Some People (Not All) Who have a Chronic Health Condition, Just Don't Get It!!!

[Cordelia]

Here's my situation, my family doctor in the last few years has become quite unreliable. I phoned this am to get an appointment  for one of my daughters to see him with regards to a horrible cough and I was told he was on medical leave for 2 weeks.  None of the other doctors in his building are taking my doctor's patients.

Prior to this today there has been problems when I call in I can't see the doctor because he's off sick. Frustrating. I understand, we're all human and we get sick but this has become a "chronic" problem over the last 3-4 years with this particular family doctor of mine.

Anyways, I am fed up and looking for a new one. Trying to find one through family is impossible because nobody is "happy" with theirs either.  And, not too many doctors in Ontario, Canada where I'm from are "taking on new" patients. Most of the time you need to have a family member with one to move onto an new one. And,  There's a shortage of doctors here, this has always been a problem in the area I live.

Anyways, when I called someone in my family to inquire about "their" doctor this person challenged me to no end and said I was "panicking" and that I'm worried for nothing.

Well, I'm thinking not "only" for my kids but for myself too. What happens one day down in the road should if and when I ever have a transplant and I so happen to no longer have a family doctor anymore because at that point may either 1. my doctor is unable to come back to work or 2.  retires, since he's getting "up" there in years.

This family member really upset me because they have no clue what it's like to have a chronic disease. This person felt that I should "just" go to the emergency room or to a walk in clinic.

I don't want to have to do this because you have to wait HOURS to see a doctor, PLUS it's NOT the same doctor you see when you go to these places. Also, I would like "one" doctor to get to know me and knows/undestands about my health issues, and not have to worry about going to some doctor in the ER or a walk in clinic who doesn't know my health issues.

This family member thought it was "no big deal" that at least I would be "seeing" a doctor and "who cares" if its not a doctor who knows me and my health history.

Is it too much to ask to have a reliable doctor who knows about my health issues as well?

I'm so frustrated. 

Doesn't help when this family member does not help the situation by downplaying the whole scenario.   This person has never had a chronic health condition to really understand what a concern this really is.   

I may end up going through one of my nephrologists to inquire and see if they can "refer" me to one and then see if I can get my family in also. Problem here in Ontario, IF you have a family doctor, you cannot get a new one "just because" you don't "like" your current one for whatever reason.

Anyways, I don't expect anyone to have any answers for me, I have to work through this myself, I just needed  to vent. Thanks for listening.  I guess I'm just going to have to ignore the person in my family who thinks changing/switching doctors is  an unconcern.                        

Yes, we don't pay for our doctor's visits up here in Canada, and that's great, I LOVE that I don't pay for any appointments nor my dialysis and I am thankful. But, I am very frustrated over this situation.  It's not like I can just look in the yellow pages and pick a doctor out of the phone book and call up and say hey, can I be a patient of yours?  You cannot do that here at all.

Thanks again for letting me vent.

[jbeany]

 

Yes.  Ignore the fools.  If all you need is a doc to write a scrip for the occasional stomach bug, then great, go wherever.  Those of us with real health issues have different needs.  Heck, I need a full sheet of paper to write out a basic medical history, and at one point needed a second just to list my current meds.  Anyone whose biggest issue in filling out the forms for new doc is trying to remember if they were 8 or 9 when they had chicken pox doesn't have a relevant opinion!

I'm in the US, so dumping a crappy doc is a whole lot easier - but only if you live in an urban area.  When I was up north, there was one neph for all of 3 counties - which was a huge portion of the state!  Thankfully, I liked him, but I know a few people who did not and had to travel 3 hours to get treatment.  At least here though, we can demand a new one because we are directly paying the bills.  Slim comfort when you can't afford to, but still...

[Cordelia]

Yes.  Ignore the fools.  If all you need is a doc to write a scrip for the occasional stomach bug, then great, go wherever.  Those of us with real health issues have different needs.  Heck, I need a full sheet of paper to write out a basic medical history, and at one point needed a second just to list my current meds.  Anyone whose biggest issue in filling out the forms for new doc is trying to remember if they were 8 or 9 when they had chicken pox doesn't have a relevant opinion!

I'm in the US, so dumping a crappy doc is a whole lot easier - but only if you live in an urban area.  When I was up north, there was one neph for all of 3 counties - which was a huge portion of the state!  Thankfully, I liked him, but I know a few people who did not and had to travel 3 hours to get treatment.  At least here though, we can demand a new one because we are directly paying the bills.  Slim comfort when you can't afford to, but still...

I'm for sure going to have to ignore the comments, you are so right, Jbeany!     I know I have to do what I feel comfortable and going to some random doctor in the ER or a walk in clinic is not going to work for me.      I'm going to have to just try and ignore this person.

[jeannea]

Some family members are just fools. I have some. Lots of people here have some or many. I'm sorry it's so tough for you. We here understand the need to have a good doctor. In the practice I go to I can see someone else if my doctor isn't in that day. I hope your nephrologist can help.

