I shifted to Dr. Baiden's care recently after working with an incredible Doctor for 5 years concerning the management of my hashimoto's. I really wanted to like Dr Baiden and was hoping the doctor-patient relationship would work out. The first visit went great. The second one was okay, and I let slide that she did not remember she had met with me before and spoke to me as though that was our first time meeting. I try to be understanding and not egocentric, and perhaps not remembering a client after only one previous visit is not a big deal or red flag.
My issue arose when I recieved a very curt, and condescending portal message today in response to me calling in with a question about my levothyroxine dose. I admitted to the assistant that I was expecting extreme fatigue, and for the last two days took .50 in place of .25 of my levothyroxine. I said that seemed to help with the fatigue, and that I wanted to consult with Dr. Baiden concerning if that was okay, if I should stop… doing that, or come in for a consult concerning that and my fatigue level. I also confirmed that I had tapered off of my other medication as I had discussed with her, and she had approved of, in our last session (the one when she hadn't remembered we had met precisely). Now I've never adjusted a levo dose before on my own, but was desperate for some relief from fatigue, and my past doctor had instructed me at one time to try .50 but at that time the dose didn't help with symptoms so I went back to .25. As my records reflect, I have always been a completely compliant patient and had such an incredible doctor previously who listened to me and tried to help me resolve hashimoto's symptoms. In this instance today, I expected to be directed what to do by Dr. Baiden. I was surprised to find the portal response to be short, curt, and condescending, and as such it was very dissapointing to me. The message generally read that no I shouldn't do that (take .50 instead of .25), that I was told what dose to take, that she is happy I was feeling better, but that she practices via empirical supported methods and the doctor-patient relationship may not be an effective one/she may not be able to work with me. I was so taken aback at the lack of emotional intelligence, good bedside manner, and desire to help me better understand the importance of keeping on my current dose (.25), along with the complete use of a stern, condescending and threatening tone (as with this disease I must be working with a doctor to receive the medication to manage it). Trying to navigate and manage hashimoto's symptoms is very difficult, and often the labs read that everything is fine but the symptoms reveal otherwise. My past doctor understood this and continually worked with me to address symptoms. I need a doctor who can assertively direct, correct, and educate me, not address me in a curt and condescending manner without showing any regard for the symptoms that affected my decision and behaviors. There was no addressing of my symptoms or an invitation to come in to discuss them, or get additional information/education about levothyroxine or hashimoto's. It was clear that Dr. Baiden, and potentially the assistant who took my message and then typed this portal message, had no respect or regard for me as an individual suffering and being in need of medical support and education, it was purely "do as I say, don't waste my time with questions and wanting to consult, or I won't work with you" dynamic and attitude. I was very dissapointed at this reaction, as this disease affects so much of my life, and I rely so much on the support, expertise, and understanding of my doctors. My health and wellness are too important to waist on any doctor unwilling or unable to take my concerns seriously, honor my humanity, correct me with empathy and EQ, and treat me with a basic level of respect. As of today, and that interaction, I am looking for a new doctor. I want to be working with a medically compliant, emotionally intelligent, empathetic, and respectful doctor. I am sorry to say that this does not seem to be who Dr. Baiden is capable of being. Based on other reviews I have just read on this same site, this type of behavior appears to be common practice for Dr. Baiden. Those reviews validate my experience and my decision to find a new doctor. I hope for her own sake, and that of her current and future clients, that she develops some EQ, empathy, understanding, humility, and general respect and regard for her clients. But I will not be sticking around for her to practice on in the meantime.
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