Guest guest Posted May 6, 2006 Report Share Posted May 6, 2006 You may be right, Deborah. I've had ankle aches for months and months, and it FINALLY seems to be going away after my last Armour increase. Everything seems to stiffen up when I sit for a while, so I try to get up from my desk often and walk around a bit (too often, my boss might say!). Deborah C wrote: > Does anyone experience ankle joint pain? Today is a bad day for it. I > get the same kind of pain and stiffness in my hips too. My ankles hurt > today. I think I need more Armour. > > Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Deborah - I had bad foot and ankle pain, as well as really bad right arm tendon pain in the 3 years prior to being put on Armour. If I was on the couch for very long, I would have to carefully put my feet on the floor, and ease slowly to a standing position and then wait for the stiffness and pain to subside as I walked for awhile (like enstein). It would ease the longer I walked. It subsided a bit before I was put on Armour, but the biggest relief was from the right arm tendon pain - within just a couple of weeks, it was like it never happened. I had back and hip pain, too, altho' not bad, and could really feel it if I was prone for very long. I had been on Levoxyl from 2000 to 2005. Since I've been on the total meds regimen from my doc, I've felt so much better as far as aches and pains and stiffness. Hardly think much about it any more. Stamina is my main concern now. Sara > > Does anyone experience ankle joint pain? Today is a bad day for it. I get the same kind of pain and stiffness in my hips too. My ankles hurt today. I think I need more Armour. > > Deborah > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Sharon, our doc's wife, says she had to get a novocaine shot in her feet every morning to be able to get out of bed when she was in the throes of Hashi.rgrprop wrote: Deborah - I had bad foot and ankle pain, as well as really bad right arm tendon pain in the 3 years prior to being put on Armour. If I was on the couch for very long, I would have to carefully put my feet on the floor, and ease slowly to a standing position and then wait for the stiffness and pain to subside as I walked for awhile (like enstein). It would ease the longer I walked. It subsided a bit before I was put on Armour, but the biggest relief was from the right arm tendon pain - within just a couple of weeks, it was like it never happened. I had back and hip pain, too, altho' not bad, and could really feel it if I was prone for very long. I had been on Levoxyl from 2000 to 2005. Since I've been on the total meds regimen from my doc, I've felt so much better as far as aches and pains and stiffness. Hardly think much about it any more. Stamina is my main concern now.Sara>> Does anyone experience ankle joint pain? Today is a bad day for it. I get the same kind of pain and stiffness in my hips too. My ankles hurt today. I think I need more Armour.> > Deborah Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 7, 2006 Report Share Posted May 7, 2006 Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! The pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I had to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour with the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly more fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. Niki > > Deborah - I had bad foot and ankle pain, as well as really bad right > arm tendon pain in the 3 years prior to being put on Armour. If I > was on the couch for very long, I would have to carefully put my > feet on the floor, and ease slowly to a standing position and then > wait for the stiffness and pain to subside as I walked for awhile > (like enstein). It would ease the longer I walked. It subsided > a bit before I was put on Armour, but the biggest relief was from > the right arm tendon pain - within just a couple of weeks, it was > like it never happened. I had back and hip pain, too, altho' not > bad, and could really feel it if I was prone for very long. I had > been on Levoxyl from 2000 to 2005. Since I've been on the total meds > regimen from my doc, I've felt so much better as far as aches and > pains and stiffness. Hardly think much about it any more. Stamina is > my main concern now. > > Sara > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 The beginning symptoms of my rheumatoid arthritis started this way. If you experience bilateral joint pain (especially in the hands and feet), fatigue, and morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes on a regular basis, and stiffness any time you stay seated or lying down for a while, you may want to check for another autoimmune disease. A lot of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Elaine Re: Ankle and Joint Pain You may be right, Deborah. I've had ankle aches for months and months, and it FINALLY seems to be going away after my last Armour increase.Everything seems to stiffen up when I sit for a while, so I try to get up from my desk often and walk around a bit (too often, my boss might say!).Deborah C wrote:> Does anyone experience ankle joint pain? Today is a bad day for it. I > get the same kind of pain and stiffness in my hips too. My ankles hurt > today. I think I need more Armour.