Has anyone had to transfer a parent to a different doctors office while they were on Zytiga? Is it possible to transfer to a different doctors office when a patient is on a drug like Zytiga that is so specialized, it's only administered by the doctors office? Dad's prostate cancer has progressed, it's spread to his bones, he was referred to another urology office who could administer the Zytiga. Everything is good with the office, but the doctor. I've gone with dad on appointments even before he really needed me, because he asked. Dad is intelligent but poorly educated, has always had a hard time understanding medical terminology, couldn't fill out his paperwork, says yes to everything in a doctors office, even in regard to when he's asked about symptoms. Can't pronounce prostate. Dad has a minor speech issue, born that way. I've been his caregiver for five years, he's 83, hard of hearing, has difficulty walking, we use a wheel chair. This doctor does not acknowledge me as a caregiver, does not want me to ask questions, does not talk to dad about side effects to watch out for. The doctor has one chair pulled to his desk for the patient and three chairs on the side against the wall always. I ask questions, doc gets angry, like I've inconvenienced him and I'm taking up good air in his office by being there. Doctor has been asked about walking, why doesn't he walk? Dad tells him in his way, doctor doesn't understand or listen. Yesterday dad was asked about his dentures. I said "dentures?". The man leaned up on his desk from a sitting position, put his fists on his desk, leaned over wide eyed and glared me down, took a moderate scolding/correcting stance towards me because I asked why do dentures matter with prostate cancer. My dad leaned back in his wheelchair, and in all honesty the behavior frightened me. I've noticed this doctor was extremely tense from the first appointment. I want to find another urology office closer to home, see if they can request dads medical records, schedule an appointment and see if they can get his zytiga in time without a gap in treatment. I don't want to cause conflict with the current office either, but I feel this doctor will not work well with us when dad reaches a point he needs Xofigo (Radium 223) and he's radioactive and may need to be hospitalized for that reason. We need a doctor who works well with the caregiver as this progresses. Any ideas, or similar experiences?
Call another urologist office, explain the situation and I'm positive they will take your dad or refer you to another office.
find another doctor get the testing redone as it sounds like you cant trust this guy. if it was me once I found another doctor and had dad settled in with the new one, I would file a complaint against this man. remember if hes talked to you and treated you like garbage how many other patients is he doing this to.
I am a firm believer of reading reviews on doctors before deciding to use them , a review of your feelings and concerns can go a long way on a doctors web site, think about it.
don't lower yourself to this man. you have a right to know answers to your concerns about your parent ......
good luck........
I am fortunate, when my orthopedist was pontificating, my husband yelled, ‘get off your high horse and listen to the patient !!” That should be a patient motto.
Seriously, you have rights. Get another doctor!
Best regards, Michele
Call a hospital and ask for a referral to several docs who can give your dad his meds. When you speak to someone in the office reconfirm that again.
Also ask if the doc is willing to discuss patients with caregivers or patients only when the caregiver is present.
There is absolutely no necessity for being spoken to like that.
Now I am dealing with a Dr that totally ignores my mother and directs all questions and comments to me, granted my mom is 94 and does have short term memory loss but again I feel she is being treated as if anything she could contribute would be insignificant in Drs eyes. There are a million Drs out there just need to find one that is qualified in field you need and a good bedside manner would be nice 😉. Goodluck to both you and your dad and remember you want your dad, the dr and yourself to be a team.
Firstly, doctors are service providers...like your plumber or electrician..You are paying them for specialized knowledge. Mutual respect is essential
Hippocrates said it best
"Cure occasionally, treat sometimes, care Always"
Surely bedside manner is an important aspect of "Care"?!
Call your medical insurance provider and find someone else.
I suggest you get 2 or 3 doctors name and info. Then look up their reviews online. Consider all the 3 star and less reviews before making an appointment
2. Once you have a new practitioner, go to Yelp &/or google & write a review on this cad in hospital jewelry calling himself a doctor(think about it, would you have exposed your Dad to him if you had been pre warned?!).
"The way you start, is the way you end" it can only get worse.
He's not doing you a favor. He is getting paid
3. How do you know that the cancer has spread to the bones... Test results?
Some of the most common side effects of Zytiga are
i joint swelling or pain. Swelling in legs or feet. weakness. Which can also be signs of bone cancer.
Zytiga inhibits enzymes in the adrenal glands that are responsible for the body making male hormones (androgens). Lowering testosterone is helpful for cancer of prostate.
However,Zytiga also increases blood pressure, lowers potassium and increases fluid retention. Therefore prednisone should be given at the same time. Even so, Zytiga is not the medicine of choice when there is a history of heart problems
There are other medicine with the same benefits
You need to be able to communicate comfortably with your fathers Doctor.
Its essential for the wellbeing of your father, and yourself.
I worked in a cancer hospital where both standard cancer treatment and natural medicine treatments were given. With surprisingly good results. In so far as reducing the side effects and suffering of the patients.
I recommend you review some videos on YouTube of 'The Gerson Program" by Charlotte Gerson, the daughter of the Dr Max Gerson MD who invented the cancer program. It has been in existence over 90 years now in USA. If you prefer reading you can buy books on this program on Amazon.
Applying some or all of the principles could only serve to improve your fathers quality of life.
Best Regards
If they can't help they will certainly point you in the right direction. Life with cancer is hard enough, you don't need the added stress, neither does your father. Hugs.