How can I trust these doctors

I posted earlier about having a bad day and not liking the military doctors and not really wanting them to deliver me but now I really don't trust these people!!!! They did a urine test and it had bacteria in it. So they gave me medicine, macrobid. All good right? Nope. As I was waiting for it I happened to read the precautions and all that junk. It said that this medicine should only be taken when completely necessary during pregnancy (ok I could see where I should still take it). Then it went on to say "This medicine should NOT be taken at the end of pregnancy, 38-40 weeks, or while in labor. It could cause blood disorders (can't remember exact name but something like hymaphlia anemia) in the baby." I was like uhhh should I really be taking this? I'm two days away from 38 weeks and could go into labor at anytime and supposidly deffinately by Monday.

So I asked the pharmasist and she said maybe your doctor didn't know how far along you were. OK... Isn't that their job. So they gave me amoxicillian.

Would anyone else be scared to have these people delivering your babies? What if I hadn't just happened to have the extra time to read that. And I'm not sure why I did because I read it about 10 weeks ago and was about to just throw it down when for some reason I picked it back up and read it. And then the babies did get this disorder. I know I did catch it and so it won't happen. But how could the doctors have messed up that big?

 

QUOTE(Courtney2 @ Jun 25 2009, 10:44 PM) [snapback]1368859[/snapback]
I posted earlier about having a bad day and not liking the military doctors and not really wanting them to deliver me but now I really don't trust these people!!!! They did a urine test and it had bacteria in it. So they gave me medicine, macrobid. All good right? Nope. As I was waiting for it I happened to read the precautions and all that junk. It said that this medicine should only be taken when completely necessary during pregnancy (ok I could see where I should still take it). Then it went on to say "This medicine should NOT be taken at the end of pregnancy, 38-40 weeks, or while in labor. It could cause blood disorders (can't remember exact name but something like hymaphlia anemia) in the baby." I was like uhhh should I really be taking this? I'm two days away from 38 weeks and could go into labor at anytime and supposidly deffinately by Monday.

So I asked the pharmasist and she said maybe your doctor didn't know how far along you were. OK... Isn't that their job. So they gave me amoxicillian.

Would anyone else be scared to have these people delivering your babies? What if I hadn't just happened to have the extra time to read that. And I'm not sure why I did because I read it about 10 weeks ago and was about to just throw it down when for some reason I picked it back up and read it. And then the babies did get this disorder. I know I did catch it and so it won't happen. But how could the doctors have messed up that big?


Ooh! Thats scary, hon. It sounds like you are paying VERY close attention to them though. I would say that you should keep doing that and make sure that your husband/team that will be with you during your delivery know your concerns and that they are on top of things when you're not able to be.

Really sorry that you have such crummy doctors. That must be an awful experience.

 

:hug: That would scare me too. :hug: I'd call them and ask to see what that doctor has to say for themselves. <_< Is there any way you can have a different doctor deliver your babies? I'm sorry I'm not familiar with military doctors/hospitals. :hug:

 

I have three doctors that could possibly deliver the babies. I think it might be 4 but I've never met the 4th if their is one. And I get who ever is on call that day. I can't choose. Oh unless I plan on a c-section and schedule a date. But I really don't want that and don't think I would trust any of them on that one either.

 

Just curious where you are at Courtney? There's supposedly 3 or 4 doctors here at my military hospital, none of them ever seem concerned when I am. I had one last week that I hadn't ever seen and she was a real b*tch. I really wish I had switched to Tricare Standard so I could have gone through civilian doctors!

