Can I Sue If My Doctor Is Rude and Refuses to Treat Me?

Question: What can I do if my doctor mistreated me and he is denying me care?


 I have been seeing a few different neurologists in the same practice for about four months now. I originally went there for daily headaches and severe disabling migraines. First time I went I saw one doctor who was concerned and wanted me to have an MRI done and started me on headache medicine and a migraine medicine. Second visit, I saw a resident who was under a different doctor. At that time, my symptoms were getting worse. I started having seizures and upper body numbness. The resident wanted to up my dosage on the medication but the doctor he is under said no and wanted to wait for results of MRI. The resident sent me to get an EEG done as well. After that visit, I had a seizure, hit my head and my numbness spread to more parts of my body. I went to ER. The ER doctor called the doctor who was above the resident I had recently seen and they decided I needed an earlier appointment rather than the appointment set for a month later. That earlier appointment fell thru and I ended up having to go to later appointment during that waiting period, my symptoms got worse, migraines and seizures more frequent and constant upper body numbness. I had trouble thinking and confusion. At this appointment, I see a resident under the same doctor from before. He's rude and refuses to listen to what I want to say about my new symptoms, which are serious, instead focuses on past notes because he didn't read my history before. Long story short, the doctor comes in, tells me the MRI and EEG are clear and that I have no neurological problems. He says there is nothing wrong with me. He is rude and very mean to me. I say what about the seizures, numbness and migraines. He has no answer. He takes me off the two medicines I'm on and says there's nothing wrong with you. I'm upset by then, asking him what I'm supposed to do about my worse symptoms. He walks out. Later, I call office manager. He says they refuse to provide me care or a second opinion at their office. I'm sick and scared. What can I do, if anything?

Answer:  You can't sue your doctor in Montana for medical malpractice just for being rude.  He apparently doesn't think you are seriously ill.  If you don't take his medical opinion as reassuring, seek another doctor.  Do not make any statements to the new doctor  about medical malpractice.  You are seeking a solution to the problem. Don't bash the rude doctor.  It will only hurt your chances of finding a doctor to help you.