Grrrr... Doctor Vent

[jennmkirby]

I am so annoyed. I started a new thread the other day wondering if what I'm feeling is PA, and the overwhelming consensus was that I needed to see a rheumatologist, pronto. So I called my primary care doc yesterday for a referral (would have called my derm but she's MIA.) PCP is out until today. Finally, just now at 3:45, her nurse called me back and said the doc wants to see me since this joint pain is a new issue that she's never heard about (although she did diagnose my P, and immediately referred me to a derm because she didn't know anything about how to treat.) So she won't refer me without seeing me first. OH, and ps... I have a 2-year-old who is. into. everything. and it is really, really not fun to have to take him anywhere like a doctor's office. So I can either get a babysitter for $8 an hour. Or I can drag a cranky toddler with me halfway across town, sit in the waiting room for half an hour while pulling my kid out of potted plants, wait for her in the exam room while my child is trying to get into the sharps box, and then have a 2-minute conversation about the fact that my joints hurt, the pain is mild and intermittent but they all seem to be involved. And then have her say "I'm not sure how to treat this, but it sure seems like you need to see a specialist and get some x-rays. Pay your copay up front!"

What the hell is the problem here? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me if you have a severe case of guttate psoriasis and you start having joint pain, you don't pass go or collect $200 or wait three weeks to see your primary doc, you get thyself to see a rheumatologist!

There, I feel better and will call my derm's former office and see what they say... I have an appointment with them Tuesday that I think I'll just keep. (I already arranged a babysitter for that one.) Thanks for reading my vent!

[mamaooch]

Too bad this is how the medical profession works! Sometimes what matters most to the Docs it is not the quality of care but the quanity that motivates them. It is sad that it has come to this. I was diagnosed with costochrondritis for a year before I was referred to a Rhemy and the damage was done by then.

Keep being persistant, you are the patient. Good Luck!

Take care,
Cindy

[jdeldrid]

Does your insurance require a referral? If not, you can probably just call a rheumatologist and get an appointment. I did that while living in rural Washington last summer, and was seen within a month, without having to wait for an appointment with my PCP.

[wannabeok]

I guess everybody has to make their share of the money. I was already seeing a rheumy and wanted to see someone else. I sent my records to the new rheumy and he said he would see me, but he still required a referal from my PCP. My PCP made me schedule and appointment to get the referal.

My insurance doesn't require a referal, but in my part of the country there is a shortage of rheumy's and they are hard to get into.

[jennmkirby]

Well, my insurance doesn't require a referral, but the rheumatologist I wanted to see (found her on NPF's "find a doctor" search engine) is actually part of the same group of docs that my PCP belongs to. This rheumy only sees established patients referred by one of the internists in the practice (it's a huge practice, they have all kinds of specialists on staff.) I thought it might be easier to get in with this rheumy if my PCP kicked in the door, but I don't know if it'll be worth all this trouble. (Like I said in my other post, I'm trying to get pregnant and I'm not even sure I can do any of the treatment options for PA.)

thanks for the support, guys, it really means a lot to have people to talk to who understand how crazy-making this is!

[twinieten]

ROFLMAO!! I just can't help it! I UNDERSTAND! I don't think I posted about my bad derm experience here, the most recent one. I was standing in the hall with my 2 year old daughter and 7 year old son. My 4 year old son was in the bathroom just off the waiting room screaming "MOM! I CAN'T REACH THE PAPER TOWELS!", and my daughter was going after the water cooler while the derm took a peek at my son's legs and was asking ME questions! AH!! It kind of left me feeling bad because I was obviously forced to divide my attention in 3 directions and everyone just watched.

Planning a simple trip can be tricky. Get them dressed early enough to be on time, but late enough that he can't strip and send you on a clothing hunt, and you have to pack for a 3 day vacation just to go to the dermatologist for an hour.... At least you have one thing going for you. At that age, you just have to look at people, smile, shrug your shoulders, say "he's 2" and everyone just knows and understands and knods.

I agree, it's a pain in the butt especially with two year old in tow. Can you call and just tell your doctor that it's asking a bit much just to get a referral? Can you make an appointment with a specialist and just call and give them the name and number for a referral? Rarely am I ever required to go in just for a referral. I hope it works out and you keep your sanity all the while.

Drea in AZ

[lulu'smom]

Jenn! I'm so sorry that you are going thru this. I totally know how you feel. Too bad either your derm won't refer you to a rheumy (that is how I found mine).

