Anyone having issues getting access to neurologist for evaluation?

Posted by nativethings @nativethings, Jun 10, 2022

We live in a small town - we were excited when we finally got a neurologist at the local hospital. I called for an appointment 2 months ago, but they were already booking into 2023. When I tried to get one in a larger city, I was told they weren't taking new patients from our town, because we have our own neurologist now. My husband needs to be seen sooner than 2023. Have others here had problems getting a neurologist?

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Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 10, 2022

@nativethings I’m so sorry you’re having such problems. Yes, neurologists are in great demand now because of all the problems with Covid and it’s side effects. Had you tried to get an appointment in the city before you had a neurologist in your town?
Is your husband having major problems that his PCP can’t handle? Is there anyway that the PCP could call the neurologist and request that you be seen? I would recommend getting an appointment for 2023 and asking to be put on a wait list, so you could maybe be seen earlier. Can you call on Monday?

janet7 | @janet7 | Jun 11, 2022

What would happen if you went to the ER? That’s what we ended up doing instead of waiting 2 weeks or more. We found a much better diagnosis and in a few days that followed, he had his lifesaving surgery.
At least he would be in a safer place.

Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Jun 11, 2022

In reply to @janet7 "What would happen if you went to the ER? That’s what we ended up doing instead..." + (show)

@janet7 that sounds like a very good solution! If you don’t mind, what surgery did your husband have?

raebaby | @raebaby | Jun 12, 2022

Do you have health insurance; they are supposed to help you get one.

raebaby | @raebaby | Jun 12, 2022

In reply to @becsbuddy "@nativethings I’m so sorry you’re having such problems. Yes, neurologists are in great demand now because..." + (show)

The idea of getting on a waiting list is a good one. Has your GP tried to help you? My husband's GP fought for us. He had a horribly mean neurologist who made me cry and we finally found a great motion specialist.

janet7 | @janet7 | Jun 12, 2022

In reply to @becsbuddy "@janet7 that sounds like a very good solution! If you don’t mind, what surgery did your..." + (show)

My husband had surgery for a pacemaker and he went home the same day.

janet7 | @janet7 | Jun 12, 2022

In reply to @raebaby "Do you have health insurance; they are supposed to help you get one." + (show)

The insurance may find you a doctor, but do not have the authorization getting an appointment right away. That’s why we went to the ER.

janet7 | @janet7 | Jun 12, 2022

In reply to @janet7 "My husband had surgery for a pacemaker and he went home the same day." + (show)

I have read there is a shortage of doctors and nurses to begin with, and now with COVID, they are booked pretty solid for 3 or more months. I am glad we didn’t wait to see our Cardiologist for 2 weeks because I do believe my husband was very sick and we went to the ER. There they take all kinds of tests and you get answers in a few hours - not 2 weeks later. Then the hospital has a record of what the patient is having issues with, enabling them to decide what tests to take and what needs to be done.