 

hang in there, you're almost at the end. it sucks but sometimes you can't trust doctors completely. right at the beginning of my second trimster i had a kitchen accident and mangled one of my fingers. the very first thing i said when i got to the ER was "i'm pregnant with twins, it's a high risk pregnancy." i said it literally to everyone who walked by. after i got my stitches they wanted to give me a tetanus shot and i said, "is that safe for pregnant women?" the doctor said, "i think so..." then went to ask another doctor. that doctor also said, "i think so..."

i made them make some calls to verify whether it was okay but they still didn't sound sure enough for me. so i refused the shot and waited until Monday when i could call my OB. i think i ran through 5 doctors total before i finally got someone who confidently cited the medical standard that tetanus shots are fine if you're in your 2nd or 3rd trimester.

the point is, it's okay to question everything they do. i assume you'll have someone there at the hospital to be your advocate. if you're not comfortable, question EVERYTHING. you're in charge!

good luck!

 

QUOTE(ShortStackJo @ Jun 25 2009, 06:27 PM) [snapback]1368990[/snapback]
Just curious where you are at Courtney? There's supposedly 3 or 4 doctors here at my military hospital, none of them ever seem concerned when I am. I had one last week that I hadn't ever seen and she was a real b*tch. I really wish I had switched to Tricare Standard so I could have gone through civilian doctors!



I am near St. Louis.

I believe it is a military thing. I told my husband around 20 weeks of this pregnancy that if I ever get pregnant again while we have tricare I will not go to military doctors. Expecially the OBs just don't seem to care/know what they are doing. At least the ones I have come across.

I thank god that I did not have any complications that can be associated with twin pregnancies. I was never given any restrictions or even asked what kind of work I do. I have mono/di twins and they wanted to give me ultrasounds every 8 weeks until 32 weeks and then every 4 because the risk of TTTS goes up. ??? Everything I read said that it goes down at this point. And then everything I've read says that letting twins who share a placenta go to 40 weeks has more risks than delivering them early. When I expressed this all they said was that this can happen with any pregnancy and that they only problem that arises with sharing a placenta is TTTS and that I'm passed this. But wait they said before that I wasn't at risk until 32 weeks so how am I out of danger now? I wish I had changed doctors at 16 weeks when I first started sensing that they didn't really know a lot about twins. To be honest they didn't tell me much about pregnancy. If I hadn't been pregnant before I would not have known anything.

Moral of the story. Don't use military for OB care.

 

Well...I think it can go both ways. Not sure to say that it IS fair to "avoid" Military Doctors.

We use Tricare Standard because he has been her "female Dr." for almost 5 years...and it's only gonna cost us bout 750 for everything.

He is a great Dr. and has twin 13 yr old boys. Of course only in reading his Bio or talking with him, you would know that he was Chief OBGYM at Walter Reed(which is one of the largest Hospitals) when he was active service...I am in utter awe with him. He's great.

I'm sure you could find these Dr's in the civillian sectors as well. Sorry for your situation though.

 

QUOTE(Pitbullzz @ Jun 25 2009, 03:12 PM) [snapback]1369140[/snapback]
Well...I think it can go both ways. Not sure to say that it IS fair to "avoid" Military Doctors.

We use Tricare Standard because he has been her "female Dr." for almost 5 years...and it's only gonna cost us bout 750 for everything.

He is a great Dr. and has twin 13 yr old boys. Of course only in reading his Bio or talking with him, you would know that he was Chief OBGYM at Walter Reed(which is one of the largest Hospitals) when he was active service...I am in utter awe with him. He's great.

I'm sure you could find these Dr's in the civillian sectors as well. Sorry for your situation though.


Tricare Standard you go to civilian doctors and you pay different deductible, etc. Tricare prime is when you have to go to military doctors unless somehow you are no where near one. Tricare prime is completely free, Tricare standard is not.

Any how, I've had nothing but bad luck with my military doctors and the hospital I go to here has the nickname Tripler the Cripler, great nickname, I know!

 

yes...I understand that...like I said, we pay only 750. We had the choice of using Tricare Prime and it costing us nothing, but she wanted to go with her doctor instead. 750 was chump change for that peace of mind. I was just stating that he was a military dr. for 20 years and chief of OBGYM at the largest mil hosptial (or one of). So eventhough now that he is a civilian dr., I find it hard to believe that he automatically changed into this great Dr. once he retired.

