Doctor Stomping on Your Time? Fire Him!

Today I had a 9:00 appointment with my dermatologist. The nurse called me back to the exam room at 9:15. The doctor strolled in at 9:40. I know, because I told myself that I was going to walk out if he didn't come in by 9:45. I knew to set a deadline because I've had to wait as long as 60 minutes in the exam room before seeing this doctor.

The reason for my visit is an area on my back that itches like crazy. It's bothered me for a long time--a good five years and probably longer. The dermatologist has given me about 60 different creams, lotions, and ointments to try without success.

Two visits ago, he excised a knotty spot in the middle of the itchy area that he thought was the likely cause. I went back to have the stitches out. The wound popped open a day or two later. Methinks perhaps the stitches should have stayed in a few days longer. I didn't call him. What was he going to do?

The itch continues. Today he decided to scrape off some of the skin for a look under the microscope. Lo and behold, it is (and likely always has been) a fungus. Ewwww! He gave me yet another cream that I'm to put on it twice a day for three weeks. He assured me this will clear it up. We shall see.

Either way, I don't think I'm going back. He told me he wants to see me in 6 months. When I went to check out, the receptionist (or whatever she is) told me they only make appointments three months out. She gave me a card with instructions to call back in July. Huh?

I ranted in an earlier post about a similar experience with another doctor--my regular physician. Dropped him after a very pleasant experience at the office of a specialist. In fact, the experience was so different from what I consider to be normal that I commented on it. The nurse said there's no excuse for that kind of abuse and I should change doctors. I did, and I'm much happier as a result.

Know any good dermatologists? If so, let me know. Getting rid of one more inconsiderate doctor might be enough to keep me from being...

The Crotchety Old Man