Feeling hopeful about my new doc!

[VivC]

My appointment is the 2nd, but I called today to be added to a cancellation list. The receptionist said the odds were pretty slim since the new patient appointments (like I'll be having) are much longer than the regular appointments.

Anyway, I told her the story about my regular OB dropping the ball after Rivi was born (and maybe before, but we'll never know), and I said that I'd called the specialist's office for a referral to this new doc. The receptionist started laughing and said that she has an appointment with the same specialist tomorrow to have a cerclage put in! (they watched her because of biopsy history, and her cervix thinned out too much).

We had a great conversation. She actually has this new doc do the regular OB/GYN stuff, and goes to the specialist for the IC issues. So I feel really confident now that this new doc will know what she's doing, since she's referred her own receptionist to the specialist that I LOVE!!!

Finally, some good news. I need all I can get these days (although I am feeling somewhat less depressed since my due date has passed).

p.s. I've decided that I just won't post anything about DH, since he still creeps around after me in here.

[GabrielsMom]

Viv! I'm so happy to hear this. Isn't it amazing how important it is to be confident in your doc? I hate my old OB, so I made an appointment to see our local MFM for a second opinion (my old OB told me that the next time I get pregnant, I'll have a cerclage, by him, and then I'd have to go on bedrest from day 1... a$$). Anyways, this MFM ROCKS, and he gave me the name of an OB that he recommended. So, I'm going for an annual exam on Friday. Hopefully, I'll be comfortable with him, and for next pg, I will go to him for OB stuff and to the MFM for cerclage and cervical monitoring.

ANYWAYS, I'm so glad to hear that you're feeling hopeful! I know that it definitely helped me!

God bless,
Adrianne

[saluki_fan]

Great news Viv! Best of luck with the new doctor. You too, April 2005.

It was a huge decision and a big leap of faith, but I changed docs (ob-gyns) last week after my original OB made fun of me for calling in with questions and refused to let me see my records at my most recent appointment with her on 1/7. According to the new doctor, she neglected to give me 2 of the most important PCOS tests (an u/s to look for cysts and a fasting insulin test) so he wants me to do all those to make sure I truly have PCOS - the only symptom I really have is irregular AFs and anovulatory cycles. He said he didn't understand why she put me on Met when she hadn't even determined if I was insulin resistant or not. However, I did respond to Met and have had regular cycles since going on it - so I told him even if it turns out I'm not IR, I'd like to stay on it! Also apparently some of the stuff she told me about Clomid, going off Metformin when PG, and miscarriage in general was WRONG (at least it contradicts his opinion, anyway.) At her last visit, some of the things she said did contradict things she told me back in July. I know her office still hasn't sent over my records and it looks like the new doc will have to call the old doc personally to get them. I don't envy him that experience!

[VivC]

Too bad they're allowed to stay in practice.

I decided that if there is part of a stitch left in my cervix (my best guess, since the infection won't go away), I have to report my old OB. He's a really nice guy, but I'm appalled that he still tries to practice high-risk when he's CLUELESS!

I told my mom I was switching (she's a nurse), and she breathed a big sigh of relief. She said she knew he was totally lost in the delivery room! I asked why she didn't tell me, and she said that I loved they guy, and it's ultimately up to me, blah, blah, blah. Moms - the one time she didn't butt in...

If there's no stitch, I think I'll let it slide. Yes, he should've done cultures and an ultrasound. Yes, he should've listened more to the peri (and me when I complained about discharge). But nothing will bring Rivi back.

[SheriKCMO]

Viv,
I'm so pleased that you are feeling good about the new doc! This can really make or break a pregnancy. One reason I haven't been checked into the looney bin during this pregnancy is that I have a lot of confidence in my doctor and his ability to communicate with me and watch for trouble. It has really kept my worry level to a minimum (which will definitely be high after a loss, but doesn't have to be high enough to lock me up!). I hope that you and your husband feel ready to try again when the time is right and the new doctor agrees on a plan for your next pregnancy.
Lots of Luck,
Sheri

[VivC]

I LOVE my new OB/GYN. The maternal/fetal specialist's office referred me to her. They already have a great working relationship. We discussed what would be done when/if I get pregnant again, and we're in agreement (except she doesn't want to do the 17P shots since an infection probably caused my PTL). But anyway, the maternal/fetal guy would make that call.
We talked for an hour before she even examined me. I wasn't rushed at all.

She said the infection's cleared up, but she's definitely concerned that I'm still in pain. She did a manual exam, and when she pressed on one part of my cervix it hurt so bad I screamed. So obviously that's where the problem is. The weird thing is that it's nowhere near the scar tissue. So, we're hoping there's still part of a stitch in there. She's calling the m/f guy to see if an U/S would work to find this type of stitch.

But if there's not a stitch in there, she thinks my problem is underlying scar tissue, which they can't do anything about, or muscle spasms (she said my muscles felt really tight). She gave me Indocin to try in case it is muscle spasms.

She also said I can stay on the Met (the only thing Dr. Incompetent did right), so I'm happy about that.

So I still don't know what the heck is going on, but at least I now have a competent doc who works closely with the specialist I like (who WILL do the early cerclage if/when I go for it again).

She was able to look at my charts from my hospital stay, and she was disturbed at the antibiotics I was given after my PROM. She said she couldn't say they caused the infection to get so bad, but she would've given a patient IV over oral (which the specialist did recommend, Dr. Incompetent declined), and much stronger antibiotics. She also looked at Rivi's chart from the NICU, and she told me not to EVER look at them. She said they poked and prodded and did so much it would break my heart. Which is fine - I just wanted to find out what type of infection he had. Unfortunately, the antibiotics masked it, so she's going to check for GBS several times next pregnancy.

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this new doc?

[SheriKCMO]

Wow, Viv, it really sounds like you have a team of people working FOR you! I hope they can figure out what is causing so much pain and take care of it. I don't know if this is an issue for you, but some people going through emotional crises can have physical symptoms manifest themselves or be much worse. Since that one spot is so bad, though, I wouldn't think that part is to be ignored! I'm really glad you're not infected anymore and can really think about healing and feeling normal sometime soon. I love good news. Congratulations on all of this, she really sounds like she is in your corner!

[GabrielsMom]

viv, I'm really glad to hear this. I love my new OB too. It's like night and day!

[Pamela]

Viv, I'm so glad you found a doctor you like and that will work WITH you!! I like to hear good news from you.
I hope your physical pain is healed soon as well.
You are often in my thoughts!!!!
((hugs)))))
Pam

[saluki_fan]

Viv, it's good to hear your visit went well. It's amazing what a boost we can get from good medical care. It sounds like she spent a lot of time with you and was very thorough. I hope the source of your pain is determined soon.

One question - what is a 17P shot?

[VivC]

It's a progesterone shot given to prevent PTL. Since I didn't necessarily have PTL, just IC exacerbated by an infection, she thinks I don't need it. I kind of wanted it to cover all bases (what if it was IC AND PTL?), but we'll see what the specialist says. She obviously loves the guy, so I have a feeling whatever he says will go.

Sheri - I was wondering if it might be all in my head. I was afraid she wouldn't find anything, but since that one spot is so sore, maybe there really IS a problem. We'll see. It's such a huge difference from Dr. Incompetent, who always rushed me in and out of his office, wouldn't listen, and was just intent on another pregnancy before I was ready.