She will go to the doctor but it takes her several hours to get ready and she has to have the latest appointment possible meaning she can't get lab work done. The doctor won't spend but 5 minutes with her. Doesn't even notice how much weight she has lost. She has a check up in two weeks. She won't take her medicine. And she lost half her hearing due to her old doctor not caring about her either. I feel so helpless but I am mad at the doctor to for not doing anything!
Since she is non compliant on several issues, what do you expect the doctor can do for her? She needs labs. Without them, doctor has little to work with.
Also, the doctor didn’t cause her to lose half her hearing. Something else did. She needs to go to a hearing specialist.
She has way more problems than depression.
Thyroid med dosages are weight-dependent which means if she lost weight, then her current med dosage may be overdosing her, which is probably causing her lack of appetite, which is causing weight loss, which is causing the overdosage. It is a circular problem and you need to step in to help.
You will need to make up a therapeutic fib to get her in for an earlier appointment. Anything you think will motivate her to go is acceptable. Before you take her, have a pre-written note to secretly hand the staff saying who you are and that you are concerned about her inexplicable weight loss and to test her for a UTI and also cognitive test.
Make sure to request to be in the exam room with her. Try to sit behind her so that when the doctor asks her health questions, you can provide more accurate answers than what she's been giving. Doctors can only work from accurate information. This is how you get the best help.
While at this appointment, ask for the HIPAA form for Medical Representative. Fill in your name and have her sign it, then return it to the staff. This will allow the medical team to legally share your Mom's private medical information with you without her having to be present or give further permission.
As for hearing loss... not the doctor's fault. Any number of health issues, conditions, diseases could cause this, as well as just advancing age. If she went to a lot of loud concerts in her youth, or rode a loud motorcycle, or worked in a loud environment without hearing protection, then hearing loss wouldn't be a surprise.
BUT, since she's got Medicare she should have a hearing test to consider hearing aids. Testing is the first step. Lots to try to accomplish but once some of the problems are addressed, things can improve for the both of you. Good luck!
Is your Mom seeing a PCP or an endocrinologist? I am assuming the doctor does his own labs? If so, ask him for an order you can take to an independent lab and have sent to his office. Then u can take Mom in the afternoon. You can't blame the doctor when the patient won't comply. Labs are very important. They show if the meds are even working. They are adjusted by how the lab report reads. Doctor can't do his job without those labs.
Her hearing, is the doctor ur talking about her PCP? He can't do anything about her hearing. He can recommend an Eye, Ears and nose Doctor, give a referral. But he can't give her an exam. If she does not follow thru, there is nothing her PCP can do. Its all up to Mom. She has to get her labs done, she has to take her pills, she has to see the appropriate doctor. Your blaming the wrong people.
I agree, maybe Mom should be tested for a Dementia.
Your mom needs to see a good psychiatrist to help her overcome her depression, because her PCP is obviously not addressing her underling issue(s).