I have some questions about medical practice these days after a frustrating morning with a new docto

[pnwmom]

67. You didn't read the whole thing. On her SECOND appointment she went for high blood pressure.

The doctor would have been derelict not to order tests to rule out serious causes of such high blood pressure. She wanted a refill of her old medication but the old medication was no longer controlling her blood pressure well enough.

This had nothing to do with the spider bite of the first visit. This is what she said:

So, this week I was running low on my blood pressure medication that has worked well for me for five years, reducing my BP and not causing any side effects. I again called my new health care network and was again assigned to this Dr. D. This morning, I went to the office and when the med assistant checked my BP, it was higher than usual, 170/88. When Dr. D came in, she asked for the reason I was there, and I told her I needed to renew my BP prescription. Again she told me that in order for her to treat me, I would have to have bloodwork done. I again refused, because I have small veins and they have to stick me with the needle 4 or 5 times to get the amount they need. To me, this is torture. I will have it done only if necessary to treat any symptoms or illness I might have.

She says she will only have blood work done only if she has any symptoms or illness -- high blood pressure IS a symptom and can be an indicator of a serious condition like diabetes or heart or kidney disease. And untreated it could lead to a stroke -- and a whole lot of needle sticks.