> > Deborah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I'm not sure I wanted to hear that, but thanks for the tip, Elaine. Elaine Young wrote: > The beginning symptoms of my rheumatoid arthritis started this way. If > you experience bilateral joint pain (especially in the hands and feet), > fatigue, and morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes on a > regular basis, and stiffness any time you stay seated or lying down for > a while, you may want to check for another autoimmune disease. A lot of > people with Rheumatoid Arthritis also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. > > Elaine > > * Re: Ankle and Joint Pain > > You may be right, Deborah. I've had ankle aches for months and months, > and it FINALLY seems to be going away after my last Armour increase. > > Everything seems to stiffen up when I sit for a while, so I try to get > up from my desk often and walk around a bit (too often, my boss > might say!). > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 We really learn to listen to our own bodies with this disease, don't we! Finally we start to understand how many " conditions " we have that are " fallout " from the central issue of hypothyroidism. (Ranting starts here) I'd surely like to know how many labs out there might be owned by Big Pharma or groups of physicians. I have my own devilish ideas that most of the labs still won't lower the top end of the TSH range, even though promoted by the national endo group and the national biochemist group that did all the testing, because people might just get treated for their central problem and all of those multiple income streams would dry up. >:-< But millions of folks who don't feel well would get looked at more closely, even by TSH-worshipping docs. Some piggy pills, good nutrition, hormone balancing, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and they'd go broke! Instead, they have ongoing multiple streams of income from expensive anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, pain meds, sleep meds, etc., etc., etc., etc.....as Jan has mentioned time and time again. There is a site called www.stopthethyroidmadness.com, and I think " Stop the Thyroid Madness " would make a great book title. Grab a lot of attention. Shomon has helped untold numbers of us with her book, " Living Well with Hypothyroidism, " and all of her work. But I think folks need to be rattled with a title that grabs you. It just makes me so sad to think of all the people who are suffering due to this outdated lab range, and also due to docs who don't know what they are doing. This is all, of course, JMHO, and I have no medical expertise whatsoever. I will now get off my soap box. Sara > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! The > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I had > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour with > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly more > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > Niki > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 BigPharm makes most of the test kits for thyroid and other blood tests. But they make more money when just the TSH is run, because that leaves their Ca$h Cow, the hapless thyroid patient, unmedicated or undermedicated and willing to purchase their expensive-toxic-waste drugs.rgrprop wrote: We really learn to listen to our own bodies with this disease, don't we! Finally we start to understand how many "conditions" we have that are "fallout" from the central issue of hypothyroidism.(Ranting starts here) I'd surely like to know how many labs out there might be owned by Big Pharma or groups of physicians. I have my own devilish ideas that most of the labs still won't lower the top end of the TSH range, even though promoted by the national endo group and the national biochemist group that did all the testing, because people might just get treated for their central problem and all of those multiple income streams would dry up. >:-< But millions of folks who don't feel well would get looked at more closely, even by TSH-worshipping docs. Some piggy pills, good nutrition, hormone balancing, vitamin and mineral supplementation, and they'd go broke! Instead, they have ongoing multiple streams of income from expensive anti-depressants, anti-anxiety meds, pain meds, sleep meds, etc., etc., etc., etc.....as Jan has mentioned time and time again.There is a site called www.stopthethyroidmadness.com, and I think "Stop the Thyroid Madness" would make a great book title. Grab a lot of attention. Shomon has helped untold numbers of us with her book, "Living Well with Hypothyroidism," and all of her work. But I think folks need to be rattled with a title that grabs you. It just makes me so sad to think of all the people who are suffering due to this outdated lab range, and also due to docs who don't know what they are doing.This is all, of course, JMHO, and I have no medical expertise whatsoever. I will now get off my soap box.Sara Yahoo! Messenger with Voice. PC-to-Phone calls for ridiculously low rates. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Physicians cannot own an interest in any lab, imaging center, etc. to which they refer patients. > > > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > The > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > had > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > with > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > more > > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > > > Niki > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Hmmm.... Thanks for that interesting bit of info. > > BigPharm makes most of the test kits for thyroid and other blood tests. > > But they make more money when just the TSH is run, because that leaves their Ca$h Cow, the hapless thyroid patient, unmedicated or undermedicated and willing to purchase their expensive-toxic-waste drugs. