Doctor Fobs Me Off

[JamesJ2012]

I've been having sleep problems for a couple of months now. They sort of started out of nowhere although I have had this issue once about 3 years ago. I'm 27, male btw.

What happens is within the first hour of falling asleep I will suddenly wake up, bolt up right, and be very confused (literally confused where I can't remember girlfriends name or anything). At the same time it feels as if I am still trapped in sleep, but I am awake and able to move. It also feels as if I am being suffocated as if I can breath, but I can't ... if you get what I mean.

On occasions I have woke up lying down (within the first hour of sleep) and been awake, and aware of my surroundings, and in my mind I think "Oh I'm awake" ... and then I notice my breathing and then I realize I'm trapped in the dream again. I jump up frantic.

Other times my girlfriend has seen my eyes wide open, assumed I was awake and realized I wasn't. When she starts talking to me, I wake up, and she says it looks as if I've seen a ghost.

The whole process never lasts longer than 20 seconds and my breathing returns to normal after that. I have noticed waking up with a very slow pulse. I was worried it may be the early signs of a heart condition.

I feel tiered mid day all the time, so tiered that I have to sleep. I woke up this morning with a badly cut tongue like I'd bit it at night. Plus other symptoms. It might not be apnea related, but it is a concern for me.

Went to the doctors very concerned because this happens daily. She didn't check my heart rate, or BP, and gave me Beconase. I insisted the problem is not a blocked knows, or an allergy. I cannot understand why she has given me this.

I am really really pissed off with this doctor because I went in the day after I cut my wrists (I had depression very bad once), and asked for something to heal the wounds. She didn't even inspect my wrists, or give me anything (the wounds were deep enough to need covering or sticky stitches) and told me to book another appointment with the mental health nurse who isn't available until 2 weeks.

Now I have to go through another week in fear of sleeping until I can go back and tell her this spray don't work.

Would I be able to go into ER if it happens again? It's about the only way I can see this problem being addressed properly.

[Otter]

Hello James. I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. Was the visit with your injured wrists the same as the one where you asked about the reverse sleep paralysis? How long did your doctor spend with you? I don't recognize your symptoms, but perhaps you should find a new doctor or at least get a second opinion.

[JamesJ2012]

No, the wrists issue was a while ago, I went to the doctors today regarding the sleep issue.

She spent around 3 minutes with me, and most of that was me explaining my symptoms. The only question she asked was "Do you snore" which I could not answer, and "Is your nose blocked when you sleep".

It's frustrating because I am now getting 2 hours sleep a night because I'm in fear of sleeping. Although the experience is short, when it happens, it's the worst experience I could ever imagine.

[Otter]

Three minutes might do for speed dating, but it's very short for a visit with your doctor. Are you locked in with her for some reason, or can you find someone who has time and pays attention?

[Bugdude]

Here's a novel idea: get another doctor?

[BlackSpinner]

If you can't get a doctor then walk in with a printed list of OSA symptoms. Find the sleep test questions on line and do them and print it off. Hand them to her and say you are not leaving until you have a referral to a sleep doctor.

[Janknitz]

You should ask to be evaluated for something known as "sleep behavioral disorder" and other sleep disorders. This is a sleep problem that causes people to do things in their sleep and can be related to apnea. The proper referral is to a neurologist who specializes in sleep medicine. Sleep issues may also cause depression.

[Dojers]

Yes, your doctor is retarded (no offense to those mentally slow - those people are NOT retarded - they are wonderful!!) and sounds like she's only in it for $$ and not for the patient's welfare. And the fact she blew you off when you were depressed and slit your wrists would have been the last visit from me she'da ever gotten!!

You need to find yourself a different doctor - not even a specialist or anything, just a general practitioner or Primary Care Physician or whatever it is they call "regular" doctors where you are - who will actually take the time to listen to you and your concerns. I ran into a similar problem with some nerve damage I now have thanks to the doctor just blowing me off (or fobbing me off) and ignoring everything I told him. I finally got a doctor who listened and now am in better shape.

You HAVE to have a doctor who, if they don't really care, will at least listen and do something to help. Good luck. It sounds like you are in a horrible situation and one that needs taken care of ASAP!

[ameriken]

Yes, your doctor is retarded (no offense to those mentally slow - those people are NOT retarded - they are wonderful!!) and sounds like she's only in it for $$ and not for the patient's welfare. And the fact she blew you off when you were depressed and slit your wrists would have been the last visit from me she'da ever gotten!!

You need to find yourself a different doctor - not even a specialist or anything, just a general practitioner or Primary Care Physician or whatever it is they call "regular" doctors where you are - who will actually take the time to listen to you and your concerns. I ran into a similar problem with some nerve damage I now have thanks to the doctor just blowing me off (or fobbing me off) and ignoring everything I told him. I finally got a doctor who listened and now am in better shape.

You HAVE to have a doctor who, if they don't really care, will at least listen and do something to help. Good luck. It sounds like you are in a horrible situation and one that needs taken care of ASAP!

^^^^^^This!^^^^^^^^

I completely agree. Tell this doctor to go fob herself and find another doctor. Don't wait until a situation where you need to go to an emergency room, be proactive and find another doctor even if you have to pay for it yourself.

A good doctor can make all the difference in the world!

[TalonNYC]

Agreed, even if you're on Public Assistance, you can request another Primary Care Physician at any time. Don't back down, don't give up, and don't settle for anything less than a caring and compassionate doctor. My doc often takes only 3-5 minutes with me, but when I leave I feel as though she has heard my symptoms and given it some good thought. Also, whenever I come to her with something serious (and I'd call the wrist event SERIOUS), the visit is a lot longer than 3-5 minutes. The upshot of this is that the amount of time is less important than the skill of the doctor, and yours has very little skill! I suspect she could spend an hour with you each visit and not accomplish any more than she's done up till now.

Ditch the doc, get a new one, and make sure you tell them you're coming in for a 30 min visit to go over your complete medical history for the first time you go their office.

[Breathe Jimbo]

Uh, the part about cutting your wrists.... You need to see a mental health professional about that right away. A psychologist or psychiatrist. And, yes, find a new regular doctor.