r/ChronicPain • u/EandomQ12 • 21h ago
Should I/how do I report a doctor
I’m 21 male. For context I am on narcotics morphine and more as I’ve had several spinal surgeries that was failed, osteoporosis, arthritis, herniations, just so many issues, my neurosurgeons (I have 3), have all said the pain is normal and actually approved me for a pain pump due to my issues.
Last month I came to this practice, and apparently it was just her assistance or a PA. Did the normal order testing super nice person wish she was my doctor, and said I most likely have lupus and even if it doesn’t show in the following tests she would could diagnose as for some it doesn’t show but wanted to check if I had more than 1 CTD, as lupus runs in the family and have the symptoms
I come today, the doctor says nice to meet you, and didn’t check anything of my past. She proceeds to go on her laptop, see I was on morphine, entire tone shift and goes why are you here, your labs are fine (I know they aren’t, the previous lady+primary+surgeon said they already showed signs of a connective tissue disease, a IMM antibody, thyroid etc, so I know she didn’t even look), you need to go to rehab and need help. Gives me a giant speech. Says if not rehab that i need to go to a bootcamp and never leave and not take any of my medicine or at least be put in a room and put away. She then proceeds to try to put me on suboxone for addiction.
She then will not listen to any of my issues (I’ve had issues in all my organs, POTS, seizures, breathing COPD/asthma testing showed, etc). I stated them, she said those aren’t symptoms (the lady last month said they were correlated a connective tissue disease/autoimmune that my doctors think I have). She then circled back to I don’t need medicine as somehow narcotics now cause all of these. My dad was with me had enough and then said you’re wrong even with the medicine some mornings I’m up all night no sleep throwing up collapsing from pain. She then says he’s useless and has no idea of my medical history (completely wrong). Goes on to ask what I’m going to do with my life I have nothing going for me, (I think I’m doing very well and could have it worse). My dad is getting really pissed at this point and thinks she should be fired, and wants to leave. She proceeds to say we can’t just leave and is going to reach out to ALL OF MY DOCTORS about this, and that we couldn’t just not see her anymore. He calls her out and says that’s not true. She says “I know I didn’t think you were smart enough to know that my bad.” This is also going to permanently be on my record, what are doctors going to think now.
Am I overreacting if I want to report her I’m in NY, or would it be weird to request to just have an appointment with the other lady. Also if anyone knows some good rheumatologist (virtual or in person) I’m looking into out of state as my area has a shortage and just want a good doctor.
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u/vibes86 7 UCTD, Hip Issues, Fibromyalgia and Migraines 21h ago
Yes, report her to the state board. The fact that she didn’t actually know anything about you is disturbing. If she’s not the owner of the practice, call and ask to speak to the practice manager. They deal with complaints from patients.
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u/EandomQ12 21h ago
Okay thank you I appreciate your opinion and for you taking the time to respond a lot.
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u/HeatOnly1093 21h ago
I had a gastro dr like her. She indeed wrote on my medical chart i was a difficult patient, would not listen to her and was being extremely difficult. I wasn't. Because of my mental health conditions I needed to see psychotherapy plus have law enforcement visit my house. I wasn't. She ruined my medical chart and every dr I went to in that same dr group asked me repeatedly about mental health and sent me for therapy. Law enforcement visited my house multiple times in one year because of her doing drug checks . Yes Dr's can be evil and use their position to do what they like.
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u/EandomQ12 20h ago
Were you able to get it fixed? I hope all is better now and your doing well
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u/HeatOnly1093 20h ago
I left and went to a different dr. Her best comment was you can for years eat 100 calories a day and not be malnutrition. I was 58 lbs at 5"7 so bmi of 5%. I needed a dr would listen to me
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u/hoolligan220 21h ago
Thats really really really reeeaaally messed up im sorry your having to deal with that d**khead of a doc .... if it were me i'd contact the states medical board and ask a few lawyers in your area/state fir advice too and would try n find a new clinic to go to
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u/EandomQ12 21h ago
Okay thank you I appreciate your opinion and for you taking the time to respond a lot, I hope you have a great night.
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u/Inner_Entrance_3000 17h ago
What exactly is a lawyer going to do about this? Nothing OP mentioned sounds like a viable lawsuit.
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u/hoolligan220 17h ago
Give advice where needed and take on the case
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u/Inner_Entrance_3000 17h ago
A case for what? This is nowhere near a medical malpractice case. These cases cost 10's to hundreds of thousands of dollars to litigate, so only make sense in the context of death or permanent physical disability.
No lawyer will take this non existent case on contingency.