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 A LOT of people with Hashimotos think they have arthritis, but are just undermedicated and/or, are having a " Hashi's " flare up. Lynn At 06:03 PM 5/7/2006, you wrote: The beginning symptoms of my rheumatoid arthritis started this way. If you experience bilateral joint pain (especially in the hands and feet), fatigue, and morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes on a regular basis, and stiffness any time you stay seated or lying down for a while, you may want to check for another autoimmune disease. A lot of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Elaine - No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I too am a provider of services and I can tell you that insurance makes it so that I can barely make a living. If you are a good provider, put the patient first, etc. insurance companies balk. They want us to put them first...YUCK! Don't get me started. I am looking forward to managed care going out of business...but taxed on the gross!! I didn't know about that. Thanks Steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I struggle with whether or not to accept insurance! I am in the process of making the decision to not take it at all! steph Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 This is true, but if one does have rheumatoid arthritis, as I do, it is imperative to get treated right away to prevent permanent crippling. Blood tests, X-Ray tests, and clinical presentation have confirmed I have RA, which is a very serious disease. In retrospect, I began having symptoms probably two years before being diagnosed. The disease took a really bad turn for the worse before I asked for help because I neglected to tell anyone what was going on with my body. Unfortunately, RA attacks most severely within the first two years. Re: Ankle and Joint Pain A LOT of people with Hashimotos think they have arthritis, but are just undermedicated and/or, arehaving a "Hashi's" flare up.LynnAt 06:03 PM 5/7/2006, you wrote: The beginning symptoms of my rheumatoid arthritis started this way. If you experience bilateral joint pain (especially in the hands and feet), fatigue, and morning stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes on a regular basis, and stiffness any time you stay seated or lying down for a while, you may want to check for another autoimmune disease. A lot of people with Rheumatoid Arthritis also have Hashimotos Thyroiditis. Elaine - No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 For physicians to own or have a financial interest in such a lab would be in violation of the Stark Laws. Physicians cannot even tell other physicians how much they bill for any given service, as that is considered a violation of the antitrust laws. Solo docs and small group docs have NO bargaining power with the insurance companies. You either sign up with the insurance company under their terms or stay out of network. If you aren't on any insurance plans, you have two choices: a boutique practice that caters to the wealthy or a cash only business for the uninsured poor. Medicine is the only business where someone else tells you how much you will be compensated for your service and makes you spend thousands of dollars in electronic billing and follow up to send out claims. It is the only business I can think of where patients feel like it is okay not to pay or okay to leave their wallets at home. Imagine trying to buy a loaf of bread at the grocery store and telling them you'll pay later. Imagine telling the plumber his price is too high and you'll give him $10 for his trouble. In many many cases, we get paid less for an office visit than many people spend on a haircut, and that hairdresser definitely wants to be paid at the time services are rendered instead of waiting 2-3 months as is the case in insurance billing. Believe me, your average physician does not make money off any blood tests or the prescribing of medications. Insurance companies randomly audit patient charts to see that the physician is running "certain tests" and performing "certain services." The insurance companies are now giving network doctors certain designations that they say show "quality of care," however the guiding principle in making those determinations is COST. My husband and I can barely cover our overhead for a small family practice. I had no idea the way our current healthcare system works until I came into my husband's office a few years ago. We struggle all the time financially as do most general medicine and family practice doctors here in Texas. We make less money than we did in the year 2001 and provide tons of free medicine to patients that either cannot afford treatment or fail to pay, while the CEO of United HealthCare rakes in 1.6 billion! (See today's Houston Chronicle Business Section) Don't get me started!!!!!!!!! Blame the insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies, but please don't blame the majority of physicians. Of course there are some bad apples out there, but it is not representative of the majority. Okay...... Sorry for my rant. Just sharing my experience. I have a much better understanding now: from the patient side, the healthcare side, and the legal side. Elaine Re: Ankle and Joint Pain Physicians cannot own an interest in any lab, imaging center, etc. towhich they refer patients. > >> > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > The > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > had > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > with > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > more > > fatigued and "foggy" again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs.> > > > Niki> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Amen.............you are preaching to my choir here. Just came back from TMA in Houston. Other businesses can raise prices when their costs increase, doctors cannot. As a solo doc, I can negotiate some contract reimubursement. I could not do that if I were in Dallas or Houston or San , etc. But, with the big payers such as BCBS or United Healthcare. There is their deal or no deal. Another thing that really should upset all of us is " Pay for Performance " . Doctors network status will depend and rest upon whether that ordering only " approved " protocal tests and drugs and refering to only in network docs. If the in network doc, violates this too many times, they will find themselves eliminated from that network. This kind of information is available to other PPOs and insurers. It could and will prevent that doc from getting in network for payers. On a good note. At TMA this week, what I heard over and over. Managed care as we have known it the past few years will be going away. Employers will be forced to go to high deductible health savings account for their employee group coverage. This is a quote from TMA... " the