New PCP pulled the "hoofbeats, think horses" line and told me to gain 20 lbs of muscle.
Hey, y'all. Sorry this is gonna be a little long TLDR at the bottom.
I recently saw a new PCP after moving states. Let me preface with I am 32F, really prefer female doctors, and I thought by the name that I was scheduling with a female doctor. I know, my bad, I should have done more research before scheduling. PCPs are hard to come by where I am and I was out of zoloft lol, learn from my mistake.
He started off the conversation by saying " well, you're 32 so you're more likely to die in a car crash than a serious illness, you have about 10 more years." I was like uhhhh ha okay? I explained that I was there to establish care for my zoloft rx, I have an hEDS diagnosis through my previous PCP, and went through the typical questions, how I got the diagnosis, what iI was having issues with. Explained my painful joints and GI issues, etc, yall know the spiel. It felt thorough, but in a kinda rushed way if that makes any sense. Gonna do bloodwork and he mentioned something about endoscopy.
He told me he recommended physical therapy and that if I "Gained 20 lbs of muscle it would solve most of my problems with EDS."
Towards the end I explained that I wanted a referral to neurology, that my headaches have been getting worse and when I bend forward, fluid leaks from my nose. He says " Neurology is a brain doctor," as if I didn't know that, and that I meant an ENT. I said, "uhh, well I have numbness and tingling in my hands and feet, and I have ringing in my ears pretty bad all the time also."
He said, "Ears ringing-ears, ENT- Ear Nose and Throat, ears ringing isn't neurological"
At this point I already knew I was done with him at the 20lbs of muscle comment, mainly because I am literally disabled and can hardly walk up and down the stairs to his office lmao. I haven't been able to gain weight my entire life!!! I exercise just enough to keep myself not stiff like a walk with my kids, a short walk down a trail, that kind of thing once a week ish.
But, I went on and said "I had some concerns about Chiari Malformation possibly" shut down again that I would be "black out fainting immediately" when I looked up and tilted my head back. I said, well I feel faint when I look up and back and when I lift my arms above my head, I have fully fainted before. he said "How many times? (I said 3) That's from POTS, the muscle will help with that. None of these are neurological."
So then (I know lol), I said "Okay, what about cervical instability then? Is that neurological?" I was just trying anything to get this referral at this point, and saying things I had seen online. He said "your symptoms are not related to cervical instability and your referral would get rejected bc its not neurological,"
and here's the kicker, "it's better to think about the common things, not things less than 1000 people get diagnosed with," I cut him off and said "I am well aware of the zebra analogy, thanks." Got my blood drawn and left. Cried in the car, which is saying something since I am so heavily zolifted.
His only solution for me was to do PT and gain 20lbs of muscle!!!
Oh, never got the ENT referral either. Any suggestions on how to avoid this with my next PCP?? Obv I won't be going back there lol.
TLDR;
Saw a new PCP, accidentally a man, fuck, here we go. Told me all my EDS problems would be solved if I put on 20lbs of muscle, made me feel stupid for suggesting any of my symptoms could be neuro related and they are all ENT related, refused to send a neuro referral. In a condescending way but different words said "when you hear hoofbeats, think horses, not zebras." Never got the ENT referral. Suggestions? lol