I was just trying to share a good exp. with a military(ex) dr...they ain't all bad...

It's a choice I guess. Be enrolled in Tricare Prime and get what they throw at you, or go with Tricare Standard and choose your Dr.

 

It is always hard to put your trust/health/safety in the hands of 'strangers' but you have to try your best to believe that they know what is best.
I agree w/ the posts about calling them out on the things that you may find questionable & find their reasoning behind the prescription they wanted you to take. An open line of communication is KEY to help you feel more comfortable.

Good luck & hang in there

 

QUOTE(Pitbullzz @ Jun 25 2009, 04:11 PM) [snapback]1369267[/snapback]
yes...I understand that...like I said, we pay only 750. We had the choice of using Tricare Prime and it costing us nothing, but she wanted to go with her doctor instead. 750 was chump change for that peace of mind. I was just stating that he was a military dr. for 20 years and chief of OBGYM at the largest mil hosptial (or one of). So eventhough now that he is a civilian dr., I find it hard to believe that he automatically changed into this great Dr. once he retired.

I was just trying to share a good exp. with a military(ex) dr...they ain't all bad...

It's a choice I guess. Be enrolled in Tricare Prime and get what they throw at you, or go with Tricare Standard and choose your Dr.



Yeah I wish I had switched to Tricare Standard, but now it's a bit late so I'm stuck with the military doctors! Next time around (if there is lol) I will switch to Standard beforehand.

I wasn't quite understanding that you meant he switched over to the civilian side in your initial post. I don't disagree that there are good doctors that come from a military background, but I think it's a very slim percentage. I think the ones still in the military hospitals, etc may be overwelmed and just over look and try to get you through as fast as possible, much like the rest of the military world as far as moving quickly. Who knows!


Courtney- Hopefully everything starts working out to be better for you! I had a dr appt today and I had been going every week because the doctor I had been seeing kept saying my cervix was shortening (4.0 to 3.4 to 3.1 and 2.7 cm today), however this doctor today decided I should go back to coming every 2 weeks! I've been having contractions (some BH, some not) for about 4 weeks now. I made my appointment for 2 weeks out this week, only because I have another "big" ultrasound to check their measurements, etc next week, so I'm not really taking a week off in between. I'm hoping I have another doctor in rotation 2 weeks from now.

 

I used to be in the military and separated from active duty when I was just shy of 20 weeks. I can sympathize with you. fortunately for me, Tinker AFB in OK didnt have any OB docs so I was able to go to a civilan doctor.
Anyway, Im glad you read the med info. It doesnt stop in pregnancy.....if you decide to breastfeed and need to take any medication then be extra careful as well. Ive had to tell a doctor multiple times IM BREASTFEEDING, are you sure thats safe to take since IM breastfeeding? Can you go look it up and make sure theres not a safer alternative for me?
People make mistakes, just keep a good watch on them and follow your gut!

 

I don't have any experience with the military hospital up there delivering babies but I know that my dad was on a liver transplant list through the VA because he contracted Hep C through the army and they were responsible and he was almost dead and still waiting for a transplant when my parents got a call from Barnes saying they had a liver (he got it through his Blue Cross insurance and the Dr's at Barnes).I don't trust them at all.I know that they are the reason my dad is dead today.We dealt with the VA in St Louis.Im sorry and wish you luck.

 

QUOTE(ShortStackJo @ Jun 25 2009, 10:40 PM) [snapback]1369415[/snapback]
Yeah I wish I had switched to Tricare Standard, but now it's a bit late so I'm stuck with the military doctors! Next time around (if there is lol) I will switch to Standard beforehand.

