Difficult Decisson to make

I have been going to my pdoc since the first of July.  I do not make any kind of habit of calling her inbetween visits but did once about a med change and she returned my call.  Well last week I called her 2x because she had previously told me that 2 of my meds could cause an increase in blood pressure.  It normally runs really low.  The first call was last Monday and I talked to someone at that time.  By mid Wed. I had not heard back so called back and got the answering machine so I left a message on there.  I did try a little while later to see if the office was open due to the holidays and it was.  I never got a phone call back on Wed. nor have I heard from her and it is Monday.  I have an appt. with her on Wed.  I have no idea where the problem lies, whether she never got the messages, only part of the messages or if she chose not to call back.  Just for the record, this happened one other time when I called 2x and left messages with her staff.  I realize she works long hours.  I once was her last patient and did not get out of there til 7pm.  My decission is, whether or not to keep the appt.  You have to give 24 hours notice in order to not get charged for the office visit.  I am afraid I will very uncomfortable sitting in the room knowing she did not call me back.  If she chose not to, is that some kind of indication she no longer wants me as a patient, I feel unimportant.  We are not talking about something very minor.  My problem is not that major but yet, I would think the dr. would return a call for that.   I have to make my decission by tomorrow (Tues 11/29).   Any suggestions?

if you do decide to go ,I would for sure ask her why she didnt return any calls ...it may have been mis-commiunication.

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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

hi chelsi what was your decision are you gonna go if you do let us know how you made out

J

I guess I am going. Never called her today to cancel, actually I had too much going on to even think of it til it was too late. That tends to happen sometimes with me. I also have ADHD and forgetting things is common. I havent forgotten that she never called though. Just mainly to decide and call if I decided to cancel My friend told me to write down to ask what the problem is. I told her not to worry, that I won't forget. I think I will approach it something like, I have been worried about my blood pressure and what I should do, that is why I called here twice. Since I do not know where the problem lies, I cant outright accuse anyone. I hope what I am going to say sounds alright. I will for sure let you know what happens.

Chelsi

Well goodluck at the doctors today chelsi ,and be sure to get answers for all your questions...keep us posted
J

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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Well I went today. She said I did not look real good. We talked about my situation (being unemployed) and she said I needed to go out and hit the pavement. She said she wants me to do 2 interviews a day. Well that would be great but I have no clue how you arrange that. I really don't know what to do. If anyone has any suggestions please let me know.

We were nearing the end of my appt. and I said I wanted to know what to do about my blood pressure and she said that was for my primary dr. I am off the med that she says can cause an increase in blood pressure, but I had been on it for a long time and noone has ever said anything about my blood pressure being high when I have had dr. appts. So, at least we know she gets the messages. At least I hope she has. I did mention to her before about the blood pressure, like at my last appt. when I was getting ready to do. Now I am afraid she thinks less of me because I bothered her with something that wasnt really hers to deal with. I know she is busy. She showed me her patient scheduel today and I mean it was back to back from earlier this morning.

Chelsi

 Hello & God bless. As I read your story I fill much COMPASSION for you. Remember this: In Life things must happen in order for us to reflect back on our selfs for SELF growth. Just what r you doing that may be causing your SADNESS. Depression is usually caused by SELF-PITY,ANGER, GRUDGES,UNFORGIVNESS,Negative thoughts,POOR DIET & many more factors. Basically not taking care of LOVING YOURSELF ENOUGH. ALWAYS REMEMBER GOD(JESUS) LOVES YOU!   . We (Humans) are more than flesh and blood. We have a Spirit and a SOUL also. I have been reading on the subject alot and find that POOR DIET causes so many diseases. Your body has a certain design and if u dont follow what it requires to help it fuction properly then you suffer in one form or another. Read on the Mind and it's FUCTION's. On BIOLOGY. VITAMINS & MINERALS. Depression to me is a way to look back on the way your living your live and try to make a change for the better. EX: If you have a Heart problem you could have and issue with LOVE. It's about taking care of YOU. LOVING YOU. LOVING GOD. LOVING PEOPLE. As for your DR. I personally think you should seek someone else to see. If she makes you fill that way then u need to seek someone who can better Tend to your needs to help you get WELL. Never just depend on anyone but GOD(JESUS)and SELF. He's the only one in my opioion that can be thier at all times. She/HE to me, your DR.  sounds like overall they are not really helping you at all but further hurting your healing and GROWTH process.  She is pushing you to look for a JOB so Have FAITH and HOPE and rely also on yourself to SEEK for the amswers that LYE in yourself for your HEALING. ONLY YOu know what hurts you. All you do is go and tell them your problems RIGHT. SO.... Right your own problems down on paper, your feelings , your fears, pains, then..... Go from thier on CHANGE> JESUS LOVES U and GOD BLESS. I have more INFO..... WITH LOVE IN CHRIST   ESSENCE