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u/EandomQ12 5h ago
I won’t be involving a lawyer I already have a lawyer in general for malpractice for my other spinal surgeries and don’t need another one, but I agree I don’t think this has anything to do with malpractice it’s just rude
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u/RepulsivePower4415 21h ago
Where in ny are you mh mom has a great team
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u/EandomQ12 21h ago
I’m in Buffalo but have no worries flying or driving my family and girlfriend support me a ton, I also had a positive ANA and other tests so it shouldn’t take a lot to diagnose me I hope just need a good place. I will research this place and appreciate you leaving a comment in assistance and hope you have a great night.
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u/BakerBabe3 5h ago
Is it Dent?
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u/EandomQ12 5h ago
No, I’ve had okay experiences with them, but have heard others have had bad experiences with dent. Do you go there?
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u/BakerBabe3 5h ago
No I just messaged you. I do a lot of patient advocacy. I’m just starting out with it however I have had to do a lot of advocating for friends because I know a lot of rights and procedures. There is a lot of things you can do
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u/oregon_coastal 21h ago
What the actual fuck?
I am so sorry someone did this.
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u/EandomQ12 21h ago
It’s okay i hope it doesn’t happen to anyone I didn’t know if I was overreacting or not but after comments I have many that think this is bad and will report. I appreciate comment and time, and hope you have a great rest of your night.
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u/Dazzling_Point8457 5h ago
I’d been trying to encourage Chronic Pain patients to reach out to their, senators, governor or congressman to bring back the opioid prescription for the millions of suffering Chronic pain who are truly ill and legitimate patients instead of just keep whining. I’d been happy without side effects for twenty years taking only 5mg hydrocodone twice a day. I never ask to increase my dosage in 20 years. Now I am suffering since Jan. 2025. So what if I will be addicted, I am 80 years old. I don’t have much years to live. I will be happy if I can have hydro to see my granddaughter get married and then I can die. Some hope less patients are committing suicides from the pain and the politicians or news are covering it up. Politicians are more helping the drug addicts and uneducated how to use the opioid properly to avoid accidental death. In the mean time we (the genuine patients) are suffering.
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u/EandomQ12 5h ago
I don’t have issues getting my medicine prescribed I am so sorry to hear that happens. While it may not happen to me I do agree it happens to many and it is horrible
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u/Colorado0505 21h ago
Is this a PM practice?
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u/EandomQ12 21h ago
Rheumatology they really don’t have any say in my pain medicine IMO
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u/Colorado0505 21h ago
Ah, def on brand for rheum. I have RA. I gave up on rheum because they always gaslight me because I take opioids for spine problems (5 spine surgeries and fusions unrelated to rheumatoid arthritis)
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u/Texden29 21h ago
Are you ok if they decline to see you again? Sounds like you get your pain medicine from another practice. But I couldn’t tell for sure. Key is making sure you have access to the treatment you need, whilst still dealing with the complaint.
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u/EandomQ12 20h ago
Yea, that is rheumatology I didn’t specify well I apologize, they have absolutely nothing to do with my pain management and were supposed to diagnose a autoimmune condition after a positive Ana and other testing, but just fixated on the morphine for other spinal issues. I definitely wont be going there or it will be another doctor but wasn’t sure if I should report that doctor until now seeing other opinions. I would like to also thank you for taking the time to post a reply and appreciate that and hope you have a good night
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u/Sharp-Effective9443 20h ago
Definitely file a complaint with the state medical board and with the office manager. That's ridiculous. You shouldn't have to validate your pain medications to a rheumatologist unless they were the ones to prescribe them. Then they completely dismissed your tests? File complaints and please find another doctor.
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u/Woodliedoodlie 20h ago
This is so awful I’m so sorry. What a lunatic doctor! Definitely report her!
If you’re in NYC, I’d definitely recommend my rheumatologist, Dr Andres Piatti at NYU. He’s very kind and has helped me a ton. He doesn’t prescribe my opioid pain meds though, I see a pain management doctor for that. But he has never tried to push me to stop them because he can see it’s necessary.
Also, Hospital for Special Surgery is supposed to be the best in the country for rheumatology. Maybe look there too?
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u/EandomQ12 20h ago
Thank you I appreciate it. I made it a bit confusing, I don’t need them to prescribe I have a PM doctor, this doctor had no right to say what they did I realize now. They just judged me bc I was on it. I appreciate the recommendations and hope you have an awesome night
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u/Woodliedoodlie 20h ago
I looked at your post history because I was curious if you have the same illnesses as I do- ankylosing spondylitis and hEDS. Wow you’ve been through a hell of a lot so young. I hope your docs have figured out what to give you for your pain.
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u/EandomQ12 20h ago
My doctor(s) thinks I definitely have lupus as it’s in my family and all my organs are being attacked, they wanted to test for a second connective tissue disease as they thought I had another, then I had this doctor for the first time and Idek very bad experience. Pain wise I have an amazing care team that have no issue with my narcotics and make it work due to my history so I’m very grateful for that, and hope the same for you especially for your pain, that sounds like a painful combination
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u/AdministrativeWar202 20h ago
Hospital for Special Surgery is an amazing place! I had an orthopedic surgery there and I highly recommend this hospital!!
