i believe that women are discriminated
against in the medical world. Not by all
doctors but I believe they are the
majority. They don't take womens concerns
seriously and often think that our
problems are emotional instead of real.
Quick to say you are depressed or treat
you as if you are a hypocondriac. For ten
years I was having problems with my heart.
They started when I was 14y.Old and got
worse. I began looking for help at age
18. Palpatations, rapid heart rate(160
bpm) out of the blue and when i'm
sedentary, numbness and tingling mainly in
my left arm and sometimes pain, dizziness,
and shortness of breath. I discussed this
problem with 5 private practice doctors
(all men but even one woman doctor) and 2
e.R. Doctors during a 10 year period.
Only the e.R. Doctors did an ekg. But
all of them said it was panic attacks and
put me on zanax! And a variety of
anti-depressants. 10 years later I go to
work for a cardiologist office and after
awhile (still having problems) I spoke to
a nurse about it and she took my blood
pressure. It was fine. She suggested
that I see one of our 13 doctors. So I
did. They ran tests including an
echocardiogram which concluded that I had
a mitral valve and tricuspid valve
prolapses. Not deadly but life disrupting
symptoms. The doctor knew it was a
prolapse just by listening to my heart and
hearing my symptoms. The echo just
confirmed his opinion. Later I found out
that it is hereditary and that both my mom
and my grandmother have it. (my mom has
one and my grandmother has two like me.)it
is also common in women. Like 1 in 10
women have it. But not all have symptoms.
Tell me why wouldn't these other doctors
have done further testing and be so quick
to put me on zanax and anti-depressants.
Which I did not need. Other experiences
have happened as well that have led me to
believe that the doctor I saw did not take
me seriously and also that when I ask
questions they don't seem to really want
to answer them. As if I don't need to
understand or won't understand what they
are going to tell me. I took a class in
college called fitness for life. It
stated just what I had suspected.Statics
show that women are sometimes discrimated
against because of the male perception of
women. I will find the book and quote it
to you later in another post to update
this one. Well I think we women should
try to do something about this. I'm not
sure what at this time. But I will think
about it. Please share any opinions,
experiences, or suggestions with me.
Thanks. :d
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 03-12-04 06:52am
I do not know about most cases, but I do
know that it definately happens. It has
happened to me several times. If you go
in for anything they either try to put you
on birth control or take you off of it.
They seem to think that will cure
everything. And if you have stomach
pains or anything like that then they
automatically say it is nerves.
But not all of the time. My doctor now
is great.
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Chinarose
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 10 Mar 2004 Posts: 33 Location: Louisiana
To: Hotasfrick Posted: 03-12-04 07:38am
Thanks for your reply. I agree with you.
And thanks for your poll response. I have
not found a doctor yet that I feel
comforatable with or feel that I can
trust. I am glad that you have and I am
sure I will too, eventually. These days
it can be hard to find the right doctor.
There are so many of them that have
started there career for the money and
some that started with good intentions but
got wrapped up in the money. But there
are some who truly have a heart for
people. But I do admire their heart and
their commitment. But they are far and
few between. Thanks again. And best
wishes.
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 03-15-04 04:57am
My doctor is a female. I am not saying
that men doctors cannot be good (not at
all!!!) but all of the ones I had did what
I mentioned above. "oh it is just your
nerves. Try to relax.)" come to find out
I had all kinds of health problems
unrelated to nerves.
I am also not saying that all female
doctors are good either. It is just a
matter of finding the right one. But,
try a female. It couldn't hurt. I
drive 30 miles to see my doctor and I
would drive 100 if I had to. I am never
giving her up!
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KissyBai912
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 1762 Location: Venice, Florida
Posted: 03-15-04 05:07am
I know exactly how you feel. I am 39
weeks pregnant and I got to a private
group practice and my doctor is usually
female, but you have to see every doctor
in the practice at least once while you
are pregnant. Usually when I have
concerns, the midwives and female ob/gyn's
take the time to tell me whatbthey think
it may be and assure me it is normal or
whatever. They are great. But I saw a
male ob/gyn weeks ago and when I told him
of a concern I had he just told me it was
hormones and that I was fine. Then he
left even though I had a couple more
questions. I thought it was quite rude.
But I do generally like female doctors
better because they understand and dont
blame it all on hormones and mood swings.
So I can definitely see your point.
