Between a rock and a hard place with cancer dx

[Illinois]

I was diagnosed with cancer about 5 years ago. They immediately put me on interferon therapy. About a year later they said I also had Hypothyroidism. I never had any of the symptoms or problems of cancer, only side effects from the drug they were giving me. I had always had every symptom of Hypothyroidism, I just didn't know what it was and I was not the kind of person who went to the doctor. I avoided them most of the time before this. I stopped taking the interferon about 8 months ago because I couldn't find a doctor to treat me. I'm assuming it is because I have had "cancer" for so long. What I'm getting at is, I believe I was misdiagnosed. Absolutely nothing has happened since I went off the medicine. I also did some research and found out that Hypothyroidism also causes an extremely high blood count, which was the only symptom I had when they diagnosed me with cancer. I had to go on permanent disability because of the side effects I was experiencing and subsequently lost my position in the company I working for. I'm still on disability and now I feel like I'm playing hooky because I don't think I ever had cancer. The problem is, I cannot find a doctor who will release me to go back to work. But they won't treat me, either. How can I find a doctor who will see me without my medical records? Is there a way to find out if I ever had cancer in the first place? I just don't know where to turn. The first thing any doctor's office tells you is that they can't see me without my medical records. In the experience I have had, these doctors have all covered for each other right on down the line. That's why I didn't want to bring in medical records to any doctor I would be lucky enough to find. There is alot at stake here. I would appreciate any feedback anyone has. Thank you.

 

[The Legal Shoppe]

You have a right to receive your medical records. If your doctor won't give them to you, file a complaint with your state medical board.

When you receive your records, have them reviewed by a medical expert in the specialty of the doctors who you believe may have committed malpractice. This may cost you some money to get the experts to review your records and give an opinion of potential malpractice. However, when you have an opinion that it was malpractice, then you will be prepared to shop around for an experience malpractice lawyer who can obtain a fair settlement or litigate your case.

Good luck and don't give up the fight.

 

[Illinois]

I'm afraid you might have misunderstood what I was trying to tell you. You see, I purposely do not want to bring in my medical records to any doctor I would be lucky enough to find. Every time these doctors have reviewed my records, they decide they don't want to treat me. That's why I want to start from scratch. How do I go about finding a doctor who would not require my medical records in order to see me? I would appreciate your feedback. Thank You.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, Verdana">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Illinois:
I'm afraid you might have misunderstood what I was trying to tell you. You see, I purposely do not want to bring in my medical records to any doctor I would be lucky enough to find. Every time these doctors have reviewed my records, they decide they don't want to treat me. That's why I want to start from scratch. How do I go about finding a doctor who would not require my medical records in order to see me? I would appreciate your feedback. Thank You.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

My response:

I don't mean to sound flippant, because yours is a very serious situation, but this sounds like a "Seinfeld" show, where Elaine is refused treatments from various doctors because of something in the records that "she is a difficult patient", and all the while, she's trying to stop the doctors from reading her records. The show was quite funny - - but your situation, in real life, I understand, is not. My only suggestion to you, because of the malpractice laws in this country, would be to see a doctor in Mexico, Canada, or another country, and start fresh with new records in that country.

I wish I had better suggestions for you, and I hope you get the satisfaction you need real quick.

IAAL

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[This message has been edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE (edited July 28, 2000).]

 

[Illinois]

I know what you are saying. My husband and I have joked many times about the "Elaine" episode and that was the very first thing we thought of when all of this started happening. Thank you for your advice, though.