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Posted 6/12/2008 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry guys, but I'm feeling more talkative today then to read all the other threads.

I started seeing a new doctor who is a collegue of my old doctor. One day I called to make an appointment and they gave me a choice between my stupid old doctor and this new one. Of course I choose the new one hopping for someone better. So far she is better. More willing to do more intensive tests to find out the cause of my ailments instead of giving me random pills and x-rays and sending me on my way. So far I have seen her twice and the first time I started trying to tell her everything that was wrong with me. She wants to take things one thing at a time. So first meeting was shoulders, second GI issues, third will be follow up with abdomen and discuss dizziness issues.

So do you guys think I should keep making these appointments for each of the different issues or have her address them all at once in case they are all connected, which I'm sure some of them are. I know she does it in part because she is too busy to devout more than 10-15 min with me, listening to me ramble on and on. I'm wondering though if she just wants me to keep coming back because she wants more money for my consecutive visits. Twice now she said she wanted to see me for follow up and both times I have/will bring up another issue so I'm not paying $12 to hear the test came back fine so you must be fine kind of sh**. Or do you guys just think I'm being difficult? Maybe all of the above? I just want someone who will listen to EVERYTHING that is wrong with me in one meeting and then start tests and give diagnoses accordingly. Is that too much to ask?!

( skull   scool devil tongue I really like these emoticons. LOL)

Posted 6/12/2008 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
When I go to a doctor I expect him/her to listen me out, otherwise he/she goes is out (but somehow I don't think your Social Security System works that way, I live in Belgium and am not (yet) very familiar with US SS). Your body is one piece, somethings might not be interconnected but might still influence one another. I think it is vital you present the whole case at once. If she has little time, but all your issues on paper so she can study it later on. I always prepare written reports for my doctors, but then again, I like administration. Just jolting down some point make do the trick and combined with a short explanation, might help her remember your case afterwards.
Posted 6/12/2008 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have been thinking of writing everything up and giving it to her since I seem to forget things that I wanted to specifically mention during my visits as well. I thought she might think I was a bit looney if I did though and was curious what others would think of that. I had thought I asked that in my original post, but re-reading through it I didn't. Thanks Morgoth for the suggestions. BTW I'm still on my parents insurance so its a little difficult for me to switch doctors at will.
Posted 6/13/2008 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
Give her a chance then. Write everything down, detailed, and bring forward your issues in a nushell, the rest is on the paper. Of coursen as she will heve to read the paper later on, you'll have at least one more follow up I'm affraid.
Posted 6/13/2008 12:01 AM (GMT 0)
Give her a chance then. Write everything down, detailed, and bring forward your issues in a nushell, the rest is on the paper. Of coursen as she will heve to read the paper later on, you'll have at least one more follow up I'm affraid.
Posted 6/13/2008 2:04 AM (GMT 0)
Mami,
I know docs schedule a limited amount of time for follow-up appointments and some docs are more liberal with time and others keep to a tight schedule. That doesn't make it right, but it's generally how offices are organized. But there one other issue I don't know is relevant. A couple of our major insurance companies in the region made a policy that docs had to charge a separate co=pay for each diagnosis they addressed. Some docs were doing it, others fought the policy, but the insurance company said if they didn't comply they would give them trouble paying, with credentialing, etc. It's not fair at all in my mind, but it may be how your doc's office operates. You might ask if there's anyway you can have a longer appointment so you can discuss all these things. I definitely would write things down; I always have to anymore - too much to remember! Or you can keep searching for another doc who does take more time regardless of whether he/she runs late.

Look forward to hearing how it goes for you.

PaLady
Posted 6/13/2008 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with asking for a longer appointment time, letting the scheduler/receptionist know that you have multiple problems to cover and want to allow enough time.....even if they split it up where your first appointment is from 8:00 to 8:15 and the second 8:15 to 8:30.
Posted 6/13/2008 4:37 AM (GMT 0)
Miami, the writing everything down is an awesome idea. I am going to remeber that. But then what if they think it is scripted?
I am so paranoid...
Posted 6/13/2008 7:17 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone! I agree with you SJH, I am also a little paranoid about writing it down, but I think it has the potential to benefit me in the long run so I will work on it when I have enough free time. I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks about all these things.