[Cordelia]

Some family members are just fools. I have some. Lots of people here have some or many. I'm sorry it's so tough for you. We here understand the need to have a good doctor. In the practice I go to I can see someone else if my doctor isn't in that day. I hope your nephrologist can help.

Thanks Jeannea!  Thanks so much for your best wishes that we can find someone else.                You all get it, that's what makes you all here a great bunch of friends!!!                    

[Cordelia]

We may have a possible doctor, hoping that this coming week that we can contact her. I'm hoping, fingers and toes crossed!

[Alex C.]

Here in the U.S., unless you go to a practice that offers 'concierge service' (that is, pay $1200/year or more to get 'expidited' service), it's much the same, despite what those blowhards who are always touting our 'superior' health care over your Canadian 'socialised' system. In order to make up for our generally lousy primary-provider system, we have these places called 'urgent care facilities', which are supposed to be an intermediate step between office visits and emergency room visits (which our private insurers DON'T want us to go to, due to the cost).

In my case, I see the nephrologist a LOT more often than my PCP, and so I usually ask him about secondary problems, like the predisnone I needed for my bursitis.

[glitter]

Here in the U.S., unless you go to a practice that offers 'concierge service' (that is, pay $1200/year or more to get 'expidited' service), it's much the same, despite what those blowhards who are always touting our 'superior' health care over your Canadian 'socialised' system. In order to make up for our generally lousy primary-provider system, we have these places called 'urgent care facilities', which are supposed to be an intermediate step between office visits and emergency room visits (which our private insurers DON'T want us to go to, due to the cost).

We do have some very proactive docs here in Florida on the space coast where I live. My family goes to an Internal medicine group for primary care- there is always a doc on call, they are open 7 days a week from 7am to 7pm, and if you have to wait longer then 30 min. they give you a gift card for 25.00 to walmart or target. Plus Antibiotics are free and dispensed right in the office. I do not live in a hugely urban area either, more moderatly populated. If I am sick-they fit me in-if not I never wait more then a week or 10 days for an appointment. Lots of Docs here operate like this too- our medical system is actually pretty awesome.

PS. Love me some Foamy!!!!

[Cordelia]

I see my neph more than my family doctor too.

[Rain]

Cordelia,
I live in Ontario.  10 years ago I found my doctor through the doctor search from the college of physicians and surgeons. 
http://www.cpso.on.ca/docsearch/default.aspx?id=2048

I searched all family doctors and then started calling each on.   My family doctor has a practice with 6 other doctors.  If she isn't in I get to see anyone and the same day.

[Cordelia]

Hi Rain, thanks for the link!             

[CebuShan]

I fel very fortunate because my GP and my Neph work very closely together. I've had the same GP for over 20 years. I love them both!   

[Whamo]

I love all the people at the Loma Linda Kidney Center, both in Hemo and PD.  If you live in So Cal you want to go there, believe me.

[lmunchkin]

Me, John nor anyone in my family have ever had any problems with doctors in Tennessee.  They are a whole slew of  doctors in this state. There are some well known Hospitals too.

Now there were times when "WE" questioned their diagnosis!  lol

We have more problems with Ins premiums going up over the years & prescription drugs.  Im sure all will change now with Obama Care!  I don't think it is totally on board yet, but I fear it is not too far off.  I personally am happy with what we got & have had over the years, but there again, I am just one needle in the haystack.  So I have to go along with the majority, whether I like it or not.  No longer have the freedom to choose as far as health goes.

I really do not want a Socialized Hlth System in the US., but know we are headed for it.  Hope you find a good doctor real soon, Cord.

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Riki]

I know how you feel, Cordelia... we have a doctor shortage here too, and if I could be free of my family doctor, I would be.  The man is incompetent, and as far as I know, he always has been.  He made a mistake with my original diagnosis, and I almost died.  He did no testing, just gave me a prescription and sent me home.  He had a brain tumor a few years ago and he's gotten worse since then.  He told my father, again, with no testing, that he had bladder cancer and sent him to a specialist.  The specialist told Dad that he had no cancer, but an enlarged prostate.  There's a BIG difference between the two.  I only see him if I have to, so maybe once a year.  I suffer things out because I don't want to see him, and the nephrologists will not look at anything  that isn't kidney related.  I don't blame them for that, they have enough to do as it is.  I would just like to find a doctor that I can trust, and I'm not afraid will kill me.

[Cordelia]

Thank you all for your best wishes that I find someone.  I had hope until yesterday but I talked with my neph and he cannot help me out. He told me they are 'too' isolated in the hospital and him and the other 5 nephs don't know who is taking on new patients.  A real frustrating piece of news for me.   I won't give up though looking, it's just really frustrating and discouraging when you hear things like this.  *sigh.                  I will also go to the College of Physicians website too, apparently there is a list there also.

Thank you everyone for rooting for me, your support means the world to me, your cheering me on.                 I'll keep you all posted.         

[Cordelia]

My husband has a friend through his tkd academy, who is a doctor. He spoke to her lastnight.   At any rate, I won't be left hanging, which is what she said, so that made me feel SO very relieved.

I was doing a little happy dance!   Can't wait for this lady doctor to get back to my husband. I hope I can get in with her.