can get a little sloppy sometimes.:p

Thanks again, I was mainly just venting, bitching!

[oh_snap]

Not that anyone else should do what I do...but I generally will pick up the report along with films, and don't wait for a doctor to call me.

I have been at this game long enough to know that they are just too busy to call, let alone call and reassure someone of normal results.

Now, whether or not that should be the case is an ethics dilemma that isn't in my domain.

Since docs rarely agree with radiologists, and each other, I see that report, and films as only a first step. One doesn't need a hole in the head (as what doesn't or does show up on films) to account for neurological symptoms. And size doesn't always add up to how much havoc a problem can wreak on one's person.

Best of luck to you!

[suede]

Matuboo,
I couldn't agree with you more, I have done more hurrying up and waiting then when my ex was in the military..
I always go back and pick up my film and reports when I have MRI'S or test done and I keep my report and film and take them to my Dr apps. with me.
I have had film lost and misplaced several times and where I go the first sets paid for in your bill and any other copies of the film are very expensive.
I have dealt with more then my share of bad attitudes in office help and Dr's.
A point I want to make to you about one thing though is this,
a good Dr. will not just read the report but will go over the film themselves or have someone at least in their office that does and this could have to do with taking longer too.
I personally don't have a lot of confidence in a Dr. that does not look at the film their self because I have yet to have 2 Dr's. or radiologist that have read the set of film with the same results..
I'm glad your report is normal but I know how it is that still leaves you with the same bad symptoms and no result and with going out of the country a answer would sure be nice..
Good luck and hope you do well and find the answers.
Linda

[Kira]

I got a muscle biopsy done 12/27 and they said 8-12 weeks for results. Won't give anything over the phone, either, and it's several states away. I am going for follow-up in late April and will find out then. Should be more than enough time to get it all in.

Sometimes it just takes a long time.

But in your case, if they already had the results, that's annoying. I would be more irritated by the receptionist's attitude, though. The fact that they just hadn't seen the report yet is not that uncommon. But for her to be mean about it isn't cool.

One thing I've learned, though... I have a LOT of doctors, and some of them have obnoxious office staff. I decide whether or not to keep a doc based on the doctor, though, not on the office staff. I see the office staff as an annoyance, whereas the doctor is the key piece. I think that if you like the doc, keep him, and just try to minimize your contact with that receptionist. Good docs are hard to find.

[Matuboo]

Well, as I said, I was able to get the results and it doesn't take a Neurosurgeon to ascertain that "no significant abnormalities found" is a good thing.;) I did read the results to my father (recently retired radiologist though out of state) and he said it was as normal as can be. I'm comfortable with that but even so, I'm sure this neuro will call eventually and give me his take, he is probably obligated to do so at some point even if I cancelled my EEG and told him I wouldn't be back. To be on the safe side, I'll show it to my PCP and let him take a look.

Kira, sorry you have to wait so long, doesn't seem fair although I know nothing about muscle biopsies or how long it takes to do whatever needs to be done to figure out the problem. With the MRI though, the Radiologist read the results the same day and likely send the info straight away. It wasn't a matter of the doc not having time, as I said, a phone call takes about 15 seconds (with normal results). Perhaps I am being a bit harsh here but I don't buy the fact that he's to busy to make (or have a nurse make) a simple/quick phone call. Plain BS if you ask me. I would say that the treatment by his staff pushed me over the edge though, to say she was obnoxious and insolent would be an understatement. That coupled with the fact that these people don't answer their phones (except on certain rare occasions) leads me to believe the office is poorly staffed and in these situations, I'm assuming they all pretty much take up for each other.

I hope your muscle biopsy comes back ok Kira, good luck.

