Among Friends

[gertrudecloset]

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

@haddon9 and @NickNack "mainstream?"  Physicians who don't take insurance are part of the overall medical practice we have as a country.  The only difference with them is that you pay out of your pocket as you go.  Keeping that in mind, of course, they can spend more time with their patients because you are paying them their full rate.  Physicians who take insurance plans will never get their true rate so that's why we get less time with them.

You can always get more than one opinion.  I would start out with a couple within my network (looking at their credentials, which hospitals they are associated with and if they are board certified.  Seeing a private pay doctor will not guarantee you a better experience our outcome.  It's about finding a doctor willing to do think outside his/her proverbial box.

In the meantime, check out a program on Discovery Life called Mystery Diagnosis.....it's eye opening with ailments people suffer through for so long going to various doctors.  Some don't get answers for years because many doctors are not well versed lesser known conditions.    The main thing here is to keep at it.

Nick Nack you've been dealing with this for a year and you now want to pay $$$ exorbitant fees to see a doctor because you let this problem go for so long.  You don't have to do this.  Call, call, call, call as many in your network or out of network (but can be reimbursed for a portion) to get an appointment.  You waited a year and change, a month or two out may be doable.

If they are MD's or DO's whether they take insurance or not they are MAINSTREAM doctors in the U.S.

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All I can say is wow, just wow.....

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Yeah, I'm glad that's all YOU said @CelticCrafter .  People telling her to spend all that money for a private doctor.

[gertrudecloset]

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@elated wrote:

I am sorry you are still dealing with health problems. What random symptoms do you keep experiencing? My cousin has Lupus and she can't tolerate cold. She has struggled with her health for quite awhile. 

If it were me, I would go to my PCP and tell her what you think you may be dealing with regarding Lupus. If your PCP is a good doctor, they will follow up with your concerns. I would say I am not feeling well and need a resolution. Keep insisting until you get your answers. Sometimes we need to be forceful to get our needs met.

I wish you  good health. Hope Ava and Henry are doing well.

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Excellent recommendation @elated .

[CelticCrafter]

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

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@CelticCrafter wrote:

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@gertrudecloset wrote:

@haddon9 and @NickNack "mainstream?"  Physicians who don't take insurance are part of the overall medical practice we have as a country.  The only difference with them is that you pay out of your pocket as you go.  Keeping that in mind, of course, they can spend more time with their patients because you are paying them their full rate.  Physicians who take insurance plans will never get their true rate so that's why we get less time with them.

You can always get more than one opinion.  I would start out with a couple within my network (looking at their credentials, which hospitals they are associated with and if they are board certified.  Seeing a private pay doctor will not guarantee you a better experience our outcome.  It's about finding a doctor willing to do think outside his/her proverbial box.

In the meantime, check out a program on Discovery Life called Mystery Diagnosis.....it's eye opening with ailments people suffer through for so long going to various doctors.  Some don't get answers for years because many doctors are not well versed lesser known conditions.    The main thing here is to keep at it.

Nick Nack you've been dealing with this for a year and you now want to pay $$$ exorbitant fees to see a doctor because you let this problem go for so long.  You don't have to do this.  Call, call, call, call as many in your network or out of network (but can be reimbursed for a portion) to get an appointment.  You waited a year and change, a month or two out may be doable.

If they are MD's or DO's whether they take insurance or not they are MAINSTREAM doctors in the U.S.

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All I can say is wow, just wow.....

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Yeah, I'm glad that's all YOU said @CelticCrafter .  People telling her to spend all that money for a private doctor.

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@gertrudecloset I was actually refering to your reprimand.....

[NickNack]

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@elated wrote:

I am sorry you are still dealing with health problems. What random symptoms do you keep experiencing? My cousin has Lupus and she can't tolerate cold. She has struggled with her health for quite awhile. 

If it were me, I would go to my PCP and tell her what you think you may be dealing with regarding Lupus. If your PCP is a good doctor, they will follow up with your concerns. I would say I am not feeling well and need a resolution. Keep insisting until you get your answers. Sometimes we need to be forceful to get our needs met.

I wish you  good health. Hope Ava and Henry are doing well.

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@elated This is what I've been experiencing since last summer.  Many of them started before last summer.  I told my PCP most of this at my annual exam last July.  Then so many other things came up (lesion on kidney that looked like cancer--had surgery, it was cancer, and am recovering from that)--that they got pushed aside.

*Joint pain--I do have osteoarthritis so that could be the reason for this

*Swelling

*Extremely hot and sweaty frequently--this is just awful and started last July. It has nothing to do with the temperature outside.  I did read that this is a symptom of Lupus.

*Low grade fever at times

*Headache

*Mouth sores for first time ever last summer

*Anxiety—anxious feeling comes on suddenly

*Rash across face and nose—have had this for years and am not sure it’s a butterfly rash—isn’t there all the time

*Dry eyes and dry mouth—optometrist thinks it’s Sjogren’s, which usually means you have another autoimmune disorder

*Headaches started last summer

*Tired much of the time.  I will run one errand and come home exhausted.

I just want my PCP or someone to look at the entire picture and try to figure it out.  To me, it just seems like it might be Lupus or another autoimmune disease.  I know I'm not a doctor and need someone to help me.

I have an appointment with my PCP on the 22nd--have had this scheduled for a while--and will see what she will do.  I will start with her and then decide on seeing a Rheumatologist.

[elated]

I just wanted to follow up and see how you are doing?  I read your lists of health issues and many do seem to imitate Lupus.  I hope you get a resolution so you can start to feel better. Wishing you and your family good health going forward.

[Julie_23]

Hi @NickNack - you mentioned that the symptoms might possibly be Lupus-related and that you're looking into private pay doctors.  There is an MD who, herself, had lupus.  She works with patients on reversing autoimmune conditions.  Maybe you've already looked into her: Brooke Goldner, MD.  She is private pay and does consultations, etc.  Her website has a lot of testimonials (including lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.).

Hoping you feel better soon.

[NickNack]

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@elated wrote:

I just wanted to follow up and see how you are doing?  I read your lists of health issues and many do seem to imitate Lupus.  I hope you get a resolution so you can start to feel better. Wishing you and your family good health going forward.

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Thank you for checking on me @elated .  My appointment with my PCP is next Wednesday, the 22nd, so nothing has been done yet.