What Do Doctors Really Know?

Do you ever feel like you go to the doctor’s office only to walk out 45mins later even more confused than when you first walked in? Recently, I’ve experienced this first-hand. I went to see an orthopedist for pain in a pain in my butt. No, really. I’ve been getting a super sharp pain on the right side of my tailbone. It is especially increased after I exercise or walk for more than 1/2 mile or run at all… It’s been coming and going over the past 6 months or so– but the past month has been horrific. It is always sore. There are days when I can hardly walk. My orthopedist had me do some tests and told me it was an issue with my SI joint. The SI joint is located in your pelvis…

He prescribed Physical Therapy and X-rays. My visit to the PT was alright; people were super friendly and told me my leg was dislocated and had to be popped back in.. whatever that means. So we took care of that and then I proceeded to work on some exercises and stretches, followed by 15minutes of electro-shock therapy coupled with massive heating pad. Great. fine. whatever. Although the stretching felt great, it did nothing. I went back to my ortho and he told me that it was weird because my SI joint resembled one of an old woman who has popped out a few kids. Thanks for that, ortho-man. That’s all he said. He followed it up with, “here’s a prescription for percoset. Take 2 at a time and let’s see you back in 2 weeks.” Fine. I continued with PT twice a week and nothing changed. The percoset didn’t do anything and were a big waste of time.

This morning I went back and the orthopedist told me hmmmm still have pain, eh? Ummm, yes. I didn’t just make it up and I’ve been having it for 6 months, did you really think percoset and a pat on the back from you would fix it? He told me that I needed to see a Rheumotologist because they would better be able to tell me what was going on. So, $75 later (thank god my copay is only $25/pop) + $200 (8 PT sessions) and a month later, I was told to go see another doctor. Isn’t that why I skipped seeing my general doctor to begin with… to cut out pointless appointments? Now I have to wait another 2 weeks for an appointment with the Rheumatologist… but at least I have percoset, right?

This makes me wonder… will the Rheumatologist actually be able to help more or will he suggest that I go see someone else? Doctors aggravate me. Sorry to all you awesome doctors out there ;0)