My PA started after my first guttate flare!

Do you have to use a referral to see a Rheumy!

Hugs! I hope things are working better than when you first wrote. I'm also sorry I missed your first thread about this. I've been MIA all week due to major work drama.

PM me if you need to vent. I've SO been there!

Nancy

I am so annoyed. I started a new thread the other day wondering if what I'm feeling is PA, and the overwhelming consensus was that I needed to see a rheumatologist, pronto. So I called my primary care doc yesterday for a referral (would have called my derm but she's MIA.) PCP is out until today. Finally, just now at 3:45, her nurse called me back and said the doc wants to see me since this joint pain is a new issue that she's never heard about (although she did diagnose my P, and immediately referred me to a derm because she didn't know anything about how to treat.) So she won't refer me without seeing me first. OH, and ps... I have a 2-year-old who is. into. everything. and it is really, really not fun to have to take him anywhere like a doctor's office. So I can either get a babysitter for $8 an hour. Or I can drag a cranky toddler with me halfway across town, sit in the waiting room for half an hour while pulling my kid out of potted plants, wait for her in the exam room while my child is trying to get into the sharps box, and then have a 2-minute conversation about the fact that my joints hurt, the pain is mild and intermittent but they all seem to be involved. And then have her say "I'm not sure how to treat this, but it sure seems like you need to see a specialist and get some x-rays. Pay your copay up front!"

What the hell is the problem here? Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me if you have a severe case of guttate psoriasis and you start having joint pain, you don't pass go or collect $200 or wait three weeks to see your primary doc, you get thyself to see a rheumatologist!

There, I feel better and will call my derm's former office and see what they say... I have an appointment with them Tuesday that I think I'll just keep. (I already arranged a babysitter for that one.) Thanks for reading my vent!

[jennmkirby]

Hi Nancy! I'll PM you.

[baldwin123]

Hi Jen,
Good luck with this! It is so frustrating, and why waste the time (and money!) at the pcp if not necessary!

My gripe too is that every few months when I need a new referral for the derm or rheumy, I have to go to my pcp, wait at least an hour to see him/her, and pay the expensive copay just to have them give me the referral! I have complained to the office manager about this too, but each time it comes up again! How ridiculous when we live with a chronic condition to have to visit the pcp every 6 months (or 3 visits to the specialist) just to get that referral.. its not as if it is going to just go away (though its nice to imagine!)... I can't find enough time in the day to do all that needs to be done, a few more hours in a doctors office is a frustrating waste of time!

Hopefully, your ins. won't require a referral, or maybe you can speak directly to your doctor on the phone and can avoid the visit this way?

Take care, and good luck!
Jen

[jennmkirby]

Hi Drea and Baldwin (Jen)! So glad people understand what it's like to have to drag a kid with me to the doc... that's been the most frustrating part, I think, of this whole healthcare merry-go-round I've been on since February.

I've been going to the chiropractor lately for my back and hip, and his assistant watches my little guy while I get "adjusted" so that's nice. If I had another one I don't know what I'd do though, that would probably be a bit much to ask of her. (Luckily the one I have is a cute and funny little guy, even if he is a stinker!)

[SuzanneT]

Thanks for putting things in perspective. I was grumbling about this same thing the other day, and I no longer have little ones to drag along (.... but I remember only too well how difficult that was!)

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just EMAIL our PCP with the info and they could EMAIL us back with a referral? Duh, what a concept!!! I think the medical profession needs to get with the times!! :)

[twinieten]

Thanks for putting things in perspective. I was grumbling about this same thing the other day, and I no longer have little ones to drag along (.... but I remember only too well how difficult that was!)

Wouldn't it be nice if we could just EMAIL our PCP with the info and they could EMAIL us back with a referral? Duh, what a concept!!! I think the medical profession needs to get with the times!! :)

I only have to call to get a referral, and the referral is good forever as long as I keep seeing the same doctor! How crazy it is that some of you have to keep going back to your PCP! It was so nice when we had a PPO plan. We never had to get a referral. Now that was definatly nice!

Jennmkirby, your "stinker" is quite the handsome little guy, but he's got that spark in his eye like he's planning trouble! :) That's so great that you have soemone to help out when you see your chiropracter. I wish more people were like that. I guess I can't really expect to have the office staff play babysitter each time I go in for a visit, but sometimes it would be nice if someone would just give me a hand.

Drea

[lulu'smom]

What an adorable little "stinker". I can see that you have your hands full!

Nancy