[cindybear]

the thing with MRI"s is if it were abnormal...The docter would have got a hold of you immediately...And whatever was wrong ex..aneurysm..they would plan some other studies ex..angiogram or CTA...Well, most docs would,,My experience..Ususlly within days...Cindy

[Matuboo]

the thing with MRI"s is if it were abnormal...The docter would have got a hold of you immediately...And whatever was wrong ex..aneurysm..they would plan some other studies ex..angiogram or CTA...Well, most docs would,,My experience..Ususlly within days...Cindy


Good point Cindy, I'm guessing that you were notified immediately after it was ascertained that you had an aneurysm. I had a tech tell me one time (after doing my Lumbar MRI several years ago) that if there was anything seriously wrong, she wouldn't let me leave the hospital. However, the tech I had the other day stated that she couldn't say one way or the other if anything showed up (I asked of course) because she didn't have the ability to read them. I would guess that most techs are able, to a degree, to read MRI's but I do understand it's not their job to analyze and interpret. So I suppose it would be up to the Radiologist to sound the alarm bell and get ahold of your doc (or you) ASAP.

They were not able to clip your aneurysm? Sounds like a dreadful experience.:(

[simby]

hi matuboo,
i agree that if there was something seriously wrong, your doc would get in touch asap.
Tech's are not allowed to indicate results of anykind, they could lose their job for doing so.

good luck. Hope this gets sorted out soon.

[Matuboo]

hi matuboo,
i agree that if there was something seriously wrong, your doc would get in touch asap.
Tech's are not allowed to indicate results of anykind, they could lose their job for doing so.

good luck. Hope this gets sorted out soon.



Well, I've had a few tests done, although not as much as some and sometimes techs do give you a hint. I had a Ultrasound done one time and the tech told me it was normal, we talked the whole time though and she was pretty cool. In the scheme of things, you're right, it's really not their job but I usually ask anyway.:o

[anticourier]

What area do you live in? I might could recomend a neuro for you..Bobby

[Matuboo]

What area do you live in? I might could recomend a neuro for you..Bobby


Thanks bobby, I'll PM you, k?:)

[cindybear]

well, I had a CT, it showed a tumour ( thought cancer ) so they recommened a MRI and transported me to a bigger hospital..Would not let me leave..Then the MRI showed the aneurysm..Then they wanted a angiogram..Transported meto even bigger hospital (ohio university ) wher it showed it was fusiform -was the entire vessel was pouched..Not a berry...In a very bad location..Where a person speaks and the entire right side is affected..Everyone was to scared to touch me..2 years ago, Had a Doc at Mayfield Clinic state he could put a stent in..And tried that,,But it was a failure...Had a stroke and still have this monster...Now back at stage 1,,No one will touch it..They are to afraid...states, I will be better off with it then what would happen, if they operate...So I'm stuck with this monster..Unless a genious can figure it out...I'm not the only one with inoperable aneurysm..I know of 2 other people with them...They are a horrible way to live,,Hugs, Cindy

[Matuboo]

well, I had a CT, it showed a tumour ( thought cancer ) so they recommened a MRI and transported me to a bigger hospital..Would not let me leave..Then the MRI showed the aneurysm..Then they wanted a angiogram..Transported meto even bigger hospital (ohio university ) wher it showed it was fusiform -was the entire vessel was pouched..Not a berry...In a very bad location..Where a person speaks and the entire right side is affected..Everyone was to scared to touch me..2 years ago, Had a Doc at Mayfield Clinic state he could put a stent in..And tried that,,But it was a failure...Had a stroke and still have this monster...Now back at stage 1,,No one will touch it..They are to afraid...states, I will be better off with it then what would happen, if they operate...So I'm stuck with this monster..Unless a genious can figure it out...I'm not the only one with inoperable aneurysm..I know of 2 other people with them...They are a horrible way to live,,Hugs, Cindy


Man, that IS rough, I'm sorry.:( Did your neuro say what the chances of any significant problems occuring are (rupture?) I'm definitely no doc but it does sound like an extremely risky operation but there are advancements in medicine every day, hopefully, at some point, they'll be able to remove the "monster" all together.

I'm sure you've probably been seen by top surgeons and are familiar with the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins, General Hospital (Boston,) U of Cal Medical Center (San Fran.) These are supposed to be the best hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery which I presume would certainly cover your condition. As I said, I'm sure you're aware but it never hurts to try and help.

The best of the best.


http://www.usnews.com/usnews/health/best-hospitals/rankings/specihqneur.htm