Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

My OB referred me to an orthopedic because of pubis symphysis symptoms( pain and discomfort when I lift my legs to get into the car or turn in bed and Last week I started getting clicking and popping when I turned in bed so she wanted me to be checked out just in case we can do physical therapy or something.
So I went today and on the patient info sheet I wrote Pubis symphysis pain as per what my OB called it.

1) I saw the DO pull the girls in the front office and ask them "Do you see what she wrote" and they were all laughing. Two seconds later she walked right out and called me so I know it was my chart. (I am assuming it was because I wrote Pubis symphysis and not pubic pain) Now I know it is kind of funny word but you are a professional and shouldn't make me feel stupid for using that terminology

2) Doctor comes in and doesn't really ask any specifics about when pain is worse or when it hurts just palpates my pelvic region and just starts explaining the pubis symphysis ligaments which my OB already explained and how the relaxin effects them. He says kind of hastily "I don't know why your OB didn't explain this to you but there is nothing I can do for you, you have to go about your pregnancy as you've been." I said well she did explain but she was concerned about the clicking and didn't know if there were any exercises I can do or maybe there is nothing we can do.
He said" I don't know if there are any excercises we can do, I can give you a script for PT but there is nothing I can really do for you.. Come back after you give birth if it still hurts and I'll see you then.
Now I understand there is nothing you can do but then I felt stupid for even going to the orthopedic. I was just doing what my OB suggested.

3) Now I am crying hysterically and don't want to be.

I just HATE being made to feel stupid.

I also had to do the 3 hour glucose this morning because I failed the 1 hour. Maybe I am just over reacting.

If anyone has read this far, Thanks for listening

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

im really sorry u were made to feel so uncomfortable. if that dr indeed make fun of what u wrote shame on him.

Good luck with ur 3 hr hope ur feeling better

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I would be fuming. Totally unprofessional all around. Not sure what you can do about the office staff but I would bring up your experience to your OB next time you see them.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

awww hun dont feel stupid.. and i give u credit for not bitting those girls' heads off. i would have.
I mean common u work in a docs office have some respect for your patients.
ANYHOO.. u were just following the suggestion of u OB and gave it a shot.

Ok so they cant do anything for u just yet but it was still worth a shot to put u out of pain.

Chin up. Dont let them get to u.

Good luck on ur 3 hour tomorrow

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I am NOT a crier - and I am NOT easily intimidated or made to feel stupid -

but that would have upset me and made me feel stupid too .........what a total and complete *** !!

I'd tell your OB about what happened so she stops referring other patients to him - !!!

ETA: and not for nothing, but how the hell does he know that you're not IN the medical field and that's why you were using the 'correct' terminology ?? KWIM? I don't understand what's remotely funny about someone knowing what the hell they're talking about !! -

Message edited 3/9/2011 3:56:44 PM.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I would complain to the office manager or the head MD of that practice. Completely unprofessional.

I would be very upset too.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I don't think you're overreacting at all - I think that Dr., and his office staff, were incredibly unprofessional.

When you called up to make the appointment did they ask you why you were coming in? Way to waste your time!!!!!!

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

That is just disgusting about his office staff! Absolutely horrendous.

I would write a letter to this orthopedist and "tell" on his staff. Even though he was a jerk too, I am sure he will be angry with his staff for how they behaved. Let them get in trouble a bit.

Also, per the other poster's suggestions, I agree with telling the OB about how awful your whole experience there was - maybe he will call the orthopedist too.

Sometimes I think that other specialists that are NOT ob/gyns don't know how to handle pregnant women.

I was referred to a gastro when I was 8 months along with my first baby. I had terrible gas pains My ob/gyn said I have a small torso and my digestion was just slowing down but he wanted me checked out just to be sure. The gastro was nice but was completely intimidated examining my big belly.
Also he said I couldn't take stool softener etc. - he looked it up in some book and said it wasn't approved for preggers. I almost cried- my ob/gyn said don't listen to him- you can take it- its not absorbed into your bloodstream. As an ob/gyn, he knows more about what is safe/doable.