Last night my father told me that the insurance sent a letter saying I was no longer on the insurance because I am too old and not a full time student. Wrong on both accounts so now I have to fight them in order to be covered again. I'm still paying my regular co-pay at the drs visits, but I hate having to deal with this sh**. Also I went to pick up a perscription yesterday called Plavex?(sp?), I think its used for things like acid reflux. The pharmecist said that my insurance requires my dr to send in a referral of justification stating why I need the medication. I've never had that happen before. But I agree somewhat with the insurance. She wrote the percription just based off what I said without even checking my throat or anything. Maybe I have GURD IDK.

So yeah more fun for me dealing with insurance and drs. So glad I can vent to you guys!
Posted 6/13/2008 8:23 PM (GMT 0)
Mami,
What I do as far as writing things for my doc is make a list of my symptoms, especially any changes that have occurred (something got better, something got worse, etc.), and also any questions I have. That's more for my memory than anything, as I find I can't remember it all once I'm in the office.

I'd call the insurance ASAP if you're still a FT student (they likely need some verification from the school) and if your age meets the requirement. The insurance company and I think maybe insurance regulations in general set an age limit, and that's not something you can contest. The FT student status will depend on how many credits you're taking.

As far as the prescription, different insurances have very technical requirements that can vary with the particular medication. Your doc may have to supply a diagnosis and symptoms which support the need for the med. I know with my insurance I can go online and check their drug formulary and it will give the drugs they cover and what, if any, authorization requirements there are.

Good luck!

PaLady
Posted 6/13/2008 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
I write down catagories of information I want to cover say, shoulder pain, alergies not controlled. Then I fill in the details. I found that the only way to address everything at once is to get a referal to the major teaching hospital in your area for a diagnostic appointment. If you are willing to devote an intire day and a follow up appointment to this you get great results. You spend most of the day with med students and interns and getting various lab tests and x-rays then the attending physician oversees a differential. I had good results with this.
Sj
Posted 6/13/2008 10:27 PM (GMT 0)
Honestly - I had a doctor who functioned the same way he kept telling me "one thing at a time". I'm sorry but my body doesn't work by "one thing at a time" when I flare up - EVERYTHING flares up - I wish it did it just one thing at a time. I know everyone else is saying to give this doctor some time, but if after a while your getting the same treatment I'd find somewhere else completely. I would even be willing to drive longer in order to see a new doctor.

I'm a HUGE fan of writing things down for appointments. My doctors all know that I come in with a list of things I hope to discuss. It helps them because they know that going in I've got a list so I'm not leaving things out. I also have no problem telling them when this is going on - this gets worse. I've also flat out asked doctors if certain things could be or are connected. For example when I came down with a very bad case of costochondritis my doctor at the time refused to acknowledge that the back pain and chest pain were related - and completely flat out said the pain when I'm upset and breathe was asthma and not connected to anything else. He was wrong with all of it. He said the back was muscle spasms and had no clue what the chest pain was, and the breathing pain and trouble was asthma - it all turned out to be costochondritis. That doc got fired very shortly after this started.
Posted 6/13/2008 10:35 PM (GMT 0)
PaLady, I am within the insurance's age limit so they shouldn't cut me off because of that. And as far as being a full student, since its summer I don't have to be a full time student and they aren't signing up for fall yet. I was full time in spring and last fall too. So there is absolutely no reason for my insurance to be cut off. They just love giving people the run around when it means they have to pay for treatments. I'm sure that's also the reason I haven't gotten anything in the mail about my referral for physical therapy.

Sjkly, I live just north of LA. I think UCLA is considered a teaching hospital right? I don't know how to go about getting in and doing everything you said though. I also don't know if they go through the insurance or how much doing something like that will cost. If you could I wouldn't mind some more information about it though.
Posted 6/14/2008 2:24 AM (GMT 0)
Mami-I don't know much about it either-I was twenty-five a full time graduate student-no longer on my parents insurance and too sick to work so on medicaid. My GP at the time made all the arrangements for me to go to SUNY-Upstate. My first appointment with them was six hours and I was "an interesting case" so partway through my visit the head of Rhuematology walked in and appointed himself my doctor. My follow up appointment was with the head of Rhuematology, the head of Internal Medicine, another rhuemy, an infectious disease doctor and a whole bunch of residence-a bit intimidating.
I know that I would never have gotten that kind of attention or that quality of care on medicaid with private providers.
Maybe ask your doctor for a referal to UCLA. You can check whether they take your insurance on line either by going to the hospital web site or by going to your insurance companys web site.
Sorry I cant be of more help.
Sj
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