Thank you for your answer blackessence (hope I spelled that right!) I have had depression all my life along with ADHD. My pdoc things I could be bipolar II but I am not sure about that. A lot of the symptoms are the same as the ADHD. I really like my pdoc. There have just been a couple of incidents with calling her (there was an instance before this one) but it should have gone to my primary dr. I have seen him. We are just going to watch it. One of the problems (the first one) cleared up after I went off one of the meds. She has returned one of my calls which was related to her. I think it would have been nice if she would have had someone call me back on those 2 instances and tell me to contact my primary dr. but it didnt and we have it straightened out.

As far as the depression goes, I do see a therapist, but while it gets bad at other times, it has never affected me at work. I have never missed a day of work because of it and I can fake it so noone knows. But right now it is really bad due to 2 major things going on in my life, one, is the holiday season and two, I am unemployed and looking for work. Most jobs I apply for are online. I have had some interviewes and are working with some temp. agencies. My problem is that I don't know things most of them want such as Word, Excel ect. I am taking a class next semester at the comm. college as I have to take another comp. class in order to graduate with my 2 year degree. I am worried about what type of references my last employer is giving out. I have talked to my former supervisor and she said anyone who has called has been sent to the regional offices. I can, for $35.00 find out what they are saying. I know I am getting good reviews from other employers.

I do pray about finding a job but get frustrated that nothing is happening. Every Sunday in church during our silent prayer I tend to pray for some other people I know who are sick, some with things that could end your life. I tend to think of others first. That is just me.

Chelsi

I am happy for you ,that you got the answers you were looking for from your doc...Sounds as if you get along ok with him/her I wouldnt try to find another than ..my opinion ...
I think you are on the right track by finishing your degree doors will open more freely then I am sure ...I dont know where you from but there was an add in the paper for a medical transcriber(think thats right) that you do from home on your computer ..Ithink I know someone who does it and will see about the details if you want..its a good way to make extra cash and depeding on how much you want to do it ...
As for yopur previos employer I wouldnt worry to much about them they usually dont say anything negative about people..and if it really bothers you leave them off the reference part of your resume.
I truly wish you luck in the job hunting I know how frustrating it can be just dont give up hope something will come along...its not selfish to pray for yourself either!!

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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

James...thank you for the vote of confidence. I wish it was as easy as leaving them off but prospective employers are doing reference checks. I understand after doing some research on the internet, alot of employers tend to spill their guts. I don't know what mine is saying. I have not heard back from 2 temp agencies that were trying to get references. One wont work with me if they don't get a yes to if they would rehire me. Sure, I made some errors, but nothing big or anything like that, and besides, doesnt everyone make mistakes? The last one was so stupid. I was filing some files back. I left one (a very thin one) on the top of the cabinet and someone was looking for it the next day. My super checked all the drawers as I did for misfiling. When I told her I found it she was upset because she had sent an email out for people to look on their desks. My best friend said that night that they always have to look for files on their desks but noone gets fired. I mean when I did make errors they were small ones like that. So, why can't they say anything good on a reference? That is what hurts so much. I did alot of good things there. And people wonder why I have no self-esteem and feel worthless. Sorry to go on like this.

chelsi

chelsi...Yoy said it ..a mistake everybody makes them...If thats all biggest mistake you made then I would not worry so much about it as we have all made mistakes in work afteral like you said we are only human...dont sweat the little things as an emloyer would'nt even consider that as an excuse not to hire you ..
I lost a job once and it is very stressful I understand what you are saying just be patient finish your courses and I am sure you will find something...Something came along for me when I least expected so ...try not to worry about the job thing so mething will come up.
.J

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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

Nance,

Thank you for chiming in!

