Doctor ripping me off

LegacyUser

I went to the doctor last week as I've acne. The reason I went to him was to get him to refer me on to a dermo as I've tried every medicine under the sun and homemade **** and I'm in my twenties. He refused my request and told me to take a cream. I told him that I had done the creams and I showed him the acne antibiotics that I was previously prescribed by another doctor who is now dead then he said creams are better WTF??...So he is moving my treatment backwards instead of forwards . I then had to pay him and he told me to come back in another week and pay him for a follow up visit. I don't have much money and I'm being scammed out of my money. It took me 5 weeks to save the money for my last visit.

tinkerbell

OP, demand a referral letter off him for a dermatologist.

Bambii_

tinkerbell wrote: »

OP, demand a referral letter off him for a dermatologist.

And don't leave his office until you have one.

skyfall2012

You may be entitled to a GP visit card, if you have to save for 5 weeks before a visit. Follow this link to citizens information:

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/health/entitlement_to_health_services/gp_visit_cards.html

Tim Robbins

Try <Mod Snip>. Worked a treat for me.

ted1

Well he is the trained Doctor, if you needed a referral I'm. Sure you would have had one.

tony81

ted1 wrote: »

Well he is the trained Doctor, if you needed a referral I'm. Sure you would have had one.

The doctor should not have been quick to take the money in my opinion, especially if he's a doctor in the same practice that took the op's money before!

However, op, the dermatologist visit would work out several times the cost of a GP visit so look into a medical card.

I know it's hard not to end up offering medical advice (forbidden by forum charter).

However, is your acne really that bad? And why do you want to clear it up? Are you afraid of scarring, or just fed up having spots?

The reason I ask is I had fairly mild acne when I was in my late teens and it really didn't bother me too much. But my dad pressured me into going to the GP. The GP prescribed something.. to be honest I have no idea if it made much of a difference to the spots but I did notice it was causing me to have depression (perhaps just a coincidence though.. long time ago now so not even sure if I can say that with 100% confidence)
Anyway, given media coverage of acne treatments over the past few years I can understand why a doctor would not wish to prescribe it except when absolutely necessary.

I think, you paid for the doctor's advice so go along with it. Try the creams and all the other advice like plenty of exercise, eat well, drink plenty of water, don't eat chocolate or fast food.. and see if it clears up any.

If you still need a referral just phone the doctor up and ask the practice manager for one. He/she will hopefully write one up (and get it signed by the GP) and only charge €15 or so rather than the price of a follow-up GP visit.

Stavro Mueller

Just because the doctor's qualified doesn't mean they get it right all the time. So if the cream isn't working, you should seek out a different doctor and see what their opinion is.

LegacyUser

Thanks for all the advice. I just feel like he took advantage of an importunity to make money.

Tony I'm just sick off spots and the acne is mild on my face and MS on back. I will be heading to oz in few months and I want to be free of this ****. Do you need a referral to go to a dermo??

miss no stars

tony81 wrote: »

However, op, the dermatologist visit would work out several times the cost of a GP visit so look into a medical card.

Sorry, but this is wrong. The dermatologist would be free through the public system, medical card or not. The catch is the waiting list.

OP, I was referred to a dermatologist due to my skin being so so so reactive to pretty much anything (and was then referred straight on to immunology so the year long waiting list for each was quite annoying!) and I didn't pay a cent for it, other than the initial nurses consultation. I will warn you though, I didn't really find the dermatologist that great. When I was there they decided to see if they could do anything about acne I still had (I had given up on trying to get rid of it many creams and antibiotics later so I didn't even bring it up, but they decided to...) and they decided that as I didn't have scarring, try an antibiotic. Didn't work. So try an antibiotic and cream. Didn't work. Nothing worked, skin wasn't bad enough to warrant roaccutane, so that's that and oh if you wouldn't mind, it'd be nice if you didn't make a follow up appointment this time because we can't treat you Oh that's your 90 seconds up, bye! In the meantime I'd forked out a huge amount for antibiotics and creams. At one point I was prescribed a cream that costs €80 for a small tube, even though the doctor knew I am a student!

