Bad health care

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

I live in a small city with one community hospital. I was ill all weekend. On Monday I couldn't get through to my GP and when I called my gastroenterologist's office, they said he was booked up and my symptoms warranted a visit to the ER, so that's what I did. After six hours and many tests, a firm diagnosis is not yet in but I'm being treated for acute gastroenteritis. The ER doctor called my gastroenterologist's office to discuss my case and then told me I need to see my gastroenterologist within the next 2-3 days...not easy at holiday time. When I called the gastroenterologist's office, they said none of their four doctors could see me until February. I was flummoxed. I've been pretty sick, and can understand someone not seeing me this week but two months? They are the only gastroenterologists in our city. I did get an appointment with my GP and will tell her about this but I am truly shocked that nobody can see me for two months! I refused to make that appointment. What's the use of having a doctor whom you can't see if you're sick? I may have to travel 60 miles to start with another doctor but how long will I have to wait for that appointment?

hoosieroriginal · ‎03-04-2012

I feel your pain - and sorry for what you are going through. I'm in Obamacare. I have fairly good insurance, but felt the need to go to a urologist a couple months ago. When I checked availability for urologists in my area, the list brought up about 4, all of whom said "not taking new clients". What's a person to do?

on the bay · ‎03-09-2010

You may have already done this but I've found that when you call to make an appoinment, it is crucial to tell them exactly why-that you were in the er, that the gastro said see one in 2-3 days, you've been very sick, otherwise the receptionist will just fit you in to the next appt.

I've had success with this every time, with myself and my mother.

When she had just gotten out of the hospital and needed to see a specialist, she called to make the appt, and they "didn't have one" until Feb or March!" I called back and told them why she was calling and when they understood it was urgent, they got her in the next day!

I understand that all doctors offices, reserve some appointments for urgent matters, they just don't let you know that, so we have to make sure to let them know it is urgent.

I hope you are able to get one much sooner and I hope you feel better soon!

"If you walk the footsteps of a stranger, you'll learn things you never knew. Can you sing with all the voices of the mountains? can you paint with all the colors of the wind?"

Toppers · ‎01-01-2015

@on the bay wrote:
You may have already done this but I've found that when you call to make an appoinment, it is crucial to tell them exactly why-that you were in the er, that the gastro said see one in 2-3 days, you've been very sick, otherwise the receptionist will just fit you in to the next appt.

I've had success with this every time, with myself and my mother.
When she had just gotten out of the hospital and needed to see a specialist, she called to make the appt, and they "didn't have one" until Feb or March!" I called back and told them why she was calling and when they understood it was urgent, they got her in the next day!
I understand that all doctors offices, reserve some appointments for urgent matters, they just don't let you know that, so we have to make sure to let them know it is urgent.
I hope you are able to get one much sooner and I hope you feel better soon!

I'm sorry that you've been so ill, Vivian. I'm glad that you're getting in to see your doctor for a follow-up, though.

I agree with the info. in this post.

I usually let the doctor's office know that I am calling and following up due to an ER visit, and that the ER doctor told me to be seen again within so much time.

That way, they know that I am passing on the information that I was told, and that I am following up with what I was told to do, too.

Lipstickdiva · ‎03-10-2010

Vivian, I feel your pain. I've been ill off and on for the entire year with stomach/gastro issues. My GP's fix was to have me taking Prilosec which was doing nothing for me. I keep getting a super heavy feeling in my chest, like an elephant is sitting on my chest, and I have no appetite. Finally I got disgusted and switched to a different doc.

He started tests on me which included a CT Scan of my abdomen and pelvis, an ultrasound of my gall bladder and a Hida Scan to test my gall bladder function. He also sent me to a gastroenterologist. Luckily I got in within a couple of days because my GP's office called the gastro and said they wanted me seen by him. I saw him on a Friday and a few days later, he did an endoscopy on me. I go today for the results.

There is something else I need to be seen by a specialist and the soonest I can get in is January 29. I made that appointment about a week ago. And I'm not in a small city with only 1 hospital. This is the Cleveland Clinic's main campus in Cleveland and that is still the soonest they can see me.

In the meantime, I feel horrible.

GCR18 · ‎07-03-2013

I had a similar experience with a specialist. I had hives from a pill he prescribed. I went to my regular Dr. She called him and he gave an antibiotic. The antibiotic didn't clear it up. I called his office and he wouldn't give me a new prescription without seeing him, but I couldn't get an appt for almost two months. The receptionist said the nurse would have to look at the schedule and would call me back. Nobody called me back. Eventually the hives went away. I never went back to that Dr. Luckily the reason I went to him cleared up. It's only going to get worse.

Stormygirl · ‎08-01-2015

I feel your pain Vivian. I have a very rare painful illness and am a disabled Veteran. I have had 3 docs and an entire clinic close this past year making me now travel almost 200 miles to get my interthecal spinal pain pump filled or even managed.. They cited the ACA as their reason for leaving/closing. Their words not mine. I tried to obtain a Scooter as I no longer walk and need to remain mobile but was refused by my husbands insurance and getting one through the VA I will die first before an act of congress and mountains of paperwork will go through to get one. I sometimes (in my bad moments) think I served a country who refuses to serve me in return. I dont know how much longer I can travel 200 miles just for one appointment and I am starting to give up.

AspenGrove · ‎08-27-2013

Will add my two cents ... just went through this with a friend I took to the ER with broken bones. After they gave her a temporary cast/boot, they said she needed to see an orthopedist no more than 48 hours later. The ER doc actually asked if she had an ortho, which she did, and he suggested she call right then and there. She did and was told the ortho had no openings for a month, and so the ER doc asked to speak directly to the receptionist. Needless to say, my friend had an appt. the next day at the orthopedist! The ER doc told us that he often has to run interference that way to get patients emergency appts. and he's always happy to do so.

So, perhaps you can contact the ER where you went and tell them you need them to run interference on your behalf so that a gastro will see you asap? Just a thought.

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

@Lipstickdiva I have the same exact symptoms and have had all the same tests. All negative except hiatal hernia which they say is not bad enough to be causing all that.

Very frustrating. Hope you get some answers.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

The only thing I haven't done yet is speak to the ER doctor but I left a long message. I'm waiting for him to call me back. I did everything else that was suggested here (thank you all very much). I told the gastro people I was just in the ER, which they had told me to do. I told them that my ER doctor spoke to one of the gastroenterologists in the practice, and that I was told to see a specialist this week. I spoke to my doctor's nurse. She called me back this morning and said my doctor told her there's nothing he can do for me now and to make an appointment. I don't know if that was the truth or not. I then asked the nurse if I could see any of the other doctors in the practice and she said not for two months. I have run out of ideas.

OMG. THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE CALLED. The ER doctor called them back and somehow they found a spot for me next week!