Comments on: Hospital For Special Surgery: Share Your Story

By: Francey

Francey — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:22:07 +0000

It is very worrying for any patient with serious arthritis to be treated so badly by a person in a position of power.
I am sorry to hear you had that bad experience when what you needed was help. Best of luck, Francey

By: Anna

Anna — Thu, 07 May 2015 13:35:03 +0000

Hi Guy,

I have SLE, but I came across your site as I write for a medical magazine and was doing a piece about men with RA (your site will be mentioned!). I am SO sorry for this experience….I have had nothing but good experiences with HSS but with a different doctor (and I have SLE and saw Dr. Berman who is amazing). I have definitely been treated like this before by other doctors, though, and this is disgusting. Sending you lots of love and encouragement.

-Anna xxx

By: Judie

Judie — Mon, 27 Apr 2015 05:53:09 +0000

The sheer arrogance of some so called “medical professionals” defies belief. Oh to walk a day in the shoes of a RA sufferer !!!!

By: Cindy

Cindy — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 14:00:10 +0000

I keep wondering why he treated you in that manner right from the start. Do you think he was aware of your blog and social media presence and that made him treat you with such disrespect? Did you receive any type of treatment while you were there? The bills you received seem outrageous just for a few meetings with him. And if he felt that you do not have RA, what did he think you have? So many questions. Anyway, I hope that karma pays that jackass a visit real soon. Take care.

By: Vinny

Vinny — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 07:46:29 +0000

Hi Guy, shocking story and to hear these types of stories aren’t too infrequent in the US makes me feel sad that people across the pond are suffering so much and being subjected to such failings my the medical profession. Here in the UK doctors must work to the GMC duties of doctors 1st one being “make care of your patients the 1st concern”. We are appraised every year and need to signed off to be licensed to carry on working. Patients can complain directly, or if severe can take their complaint to the General Medical Council, NHS England or the independent onbudsman, all of which leads to medical defence involvement and a thorough procedure. So the doctor said you showed no signs of RA, what’s your rheumatoid factor? Do your X-rays show no erosions, subluxation or other signs. No nodules, raised inflammatory markers? If any of these are present and he denied you had the disease, if this was the UK you would definitely have a case for medical negligence leading to physical/psychological suffering and deterioration of your condition as you were not given a trial of treatment. I’m not sure why you are letting this slide, granted by bringing this to our attention the doc will be aware he has been exposed, but he needs more than that, he needs to feel what it’s like to have something taken away from him, his honour, pride, respect from others, he is an old school rheumatologist maybe, a pred pusher, hopefully a dying breed, I think you should take this further if you can which will deter other doctors in such a powerful position who hold the cards for helpless suffering individuals that they need to care for their patients. Good luck and use your power with words and powerful mind to bring this idiot down!