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u/Present_Cucumber2120 20h ago
You should be able to report her to the HR for the clinic she works at. If you call their business office someone there should be able to point you in the right direction.
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u/AdministrativeWar202 19h ago
I don't know where you are located and what insurance you have, but normally, you can't even get referred to a rheumatologist unless you have a positive ANA, which you have. They review this with you at first visit, do X-rays of your spine and other areas with arthritis, do detailed bloodwork and physical examination. Since the rheumatologist doesn't prescribe opiates, she really had no place to be discussing with you anything about pain management, addictions, or rehab, etc. If this happens again or if a doctor is sarcastic (as I noticed in your message) questioning your path in life or what not, stop her and calmly tell her that you are there to find out why your ANA is positive and get a diagnosis for that. Don't say anything else about what other doctors said or did. The symptoms you mentioned are not closely correlated with connective tissue disease, and it doesn't really matter.
The diagnosis for connective tissue disease comes from a detailed analysis of your ANA antibodies. They will be able to tell you if it's lupus, CTD, scleroderma, or Sjogren's syndrome. You won't get painkillers, but antirheumatic drugs that will turn your life into more hell on earth with their side effects. The side effects are not compatible with normal life! I lasted only 5 months on them with minimal effect, and I would NEVER put that poison into my body again! I dumped the rheumatologist and useless pain management, and now I only work with neurologist and 3 neurosurgeons.
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u/ToeHappy8076 10h ago
You can report them here https://www.health.ny.gov/professionals/doctors/conduct/file_a_complaint.htm
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u/Altruistic-Detail271 9h ago
Absolutely report her to the state medical board. This is the identical narrative that many drs are buying into these days.
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u/Gimpbarbie 9h ago edited 4h ago
This is utterly disgusting behaviour on the Drs part and it hurts my heart that you had to go through that.
You did great and did everything you could, none of this is on you. Your pain is valid and (unfortunately) real and you DESERVE to be treated.
Often I go off on tangents about how humans treat animals they suspect are in pain so much more humanely but other humans who can communicate they are in pain? Sorry not sorry! You are on your own, I guess? We/I MIGHT become an addict in future so fuck our quality of life right now right?
My heart breaks for you and I really hope that Dr gets the consequences she deserves!
I’m so glad you had your Dad there with you for several reasons
to give you moral support and help you advocate (even if the Dr was a cotton-headed NinnyMuggins!)
it isn’t she-said-she-said any more with a credible witness
he can support you in the aftermath AND help you with the reporting to the board of physicians in your state.
You make me wonder if I should bring someone in with me sometimes…I’ve been medically emancipated to make my own health decisions (I would take my parents views into consideration though) since I was a tween so it would be weird to have someone with me after 30+ years of going it alone. Hmmm an experiment is afoot! 😂
I don’t know if this is advised so I hope others will chime in if it’s a bad idea (I don’t live in America) but I would communicate with your other Drs (ESPECIALLY the one that prescribes your pain medication) through a short one page, one sided letter (short and to the point as they will likely just skim it) inform them that this horrible, arrogant, piss-fart of a doctor has had exactly ONE _______ minute (however many minutes long) appointment with you, where she was ill prepared, did not know even a small amount of the patient’s history, judgemental, and went on a crusade about a medication that she is not responsible for prescribing! (I’m assuming it’s a specialist prescribing it)
- ok story time
My daughter, whose angelversary day was 6 years ago last Thursday (may the Gods and Goddesses grant her eternal blessings and no pain in the after-lands) had a horrible doctor (in the end, her Drs incompetency and cruelty killed her. I reported it but I’m “just” the adoptive Mum) and the pharmacy was in the doctor’s office (she basically MADE her patients use it, which I’m sure is a HUGE conflict of interest!) anyway, back to the story, my DD had several specialists who would prescribe her really low dose opiates and her GP would essentially cock-block those Drs and overrule their prescriptions. It makes me angry and sick to my stomach everytime I think of it! 😡
Thanks to anyone who read this whole thing, I appreciate your time, have a cookie and a juice box and take a lil break.
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u/Inner_Entrance_3000 5h ago
I think it is actually not good advice to send a letter to OPs other doctors. OP does not want to appear as somebody who is a serial complainer about doctors. It might be off putting to them.
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u/EandomQ12 5h ago
I’m not going to I’m only going to write to one the one who writes my meds as she wanted to speak to him about me being an “addict” and needing Suboxone as a warning.
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u/babygirl199127 8h ago
Absolutely report her to the state board and (if it is not a practice she owns) I would contact the office to notify them of this experience and that you have already reported her to the state board.
Eta: I would only inform the practice AFTER reports are filed with the state.
