Guest guest Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 >I would be interested to know how often others in the group see their Doctors regularly........ The first year I was diagnosed, my rheumy had me come in every 6 weeks for the first six months, then it stretched to 3 and 4 months between visits and now it's six months since I've been in. However, she emphasized that I was to call her anytime I thought she could help. I've been luckier than most - the first meds (Plaquenil and Sulindac - the latter a prescription NSAID) and stress reduction seem to keep things under control so long as I don't push myself too hard. Though I've been diagnosed for about two years now with both SLE and DLE, I don't have any other side ailments or organ involvement other than skin (which is mainly in out of sight or "coverable" areas). I haven't really had to put the "call me" to a real test but the couple of times I have called I've been very pleasantly surprised - she and her staff are live humans! First shocker is that when I do have an appointment, the girls at the front desk are familiar enough with my name that they can pull my records without having to ask me a second time for my name nor ask me to spell it (not just when I am in the office face-to-face and they have their appointment book to look at but also when I call in on the phone). There has seldom been more than one or two other people in the waiting room (it's a 2-doctor practice) and only once did I have to wait more than about 5 minutes (don't think I've ever had time to read more than one magazine article). That one time I don't know what the problem was but I did wait close to an hour - then was profusely apologized to. The appointment (last of the day) ended up going beyond the normal closing time and about halfway through the dr. excused herself to tell her nurse and receptionist that they could go on home and she would close up. I'm always asked not only how I feel but if I have any questions or if there is something I would like to tell her (and she always talks on a personal level - if I don't have medical questions/issues, she'll ask me personal stuff such as have I been able to get to any dog shows and how did I do. They seem to book their appointments with plenty of time to pay attention to whatever might be needed and some free time in case extra is needed. The couple of times I have called in I have been asked if I want the doctor to call me back (she's only in this office 2 days a week but they answer the phone 5 days and have an answering service that relays messages at night and the other days). I've only called with prescription renewal needs - never an emergency or big question - but when I called about the prescriptions I was able to pick them up that same afternoon at my local pharmacy so they must have called them in almost immediately. On the down side, she's about 30 miles away (the only closer rheumy approved by my insurance I haven't found any one likes or is happy with). Although she is on the teaching staff of U of Pittsburgh, I don't think she's as "high tech" or adventurous in treatment methods - but I am not in need of them at this point and perhaps if I did I'd find out I am wrong (she's more of a "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" type rather than a "let's try to upgrade this" type). She doesn't do a lot of blood/lab work - but on the other hand isn't averse to asking for specific tests from either labs or another dr. (such as sending me to a neurologist early on for a nerve conduction test). Works for me since my insurance isn't all that great - but someone with tendencies towards moaning, groaning or hypochondria wouldn't likely be happy. (And while she's always been the gentle sort with me, I did overhear the end of one patient's appointment where the patient was told they had to "participate more fully" in their own care and stop the whining....)/ Sue ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.596 / Virus Database: 379 - Release Date: 2/26/2004 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2004 Report Share Posted April 7, 2004 Sue, I've been seeing my rheumy every four weeks since diagnosis and I have lab work done every time I'm there. I'm considering another doctor mostly because I always have to wait at least a half hour to be seen and often times it's been an hour or more - since the wait is so long I always feel like he's rushed once I get in there. My only concern is starting all over again with a new doctor. Kim T. Re: Doctor Visits >I would be interested to know how often others in the group see their Doctors regularly........ The first year I was diagnosed, my rheumy had me come in every 6 weeks for the first six months, then it stretched to 3 and 4 months between visits and now it's six months since I've been in. However, she emphasized that I was to call her anytime I thought she could help. I've been luckier than most - the first meds (Plaquenil and Sulindac - the latter a prescription NSAID) and stress reduction seem to keep things under control so long as I don't push myself too hard. Though I've been diagnosed for about two years now with both SLE and DLE, I don't have any other side ailments or organ involvement other than skin (which is mainly in out of sight or "coverable" areas). I haven't really had to put the "call me" to a real test but the couple of times I have called I've been very pleasantly surprised - she and her staff are live humans! First shocker is that when I do have an appointment, the girls at the front desk are familiar enough with my name that they can pull my records without having to ask me a second time for my name nor ask me to spell it (not just when I am in the office face-to-face and they have their appointment book to look at but also when I call in on the phone). There has seldom been more than one or two other people in the waiting room (it's a 2-doctor practice) and only once did I have to wait more than about 5 minutes (don't think I've ever had time to read more than one magazine article). That one time I don't know what the problem was but I did wait close to an hour - then was profusely apologized to. The appointment (last of the day) ended up going beyond the normal closing time and about halfway through the dr. excused herself to tell her nurse and receptionist that they could go on home and she would close up. I'm always asked not only how I feel but if I have any questions or if there is something I would like to tell her (and she always talks on a personal level - if I don't have medical questions/issues, she'll ask me personal stuff such as have I been able to get to any dog shows and how did I do. They seem to book their appointments with plenty of time to pay attention to whatever might be needed and some free time in case extra is needed. The couple of times I have called in I have been asked if I want the doctor to call me back (she's only in this office 2 days a week but they answer the phone 5 days and have an answering service that relays messages at night and the other days). I've only called with prescription renewal needs - never an emergency or big question - but when I called about the prescriptions I was able to pick them up that same afternoon at my local pharmacy so they must have called them in almost immediately. On the down side, she's about 30 miles away (the only closer rheumy approved by my insurance I haven't found any one likes or is happy with). Although she is on the teaching staff of U of Pittsburgh, I don't think she's as "high tech" or adventurous in treatment methods - but I am not in need of them at this point and perhaps if I did I'd find out I am wrong (she's more of a "if it ain't broke don't try to fix it" type rather than a "let's try to upgrade this" type). She doesn't do a lot of blood/lab work - but on the other hand isn't averse to asking for specific tests from either labs or another dr. (such as sending me to a neurologist early on for a nerve conduction test). Works for me since my insurance isn't all that great - but someone with tendencies towards moaning, groaning or hypochondria wouldn't likely be happy. (And while she's always been the gentle sort with me, I did overhear the end of one patient's appointment where the patient was told they had to "participate more fully" in their own care and stop the whining....)/ Sue ---Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).Version: 6.0.596 / Virus Database: 379 - Release Date: 2/26/2004"The LUPIES Store" Come check out our store...http://www.cafepress.com/thelupies"The LUPIES Web Page"http://www.itzarion.com/lupusgroup.html"The LUPIES online photo albums!" Check out what your fellow Lupies look like...http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery/view?username=lupies Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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