Primary Care/Nephrologist?

[mweco]

can a nephrologist be a primary care doctor. my ppc just retired after 28 years? I went to a new primary care doctor however, not sure he knows all the issues living with a transplant. work,weak,tired,sickness,emotions.....

[marcyc NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

Nephrologists were first trained in Internal Medicine so technically they could be your primary care doc but most specialized for a reason and don’t want to do primary care. My husband is in the same boat with our fabulous Primary care doc nearing retirement. Hard to find great ones. Best of luck.

[KathleenMA]

I have a primary care doctor and a nephrologist. My PCP has said to me that she can now follow me and manage my care, labs and meds post-transplant but I said, "nope, i'll stick with my nephrologist." I've known my nephrologist for almost 20 years, I'm not sure what I'll do when she retires. I doubt you'll find a nephrologist that wants to manage your primary care as well. I would shop for a new PCP if you can.

[kimmie55]

After my transplant my nephrologist told me i should have an internist for my PCP. I'm with Blue Shield CA and UCLA Health and found a great internist. Love her.

[Hidden in reply to kimmie55]

Hola kimmie55, soy transplantada renal hace 37 años, chilena. En primera instancia consulte a un doctor Urologo, quien me opero del transplante renal, mi donante fue uno de mis hermanos. Cuando comence con problemas, mi Urologo me recomendo a un Nefrologo, que es doctor internista, dedicado a la nefrologia y transplante renal. Este especialista maneja las drogas inmunosupresoras que debemos ingerir por vida!! para que camine bien el transplante renal.

Mis mejores deseos para que te vaya muy bien !! como transplantada renal!!!

Cariños Chicho

[Kbressler NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

i have never had a PCP because I believe Nephrologists are the experts. My latest Nephrologist and his office staff told me I needed to get a PCP but I politely refused. If I am admitted to the hospital a hospitality will be taking care of me and the first thing he will do is consult my Nephrologist. The Nephrologist community says they are too busy to be primary docs for kidney patients I am not buying it. Being to busy is no excuse. If push comes to shove I will request to be referred to a transplant Nephrologist for follow up. It is to costly for me to have two docs who order the same tests. Your situation may be different but if you have been transplanted you could seek out a transplant Nephrologist and see how that goes. Best of luck.

[JoEllenLentz]

My nephrologist is my primary care, but he does see patients who do not have kidney problems. Some nephrologist are just too busy, and it might be hard to get in the same or next day if you are sick. You should check with your insurance. I'm insured through a PPO and need to see doctors within the network, or I have a higher copay. Look on their website or call to see if your doctor is just listed under nephrology or as a primary care doctor. Mine just happened to be listed as primary care.

[anne627]

I have found that the average primary doctor knows little about transplants and interactions of meds with transplant meds. If your health insurance allows and your doctor agrees, I would think it would be okay.