Thursday, December 1, 2011

First do no Harm...

My poor husband has had a terrible month of anxiety relating to his Parkinson's Disease. 

Charles' first doctor visit was to the family doctor, Dr. Alvarado.  Doc just gave him a diagnosis that he thought it was PD and wrote the referral to the neurologist.  No advice, no recommendation of therapy -- just collected his money.  We went to the neurologist, who sent him for an MRI and blood work, and he received a prescription.

His anxiety was so bad a few days later that I took him back to Dr. Alvarado's office and he saw the NP.  She gave him a nerve pill but no recommendations otherwise -- no appointment to come back.

We received advice from several that he should get a second opinion.  Made good sense to me.  So we went to Dr. Besson, a man whom a lot of friends trust and recommend, for a second opinion.  He gave us lots of advice and wrote a prescription for physical and speech therapy.  He followed through and requested records from Dr. Alvarado's office to make sure all the proper blood work had been done.  One more B12 blood test to go -- Charles heads back to Dr. Alvarado's office.  He sits there for a couple of hours and finally goes to the window to find out what the problem is.  Long story short, after a month of anxiety (which is in his medical record there) they tell him he is no longer a patient.  I would never guess that a doctor would react in such a way to a second opinion.  So much for helping a man who is down....

4 comments:

  1. It seems like Dr. Besson has been more thorough and helpful anyway. That's not the first time Dr. Alvarado's office has been rude and made you guys wait. We've been praying so hard, maybe Dr. Besson is part of the answer.

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  2. That is OUTRAGEOUS!! I think you should file a complaint with some medical authority - AMA? Hospital where he has privileges, someone!

    I suggest making Dr. Besson Charles' primary care physician...If that won't work because of distance, then might I suggest Dr. Hunt (female) who works with Dr. Ed Roberts at the Sterling Clinic (by Windsor Care)...Mom really likes her...she is a "I-want-to-know-you-and-help-you" kind of doctor.... -- So sorry!!

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  3. I tried to post something here twice last night...let me try again...maybe I have everything set up correct now...

    THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS!! I think you should report Dr. Alvarado to some medical authority - AMA? Hospital where he has a privileges, Kentucky's chapter of AMA?

    Is is possible for Dr. Besson to be Charles' primary care provider? I know it will be a trip to see him, but it might be worth it. If not, consider Dr. Hunt (a female doctor who works with Ed Roberts at Sterling clinic). Mom loves her. She is "I-want-to-know-you-and-help-you" kind of doctor.

    Am praying for you and Charles!

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  4. Cyndi, I changed a setting so I hope it will work now. I REALLY appreciate your prayers. I know Dr. Alvarado is a "wheel" with Lexington Clinic so I plan to write a letter so somebody. He has the worst office staff that I have ever dealt with. But, I agree Monica -- I wondered if Dr. Besson is an answered prayer. He has been very proactive and caring.

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