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Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: JPinLA on August 09, 2007, 10:46:43 am

Title: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: JPinLA on August 09, 2007, 10:46:43 am
I think I might be overreacting here.  I am but a few months into meds (Truvada/Viramune) and less than one year poz.

So, I had an appointment with my doctor about 2 weeks ago and had all the regular blood tests done.

I called two days ago and left a message with my Dr.'s assistant that I wanted to hear my test results (T4 count, liver..blah blah).  So, I get a message this morning from my Dr. that he wanted to talk about my numbers but he is out of the office today (Thursday) and will call me on Friday.

Obviously this is not sitting well with me.  The last time my Dr. left a message for me it was to tell me I was HIV positive so I do not like it when Dr.s leave unqualified messages.  By qualified I mean they should say something like:  "Oh, I just wanted to go over your numbers with you, nothing looks bad so no rush"  or "I wanted to go over your numbers with you and the sooner the better because....". This way I know whether to worry until my head hurts or be at ease.

Well, as you can already guess I am in full swing worry mode right now and it will most likely continue until I talk to him tomorrow. When I do get my dear South African medicine man on the phone, I will request that he not leave such ambiguous sounding messages because I am prone to self-imposed anxiety attacks.

I just wanted to vent to you all for a bit...

Just breath Jason, just breath.

Thanks for listening...

Jason (JP)

Title: Re: Why must Dr's leave messages like this one...
Post by: frenchpat on August 09, 2007, 11:09:03 am
JP,

reading your post, my first thought is that your doctor was professional because he did not leave you with partial information on your answering machine. That he wants to talk to you in person and therefore be able to answer your questions or hear your reaction to the news he has is, I think, a good thing. Wether the news are good or not so good.

Hope this helps,

Pat
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: JPinLA on August 09, 2007, 11:23:12 am
It does help, thank you Pat.  I am prone to overreaction, creating mountains out of mole hills...you know a little chicken little-ish.

I needed to vent a little and I am feeling somewhat more relaxed.

Jason
Title: Re: Why must Dr's leave messages like this one...
Post by: woodshere on August 09, 2007, 11:27:48 am
reading your post, my first thought is that your doctor was professional because he did not leave you with partial information on your answering machine. That he wants to talk to you in person and therefore be able to answer your questions or hear your reaction to the news he has is, I think, a good thing. Wether the news are good or not so good.

I agree.  With HIPPA not sure that he could leave detailed info on an answering machine that anyone could listen to.  Plus just starting out on meds I think it is great that he wants to meet with you to discuss the results.
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: emeraldize on August 09, 2007, 12:22:03 pm
Ditto. Take it as a sign that he respects you and your privacy.
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: Steven on August 10, 2007, 01:24:36 pm
1) it is respect for you.

2) they do this because so many people get their labs done and never call in to make a followup appointment with their doc.

That's what I was told by my doc when he did the same thing to me a few years back when I was also early on into my med routine. My reaction was much like yours Jason, but I explained this to my doctor and he has never done it again to me. 
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: Life on August 10, 2007, 02:05:53 pm
Jason, I had a similar incounter with Dr. Ben and his office.  After that first veg answering machine message,   I told him and his office how they should communicate to me...  I think just like the rest have said that they are just protecting your privacy...

Eric
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: AlanBama on August 11, 2007, 11:23:01 pm
I agree, he was probably just respecting your privacy.   And if it is a serious issue, believe me you would rather discuss it in person.

When my cardiologist called me in almost 10 years ago, I knew it was 'bad news' when he directed me to his office rather than an exam room.   I got lightheaded when he told me I had congestive heart failure, and my heart was functioning at about 30% of normal...

But hey, here I still am.   Don't panic, you will get through it, and hopefully it is nothing.

hugs,
Alan
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: allanq on August 12, 2007, 02:49:05 pm
Jason,

Did your doctor call you on Friday? If he did, how did it go?

Allan
Title: Re: Why must Drs leave messages like this one...
Post by: JPinLA on August 12, 2007, 07:34:49 pm
He did guys and thank you!  It was EXACTLY just as you said.  He wanted to give me the chance to ask questions and everything is fine!!  Thank you all and I was SO relieved to hear from him and I told him my concern and he completely explained why he called instead of his assistant.

I appreciate all of youre replies because it did help to get rid of some of the anxiety until I heard from him.

Jason