Let me start by stating that I completely and totally understand that doctors do not get paid for returning phone calls. Let me also state that in my job as a nursery school director- NEITHER DO I. I also don't make anywhere near the amount of money of any doctor- however, I do know and appreciate that part of having happy customers is ANSWERING THEIR PHONE CALLS!
I only call the doctor when I really believe that the problem can be solved over the telephone. I am also completely open to making an appointment to see the doctor if need be, AFTER I speak to the doctor on the phone. So, when I called David's neurologist this morning to ask about increasing his Topomax dose, the last thing I wanted to hear was that we needed to make an appointment.
Just a few short weeks ago, when I called regarding increasing David's medication dose because he was losing the use of his left hand, I was told we had to come in to see the doctor. As much as I begrudged that visit, I went without a fuss because I knew what the doctor was thinking----5 year old boy, losing the use of his hand equals EMERGENCY. However I also knew that this was a symptom of David's seizures, we had been down this road, so to me this was not an emergency and actually just a frustrating symptom- truth be told to me this is one of the more minor symptoms because it is easily visible, does not bother David and does not impact him behaviorally.
However the symptoms of this weekend were INTENSE. It was at the last appointment that the doctor decided we needed to decrease D's Topomax dose, and he really did not want to discuss this, but rather as the man who writes the script basically issued an edict- we would increase Depakote and decrease Topomax. While I understand that this man went to medical school, and I am completely willing to acknowledge that I did NOT go to medical school, I am also willing to let everyone know that I am currently enrolled in the school of D. I cannot tell you how I konw him as intimately as I do, it often surprises me how in tune with him I am, but when I place a bet on D I am correct 99% of the time. So this time when I was told to decrease his Topomax dose I just really did not want to do it. I waited before decreasing it, I hemmed and hawed and tried to find a way to express to the doctor why I felt this was a bad idea...unfortunately I finally determined we would have to lower the dose and see what happened.
Well I am here to tell you that lowering his dose WAS NOT A GOOD IDEA. For the first time in a long time D's behavior was a chalenge....he struggled at school, he struggled at home, and he struggled with his babysitter- so this morning, I called the Dr and after being placed on hold I was told we needed to come in to see the doctor.
Now, let me try to explain- the doctor is a half hour away from my job, D's school is 15 minutes away from my job in the opposite direction, so to get to the doctor would take at least half a day by the time I pick D up we get to the doctor, see the doctor and D is returned to school. Why am I wasting a half a day? To ask the doctor that given the symptoms I am seeing- seizures, increased negative behavior, decreased ability to express himself, and increased impulsivity- if we can please increase the Topomax. The chance of D having a seizure for the doctor are slim, so essentially the doctor is going to have to believe what I am telling him in order to make his medical decision regarding the medicine. So the only thing to be gained by us going to the doctor is money for the doctor and a loss of time at work for me. So, again I ask can I PLEASE leave a message for the doctor?
Sensing my frustration, but obviously distraught that I am being so insistent, the secretary agrees taht she will take my message, but stresses it is highly unlikely that I will get a return phone call. Luckily, today the gods are smiling on me, not only do I get a return phone call, BUT the doctor has a great idea- he increases the TOPOMAX dosage!
I am so glad that I was able to find such an amazing doctor- now if you don't tell him, and I won't tell him.....it really was my idea! but I will allow him to believe it was his and he is a genius!
What a great post!
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