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        New Message Board Archives >> 2005 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> Guess I'm having a little trouble understanding...
        
(Message started by: BarbaraD on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 9:00am)

Title: Guess I'm having a little trouble understanding...
Post by BarbaraD on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 9:00am

Why are so many people having trouble getting in to see their doctors?

I can understand making apppointments - I make them with my neuro 6 months in advance, BUT if I have a problem in the meantime - I CALL and tell them I want in and they work me in. He and I had a talk about that a LONG time ago. He returns my calls when I don't think I need to go in but can handle it on the phone.

My reg doc is VERY good about returning calls or seeing me the day I call. I don't abuse this, but when I call I have a reason and NEED help then - not two months for now.

I thought this was because I lived in a small town, but now I don't really think this is the case at all. Longview (where my neuro is) is a medium size town and growing. Shreveport is considered a city and I've not had a problem with the doc down here. I had a problem with a little bone spur in my nose and called a brand new doc and got in within a week (it wasn't an emergency) and they've been calling me back and making arrangements for tests and just being overly nice since.

I just don't understand how anyone can have the patience to wait on a doctor when you're in pain and hurting like hell.

Hugs BD

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by zwibbs on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 9:19am

I live in the New York Metropolitan area, and the neurologist I go to is always willing to take my telephone inquiries. He will also call my pharmacy to prescribe the drug over the phone. However if I didn't know him before-it might take awhile for him to grant me an appointment as everytime I am in his office he is totally booked. These Doctors now deal with every form of pain imaginable. Mine is a superior "pain" specialist.I have suffered from these headaches for twenty eight years, and with each cycle there is always something slightly new to deal with. It is always the same side, same type pain, but when I was younger they were a little bit worse. They still are brutal, but they last about two months then disappear for a couple of years. God, am I waiting for their disappearance now !!!!!!!

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by pattik on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 9:26am

Barbara, I think you may be a little more fortunate than many other people, but it shows that there are some really empathetic docs out there. The American health system still has some good qualities despite all the bad press it usually gets. I can't always see my doc on short notice, but his nurse is top notch and will make sure that my message gets through. Plus I also think its partially the "squeaky wheel" thing when it comes to getting paid attention to. It's also about people who will call for any little thing and the rest of us who can discriminate and don't "abuse" their time. I have been fortunate to build a long-term relationship with my primary doc, and I think that goes a long way towards being heard when you need to be heard. Just my [smiley=twocents.gif]

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by maffumatt on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 11:13am

My doc told me to come in at any time, not to even call. He told me he will always find time for me. I truely think he understands.

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by unsolved1 on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 2:02pm

I must have a great doc too. He'll return my phone calls promptly and see me when I need to be seen. (Usually same day). He's been my doc for over 10 years now.

Grateful
UNsolved

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by gore2424 on Dec 3^rd, 2005, 9:11pm

I am lucky with the neuro I have had for 3 years if I need something other than 15mg morphine pills because this fall has been bad to me and I leave message with his nurse and with-in 1 hour I get call back and come to office and get prescripsion for the 10mg morphine shots

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by zwibbs on Dec 4^th, 2005, 2:30am

Hey Maffumatt--Where did you get that Dog (?) pounding his head on the floor. I had three bad attacks last night and that image made me laugh---seriously--thanks............Scott

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by maffumatt on Dec 4^th, 2005, 3:45am

joecartoon.com

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by Kate in Oz on Dec 4^th, 2005, 5:34am

Wow that's great.

I've been seeing the same neuro since 2001 - knowing how I suffer you'd think he'd fit me in somehow and yet I still have to wait for weeks and weeks to get in. Last time he had a go at me 'cos I'd made an appointment without a referal from my GP. Was I in the mood for a telling off ?? NO not a very nice person :-X

Unfortunately I have to travel quite a distance to see him too - which you just don't want to be doing during the middle of a cycle cos you never now when that beast is gonna hit.

Ah feel better now... always good to unload. Thanks all ;;D

Kate

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by Kate in Oz on Dec 4^th, 2005, 5:36am

now that is funny.... i type in the word as$%^le and it posts as 'not a very nice person' LMFAO [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by Jasmyn on Dec 5^th, 2005, 2:17am

on 12/04/05 at 05:36:47, Kate in Oz wrote:

now that is funny.... i type in the word as$%^le and it posts as 'not a very nice person' LMFAO [smiley=laugh.gif]

LOL Kate you pc must be a lady!

It sucks when you live far away from civilization and have to travel hundreds of km to just see a doc while getting hit badly. It even sucks more when all the good proffesionals have left the country and the left-overs don't have a clue or a bedside manner. And it really sucks not to get o2 accross a border.

I want to move, any work for me in a first world country with good docs, neuro's and Oxygen?

And they wonder why people become serial killers ;;D

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by sandie99 on Dec 5^th, 2005, 2:54am

Anytime I need to see a neuro (luckily not in a long, long time), I have to wait a month to see one. GP appointments are easier to get, but when I wanted one to check my knee, I had to wait for 4 days. I bet if I had something life threatening I'd get appointment sooner. If I'll get a kip 10 at time when I don't have meds (I have nicely them left just in case), I have enough of a drama queen in me, so I bet I could get a neuro see me sooner - or arrange me meds in a way or another. ;;D Besides, I have his phone number, so I can reach my latest neuro during office hours directly.

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by FramCire on Dec 13^th, 2005, 2:09am

I am in my 2nd episode (12 months apart) and I live with a family practice Doctor, so it is very easy to get seen by my FP. I haven't seen a Nuerologist yet.... should I?

I have no problems getting the meds I need (last time my insurance wouldn't pay for O2 tanks, but this time they are.... :) ) and since there really isn't much else a Dr can do, is there any benefit to seeing a Nuerologist? I have had 3 FPs (and 2 of them consulted over the phone to Nuerologists to make sure the diagnosis was correct) check me out.

Anyway, I feel bad for those of you who have problems getting in to see a Dr. When I had my 1st episode, I was ready to go completely bananas and I got appointments very quickly and was diagnosed fairly quickly.

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by mynm156 on Dec 13^th, 2005, 10:27am

I know that it can be hard but if you have insurance you can call your insurance company and ask what is the contracted length of time that this doctor is supposed to see that insurances patients in. In other words when the Doctor aggreed to see this insurance companies patients it usually set a period of time by which he had to see thier patients. I did this last year with a Nuero before I FIRED him because he was supposed to see me within 5 days and tried to tell me that I couldnt be seen for like 10.

Title: Re: Guess I'm having a little trouble understandin
Post by Bob P on Dec 14^th, 2005, 9:44am

Good old SLO town here (San Luis Obispo). 40,000 people. I get to see my GP same or next day. the neuro is a different story. Only 1 neuro contracted with Blue Shield here. Usually have to wait a month to see him. Very bad about returning calls and refuses to send any requests for extended coverage to the insurance co.

I try to work mainly through my GP but when I start asking for high levels of meds he balks and refers to the neuro.