steerage of patients through managed care plans will change " . The docs will question whether they need to be in networks. When patients have their own health care dollars to spend with pre tax dollars, they will be much more careful in the way they spend and where they spend it. I am very happy about this. But, it will change the way docs practice medicine and practice the business of medicine. When the Texas franchise tax passes in the special session this month, expect to see a lot of docs drop out of plans that either cause them grief or they lose money on. Physicians for the first time ever are going to be taxed on gross receipts, not net income. This one thing will put many docs out of business. Elaine, thank you for saying what you said. Sharon --- Elaine Young wrote: > For physicians to own or have a financial interest in such a lab would be in violation of the > Stark Laws. Physicians cannot even tell other physicians how much they bill for any given > service, as that is considered a violation of the antitrust laws. Solo docs and small group > docs have NO bargaining power with the insurance companies. You either sign up with the > insurance company under their terms or stay out of network. If you aren't on any insurance > plans, you have two choices: a boutique practice that caters to the wealthy or a cash only > business for the uninsured poor. > > Medicine is the only business where someone else tells you how much you will be compensated for > your service and makes you spend thousands of dollars in electronic billing and follow up to > send out claims. It is the only business I can think of where patients feel like it is okay not > to pay or okay to leave their wallets at home. Imagine trying to buy a loaf of bread at the > grocery store and telling them you'll pay later. Imagine telling the plumber his price is too > high and you'll give him $10 for his trouble. In many many cases, we get paid less for an > office visit than many people spend on a haircut, and that hairdresser definitely wants to be > paid at the time services are rendered instead of waiting 2-3 months as is the case in insurance > billing. > > Believe me, your average physician does not make money off any blood tests or the prescribing of > medications. Insurance companies randomly audit patient charts to see that the physician is > running " certain tests " and performing " certain services. " The insurance companies are now > giving network doctors certain designations that they say show " quality of care, " however the > guiding principle in making those determinations is COST. > > My husband and I can barely cover our overhead for a small family practice. I had no idea the > way our current healthcare system works until I came into my husband's office a few years ago. > We struggle all the time financially as do most general medicine and family practice doctors > here in Texas. We make less money than we did in the year 2001 and provide tons of free > medicine to patients that either cannot afford treatment or fail to pay, while the CEO of United > HealthCare rakes in 1.6 billion! (See today's Houston Chronicle Business Section) > > Don't get me started!!!!!!!!! Blame the insurance companies and big pharmaceutical companies, > but please don't blame the majority of physicians. Of course there are some bad apples out > there, but it is not representative of the majority. Okay...... Sorry for my rant. Just > sharing my experience. I have a much better understanding now: from the patient side, the > healthcare side, and the legal side. > > Elaine > Re: Ankle and Joint Pain > > > Physicians cannot own an interest in any lab, imaging center, etc. to > which they refer patients. > > > > > > > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > The > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > had > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > with > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > more > > > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > > > > > Niki > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Thanks so much for your post Sharon. Sounds like an informative TMA seminar. I get regular updates by email from County Medical Society on this stuff. Things change so often and I like to learn as much as possible. If you want to email me privately, I'm at de_young@... Re: Ankle and Joint Pain> > > Physicians cannot own an interest in any lab, imaging center, etc. to> which they refer patients. > > > > >> > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > The > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > had > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > with > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > more > > > fatigued and "foggy" again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs.> > > > > > Niki> > >> >> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 My husband is also a physician, and I am office manager/receptionist/nurse/lab tech/cleaning lady. We do not take any insurance plans. We have been open almost 2.5 yrs, and have been breakeven after a year, and profitable enough to pay ourselves consistently now. Our patients range from the uninsured poor to multimillionaires who own their own companies. Some live overseas part of the time. And we have lots of middle class, self employed, high deductible insurance people who use us because we can make their $ go further. And we have lots of people with insurance who see us and file their own. If I get a check from an insurance company I write VOID in Sharpie and send it back telling them to pay the patient. Why do they see us instead of paying their $10 copay? Because if needed he will spend an hour with them. He loves to teach and most patients love to be taught. Since he doesn't have to see 45 a day to break even he can do that. Since we don't have a billing department our overhead is much lower. We close at 5pm and by 5:15pm I can tell you exactly how much we made. And it will be in the bank within 3 days for credit