I WISH DOCTORS TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION .. .

[CrazyCatWom]

. How difficult it is for patients to grow comfortable with them, but then bail and dump the patients onto yet another doctor, whom the patients will have to grow comfortable with all over again!

After seeing my new primary care doctor last Friday,I called yesterday to schedule the appointment for August he told me to schedule. The receptionist said she'd call me back, S but she didn't.

 SoI called again this morning,and I was scheduled.

But with another doctor!I asked why?

 "Dr. Chartrand is leaving " the receptionist responded. "Today is his last day."

 Of course! I really liked him!

 Now I'm dumped onto another doctor that I'll have to recite my medical autobiography to, that doctor will order more tests and scans,and when it is time to finally treat something other than a ÷@&*#in'UTI, that doctor will also have moved on and dumped me on yet another doctor. . . >=(





[NorasMom]

I feel you. My wonderful neurologist had to take leave recently due to his wife's illness, and the GP I've had since 1987 is planning to retire in the next year or two.

[hairbrain4]

Changing doctors is tuff. It takes what seems like forever to get them to understand your particular problems cuz they like to use the cookie cutter method. I've had my neuro for about 10 yrs now & would hate to have to lose her. But I've gone thru 3 PCPs (my choice) in the past 3 yrs since the one I liked & had for about 10 yrs decided to retire from civilian practice & only work for the VA a couple of days a week.

[CrazyCatWom in reply to hairbrain4]

I was thinking about it all and realized I only have 1 doctor I've had for the last 4 years--my neuro opthamologist, who I'll see in a couple of weeks. I lost my neurologist, my cardiologist, last year. Also lost my dermatologist before we could even do the follow up from a biopsy he did on my arm. Then I lost my second primary care when he passed away last Thanksgiving weekend. And so far this year, the urologist/gynecologist I saw in May was a 1 appointment stand, I no longer have a cardiologist because the lousy insurance I had to go with for the primary care who bailed yesterday. I guess I should say, "to #%@& with thendoctors!" and only get my insurance based solely on my meds.

[hairbrain4 in reply to CrazyCatWom]

Sorry about all that! I managed to get good insurance here in Arkansas. I don't pay anything for my meds after January cuz my deductable gets paid up with my MS meds & I don't have to go into the donut hole because I applied for extra help on my medicare & got it. So I only end up paying about $300 a year in copays for dr visits.

[wolfmom21fl in reply to hairbrain4]

If you are eligible for extra help you might also be eligible for state Medicaid where you live. That would pay your Medicare Premium, All deductibles and copays for doctor visits as well. I have it here in FL and I pay nothing for the entire year under part B.. no premiums, no deductibles and no co-pays. The only thing i have co pays on is my Part D until I get the first fill of my MS meds each year then it goes to 0 for the rest of the year

[CrazyCatWom in reply to wolfmom21fl]

Oh, I have a Medicaid supplement to my Medicare. I just had to give up the really fantastic Medicare advantage program to go with a early campy advantage program to cover th primary care I just losr.

[wolfmom21fl in reply to CrazyCatWom]

I was confused when you said you had to pay $300 in co pays to docs for office visits. If you are dual eligible under both Medicare and Medicaid they should not be billing you any co-pays

[hairbrain4 in reply to wolfmom21fl]

That was me that has to pay the 300. I don't qualify for Medicaid here in AR. Here if you are getting Medicare you don't get Medicaid.

[wolfmom21fl in reply to hairbrain4]

thats so wierd. Here in FL if you have Medicare but your income is below a certain amount, then you qualify for "QMB" benefits which covers your Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays. If you are qualified for extra help with Social Security... you are eligible income wise.. I am shocked that ALL states do not have this. It is something you must apply for...It is NOT the same thing as regular or share of cost medicaid.. it's a special program

[hairbrain4 in reply to wolfmom21fl]

We don't have anything like that here.

[ahrogers]

I just found out my current neurologist is leaving and will be getting a new one. My previous neuro left a couple years ago. So now it will be 3 doctors in 5 years since moving to South Carolina. I went through 2 in California before moving here.They have all been pretty good so hopefully the next one is too.

[stepsforNeeC]

I am right there with you! I hate giving that narrative of my "Life with MS" over and over...! I snapped and walked out, switched providers once with a PCP, Pray you'll find a good fit - medically and personally who has a good listening hear. My Neuro is wonderful, and that's one of the reasons I travel so far for treatment. Keep us posted'

NeeC

[CrazyCatWom in reply to stepsforNeeC]

Yeah, that's what I hate: reciting my medical autobiography, being sent for all kinds of tests and scans, and then when something all that revealed might need treatment, that provider is gone and I'm dumped on a new one.