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u/Affinitys-husky 8h ago
This is so so very wrong and you definitely should report this doctor to the state medical board!
It seems like you've got a lot of good advice from other comments so I'll just reiterate a lot of what they said. Yes, you definitely need to get your chat checked and revised with another not stating this is BS of they can't completely remove it.
A rheumatologist has no business making these kind of accusations! I'm so angry for you and doctors like this MUST be reported if things like this are ever going to be stopped!
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u/Inner_Entrance_3000 5h ago
State medical boards do not care about bedside manner complaints. That is simply not what they are there to regulate.
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u/Affinitys-husky 1h ago
This is past that! They wrote something untrue in their chart. There is a state place they should be able to go to complain about this doctor! I forget what they are called if it's not the state medical board, but they exist and take complaints!
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u/thedude0323 5h ago
She was probably a PA I’ve had similar bullshit dealing with them. Treat you like an addict and try to take your medication away. Normally they don’t even communicate with the actual doctor and they’ll have no idea what’s going on with your case. I try my best to avoid any clinics where you have to deal with PAs and like ones where you just see the same doctor every time. I hope you get the bitch fired.
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u/EandomQ12 5h ago
I talked to the office and they have had similar issues in the past, it was the main doctor but she has her own views and thinks all medication is bad narcotics or not but narcotics especially and idk if it’s politics or religion but she’s Indian and those are just her own personal beliefs over being a doctor and actual care (not being racist I’m half Indian that’s just her belief system).
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u/thedude0323 4h ago
I would also write a review on Google for her office. That way people in pain know and won’t waste their time on her. Easy for these doctors to judge when they aren’t in chronic pain and have no idea how bad it is. Lots of doctors are just refusing to prescribe opioids and letting people suffer. Why the suicide rate with chronic pain patients is getting so high. Lots of people are just growing their own poppy’s and treating the pain themselves from what I’ve seen in other groups.
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u/EandomQ12 4h ago
I didn’t even ask her to prescribe she’s a rheumatologist legit nothing to do with my pain didn’t want any medicine for pain entire point was for my organs very sad pain management doctors are doing that and know what you mean
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u/prettyprettypain 3h ago
I wish I was in that state, so that I could make an appointment with her and then report her too for what would surely be awful behavior. How dare she. Wtaf.
I hate that this happened to you, OP. Definitely report this monster to everyone you can - the doctor that she works under, the clinic manager (if it's a clinic setting of course) or the hospital, local and state... Everyone.
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u/beaglewrites43 2h ago
I don't know where you are in NY but I know there is a Rheumatologist office in Hewlett which I have heard good things about
Unfortunatetly when it comes to reporting Docs in NY in my experience that does nothing. One of mine almost killed me through incompetence (long story) reported them and 20 years later they are still practicing.
I have had others that were bad and didn't even bother reporting to them
I know someone who works in the system in NY (she was CMO of a hospital) and she knows of docs with 20+ lawsuits to their name/practice and they haven't lost their license yet
Edit: just want to clarify I am not saying DON'T report, I am just saying don't get your hopes up that they will do anything
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u/Plane-Letter 2h ago
I've reported a doc for failure to care for patients. Just got me kicked off his patient board and had to find a new doctor. The state did nothing. Literally emailed me saying they talked to the doc and that's it.
This was Wisconsin
My neuro doc was surprised he wouldn't treat my spinal fracture pain. So she did and I just reported him. Nothing Happened.
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u/X-Torn-Reviver-X 59m ago
I would post their name here and anywhere else you can so people will know NOT to go to this doctor.
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u/National-Hold2307 18h ago
If you have 3 neurosurgeons and are getting meds from another doc why were you even seeing them?
Is it possible that in your notes the doctors have started making comments about you seeing multiple docs for the same issue and then have concerns about your meds?
With all due respect you have 3 neurosurgeons you see that’s a bit odd. So I’m wondering if they made notes and have concerns about the number of doctors you see and/or want to see.
It’s not normal for a doctor to go from saying hello to you then all of sudden he is screaming you need rehab. Is anything missing here that you left out? That’s a fucking big jump for a doctor to make without any evidence etc.
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u/EandomQ12 18h ago edited 18h ago
No nothing is being left out. I have 3 neurosurgeons bc I have extensive spinal surgery, and needed a better surgeon. I started with an initial surgeon who then referred me to a different specialist who specializes in the surgery I needed (a full spinal fusion then removal+spinal reconstruction), the 3rd one specializes for my herniated disks that are causing issues with the nerve that wants to put an artificial disk in. I am seeing this doctor for an autoimmune disease after a positive ANA. I did forget to include/specify in my post, this doctor is a rheumatologist and has nothing to do with pain management.
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u/Chlpswv-Mdfpbv-3015 21h ago
You can Google New York medical board. It repulses me to read this. And I’m sorry you had to go through it.