Turned away over red tape

On your bike, sister! (If only I weren't so dizzy). Photo taken earlier this month in Edam, the Netherlands.

 

This morning I had a long-awaited appointment with a neurologist about dizzy spells that have persisted for nearly two months. But I was turned away from the clinic, despite having proof of insurance, a Dutch identity/residency card and Dutch bank cards.

Why? In a year-and-a-half in the Netherlands, I've seen other specialists and had tests at a major hospital without any problems. But this neurology department was located at a small regional clinic, linked to a hospital in another city. Supposedly, as I wasn't registered at that hospital (having been referred directly to the neurologist by a doctor, rather than hospital staff), the clinic couldn't accept payment. And because they were unaccustomed to dealing with insurance other than Dutch, they failed to cope.

My third conversation on the subject was with an administrative assistant:

AA: "I showed the doctor your insurance information and he won't be able to see you today."

Me: "Why not? I have an appointment and we've driven all this way."

AA: "Well, you can make an appointment for next week."

Me: "I've already waited two weeks for this appointment."

AA: "You can come back next week."

Me:  "Why? I'm here now and have an appointment confirmation letter from your office!"

AA:  "Well, I asked the doctor, who said it's too big of a risk."

Me, incredulous: "That's ridiculous! So the neurologist is saying a minor administrative issue is more important than my health?"

AA, nodding: "I know, but I can make an appointment for you next week."

Me: "No, thank you. I'll see another doctor, who's actually concerned about health."

And I walked away - and phoned a doctor in Paris and booked an appointment.

We love living in the Netherlands. Mais oui, we miss the food and the world's best medical care in France.

And Dr. A.J. Prazsky, neurologist, I hope never to meet you, since you're apparently more concerned about bureaucracy than a patient's health!

Comments

[RD]

I've experienced the same thing as Vicki in Michigan, and also was introduced to the Epley Maneuver by a doctor. It feels rather miraculous and so very simple a "procedure" that you wonder how it possibly works. The condition is called Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). Little crystals in the inner ear come loose and cause the dizziness. The Epley Maneuver took care of it for me. It can happen every few weeks, or months or with years in between, but the maneuver works almost instantly. (I know...like magic!) I hope it's something as easily explained as that, Tara! Wishing you well. (Try it using an online demonstration and see if it helps.)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vertigo/DS00534

[Deborah Smith]

Oh my :( how stressful! hope the French doctor gets it figured out with no bureaucratic hassles.

hang in there.

xx,
d

[Vanessa {A Fanciful Twist}]

Oh, this is ridiculous with the doc!! I hope you get relief soon beautiful you!

I live with vertigo. Not the same as dizziness, but could be you might have vertigo which is a spinning while sitting still feeling.

Here is a tale that might not pertain to you, but something to offer for food for thought?

For me & Vertigo ---Never know when it will hit, never know what the cause is (although pressure in the air does bring it on). The only thing I do know, I had a bad horse head injury when I was a girl, and had my first vertigo visit then.

It didn't come back until I was 27 or so.

Now I get vertigo about twice a year.

I take Vontrol when it hits, or a dramamine in a pinch, if I am out of Vontrol. Only when I feel a spell coming on.

I drink lots of water everyday (lots) - and I got off of caffeine as that was making it worse. (took me 2 weeks to withdraw, but has been so worth it)

High salt intake can make it come on too.

The biggest thing is that, both my grandmothers and one aunt suffer from vertigo. And vertigo can be hereditary as well.

All the women (and me) in my family with vertigo, do this exercise during a spell, and it works big time, believe it or not.

It goes like this:

I know my vertigo stems in my left inner ear, so, I lay with my face facing down, on my stomach on my bed. I hold my head facing down for 20 seconds. Then I turn my head onto the bed so that it is flat on the left side and I am looking to the right. I hold there for 30 seconds, then I semi quickly turn my head so that the right side of my face is on the bed flat, and I stay like that for about 30 seconds.

It sort of shifts the crystals in your inner ear back into place.

You can just do it once, or...

Repeat until you feel better. (this may not work for everyone, there are other exercises for this as well, just google vertigo exercises)

ps: Also, oddly enough - If I am on the computer for too long reading and scrolling, hello vertigo. I feel it creeping in so i get up and lay down and drink water and let it subside so I dont' get the full blown doozy.

Just my two cents.

You may have something totally unrelated, but I wanted to share that...

Much love,

Vanessa

[Irina]

So sorry about your experience with that so-called doctor ((
I had vertigo for a couple of years and doctors would give me medicine or a shot if it was really a bad case until four years go they did a blood test for T3, T4 and found out I had hypothyroidism. My vertigo stopped right away with me taking thyroid medicine. If you have symptoms as feeling tired in the middle of the day, anxiety, nervousness you may want to ask the doctor to check your thyroid.
All the best.

[Tara Bradford]

Thank you, Vicki! I'll discuss this w/ the ENT in Paris. I've had bouts of vertigo previously, but never for more than four days running. I appreciate the link and info.

[Vicki in Michigan]

How frustrating!

I have had a couple of different spells of vertigo (the room-spinning sensation you mention). You probably already know it can be caused by tiny bits of hard stuff in your inner ear. If that is the cause, doing an http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epley_maneuver Epley Maneuver can fix it.

The first time I had vertigo, I went to a doctor, who put me through the maneuver, and sent me home with an instruction sheet and an admonition to repeat the maneuver as needed. We did it a couple more times, and then I was fine, for years.

The second time I sat on the floor for a while, and had someone google "vertigo maneuver" but then I was fine (this was just a couple of weeks ago, so I can't tell you how long the "fine" will last). S'all right so far.....

As far as I know, the maneuver is benign, and when it works, it's like a miracle.

I hope they can fix you up as easily and long-lastingly, once you actually are allowed to see someone!

[Marilyn]

How frustrating! Take care and best wishes for more results soon and somewhere other than in this doctor's office.

[Di Overton]

I can't believe this. How bloody annoying and how inhumane. Big hugs xx

[Ally Bean]

That's so ridiculous that it's almost funny. I'm sorry that happened to you, but your remedy to the situation sounds promising. Best wishes that you feel better very soon.