If you reckon a dermatologist could actually give you something better than a regular doctor (which, unless you've severe scarring and your acne is still causing scarring, they probably won't), then push for a referral. You could try to see a nurse and see if they'd give you a referral letter instead. Tell them you've tried creams, you've tried antibiotics and nothing has worked but the doctor just won't listen and keeps prescribing the same stuff. But honestly, don't get your hopes up too high. Depending on the level of your acne, there are some good products on the market. Old tricks like white toothpaste or sudocreme on a regular pimple often do work. I've recently tried a product that's been getting rave reviews and so far so brilliant from me. It's the origins spot fighting gel thing, comes in a tiny little bottle and it's €17 for it but it does work for me. If you do get a referral you'll be waiting a while so you could aggressively try the traditional spot fighting methods.

meeeeh

I haven't got a clue about acne treatment but just one point:is it possible that your GP is trying to avoid overuse of antibiotics?

McChubbin

Quick question: Are you on the pill?
I had acne as a teenager and I was put on <mod snip> at 16. Cleared it right up. Might be something to look into. Some pills really help with balancing the hormones that can often cause spots so I'd suggest you really stick to your guns and demand he at least consider it.
Alternatively, ask to see another doctor.

Sleepy

ahh wrote: »

Tony I'm just sick off spots and the acne is mild on my face and MS on back. I will be heading to oz in few months and I want to be free of this ****. Do you need a referral to go to a dermo??

I'm sure you could pay to see one privately without a referral. The public system might well leave you on a waiting list longer than the few months you have before your trip.

Two things though:

1. What's your diet like? I was put on a well known treatment for acne as a teenager that cleared them up somewhat but was later linked to suicides as it was a depressant. Once I came off it, cutting out crisps from my daily diet seemed to have a far more powerful effect tbh.

2. Sunshine is fantastic for clearing up spots. Limited exposure to the sun while you're in Oz may well clear up the acne for you. Don't overdo it obviously, don't want to treat acne by giving yourself skin cancer!

Stavro Mueller

Seeing as time isn't on your side, you're better off going to another doctor who's willing to try different treatments. I had a lot of acne trouble in my younger days and it took one or two tries at different types of drugs before anything worked. Without giving medical advice, there are options other than antibiotics out there that can be prescribed by a GP.

If you don't have the means to go private with a dermatologist, you'll probably not get to see one through the public system before you go. And if you get prescribed some of the treatments those guys prescribe, your pocket's going to take a big hit. So be careful what you wish for.

tony81

If you're going to oz you might find the sunnier climate clears them up.

Don't waste your money, and don't gamble with your health.. If you keep pushing for a prescription or referral you'll get one eventually.

I'd probably echo what others are saying about the dermatologist. Acne is such a common problem and i doubt any gp hasn't seen it before. Many gps even study dermatology in a lot of detail. They'll generally refer you to a dermatologist only if it's something they can't diagnose or can't treat.

Penny Dreadful

[QUOTE=Sleepy;82501629]I'm sure you could pay to see one privately without a referral. The public system might well leave you on a waiting list longer than the few months you have before your trip.

Two things though:

1. What's your diet like? I was put on a well known treatment for acne as a teenager that cleared them up somewhat but was later linked to suicides as it was a depressant. Once I came off it, cutting out crisps from my daily diet seemed to have a far more powerful effect tbh.

2. Sunshine is fantastic for clearing up spots. Limited exposure to the sun while you're in Oz may well clear up the acne for you. Don't overdo it obviously, don't want to treat acne by giving yourself skin cancer![/QUOTE]

You must have a referral lettter to see a consultant whether you attend publically or privately.

username123

Penny Dreadful wrote: »

You must have a referral lettter to see a consultant whether you attend publically or privately.

Yes, the golden ring around consultants in this country is really annoying.

However, OP, if you are not happy with your doctors opinion then go to a different doctor. It sucks that money has been wasted, but actually if I were you Id write a letter of complaint and ask for my money back as you were not happy with the consultation. Do say in the letter that you are willing to complain to the medical council as you feel you were simply scammed for cash.

ted1

username123 wrote: »

Yes, the golden ring around consultants in this country is really annoying.