[Kenu]

I have been really lucky with primary doctor have been seeing him for 33 years now. My neurologist that specialist in ms I have been seeing her for 28 years now. Both are about 5 years younger than me and we get along great 👍🏼😉🙏

[CrazyCatWom in reply to Kenu]

You really are lucky! I think I wouldn't have lost my fantastic neuro had the University Hospital where he practiced handled COVID 19 better.

[Goldilockssearching]

Always try to sch me w someone else @ PCP. Caved & did it last time. NEVER again!! Hate trying to rehash decades of issues/tests etc to get the brush off anyway. It is exhausting!! It’s also what ultimately led to delay in ms dx bc they wouldn’t sch me with her!! She was quite upset when she found out but it really hasn’t changed. I feel like it’s a fight w office staff every time.

[hairbrain4 in reply to Goldilockssearching]

I left a really good doctor & friend because of his office manager. She would make sure you were in the office every 2 months to get scrips re-upped. That was crazy. Most doctors go out for 6 months. But she thought she knew everything. She tried to tell me that my meds were schedule 3 drugs & had to be seen at least every 2 months. None of my drugs were on any schedule except for Tramadol & the recommended time is 6 months. She was a looney toon. I told the doc that & he said he couldn't do anything about her as he was just an employee there. He had quit doing family practice & was just working in the ER at three hospitals in the area. Then he got lime disease & was off for 2 years & is only working 2 days a week now.

[Goldilockssearching in reply to hairbrain4]

It’s unfortunate. Good help is hard to find. I’ve been w my optometrist for 20+ years. Love her. She actually was the one to start the MS bus when no one else listened. Her office staff leaves much to be desired (except that 1 who’s great). I’ve said this to her & she just rolled her eyes and said tell me about it.Tried a work around with the PCP where she said to tell the staff to get her directly and then she would personally take care of things but that is still Fort Knox!

These are just two examples. There are many more.

[hairbrain4 in reply to Goldilockssearching]

Sounds like her staff is related to the staff at the office I left!

[wolfmom21fl in reply to hairbrain4]

even that isnt true actually.. I have pain management and they "see" me via telelhealth every 4 months so she is full of it.. Look up the law and take it into her and then do your appointments

[lbenmaor]

I understand how you feel. Changing Drs. is really hard!When I had to change, I was very upset but I said to myself

I'm lucky to have a Dr. Maybe he'll even be better.

Leslie

[mrsmike9]

My beloved GP did that to me a couple years ago. He'd been my doctor for about 30 years, delivered my daughter and walked with us through all 3 adoptions. When I was conflicted on how to proceed with a surgery for my older son, HE called me at work to help (not a nurse). Still love him to death and miss him. He was also a friend.

[NanaCC]

I’ve had the same pcp for over 20:years who is extraordinary last visit she is aging like I am but she is older than I. I keep expecting to get that letter another retirement. I’m sorry your dealing with that I suspect that is more the norm, good luck.

[agate]

Having to change doctors seems to be very common these days. Since moving to this state almost 13 years ago, I've had 3 different neuros and 3 primary care docs. All of the changes were imposed on me--not my choice at all. And the first PCP was often out because she was being treated for breast cancer. The second one was often out because she was having a baby. And before moving here I had the same PCP for over 20 years, but even she was out for years at a time: first with a bum leg, then with a sister who was dying and needed her care, etc.

I've pretty much given up on doctors and hope to avoid them as much as possible from now on. If they'll just keep on prescribing meds I want, I'll be happy. But if any doctor wants to cut into me (my ophthalmologist does), that idea can be dropped because there is absolutely no doctor who knows much about my health. Not enough to start cutting.

[BlanketTime1]

i'm sorry! why didn't he say? when my primary care dr left, she sent out a letter to all her patients months in advance! especially for the chronically ill, all our doctors are part of our team and we rely on them a lot. i'm sorry.🤗

[CrazyCatWom in reply to BlanketTime1]

Oh! It gets weirder! I received both a call and a letter . . . NOT from the dock but the clinic. Neither said WHY he was leaving, (the letter said 09/30/2022, NOT 2 weeks ago!), just that he was leaving and they all wished him the best for his new endever. But I went to the "follow up" appointment yesterday, where I just met the new doc, and the driver of the clinic's transport told me where my former primary care is going and why . . .

He is going to practice with the old Healthcare system my previous 2 primary care docs worked for, and he is going to the clinic that my 1st pcp used to be at 3 miles from my house!