My Doctors Are Retiring

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

In the past few years most of my doctors have retired. It was inevitable as I'm in my 60s, and most of my doctors are older than me. Four of my specialists have retired, and my internist who I saw for almost 40 years retired in December.

I saw my new and very young internist for the first time in March, and he made changes in my health plan. Was my old doctor that incompetent? IMO my previous doctor and I had things under control. I'm not against trying different medicines and practices, but it definitely caused me anxiety when he changed my asthma meds in March just as my worst time of the year for flare ups was beginning.

He asked me to stop taking an asthma medicine that I've been on daily for 20 years, and he prescribed something else. I told him I would try to wean off the old medicine. Three months later I have succeeded, but it was scary.

I see him next week for a 3 month checkup. Wonder what else he will want to change?

Anyone else have stories about new doctors?

Wishing Everyone Good Health!

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@wilma wrote:
In the past few years most of my doctors have retired. It was inevitable as I'm in my 60s, and most of my doctors are older than me. Four of my specialists have retired, and my internist who I saw for almost 40 years retired in December.

I saw my new and very young internist for the first time in March, and he made changes in my health plan. Was my old doctor that incompetent? IMO my previous doctor and I had things under control. I'm not against trying different medicines and practices, but it definitely caused me anxiety when he changed my asthma meds in March just as my worst time of the year for flare ups was beginning.

He asked me to stop taking an asthma medicine that I've been on daily for 20 years, and he prescribed something else. I told him I would try to wean off the old medicine. Three months later I have succeeded, but it was scary.
I see him next week for a 3 month checkup. Wonder what else he will want to change?

Anyone else have stories about new doctors?

Wishing Everyone Good Health!

@wilma Just like grocery stores and school teachers, some of the new ones are better than the old ones but the old ones seemed to have a caring heart, and that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I have a new pulmonologist and he has made some wonderful changes for me. I loved my former one but he moved after his wife got a professorship at a nearby university hospital and he got a new practice with a better-paying clientele in that area.

I loved my former internist. He would call me at home, at night, to see how we were doing if there was, what he thought, a problem that perhaps he wanted to explain further than he had time in the office.

His wife had a very serious airplane accident (doctor also) while flying with a patient to a specialty hospital. He retired from his practice at age 57 to care for her and his aging father who had Parkinson's. That made me love him even more. My new internist is nowhere near as caring or as good as the former one and just does not listen.

SaveTheTurtles · ‎10-09-2023

We recently broke up with our old PCP that we had for 25 years and now have a new one. Best thing we ever did. Sometimes their egos and attitude get too big for their britches.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@wilma wrote:
In the past few years most of my doctors have retired. It was inevitable as I'm in my 60s, and most of my doctors are older than me. Four of my specialists have retired, and my internist who I saw for almost 40 years retired in December.

I saw my new and very young internist for the first time in March, and he made changes in my health plan. Was my old doctor that incompetent? IMO my previous doctor and I had things under control. I'm not against trying different medicines and practices, but it definitely caused me anxiety when he changed my asthma meds in March just as my worst time of the year for flare ups was beginning.

He asked me to stop taking an asthma medicine that I've been on daily for 20 years, and he prescribed something else. I told him I would try to wean off the old medicine. Three months later I have succeeded, but it was scary.
I see him next week for a 3 month checkup. Wonder what else he will want to change?

Anyone else have stories about new doctors?

Wishing Everyone Good Health!

@wilma

Same here .... in the past 10 years I've lost doctors, dentists, hairdressers and all endings were surprises.

(For some strange reason, I thought I'd have all those docs as long as I wanted them. I know ... ridiculous.)

I also lost a doctor due to insurance changes.

From my experience, Wilma, I say please be open to being seen by a fresh pair of eyes. Those younger doctors might have less years of experience than your old doc, but they've also had the benefit of more recent training and might be more on top of various medical advances.

Plus ..... it's entirely possible that the med you've taken for 20 years is no longer the best treatment for you. Sure, it works, but there might now be something better.

My experience ....

Up until about 6 years ago I had what I considered the best Rheumatologist in Los Angeles. Lost her because of insurance changes.

What I have since learned is that the new board certified Rheum I've been seeing is not only as good, but is probably better ... for me.

So ... if you're changing meds, remmber you can always call or schedule follow ups sooner.

Please be open to change .... actually, you don't really have a choice, so go with it.

Lucias Nonna · ‎06-20-2024

Be aware that if you are on a Controlled Substance prescribed by your former Family Doctor, your new Doctor may not give them to you until he or she evaluates you!!! Not happy about this & even after my former FD wrote in her notes that I need these Drugs. Very upset about this but hoping the new Dr. wll keep prescribing these Meds for me. Hate change but hoping this new Dr. will not keep me waiting 2 hrs to see her everytime I have an Appt.. Makes my BP high to have to wait. The problem today too is that the Hospitals are buying out Private Practices & I have found that this is very disruptive during the takeover & the Office employees are not happy with the change. Good luck everyone!!!

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

@Nonametoday

I'm glad you like your new pulmonologist. Your feelings about your new internist are similar to mine.

I think internists might be a bit more difficult to replace. Since we see them so frequently we probably develop more of a relationship with them. The fact that my internist was my doctor for so long makes it difficult. My old doctor knew and treated most of my family and was like a friend. I've only had one appointment with my new internist.

Best Wishes to You!

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

@SaveTheTurtles

Choosing to leave a doctor is a big deal. So glad you like your new doctors, and it worked out for you!

Best Wishes to You!

We rescue cats · ‎01-25-2023

I've had to find new docs in the past few years, it is so difficult!! Personally and just in general because I am in such a small town. I loved and trusted my Endo with my life, he and his wife were great personal friends and he gave me heck when I needed it but I loved and trusted him, sadly he passed away, my GP picked up the med RXs but she is not an endo and I spiraled out of control after a stay in the hospital (KetoAcidosis) I found a new one 40 miles away, I have total faith in him and with his team. My Rheumatologist is terrific but the local hospital is closing her office, we do not have a replacement. Thankfully she is opening an independent office.
I'm told specialists are few and far between when it comes to Endochronology, Orthopedics and Rheumagology. I wonder why.

Tinkrbl44 · ‎08-23-2010

@Lucias Nonna wrote:
Be aware that if you are on a Controlled Substance prescribed by your former Family Doctor, your new Doctor may not give them to you until he or she evaluates you!!! Not happy about this & even after my former FD wrote in her notes that I need these Drugs. Very upset about this but hoping the new Dr. wll keep prescribing these Meds for me. Hate change but hoping this new Dr. will not keep me waiting 2 hrs to see her everytime I have an Appt.. Makes my BP high to have to wait. The problem today too is that the Hospitals are buying out Private Practices & I have found that this is very disruptive during the takeover & the Office employees are not happy with the change. Good luck everyone!!!

@Lucias Nonna

I see this is your very first post here .... Welcome!

wilma · ‎03-13-2010

@Tinkrbl44

Thank you for the advice.

I agree that newer doctors have new ideas due to recent training and knowledge. I am open to new treatments. The fact that my retiring doctor recommended this new doctor gives me some assurance. Things are just different, and it will take some time to adjust.

My new internist explained to me why he wanted me off my existing asthma medicine. I understood, and I did wean off it. I feel ok with the new asthma medicine he prescribed.

I'm glad you like your new rheumatologist.

Best Wishes to You!