Before I went to the pdoc this past week, I was talking to a friend of mine about the problem and she said that I should call my primary dr. (pcp) first on those issues regarding things that are not in the pdoc's field but to tell the pdoc also. My pcp said he just wanted to watch the b/p so go back in later this month. I will continue to have it checked also. You are right, I think someone should have called me back, but when we were talking about job searching she said she was looking for 3 people so she is very short handed. She said she could not hire me because I was her patient though She said to check back with her in a couple of years after she fires me as a patient! I am hopeing she was just joking about the last part!

Work...I am registered with about 6-7 agencies. Only one has given me any work and that was for 2 different assignments, one for a day and one for 4 hours. I am afraid that are also getting negative references from my last employer. I know there are jobs they have listed but I am not qualified for. Alot of people want someone with Word, Excel, Powerpoint ect. I have no experience in those. I have never had to use them. I am enrolled in a computer class for the spring semester at the comm. college that teaches all of those skills, but I am sure that there are jobs out there that don't require them that the agencies could give me. I just have fears of my reference from my last employer. I have good reviews from the rest of my references though. I have a hard time coming up with a reason I was let go from my last job. In fact, I may do a new post on that situation. You know you learn from your mistakes. If I only knew what they were saying about me. They can say just about anything they want as long as it is true and not medical related.

chelsi

Hi Chelsi,

Supposedly former employers can only say what dates you worked for them, but I know there are ways around things like that.

You may also want to check your library for computer classes. Also, they may carry material for you to use to learn at home. (our library carried the Dummies series of books for Windows, etc.). You could do this while waiting for your classes to start.

Also, in reality you may have to take a less desirable job just to stay employed to keep your resume up to date. It will show you are willing to work wherever necessary.

The comment your counselor made didn't go over well with you; I hope you'll mention it to her for your peace of mind.

Keep us posted on how you are!

Nanse

 

 

 

 

 

Nance-

I am pretty sure she was joking. I think as long as you are on these type of meds you have keep going, every so often.

I have a tutorial set of computer classes I need to start working on til next month. I can not really go down in pay any unless it is temp. I was making very little as it was at my last job. I took a step down there in order to get my foot in the door to learn and move up. If it is temp. they won't take insurance and my 401K so I can do that. Now, I am trying to figure something out. My pdoc said I need to get out there and get interviewes and wants me to do 2 per day. I have no clue how you do that. I mean you can go anywhere (even if you don't want the job) and give them my resume but I don't know of anyone who will take the resume and say they will do an interview on the spot. She also asked me how fast I typed. I said 35-40 wpm which is what I see ad's say and she said you need to type 90 wpm. She said they had books at the library you could use to practice your typing on.
I need to go up there and see. I will also look into those classes the library has. Thanks for the suggestions.

Chelsi

By law, employers can only give the dates you worked for them, and whether they would rehire you. They cannot give out any details.

Before my illnesses, I always found good jobs through temporary agencies. This time of year is a hard time to find a job; most companies aren't hiring. I worked as a legal secretary for many years, and found my best jobs through employment or temp agencies. It's a good way to see if you like the company, and if it's a good fit, more often than not, they'll keep you on. Also, temp agencies have free training on different word processing programs, etc.

Getting your typing speed up would open up a lot more job opportunities also. If you are interested in secretarial work, starting out as a file clerk or receptionist are easier positions to get, while you hone your skills.

Two interviews per day sounds extremely excessive. I know where I live, most companies require you either fax or email your resume to them before interviews are even considered.

Suz