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Irritated by rheumie office, again!!

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Posted 6/24/2011 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
I finally decided to stop seeing this rheumatologist, because she insisted on a visit every three months, with accompanying basic bloodwork, and no change in treatment. I have been diagnosed for some time now. I actually asked, at my last appointment, to recommend a massage therapist, and she looked blankly at me.

I called the office and cancelled my last appointment, and was grilled by the receptionist. "Why" Do you want to reschedule?"

Now, I get a bill for missing an appointment. Really? Really!
Posted 6/24/2011 3:37 PM (GMT 0)
The three month appointment rotation is standard operating procedure with rheumotologists.  The blood work is too.  They want to be sure that your meds are not adversely affecting your liver.  And, to hold costs down, your insurer wants a 3 month precription for medication as opposed to any other option.  I'm not sure what you are expecting in terms of treatment for Fibromyalgia from a rheumy.  With three basic medications to treat it, there are not a lot of other options.  I got mine to go to a four month schedule because nothing ever changes and if it does, I'll move my appointment.  And, it is my experience that rheumys usually do not know of other options such as massage therapists for handling FMS.  It is not their area of expertise and frankly they don't have time.  I'm not saying that makes it right but that is the reality of conventional modern medicine.  Take care.
Posted 6/24/2011 3:39 PM (GMT 0)
And, if you called to cancel the appointment in plenty of time there is no way you should be billed for it. I'd be fighting that tooth and nail. Complain to your insurance company too.
Posted 6/24/2011 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I didn't find rheumies to be very helpful either. I choose not to take Rx meds for fibro because of the side effects I experienced, and that was all they were really able to offer me (during the 5 minute appointments that I paid a fortune for). When I asked the latest for a massage prescription (so my flexible spending account would approve it), she looked at me like she had no idea what I was talking about. I actually had to send her a letter specifically detailing what I was asking for.

For me, since I don't take Rx meds, I now just try to manage it at home, and if I need something more, I see my internist. While I found the rheumies helpful for a diagnosis and to rule out other things, that was about it. Since fibro is now thought to be a CNS problem, I wonder if neurologists will take over the diagnosis/treatment in the future? It seems to make more sense. Unless, of course, that theory changes, which given the history of fibro, seems possible. eyes
Posted 6/24/2011 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
The rheumie who first diagnosed me prescribed massage therapy and aqua therapy. I did not do this at the time because money and time was scarce. He shared the bloodwork that my PC doctor ordered every six months. This was in a large metro area.

When I moved to a small rural area, the new rheumatologist say me every six months as well, and discussed my meds/lifestyle choices with me. He would spend a half hour or more with me on every visit. His office handled the bloodwork, again every six months.

This new rheumatologist, in a different state that is very sub-urban and attached to a large arthritis-based practice, will not share the basic bloodwork with my PC physician, so I get the tests duplicated 3-4 times a year. There is a collection area in the rheumatologist's block of offices, and they insist I use it, for which they charge me, my insurance charges me, and the lab charges me. She also spends less than five minutes with me, even when I bring a list of concerns. "Okay, keep doing what you are doing." My meds are not changing. Plus, the office staff are bully-ish. Really a by-the-book kind of office, with little warmth towards the patients.

I understand that a lot of their procedures are linked to insurance preferences. I am largely frustrated with the lack of medical help for the amount I end up paying, since my insurance refuses to cover the duplicated tests.
Posted 6/24/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
My only experience with a rheumy was through my husband.  That doctor had him on sooo much medication and was seeing him frequently, too.  He finally stopped and got the medication from our Internist.

 

You can go to your Internist and they can prescribe the same medication.  You can have your records transferred, too, if you don't ever plan on seeing this doctor again.  My Internist checks my blood every six months to check me liver, etc.  I see my Internist every three months, though, mainly because of diabetes.  But this gives me the opportunity to discuss any of my illnesses with him.  That's why I like and Internist! 

 

If you want to find a good massage therapist in your area, I suggest you use this link.  These therapists have to take continuing courses in massage to be in this association so they are right on top of things.  Do make sure they massage people with fibro.  Mine does and she's wonderful.

 

http://www.amtamassage.org/findamassage/index.html?utm_source=%2Ffindamassage%2Flocator.aspx&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=redirect

 

Sherrine

Posted 6/24/2011 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
I am lucky...my rheumy is board certified, a diplomate doctor who specializes in rheumatology and internal medicince. He manages all my health care and has referred me to all of my specialists. I see a neurologist on a very regular basis also. Because of my conditions, I have a team of "ologists". Just recently a pulmonologist was added.
What is great is they work together as a team for me and share info.

Bloodwork is important, I've had stuff pop up, that was never there a year ago. My rhuemy is never baffled that I always have lots of questions for him...he takes the time to answer all of them too. I'm so grateful that I found him after having had doctors look at me like I was crazy.

Hugs, Robin :-)
Posted 6/24/2011 7:40 PM (GMT 0)
Wow, I get to see the rheumy every 6 months, no blood work ever since the beginning unless someone else has ordered it. He's given up on prescribing new meds after trying SSRIs, the rest of the fibro meds, tramadol, which helps.

My pain doc sees me every 3 months unless there's a new problem. He's tried the rest of the meds in the arsenal, recently has me working up on Topamax, which seems to be helping, but I have to keep to 1/8 dose twice a day. He doesn't check blood work either. That generally gets checked before surgeries a couple times a year and occasionally by my allergist, so I'm not too worried.

Allergists should not be discounted by us fibromites. Getting those under control - I swear by by my shots - helps lower misery which helps keep pain under control. I think I might need the pulmonologist too since having a hard time breathing since last surgery.
Posted 6/27/2011 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
FYI: For those of u who have a great Rheumy & "love" them; ignore this info.But I was goggling the internet looking 4 Drs.
who treat chronic pain & I came across an article (written by a Rheumy himself)who stated that those who have FM should
not go 2 a Rheumatogists because they were not "trained" on how 2 specifically treat the illness. I wish I could find the article
again.If I can; I'll post it 4 all 2 check out.Just 4 your info mind u .")
Posted 6/30/2011 4:20 AM (GMT 0)
Idk, I guess I just got really lucky....My rheumatologist is like my best friend. I can tell he cares about me so much and for him to trust a 21 year old kid with all of the different kinds of medicines including schedule 2 narcotics I feel really blessed. Granted my diagnosis are evident. Not only that but he has worked with me because I lost my insurance about 7 months ago and I see him every month he gives me free months supply of 60mg cymbalta which is insanely expensive! and samples of soma to go along with my prescription for it. He has not given up on me and I do not have the words to express how thankful I am for that...
Posted 6/30/2011 10:49 PM (GMT 0)
You have EVERY right to get copies of all your blood work so that it is not duplicated by your doctors. Walk right up to the front desk and ask for a "release of information" form. Fill it out and tell them to send the blood test results to your primary doctor. And don't let them bully you. You are the one putting money in their pockets. If they refuse, tell them you're going to file a grievance against them with the state authorities.

My rheumie only wants to diagnose fibromyalgia but refers pain management to either the primary care doctor or a pain management doctor. He told me this a few months ago. I've been seeing him every 6-9 months since 1996 and NOW he tells me!
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