card and checks. He can order any labs/tests as often as he feels necessary. He can see patients for multiple problems at one time. We have an electronic medical record, and so don't have to chase down charts if someone comes in or calls. That also saves on overhead. A no insurance practice isn't a case of either poor or wealthy. It can be both and more. > > > > > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > The > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > had > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > with > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > more > > > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > > > > > Niki > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 Actually we can and do raise prices (and sometimes lower them) as necessary. You can do that when you kick the insurance companies out on their fanny. > > > > > > > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > > The > > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > > had > > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > > with > > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > > more > > > > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > > > > > > > Niki > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I am very happy to know this is possible. The family practices I've read about that have been successful seem to be in other states or in small towns. Are you in a large urban area like we are in Houston? Is it a family practice or a specialty? I do know of several specialists that have been quite successful with this business model. I have yet to find a family practice doctor in Houston who has done it. I don't think it would work for us in our situation. I love that you guys have gotten out from under the foot of the managed care system. Unfortunately, we cannot afford to buy an electonic health record at this time. We had to purchase a new electronic billing/practice management system (our second one in just 7 years). We have a very busy practice and it would be quite difficult to drop that and move in the other direction without having a large sum of money to get us through the transition. At this stage in the game for us, we're kind of stuck. We just don't have the cash on hand to do that. We just do the very best we can and try to create a positive atmosphere for our patients. We love our patients and they seem to feel the same way. My husband does so much for his patients even if he is not reimbursed because that's just who he is. I'm the one who gets crazy over the bills! Re: Ankle and Joint Pain My husband is also a physician, and I am officemanager/receptionist/nurse/lab tech/cleaning lady. We do not take anyinsurance plans. We have been open almost 2.5 yrs, and have beenbreakeven after a year, and profitable enough to pay ourselvesconsistently now. Our patients range from the uninsured poor to multimillionaires whoown their own companies. Some live overseas part of the time. And wehave lots of middle class, self employed, high deductible insurancepeople who use us because we can make their $ go further.And we have lots of people with insurance who see us and file theirown. If I get a check from an insurance company I write VOID inSharpie and send it back telling them to pay the patient. Why do they see us instead of paying their $10 copay? Because ifneeded he will spend an hour with them. He loves to teach and mostpatients love to be taught. Since he doesn't have to see45 a day to break even he can do that. Since we don't have a billingdepartment our overhead is much lower. We close at 5pm and by 5:15pmI can tell you exactly how much we made. And it will be in the bankwithin 3 days for credit card and checks.He can order any labs/tests as often as he feels necessary. He cansee patients for multiple problems at one time.We have an electronic medical record, and so don't have to chase downcharts if someone comes in or calls. That also saves on overhead.A no insurance practice isn't a case of either poor or wealthy. It canbe both and more.> > >> > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > The > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > had > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > with > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > more > > > fatigued and "foggy" again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs.> > > > > > Niki> > >> >> > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 We are family practice in a suburb north of Dallas. We were fortunate to be able to open with an electromic record, and also fortunate that we had the money to lose when we opened. We planned to lose for at least a year, but by 9 months could pay all our work bills and us sometimes. Someone just out of school couldn't do it because they would not have the money on hand. As it was we had no debt except one car payment, and all of our credit cards were paid off. When we opened we envisioned more of an urgent care focus. That has not been the case at all - we are primarily internal medicine type patients, and also see some episodic illness/injury things. > > > > > > > > Sara, reading your post is like reading about my own experience! > > > The > > > > pain in my arm, especially in the elbow area, became so severe I > > > had > > > > to trade in my cute little 5-speed sports car for an automatic, > > > > because I just couldn't shift gears anymore! > > > > > > > > The aches and pains were easing up on this latest dose of armour > > > with > > > > the HC, but it's getting worse again, plus I'm feeling suddenly > > > more > > > > fatigued and " foggy " again...I'm hitting the 3 month mark on this > > > > dose, so I'm thinking this is a sign that it's time for new labs. > > > > > > > > Niki > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 I guess the point I was trying to make was-----I run about 10 miles a week. When I complained to the Dr about my aching knees she said it was from running, and that I was starting to get arthritis. Now