However, OP, if you are not happy with your doctors opinion then go to a different doctor. It sucks that money has been wasted, but actually if I were you Id write a letter of complaint and ask for my money back as you were not happy with the consultation. Do say in the letter that you are willing to complain to the medical council as you feel you were simply scammed for cash.

sorry but htat is pure nonsense. if the Doctor felt he needed a referal he would have got one.

There is a reason why only Doctors can prescribe drugs adn give referrals, its becasue they are trained medical officers.

castaway_lady

ted1 wrote: »

sorry but htat is pure nonsense. if the Doctor felt he needed a referal he would have got one.

There is a reason why only Doctors can prescribe drugs adn give referrals, its becasue they are trained medical officers.

If every doctor was right about everything then second opinions wouldn't exist.
I know one who wouldn't refer a woman for a colonoscopy for 18 months, she had bowel cancer and died!

Ring the surgery back and complain and be persistent.

Failing that, go get your medical file and go to a different doctor.

tony81

castaway_lady wrote: »

I know one who wouldn't refer a woman for a colonoscopy for 18 months, she had bowel cancer and died!

Ring the surgery back and complain and be persistent.

Talk about dramatic. There's a slight difference between a few spots and bowel cancer. That case you're referring to is a bit strange.. I've no idea why the doctor did not cover himself with a referral. That being said, it's hardly helpful to the op.

Op, if you're going to insist on a referral make sure you don't end up paying for a full visit. It might be enough dropping a note to the practice manager saying you can't afford a second visit, but the reason for your first visit was the referral letter as previous creams and medication didn't work.

Being polite gets you a lot further than bizarre threats like complaining to the medical counsel when the doctor is clearly just doing his job.

Just take the rest of the advice in the thread that dermatologists do not have silver bullets

Stavro Mueller

tony81 wrote: »

Talk about dramatic. There's a slight difference between a few spots and bowel cancer. That case you're referring to is a bit strange.. I've no idea why the doctor did not cover himself with a referral. That being said, it's hardly helpful to the op.

It depends what you interpret this. The poster was making the point that doctors can and do make mistakes. Also, the OP doesn't just have "a few spots". They say they've got MS on their back which I'm interpreting as massive scarring. As a person who had back acne, I can assure you that it a horribly embarrassing thing to have and hard enough to clear up. You can't do the things that others take for granted such as go swimming or wear backless dresses.

So OP stand your ground and if this doctor won't try other treatments you've not tried before, go elsewhere. If you can't afford to get to a doctor soon, can you borrow the money off one of your parents? Because if you want your acne to be clearing up before you go to Oz, you'd better get cracking now.

tony81

Not sure if MS means anything apart from "multiple sclerosis"! I interpreted it as either more serious or more of the same lol.
Obviously end of the day it's the op's decision but no need to go in with guns blazing, and have realistic expectations of what can be achieved.

LegacyUser

Firstly MS means Moderate to severe acne.

I would get a loan to pay for the consultant and the meds and pay it back when I get working in oz as a civil engineer. Thanks for the advice and I will go back to him and ask he for the letter as I feel its might right. The sun does help but its no fix.

username123

ted1 wrote: »

sorry but htat is pure nonsense. if the Doctor felt he needed a referal he would have got one.

There is a reason why only Doctors can prescribe drugs adn give referrals, its becasue they are trained medical officers.

Your naivety is amusing but unrealistic. Doctors are human too and many of them are strapped for cash themselves these days. Bring the OP back for a few visits and then refer - its not an unknown practice.

No, the reason why only doctors can prescribe drugs and give referrals is because this country does not have a progressive medical system. Already orthopediac surgeons in this country are allowing physio referral, or self referral if you have an old problem. The golden ring around consultants is a well known cash cow for GPs and a problem that has been discussed in government and the media on many occasions.

yer man!

