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Changing Dr's & hospital??

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 9/13/2008 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi guys,
How do I go about changing doc's yet again? This hospital has kept me waiting with these high ANA results.The bloods were
drawn some 4 weeks ago. The only way I knew about the 1.640 ANA Titer level was because a copy of the results were sent
to my PCP...
I have made 3 different calls to the specialists office, with no reply. I finally got someone yesterday.... His nurse um'd & ah'd
her way through an explanation, telling me that um I only just spoke to the doc today (4 weeks later) and um there um seem
to be a test missing um...so on & so on...
I feel ready to tear my hair out, I don't know whether to take anymore Humira, I don't know if this is an indication that I have full
blown lupus, or just drug induced... I don't know what to do!!
Every time I call the hospital I get a recording, telling me my call will be returned within 48hrs... I.m not liking this place. It's a big
teaching hospital in St. Louis, so it's busy and I feel like a number, not a person!!
So how do I go about changing? Can I do it on my own, or do I have to be referred?
Help!!!
Posted 9/13/2008 3:08 PM (GMT 0)
That depends TOTALLY on your insurance. If your insurance insists on a referral to a specialist you will need your PCP to make the referral. If your insurance requires "in network" doctors and hospitals you will need to know if any hospital you are interested in is "in network" and you will need to ask any new gastro you want to see if he accepts your insurance and thus is "in network". Good luck and God bless!!! I'd be insisting on changing to were I in your position!!!! You're justified in your desire to do so.
Posted 9/13/2008 3:38 PM (GMT 0)
C2, thanks for that. I was beginning to think I was reacting to strongly to a situation, But man, this is so frustrating. LOL
Posted 9/13/2008 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
I would try to call the insurance first... go to a new Doc as a second opinion and then let them know you may be changing docs. then the new doc can get all your results or retest. I just did this with my Rheumy that has let me suffer in pain for my Fibro for a year now. My new rheumy gave me lyrica and it has helped with the pain so much. She even sent me for Physical therapy and took some xrays my old rheumy never did. I am glad I finally made the switch. good luck!!! I would take the Humira and see a new Doc, maybe a smaller practice somewhere? Karen
Posted 9/15/2008 6:10 PM (GMT 0)
I don't really have an answer, but I just wanted to say...I am going through the exact same thing. Had the blood tests about three weeks ago. Called the nurse for results and she mumbled to herself about something being high while she read through the results. Said she would email the doctor the info and get back to me. Called last Monday to ask again and still have not called me back. I have my next Remicade next Friday and I need to know if I should or not. Just thought I would let you know you're not alone.
Posted 9/15/2008 10:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks munchkin, It wears you down,doesn't it!!
Posted 9/16/2008 12:17 AM (GMT 0)
Dunny--was this BJC? If so, can you switch docs withing the group? Good support staff for the doc makes all the difference in the world.
Posted 9/16/2008 3:19 AM (GMT 0)
Jen, no it's SLU. I didn't want to go to Barnes, but now I wish I had....
Posted 9/16/2008 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Hmm...I don't know anything about GI's at SLUH but I loved BJC (I now go to St. John's Mercy--my former doc gave me the name and referral when my insurance changed). I highly recommend them. My old doc is gone but if my insur. would cover it I would still switch back there. Overall, my experience was very positive (as positive as it can be with a chronic illness!!) When I went there the GI's (and colon-rectal surgeons) had moved into the Advanced Medicine Building which is kinda behind the 3 main buildings. I know it's never fun to start over but getting better care is worth the hassle.
Posted 9/16/2008 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Jen, I used to go there. I was seeing Dr. Stenson, and I'm sorry to say, he was such an old F**t who would consistently go over
stuff that I'd told him many times before. In fact I had my second resection done there. But Stenson just did not instill any confidence
in me. I probably should've switched to DR. Christian, but I thought at the time it would've been rude to do so.
The specialist at SLU are good, that's not my problem. It's the 3 hour wait I usually have, and then not being able to reach them by phone.
I think their nurses need a bomb inserted, if you know I mean. They just don't follow through. For instance, she promised me yesterday
morning that she would get back to me last night. Well that didn't happen. So I'm still up in the air with regard to ANA results, and whether
I'm to come off Humira. We've now gone into the fifth week, not acceptable....
Sorry for the rant, but right now I'm a tad annoyed!!!!
Posted 9/16/2008 4:55 PM (GMT 0)
I'm so sorry! It is unacceptable you've had to wait this long to hear anything. As if our lives need any more complications!!!
Posted 9/16/2008 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
Considering everything I have read on this forum, I have a mild case of Crohn's and my GI doctor was insisting the humira or nothing. Since I am not big on needles, I got a referal from my PCP and went to Brigham and Womans in Boston. They are wonderful there. They put my on Lialda and I have been fine for a while now. I would definatly switch doctors. You need someone who is as concerned about you as you are.
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