Anyway, how dare they! I am sorry you went through this.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

Thanks guys.

I talked to my sister (she is and RN) and
My BIL actually knows the director of the office(Not the doctor I saw). He is going to tell him what happened.
I freaked a little.
I understand office staff and people like to joke, but just do it a little more discreetly.

Normally I am easy going and I would have laughed at the word too but I guess today it got to me.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

aww I'm so sorry they treated you like that. not very nice.

If it makes you feel any better... I have VERY similar symptoms. It hurts like crazy when I turn in bed.. or lift my legs to put pants on, etc. When I first get out of bed, etc.
Also my hip joints have been having this popping feeling and they also have a crack sound a lot.

I think it has to do with your bones softening and moving right now.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I would feel the exact same way as you! How rude and unprofessional for the doctor (or any of the office staff) to be making a joke about what you wrote, especially where you could clearly hear them! I'm glad your BIL is going to say something, they need to know what a-h@!es they come off as.

Also, I would be SO frustrated that your OB sent you there, only for them to tell you they can't help you! That really stinks, be sure to let your doctor know this! You are totally validated in your feelings, I think any of us would feel the same way!

ETA- Minus the popping, I'm having tons of pain trying to roll over in bed. Once I lay down (there or on the couch) moving at all is quite a feat and very uncomfortable. When I do get up from laying down for more than a few minutes, my hips hurt like h*ll and I can barely walk. I haven't mentioned it to my doctor though, I just figure it's pregnancy aches and pains. Maybe I should say something at my next visit.

Message edited 3/9/2011 4:24:16 PM.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I don't think you are overreacting at all. It sounds to me like that whole office behaved very unprofessionally. Bad practice on their part IMO.

Don't let it get to you. Just be sure that if you ever need to go back for this issue, that you don't go to them!!!!

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

Wow, I think the doctor is an azz. Totally inappropriate to be rude. If he felt there wasn't anything he could do he could have definitely said it in a nicer way.

Side note, I have had pelvic pain and my hips crack/pop constantly through out the night and never once thought to mention it to the OB. Just thought it was par for the course. Maybe I should mention it at my appointment tomorrow.

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

Sorry you had such a rough day

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

I am so sorry to hear this happened to you! Those b!tches are unprofessional and their boss should definitely be notified for that! I can't stand mean people like that!
as for the orthopedic, he's an a$$ too lol...never go back there again!! I wouldn't! If you want, I went to an orthopedic that was really nice and professional...I'm not sure where you live though, but if it's anywhere close to Stony Brook, I can give you a referral!I hope they get in a lot of trouble for that because you are supposed to feel comfortable when going to any doctor!

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

Just wanted to tell you that I am going throught the same thing. My ob actually said that in all his years of practice he has only seen this two other times and mine is REAL bad! My pubic bone is wide open. There is supposed to be a tiny space but mine is HUGE! It is sooooo very painful and I am 30 1/2 wks pregnant with twins so you can imagine the pressure I am having. I also have noticed that when the pain is the worst is when my cervix tends to shorten! I too saw an orth surgeon at the direction of my Ob and he was pretty much the same. Nothing he can do about it, it happens, heres a walker and a wheelchair stay off your feet. Ummmmm Okay thanks for making me feel like I belong in a nursing home!!! So I sympathize completely with you!! And I would be pi$$ed too if I saw them laughing at me but with my raging hormones I would have went off on them and walked out cause I can't really control my mouth lately. So I give you credit for being more p.c. about it

Re: Loooong Doctor Vent(Am I just being emotional?)

The fact that he made a point to laugh about what you wrote with his office staff is just juvenile. It's a condition. A real thing. It wasn't like you made up funny words.

I deal with orthopedists all the time. There are a few bad apples who are self-absorbed ego maniacs who do not like to treat outside their usual "My shoulder hurts" or "my knee clicks". It sounds like that is just who you dealt with.

If you would like a referral, please FM me. I have worked with some wonderful orthos that I would be happy to recommend. Whether they would recommend any different treatment, I don't know but a second opinion never hurt.