In my case, I had moderate to severe acne and the minute the GP saw me she asked if I wanted a referral letter for the derm instead of proceeding with milder treatments. As the GP visits were free I decided to try the more milder drugs for a few months, nothing worked so it was straight into a derm, I was given the option of public or private, 6 months versus 2 weeks respectively. I went the private route, €150 for the first visit and €90 for every follow up. She put me on roaccutane and it literally changed my life. The acne was completely gone in 5 months after the start of treatment and was the best thing I've ever done. The total cost of treatment including drugs was about €1000, money well spent.

tony81

ahh wrote: »

Firstly MS means Moderate to severe acne. .

O.T but it certainly doesn't.

http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/MS

Taltos

No more off topic posts please. If you don't have direct advice to the OP please don't post.

Cheers
Taltos

Maura74

ahh wrote: »

Firstly MS means Moderate to severe acne.

I would get a loan to pay for the consultant and the meds and pay it back when I get working in oz as a civil engineer. Thanks for the advice and I will go back to him and ask he for the letter as I feel its might right. The sun does help but its no fix.

If you felt that you were being rip off by GP then there is a complaints procedure in place for the public to complain to the medical council and it should be used by the public for the council to weed out the non preforming GP for further training.

http://www.medicalcouncil.ie/

Neyite

OP, also dont forget that you can claim back 20% (at least it was that unless the most recent budget adjusted it) in medical expenses from Revenue. Just log onto their website and fill in the form and send it off. If you register with Revenue on line you can also do it entirely online too.

I found it particularly helpful when we spent a few thousand on medical help recently. I think I got a few hundred back, which was nice.

If you have been working in the last couple of years, you could also request a P21 balancing statement, and if you were in a low paid job, you could check out the PRSI refunds where people were incorrectly deducted. Got a few bob back from those too.

ted1

Neyite wrote: »

OP, also dont forget that you can claim back 20% (at least it was that unless the most recent budget adjusted it) in medical expenses from Revenue. Just log onto their website and fill in the form and send it off. If you register with Revenue on line you can also do it entirely online too.

I found it particularly helpful when we spent a few thousand on medical help recently. I think I got a few hundred back, which was nice.

If you have been working in the last couple of years, you could also request a P21 balancing statement, and if you were in a low paid job, you could check out the PRSI refunds where people were incorrectly deducted. Got a few bob back from those too.

theres actually an IPHONE revenue app that lets you claim health expenses as they are incurred

cathy01

As far as I know if you request a referal then you have to be given one.there is a great doctor in Drogheda he's a surgeon and dermatologist .he charges about 50 for a vist dr Murphy is his ne maybe look him up. Sometimes you Have to put yr foot down.ring. , ask for a copy of the referal send it off yourself and remember it's your body take responsibility for it .best of luck with it .

LegacyUser

OP, I was in the same boat for quite a few years - had mild enough acne for all of my teens and into my 20s. Literally tried EVERYTHING!

Went to see my GP in first year of college and was told it was my diet. 5 years later and the same GP still said it was my diet despite the fact I'd always eaten well (no crisps, biscuits, few soft drinks...) On another matter, I got referred to a dermatologist and he mentioned the acne as an aside (two birds and all that) and put me on anti-biotics. Had a positive reaction acne-wise but had some strong side effects so switched to Dianette 4 months ago and things have massively improved. I did cut out dairy in the meantime though which has helped (there are some links between dairy and acne - something to do with the hormones in the cows' milk). Not sure how relevant this would be to you though, just thought there was something else that was adding to my acne in addition to my overall hormonal imbalance.

As someone speaking from experience, I didn't think the dermatologist helped all that much and it's expensive at about €180 a visit. They won't do much more than what a GP would do (i.e. write a prescription) so maybe if you're going back to your GP anyway you could ask to be prescribed antibiotics from them while you're there.

Hope the above helps!

Btw, if you're looking for a gentle skin cleanser, try liquid paraffin. It's about €2 a bottle and is all natural so it won't strip your skin but keeps it soft and smooth!

tony81

Guest86 wrote: »

Went to see my GP in first year of college and was told it was my diet. 5 years later and the same GP still said it was my diet

<SNIP>

I did cut out dairy in the meantime though which has helped

So it WAS your diet