Grrrrr.....

[DPL2014]

So I call the doctor's office to refill a prescription and speak with a nurse since I really want to know what the game plan is going forward with my MS and these annoying symptoms.

The "first line of defense" person answers and asks what I need. I tell her that I need a refill of my prescription and give her the name of the drug. I then ask to speak with a nurse. She says "Why do you need a nurse?" with an attitude. I breeeaaaathe. I say "I'm having annoying symptoms I'd like to discuss with her and I wanted to know what the game plan is going forward." She says "What symptoms???" I tell her. She asks "how much medicine do you take?" I tell her "half a pill, three times a day." She says "what is the DOSAGE, ma'am???" I'm like, "isn't it there in your computer?" She sighs and says "MOST OF OUR PATIENTS AT LEAST KNOW HOW MUCH MEDICINE THEY ARE TAKING."

No. She. Didn't. "Most PROFESSIONAL doctor's offices at least know how much medicine they are prescribing their patients without needing to rely on the patient to tell them." ....is what I would have said if I wasn't in shock at her rudeness. It never happens when you're ready.

This doctor is great and one of the best MS doctors in the country and he's at RUSH in Chicago which is really highly rated but....it's honestly starting to feel a little like a MS assembly line where they treat us based on what they've done in the past. Does that make sense? I just don't feel like an individual. That said, they obviously have tons of experience with MS so I'm probably better off just staying put and thanking heaven that I can't reach through the phone and strangle some people.

[JerryD]

I agree with you. We are all in the assembly line and when we come off the line we won't start up and the wheels and doors will fall off! Welcome to MS! We were waiting for you ! Try the veal!

[kelm10]

Inform

I would call back and ask to talk to the office manager. Someone in that office needs to know that the person answering the phone is talking to patients in that manner. That is what I would do. Otherwise, nothing is going to change.

[hunterd]

I used to get a "run around" every time I called the urologist and I would never get a call back from the nurse. After repeatedly telling the receptionist how I was not sure what was going on because the nurse did not get back to me. I asked her ( rather quickly, I was pretty proud of myself) if she knew another urologist practice in our town that I could go to. From that point on, I got a reply from their office rather quickly (. The doctor himself even called me once!). Sometimes you just have to rock the boat a little.

[Jules A]

That staff member was totally rude although there are times when a clinician will legitimately ask you what you are taking in an effort to see if you know and are being compliant. BTW having it written down counts as knowing.

Bottom line in my opinion, and I know people have different options but I feel like overall there is not much of a game plan with MS and I think if we expect too much we will be disappointed.

[jreagan70]

If there's anything that we MSers drill into each other, it's that we must each be our own best advocate. That means knowing our own business and being as responsible for ourselves as possible.

With that goal in mind, whether the phone clerk was rude is completely irrelevant.

To not know the names and dosages of our own medications, and then expect a phone clerk to know, while complaining about not being treated as an individual among thousands, misses the self-responsibility goal in a most unrealistic way.

And to expect to be treated as an individual without letting other people be themselves as individuals also misses the mark of fairness and equitability.

We all have to be responsible for ourselves without blaming other people when we've let ourselves down.

[DPL2014]

Thanks Ya'll!

JerryD: Try the veal. Hahaha. No thanks, I just want the exit sign!

Jules/Hunter/Kelm: Thanks for responding. Yeah, the nurse ended up calling back after I calmed down a little and we talked about it. She says once I give them my birthdate they can pull up our entire chart and as long as I know the name of the drug (which, OF COURSE, I did) they know how much we are taking and don't need to ask the patient. I gave the girl a pass and didn't bring up how I was treated, but I know her voice and am ready for next time, if it happens.

JReagan: I am always a strong advocate for myself. You know, this is my fault because I've watched you be rude and unhelpful in your comments to others and not said a word. I've left it to other posters/moderators to respond to you and put you in your place (which they have) and not stood up for people and now it's happening to me. I want you to know that I forgive you because MS is a MEAN disease and there is no telling what is going on in your life to make you this person.

It's possible you were always like this but I will give you the benefit of the doubt. You don't know me very well but, you see, I have this disease called Multiple Sclerosis and my memory is shot. I forget words, I forget names, I forget things I should know like the back of my hand. I remembered the name of the drug when I called (as is stated below) but forgot the dosage. When I call my other thousands of doctors (sigh) they all know my dosages and don't even ask, but this one person at the MS clinic expects us to remember that stuff??? Plus her attitude was there prior to me telling her what the call was about and you know what? I forgave her, too.

