Geesh...what a butt my doc was today.

I received an injection in each shoulder the first week of December
(my last visit) and he walks in and says, "so you all better?"....to
which I said "uh. NO".  The shot wore off around new year's day and I
waited till today for my regular appt.

At this point he is pissed.  I just happed to know that he is leaving
for vacation/conference after seeing me...so he is distracted.  I told
him that I had cut way back on my ultracet while the injection was
working, but now was back on the maximum dose.  He ask about my spine
and I tell him that its the same...I can live that pain for the
moment...the ultracet is for the shoulder pain.  He says my spine
should not be in pain at all while I was under the influence of the
injection????  To which I say..."I have OA, what are steroids going to
do for that?"

He begins blaming everything on Lupus.  Then I get pissed.  And I show
him my hands.  I can no longer bend my first knuckles on my index
fingers.  He feels my fingers and says they "feel funny"....no sh.t 
Sherlock!  At $250 an hour  I want a little more wisdom than that!  I
also tell him that if I were staying home all day doing nothing, I
wouldn't be so concerned about my fingers, but I work with molten
glass and a 2100 degree flame, so a little dexterity might be in
order.  Then I pointed out that I saw pictures of concert pianist on
their office walls they work with and that I expected the SAME level
of treatment.

He says I have to see my hand specialist...and gets me an appt for
sooner rather than later.  I was happy about that.  He ordered an MRI
of both shoulders and then says after the MRI he will decide he can
further treat me.  I told him that I will decide that after the
MRI....I might take my films and RUN to another shoulder specialist.

If he was in a hurry to leave on his trip...why did he bother coming
in today?  He had my shoulder x-rays that show I need surgery on the
AC joints.  I think he was stalling till the next visit.  I have
better things to do with my time.  It was wet and cold out and I had
to get up early to be there for my 7:30 am appt.

I am getting my MRI....seeing what he thinks...then going for my
second opinion.  I wont let him operate on me.

Janet R