To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? That is the question.

@ess77, @contentandwell, @ga29

This is an important topic, one that many members are also interested in. However, it is going to get lost in this discussion about COVID-19 vaccines. I did some searching, and I found some discussions where this topic will be more visible to others with similar experiences. (Click on the blue link)

- Groups>Aging Well>important information about statins - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/important-information/
- Groups>Heart Rhythm Conditions>Need help to lower high cholesterol & high triglycerides https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/need-help-for-high-cholesterol-222-high-triglycerides-217

You might also be interested in:
- Statin side effects: Weigh the benefits and risks https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/in-depth/statin-side-effects/art-20046013

@mayofeb2020, I want to include you in this message.
@ess77, I incorrectly included you here. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Rosemary

Webinar from National Kidney Foundation

What Kidney patients need to know about Covid-19.
https://www.kidney.org/content/flu-covid-19-webinar-facebook-live
Monday, January 11am Register today

As COVID-19 vaccines have begun to be administered in the United States, it's important to understand what is known about each type of vaccine, especially if you're a kidney patient. Ask questions live during our Q&A session with Dr. Joseph Vassalotti as he discusses the details of the vaccines, including:

What are mRNA vaccines and how do they work?
Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe for kidney patients?

About Dr. Joseph Vassalotti
Dr. Vassalotti is the Chief Medical Officer of the National Kidney Foundation and Clinical Professor of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology, at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. He received his medical degree with Distinction in Research from the SUNY Stony Brook School of Medicine and completed an Internal Medicine Residency and Nephrology Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

For information about COVID-19 and kidney disease, visit kidney.org/coronavirus.

One of the things my county's public health spokesperson commented on, in his Friday fb live video, was a little known fact that those who have an allergy to bees may have a bit more reaction to the vaccine, than others. Very interesting that noone else has mentioned it!

I am allergic to bee stings!
Ginger

Oops, Ginger! I'm allergic to bees, too. Got the Maderno vaccine last Tuesday. No side effects.....maybe it's the Phizer that's the culprit...or maybe I'm not allergic anymore....or maybe???There's so much we don't know, but I'm fine and making antibodies, I believe!
Blessings, Eliabeth

Rosemary, what topic did you move and to where? I'm not on cholsterol or blood condition or statin side effects. Never been on those sites. Was was the discussion about? Where can I find it? Thanks for the help. Elizabeth

@ess77 and all, Getting hold of a physician can sometimes be a challenge because many aren't given administrative time in their day to answer and return phone calls. I am sorry you had this experience with your PCP. I hope you are able to work out a better system to contact them in the future. Many doctor's offices have processes for patients who need assistance after hours or when they can't reach their usual doctor.

At Mayo Clinic, transplant patients are all given a card with an after hours phone number to contact the organ transplant physician on-call. This number reaches someone 24 hours a day/7 days a week in case of a patient emergency. Our hope is that our patients use this number in situations similar to yours, when they need assistance, but don't feel the situation requires 911. Many other hospitals have a similar system. Everyone should ask their doctors how best to contact them during and after business hours. Of note, patient portals are nice for communication, but keep in mind they should not be used for urgent matters. While we usually handle messages within a day, Mayo Clinic has a 2-4 day turn around expectation to patient portal messages. If you require immediate assistance, the portal may not be your best method of contacting your doctor as it may take them a day or more to get to your message.

I don't think I have ever got a doctor on Portal. I get the coordinator who talks to the doctor and communicates back.

@ess77 I went through something similar with my PCP. His office often did not respond to portal messages as quickly as I would have liked, one time I sent a message and he apparently was on vacation. His office didn't bother to let me know that it would be a while before he would be back, which I think they should have. The final straw though was when he let my bones fall through the cracks. He didn't order a DEXA for me for five years after having a DEXA showing osteopenia. I had a minor hip fracture which made me ask him if I should have a DEXA. Sure enough, I was very overdue so he ordered one and I have advanced osteoporosis. His excuses for not ordering a DEXA were very flimsy. Still, it was hard to leave him because I had been going to him for over 5 years and we had built up a rapport. I actually miss him! My new PCP is highly regarded but I don't feel the bond with her that I did with him. It really is hard to break in a new PCP! I hope when you find one that you like him/her.

I also do not go to the specialists they want to refer me to, I had my liver transplant at Mass General and I go there for everything that requires a specialist now.
JK

@keggebraaten @ess77 I suspect all transplant centers have a 24/7 phone number. The last thing they want is for something to go unanswered if a patient has a real problem. I know Mass General has the same as what you describe that Mayo has. I did use it once, I forget what for, but they are very responsive.

The local hospitals are unfortunately not as responsive. Many of them have a message to go to Urgent Care of the ER if you have a problem.

@jerrynord I have had almost every doctor call me at times in response to a portal message! Certainly not for every message, but I think they sometimes feel they can field the question better than someone else in the office. One of my endocrinologists called recently and we conversed for about 20 minutes. I felt that was really above and beyond what I expected.
JK

JK, I have excellent interaction and response from my Mayo specialists. Several have responded to my portal question or comment via phone call, surprisingly! I'm not used to that kind of involvement w/the doc directly. It's a real treat when you can in just a quick or not so quick chat solve issues and help so much. I really appreciate this. My PCP has called me once. His staff have responded to messages but usually have little idea of what's happening. It's good there's response, but frustrating as well.

How did you find your new PCP? Suggestions?
Blessings, Elizabeth