Lastly, we developed a game plan! Yes, you can do this with MS. 1. I'm going for an MRI within the next week or so. 2. Depending on what that shows we will decide if I will stay on Rebif or move to something else. 3. I will meet with the doctor in September to see how things are going and develop a new plan if needed. The plan doesn't include getting off this train entirely, but....

I think I'll try the veal! I hear it's good.

[twain]

Sorry DPL2014

I have to say I agree with jreagan70.

The nurse at my doctor's office almost always asks for the dosages of my medications. As do the folks on the phone at my mail-order pharmacy.

It's sort of a double-check to make sure we're getting AND taking the right dose. Especially useful for us forgetful types.

It might be a good thing to write down all your medications and dosages (including OTC) in case you ever need to go to the ER or a doctor who doesn't have your records.

I think jreagan was only trying to be helpful.

[DPL2014]

Well, the nurse at the clinic disagrees with you both. According to her, dosage is something I don't need to know and repeat when I call their office AND I've refilled this medication many times without being asked for those details.

That said, I know when I'm being spoken to in a disrespectful tone of voice and treated poorly and, if you read what I wrote, the rudeness started prior to me not knowing the dosage of the medication when she asked, "why do you need a nurse???" in a way that suggested I would only be wasting the nurses time if she transferred me.

[hunterd]

Let's not turn this helpful thread into a discussion between members who disagree. No one will win such a discussion. MSWorld guidelines state: "1. INTERNET ETIQUETTE: Show respect for others at all times.

just putting this here for a reminder to everyone.

[Kimba22]

Hi DPL2014,

I'm sorry to hear the receptionist had an attitude and treated you rudely. Sounds like the nurse had a much better demeanor and glad to hear you now have a game plan! Hope whatever it is works well for you.

I prefer to bypass the receptionist whenever possible when I call my MS Specialist's office (not that I've ever been treated rudely, but unless it's in regards to an appointment, they transfer me anyway), since there's a menu option that will direct you to his nurse's line. Unless my call is of an urgent nature, I sometimes have to wait for return call, since I don't always get to speak with a "live" person. But, overall it works for me. Leaving a detailed message usually gets the job done, just not always as fast as I may like.

Many of these MS clinics have hundreds, if not thousands, of patients. In this day and age, it only takes a moment to find our information on their computer. But, it's still a good idea to know a medications dosage. You never know, someone is still imputing that information, and human error exists. (Even with "safeguards" supposedly in place, it's something I've dealt with more than once, even in a hospital setting.)

Keeping an updated medication list handy is always excellent advice. Never know when we might need it, especially with this crazy disease.

Good luck with your MRI and please keep us updated.

[hunterd]

I did not think of it before, but something I did was to list all my medications and dosages and times of day I took them on my phone. If you have the ability to do so that may be an option (. Just remember to keep it up to date (. Unlike someone and I will not mention my name)). I also have a separate folder on my computer that I can simply print off when I need it. Just a couple ideas that I did myself.

[DPL2014]

Hunter/Kimba,

Thanks for your kind replies. I just wanted to vent to understanding ears. That's all. The person answered the phone rudely and handled the call poorly from the start, ready to take their personal hang-ups out on patients who call the clinic. Next time, I'm going to take your advice and see if there is a way to bypass the receptionist and get to the nurse. I always leave a message, too, but they're busy so it's not a big deal.

When I posted, I was just hoping for a "tsk tsk" or "that sucks" or "hang in there", which is kind of how the thread started out...

I really do appreciate the feedback. I'll just pull up MyChart next time since all the dosage info is there. I never did give the dosage but the prescription was filled by the nurse since they had all the information they needed in their system.

Thanks again,
DPL

[KatieAgain]

When I posted, I was just hoping for a "tsk tsk" or "that sucks" or "hang in there", which is kind of how the thread started out...

DPL

Well...I will give you a BIG THAT SUCKS! Because it did. I have a list of all my meds on my IPAD...but honestly a receptionist is not someone who should be asking questions like that. But in the end you took the high road...because everyone does indeed have a bad day...and I think it is very nice of you to recognize that.

[DPL2014]

Thanks, Katie! Journey for One, indeed. :-)