looking back, I know it was because I was undermedicated. If only she would have taken the time to educate herself, and not just look at the TSH maybe I wouldn't have had to suffer so long. I would also venture to guess that although many people suffer from both Hashi's and RA, the percentage has got to be fairly low, and that looking to see if they are undermedicated would be the first step. But not to rule out testing for many, many other autoimmune diseases. Lynn At 11:15 AM 5/8/2006, you wrote: >This is true, but if one does have rheumatoid arthritis, as I do, it is >imperative to get treated right away to prevent permanent >crippling. Blood tests, X-Ray tests, and clinical presentation have >confirmed I have RA, which is a very serious disease. In retrospect, I >began having symptoms probably two years before being diagnosed. The >disease took a really bad turn for the worse before I asked for help >because I neglected to tell anyone what was going on with my >body. Unfortunately, RA attacks most severely within the first two years. >----- -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 8, 2006 Report Share Posted May 8, 2006 My DH just told me that around 1991, when he got his degree in gerontology, Dallas physicians were just having to cease ownership in any labs. I didn't know that. Is that about when the Stark Laws came into effect? > > For physicians to own or have a financial interest in such a lab would be in violation of the Stark Laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 9, 2006 Report Share Posted May 9, 2006 There are over 100 forms of arthritis and it sounds to me like your doctor back then was talking about osteoarthritis, not rheumatoid arthritis. When people say "arthritis" that is what they are mostly referring to and it is not an autoimmune disease. You do not get RA from running or any repetitive exercise or trauma. Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that can strike young children all the way to the very old, and affects both men and women. Women get it more often than men, and it is most likely to strike while women are in their child bearing years. RA is a disease (like Hashi's) in which the immune system attacks itself and can cause damage to joints and internal organs. First line treatment is methotrexate (a chemotherapy agent). I venture to say this is not what your doctor was thinking you had because of pain from running. I don't believe the percentages are that low with RA and Hashi's. I've read lots and lots on RA and it is quite common for those with RA to have other autoimmune diseases. Still, only a small percentage of people have RA. I am certainly not suggesting that some anke and joint pain is indicative of RA. I'm just making the point that with those of us who do have RA (about 1% of the population), Hashi's is not an uncommon additional condition. Re: Ankle and Joint Pain I guess the point I was trying to make was-----I run about 10 miles a week.When I complained to the Dr about my aching knees she said it was from running,and that I was starting to get arthritis.Now looking back, I know it was because I was undermedicated. If only she wouldhave taken the time to educate herself, and not just look at the TSH maybe I wouldn'thave had to suffer so long.I would also venture to guess that although many people suffer from both Hashi's andRA, the percentage has got to be fairly low, and that looking to see if they areundermedicated would be the first step. But not to rule out testing for many, manyother autoimmune diseases.LynnAt 11:15 AM 5/8/2006, you wrote:>This is true, but if one does have rheumatoid arthritis, as I do, it is >imperative to get treated right away to prevent permanent >crippling. Blood tests, X-Ray tests, and clinical presentation have >confirmed I have RA, which is a very serious disease. In retrospect, I >began having symptoms probably two years before being diagnosed. The >disease took a really bad turn for the worse before I asked for help >because I neglected to tell anyone what was going on with my >body. Unfortunately, RA attacks most severely within the first two years.>------- No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 11, 2006 Report Share Posted May 11, 2006 I have been diagnosed with Reiter's Syndrome, one of the more than 100 different forms of arthritis. It mimics RA and is degenerative. Reiter's and Hashi's are not the only autoimmune diseases that I have. Yes, if you have one autoimmune disease, you may very well have another. Re: Ankle and Joint Pain I guess the point I was trying to make was-----I run about 10 miles a week.When I complained to the Dr about my aching knees she said it was from running,and that I was starting to get arthritis.Now looking back, I know it was because I was undermedicated. If only she wouldhave taken the time to educate herself, and not just look at the TSH maybe I wouldn'thave had to suffer so long.I would also venture to guess that although many people suffer from both Hashi's andRA, the percentage has got to be fairly low, and that looking to see if they areundermedicated would be the first step. But not to rule out testing for many, manyother autoimmune diseases.LynnAt 11:15 AM 5/8/2006, you wrote:>This is true, but if one does have rheumatoid arthritis, as I do, it is >imperative to get treated right away to prevent permanent >crippling. Blood tests, X-Ray tests, and clinical presentation have >confirmed I have RA, which is a very serious disease. In retrospect, I >began having symptoms probably two years before being diagnosed. The >disease took a really bad turn for the worse before I asked for help >because I neglected to tell anyone what was going on with my >body. Unfortunately, RA attacks most severely within the first two years.>------- No virus found in this outgoing message.Checked by AVG Free Edition.Version: 7.1.392 / Virus Database: 268.5.5/333 - Release Date: 5/5/2006 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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