I wasn't quite understanding that you meant he switched over to the civilian side in your initial post. I don't disagree that there are good doctors that come from a military background, but I think it's a very slim percentage. I think the ones still in the military hospitals, etc may be overwelmed and just over look and try to get you through as fast as possible, much like the rest of the military world as far as moving quickly. Who knows!
Courtney- Hopefully everything starts working out to be better for you! I had a dr appt today and I had been going every week because the doctor I had been seeing kept saying my cervix was shortening (4.0 to 3.4 to 3.1 and 2.7 cm today), however this doctor today decided I should go back to coming every 2 weeks! I've been having contractions (some BH, some not) for about 4 weeks now. I made my appointment for 2 weeks out this week, only because I have another "big" ultrasound to check their measurements, etc next week, so I'm not really taking a week off in between. I'm hoping I have another doctor in rotation 2 weeks from now.


For sure...it's kind of the "burn me once...shame on you. Burn me twice..."

Yeah...my Dad was in for 30 years, I have been in for right over 13...I have come across some very good docs, but for the most part, I still prefer the civillian sector IF possible.

My kids will be under Tricare Prime after they are born, but the DW wants to say under Standard, so she can go where she wants and just show he ID card and that be that

 

I knew military doctors weren't good and neither are the va ones. My sister goes to them in Fl and they are just aweful. Constantly throwing her in circles and never getting anything done. It is kinda nice to hear that I'm not the ONLY one dealing with these idiots though. I bet if I was active duty and not just a "dependent" I would be getting different care. I actually had one OB that I liked and she was really nice and I would have seen just her for the pregnancy BUT because it was twins they had to send me to the active duty OBs and I got to see someone different the whole time. I don't get it. They said it was because she didn't know anything about twins but she at least informed me more before sending me than they did my whole pregnancy.

 

QUOTE(Courtney2 @ Jun 26 2009, 09:54 AM) [snapback]1369872[/snapback]
I knew military doctors weren't good and neither are the va ones. My sister goes to them in Fl and they are just aweful. Constantly throwing her in circles and never getting anything done. It is kinda nice to hear that I'm not the ONLY one dealing with these idiots though. I bet if I was active duty and not just a "dependent" I would be getting different care. I actually had one OB that I liked and she was really nice and I would have seen just her for the pregnancy BUT because it was twins they had to send me to the active duty OBs and I got to see someone different the whole time. I don't get it. They said it was because she didn't know anything about twins but she at least informed me more before sending me than they did my whole pregnancy.


Did you ever think about just going to a civilian doctor?

I know it sucks and kinda too late for that now...but maybe next time?

 

Most pharmacists know much more about any medication than most doctors. (Meaning the pharmacists, *not* the pharmacy techs.) Always, always check with the pharmacist about the meds, even if you aren't pg.

 

QUOTE(Courtney2 @ Jun 26 2009, 04:54 AM) [snapback]1369872[/snapback]
I knew military doctors weren't good and neither are the va ones. My sister goes to them in Fl and they are just aweful. Constantly throwing her in circles and never getting anything done. It is kinda nice to hear that I'm not the ONLY one dealing with these idiots though. I bet if I was active duty and not just a "dependent" I would be getting different care. I actually had one OB that I liked and she was really nice and I would have seen just her for the pregnancy BUT because it was twins they had to send me to the active duty OBs and I got to see someone different the whole time. I don't get it. They said it was because she didn't know anything about twins but she at least informed me more before sending me than they did my whole pregnancy.


I wouldn't bet if you were active duty that you'd get better care. My husband was feeling really sick at the beginning of the year and went to the doctors on a few different occasions and every single time they sent him away telling him he had genital herpes. Can you just imagine how we were looking at each other? Ready to kill each other, but then we both knew that wasn't possible, but you're still left to question. Well a week or two went on and he was on his way to a deployment w/ a stop in San Diego. He was going to go out to eat w/ some of the other guys, but was feeling so sick that he asked one of the guys to take him to the military hospital there. Sure enough, he'd never had genital herpes, he had a UTI that had just progressively gotten worse.