Va vets with PTSD for mst

[Lonervet.]

A little of topic ,but thought I'd ask my fellow vets before I say anything officially to VA or Optum serve.Is it normal get a call from doctor directly asking come in 2 or 3 hours earlier than scheduled appointment via Optum.Also this is about 1:45 min drive one way to see doctor

Seen her for my back and returning for my neck .In between I was awarded PTSD benefits.Now my back came back none service connected but I understand because it's really my neck service connected which caused issues with my back from all the spasms and numbness.

Anyway I'm scheduled go back to same doctor I seen for my back for my neck exam. Same thing called directly by doctor office if could come hours earlier than my appointment time.This time I was greeted by a man who knew my name at the door which made me jump so hi it upset me.

Is it normal for a strange man be present during entire exam?I don't even know if doctor or some staff members boyfriend?Also this doctor then proceeded to tell me can't get computer to do what she wants, (why rush me if don't have pc ready)I'm upset about this and wonder what is really going on. The doctor wanted to know where va sent me to get X-rays and recommending a different place I could go ?Why does she care I say all this because I have no idea who the man was seemingly ear shot to all my medical info and in street clothes Did they bring this man knowing I'd been given PTSD benefits to upset me or the doctor bring him for protection from me ? I may have PTSD but I'm not a danger or violent so like who is this man!!!

I just find this all very weird and even more weird because she never does any range of motion stuff using the special tool to measure anything.Should I say anything to VA or Optum serve about this?Just felt unbelievably uncomfortable this last visit, they rushed me again and had strange man and them said couldn't get her computer to cooperate and they talked about how they all read my case day before and she almost was gonna send me home over pc issues though 4 laptops on the desk!!What is going on !!!

Just feel disrespected this man wasn't first exam I specifically ask for female doctor for back and neck exam and was this the doctor trying to upset me by having a strange man never introduced to me as staff or anything but there to hear everything!

Why did they make sure I'd get so startled first thing by having a strange guy open the door !!!
I'm kinda very upset they rushed me to do all this to me !!!

 

[Freida]

This was a C&P yes?

I don't think it's unheard of to call you in early if they have had cancellations - but there shouldn't be an expectation that you can make it. Just more of a courtesy that they have an earlier open if you want it.

If it's a C&P exam I'm not surprised the doc is not prepared. I went in for an eval on my fibro and my doc admitted she had never treated a case and didn't know anything about it so she googled some questions for me. Ya - the doc who was going to determine if I got benefits didn't have any idea what she was looking at. She denied me - the next doc called her an idiot and approved me but it still added 7 months the process. There isn't a whole lot of vetting going on for these private docs doing C&P

Is it normal for a strange man be present during entire exam?I

This ^^ is total crap. NO ONE has a right to be in your exam room unless you ok it and there should never be a person in there that isn't introduced and purpose explained. If I had some random guy in there with me I know it would have triggered the crap out of me..

I don't know who you would report it too, but if you have a good relationship with your VA doc you might start there.
Because that should NEVER happen to any patient - veteran or not.

Sorry that happened - and yes, it IS a big deal. Don't let them tell you it's not.

 

[Friday]

I won’t touch the VA in full hazmat gear. For a whole helluva lotta reasons, only a few legit.

VET CENTERS, otoh, are seriously badass… as they were designed to be “outside” / all red tape cut through, and the info flow one way (they can demand access to records from the VA, but the VA has zero access to them). But vet centres don’t do medical or disability.

You’re not a person, in the VA. The same way as you’re not a person, not a citizen / with only the rights the UCMJ grants, active duty. You’re govt. property active duty, and govt. slag/leftovers in the VA. In the US, at least. Commonwealth VAs are wildly different than US VAs.

 

[Freida]

Vet centers can help with disability claims though! And do an amazing job from what I've heard.

I got really, REALLY lucky with my VA t, but I know I'm not the norm.

 

[DogTired]

UK based so no VA.
Wanted a chat about my PTSD drugs and problems and walked into the doctors room with a young guy sat to one side.
Seemingly invisible as the doctor got straight into it. Whoa! Who is this sitting in?
A student, came the reply. Him out, NOW! No- - - he has every right to be here.
Up I stood, out I walked, and into another doctors surgery.

When asked why I wanted to change doctor's the new doc got really angry at how I had been treated.
Got home to a ringing phone. Old doctor. Please come back, there seems to have been a misunderstanding.
I uttered two words and slammed the phone down. One week later, new doctor. He telling me about his interesting conversation with my old doctor and how he laid into her attitude. Which explains the phone call.
Think I'll be staying a while with this doc. (Besides, it seems I've unexpectedly found a PTSD trauma aware doctor).

 

[Movingforward10]

I'm not a VET, but I understand how totally and utterly un-trauma informed medical professionals can be. And also, patient consent isn't always top of their list on top of that.

What's making you think there is some conspiracy going on that you are being deliberately targeted rather than seeing it as their incompetence?
What also stopped you from asking who the man is and saying no you don't want him in the appointment?

You had a right to ask and say no. They should have told you and asked you in the first place. But with that lacking, you still have autonomy.
I don't see any problem with them saying they have a space earlier. Up to you if that works for you or you keep your scheduled appointment.
And the computers not working. I have experienced that too. Felt very unprofessional and I had no trust that my appointment would be written up.

When we're triggered we often don't think we have choices. So it's reminding yourself that you do.