topic Re: I am considering changing my appointments in Community Chat

I am considering changing my appointments

I am still oxox — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 12:57:03 GMT

For my hearing aide screening, my retina specialist and my dental deep cleaning. Especially the retina the tech is on the other of a machine.

I had double pneumonia and flu B at the start of the year and I have asthma and I have a weaken immune system

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Nonametoday — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:00:06 GMT

@I am still oxox wrote:
For my hearing aide screening, my retina specialist and my dental deep cleaning. Especially the retina the tech is on the other of a machine.

I had double pneumonia and flu B at the start of the year and I have asthma and I have a weaken immune system

I don't have any serious retinal issues (yet) except AMD which, I guess, most older people have, but I do have asthma and an immunoglobulin deficiency and have had pneumonia this year. I would not go to the dentist if I did not have to or the eye doctor. I think rescheduling for warmer weather is key to this. I have to go to the dentist today emergently. Serious toothache in a tooth that is on a bridge with an implant. I am concerned I will have to have the tooth, another tooth and the implant removed. I hope not but this tooth is throbbing like crazy.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

SunSprite — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:18:23 GMT

@I am still oxox if all of these appointments are more maintenance/preventive (I wasn't sure about the retina one) then I would reschedule. The current situation may look much better in several weeks.

My PCP advised me to cancel any medical appointment that was a yearly screening type and to avoid medical facilities if at all possible.

(I don't believe @Nonametoday has that option though! I hope you are able to get relief from some of that pain today @Nonametoday .)

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Cakers3 — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:21:27 GMT

@I am still oxox The best you can do is contact each one and tell them about your concerns.

I know you are scared and have had a rough time lately.

Do what you think is best but do ask for guidance, especially with the retina scan. For me that would still be a priority.

Good luck and be well.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

CelticCrafter — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:24:35 GMT

I just read an article that said if it's something that can wait then cancel it.

The article considers "old" to be 60+ and that over the age of 80 should be even more cautious.

It's on CNN Health if anyone wants to read it.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

songbird — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:28:57 GMT

I don't have any medical issues. I had planned for my yearly check up in the beginning of March. Now with the growing of a pandemic, I came in briefly when I got a cold. Being paranoid because my cold was so bad, I did see the doctor. I didn't have any flu and he gave me some medicine. But I put off the complete checkup till this "mess" is over with. So yes....I did change appointments...

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

FlowerBear — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:40:57 GMT

i have asthma and am a little scared. i would myself cancel appts that i can hold off on!

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

roeroe1005 — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:42:54 GMT

I had to change lab work & a doc appointment for a week later. I still use my NY doctors (WestMed).

Well ... when I called to change the appointment, you would think what I was doing something very very wrong. The CS reps are always very nice, very professional, but she did give me the 3rd degree. Certainly not blaming her, I'm sure it the procedure with all that's going on. Was I sick? Do I have a fever? Am I coughing? Honestly, I've been coughing since I was about 10 years old with all my allergies.

I was able to change it to the following week, but it was weird.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

I am still oxox — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:51:39 GMT

@roeroe1005

I feel your pain Scarsdale Med's waiting room was a crazy house this week.

I also have allergies and asthma and I have been coughing and sneezing since I am about 13.

@roeroe1005 wrote:
I had to change lab work & a doc appointment for a week later. I still use my NY doctors (WestMed).

Well ... when I called to change the appointment, you would think what I was doing something very very wrong. The CS reps are always very nice, very professional, but she did give me the 3rd degree. Certainly not blaming her, I'm sure it the procedure with all that's going on. Was I sick? Do I have a fever? Am I coughing? Honestly, I've been coughing since I was about 10 years old with all my allergies.

I was able to change it to the following week, but it was weird.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

SunSprite — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 13:53:22 GMT

@roeroe1005

Whenever a patient cancels or reschedules an appointment with my employer (regardless of what department it is; radiology, neurology, derm, etc.) they ask a couple of questions so they can mark the change of appointment with a code that designates it is due to current virus concerns or potential infection/exposure to the virus.

I'm guessing that info would be helpful for a couple of reasons, but definitely if a medical facility ends up filing a claim for "loss of income" once this is all over.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Bella2022 — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:00:02 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
I just read an article that said if it's something that can wait then cancel it.

The article considers "old" to be 60+ and that over the age of 80 should be even more cautious.

It's on CNN Health if anyone wants to read it.

No thanks!!

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

ScrapHappy — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:01:31 GMT

Me, too. I started Physical Therapy at a local hospital. The last place I want to be right now. I already mentioned to my therpaist I will probably postpone for a while and then resume at a later date. He completely understood.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

roeroe1005 — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:02:48 GMT

@SunSprite,

I've changed appointments before and have never been asked why. It just threw me off for a minute. But I certainly understand.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Meowingkitty — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:27:34 GMT

I got an email from my eye doctor yesterday that said all patients will be tested for Coronavirus upon entering and not to bring anyone who doesn't have an appointment with you. If you do they are to wait in the car. Unless you have an appointment you can't come into the waiting room.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Johnnyeager — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:34:56 GMT

Your eye doctor has access to a supply of test kits?

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

Snoopp — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:37:50 GMT

@Johnnyeager she must mean screened. You wouldn't get a test result that fast.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

lovesrecess — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 14:40:02 GMT

You would be wise to postpone your appointments if they are not critical to have right now. Some drs are having staff call patients to reschedule already. Nursing homes here are not allowing visitors. I doubt they are the ones who would be bringing the virus into the facilities...I am sure it would be the workers far more likely to do that.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

TVLand — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:15:37 GMT

From what I have heard.....if its not urgent....they are suggesting you reschedule....if its something that can wait....if not keep appointment....

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

giddy up — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:40:31 GMT

I am considering cancelling an eye doctor appt. scheduled for March 30. I think I still have time to wait a bit more then decide.

Re: I am considering changing my appointments

RetRN — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:55:14 GMT

I am hoping to obtain more information about what to do with this situation of upcoming appointments. I have a dental appointment on April 2 and received a reminder card in the mail yesterday. I have a lab draw at the clinic on Monday for a lab test I need because of being on Coumadin and I got a reminder call yesterday. I will have to go in for that, but may wear a mask. It is scary.