Http://www.talkdelaware.com/newthread.php? Do=newthread&f=40
This is an 'open letter to anyone who wishes to read it', with emphasis toward anyone suffering an auto-immune type disease, arthritic conditions, etc. And might be considering NC Chapel Hill's School of Medicine. Thwe events described below are the actual events that took place according 'solely to my recollection of those events'. Anyone who wishes to contact me concerning this matter, is free to do so. Any further comments will be made at my descretion only.
The actual 'office-visit' this letter (mainly) refers to, took place approx. 1999.
A Short History:
I started having some stiffness and discomfort in my lower spine region approx 25 years ago... Since that time
And learning I had a type of genetic inflammatory disease, which falls under the arthritis umbrella of
Diseases, I have been through many, many types of doctors and treatments... Eventually becomming so
Frustrated and defeated that I had really given-up on doctors in general.
My RIP-OFF:
This was especially true after my visit
with the 'head of rheumatology at NC chapel hill', I had never met or seen this doctor, but because my older
Brother was being treated by doctors there for his crohn's disease (which is also an inflammatory disease
Related to my genetic type of arthritis) I was waiting (for approx 45 minutes) in a 'private' examination room,
Stripped down to my underwear (as instructed by the nurse that had taken me to the room)... Then, without any
Prior warning (or even a greeting) of any kind, This 'doctor' swung open the door & proceeded to bring (what
Appeared in number of students) 'an entire classroom of students' most of who'm appeared to be approx. 7-8
Yrs older than me. Without any introduction, he proceeded to 'give me orders' (similar to the TV-movie
Stereoptype of a hard-ass marine sergeant)... With the entire emphasis being on showing his class of students the
Effects and symptoms of my particular genetic inflammatory disease... This 'doctor' was emotially 'as cold as
Ice', who exibited NO care for the patient whatsoever... You should know that when I made the appointment,
Aside from being quite dienchanted with my previous attempts at getting help with controlling the
Degenerative effects of my condition, I was also quite sick, due to the long term effects of taking ANSAID
Medications, which I had been prescribed for the previous 12 years. After approx. 20 minutes of 'jumping
Through hoops like a circus act' for his students. I was 'physically forced by the doctor's very own hands' to
Move in ways that were 'quite painful and uncomfortable due to the nature of my condition, (I think even 'his
Students' were somewhat embarrased or 'felt uncomfortable for me' in seeing this 'terrible example of the
Medical industry at work with 'a real-live patient', pulled out a prescription pad and wrote a 1-month supply for
A higher mg dosage of the same medication that was making me so ill (internally - At that time, in addition to
Suffering the debilitating effects the arthritis, because of the very medication he had prescribed-without any
Consultation, I was throwing-up and suffering diarrhea on a daily - (with blood - sorry for being so descriptive
Here).
I left there literally feeling as though I was in a twilite-zone episode. Aside from being humiliated, belittled and
Physically 'hurt' by this 'doctor', he had not offered any consultation or advice and given me a prescription for
A medication (at a dosage) that could have led to my demise. (10's of 1000's of people die each year from
Intenal bleeding because of long term ANSAID treatment!).
I contacted the hospital and made numerous calls concerning this matter. I then received a series of
Invoices for several hundred dollars (the amount invoiced that the insurance didn't pay... Which means 'this doctor' got paid an enormous amount of money for 20 minutes of instruction to his students & my torture)... And yes, I continued to call and find someone/anyone to discuss this matter with... Which turned out to be a futile waste of time... The addtl. Fees, in turn were turned over to a collection agency and then (because
They - UNC chapel hill) is / are a State school of medicine, my state tax refund was taken from me 2 years in a row!..
I do not know if this 'doctor-person (?)' is still holding the same position at this 'institution', but I would suggest anyone suffering with an arthritic condition, to 'read my story'...
As a side note: I have refrained from seeking government assistance to support myself & my two children.
(even though I have been told by four different physicians that I am physically disabled)... instead I have
Continued attempting to work as much as my condition allows me... I struggle financially just to get by (with
Basics needs). The NC tax refunds that were 'taken by the state on the school's behalf...' was desperately
Needed and anticipated, only to be taken without notice. I try to forgive and forget... Face piles of trials with
Miles of smiles, etc, etc... When I should have gotten a good attorney and sued for malpractice... But, apparently, my
'hind-site' rates as solid '20-20' vision!..
Kindest regards...& best wishes...
PS: My brother passed away approx 2 years ago after numerous experimental treatments and operations, many of which had not been attempted on others with his same (type) conditions...
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