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Don't know what to think and feeling uncertain at this point
Blood Cancers & Disorders | Last Active: Oct 23, 2023 | Replies (25)Comment receiving replies
Thank you so much for responding. Words can not express that I feel I am in a living hell right now with my Clinic. This is the problem. I tried to go to a different clinic last month, clinics that accept my insurance. I called a specific clinic my insurance works with. I ask to get set up with a Doctor. I was told, our Doctors are not taking any new patients, there a is a Doctor shortage. Explained this was a National problem since Covid. Doctors quit, nurses quit. Called another clinic. 2 Doctors taking on new patients. One is gone until 2024. The other is booked up for the year! called other "Locations" of my Clinic, told the same thing, Doctors are not taking new Patients. I did however finally a Internal Medicine Doctor at a different clinic and the appt. is not until January. I am STUCK with my clinic at least until then. I would like to copy/ paste to you in private message what I wrote to her in My Chart. I could NOT have been more precise and to the point. I am falling on deaf ears or I feel like they want me to suffer. I called my clinic yesterday, spoke to a nurse to ask for a upper body Xray for my ribs and spine. Nurse #1 took all my info down & sent it to my Doctor. A different Nurse just called me this morning and said she said Dr .*** already took a Xray of your shoulder. I said, that is NOT why I called! Yes, I had a Xray on my shoulder on the Oct. 9, but these are new symptoms! It is my ribs and my thoracic spine. The nurse yesterday wrote all that down. So, this nurse this morning said, Oh, I 'm sorry maybe Dr.** didn't read it right. I'll run this back to her again and call you back. This is the shit I deal with all the time!!!!!! Now waiting for the nurse to call back. I will probably have to resort to the ER to get anything done.
Replies to "Thank you so much for responding. Words can not express that I feel I am in..."
@sallylynn, I hear you. This must be very frustrating for you and I hope you will be able to put into action some of the helpful tips members are sharing with you.
Let me see if I can summarize in brief (overly brief I realize) your situation (as I understand it) in order to help move things forward. I want to help you get out of this terrible vortex of not getting the help you need.
1. You are experiencing symptoms that require attention. As of yet, you do not have a diagnosis.
2. You have reported to ER with symptoms that were alarming, but received no diagnosis.
3. You have seen a number of physicians in different specialties and many tests have been ordered.
4. Tests have shown normal levels and some tests showed values slightly out of range of normal. However, tests ordered thus far have not clearly indicated a diagnosis.
5. Without answers, but still experiencing symptoms, you have turned to the Internet to find clues and hoping to find answers that doctors have not yet found.
6. Today, you continue to seek answers. Your frustration with the medical system continues to increase and finding a place that takes new patients to get a second opinion is near impossible.
I realize that this is over simiplified, but do I have that right so far?
It is terrible to feel blown off by medical professionals. I wish that you didn't feel that way.
I know that some doctors have chalked your symptoms up to anxiety. I bet it can look like that to them. Sometimes we get so frantic without answers that frustration, anger, and yes anxiety too, get balled up into one big mess. I get it. That doesn't give any professional the right to dismiss your concerns as anxiety. And if they suspect anxiety, then that should also be addressed. Never dismissed.
There are many many doctors that care and want to help.
Good for you for finding a new clinic and getting an appointment. It's frustrating that you have to wait until January. But you have an appointment! That's a great start.
What can you do between now and your appointment to prepare for your appointment? How can you be the best partner you can be to work as a team with the new specialist?
I hope members will join me in sharing their tips to help you develop a plan, get a diagnosis, and get your life back again.
Here are my tips:
1. Start a journal and make note of your symptoms:
- Describe the symptom
- How severe is it? Grade it as a 1, 2, or 3
- When does it happen?
- What were you doing when it happened? Note possible triggers
- How long did it last?
2. Prepare a list of questions
Keep a pad a paper or your phone near your bed and favorite sitting place. Questions come up in the stangest of places.
Shortly before your appointment, organize your list into categories. Prioritize 1 to 3 items that you need to have addressed. There may not be time for all the questions. Or some may be answered during the appointment.
3. Find a family member or friend to accompany you
It can help to have another set of ears to remember what the doctor said. Or even to ask your questions should you be overwhelmed or forget to ask. Of they may think of questions during the appointment.
Here is a fantastic discussion where members have shared more tips. As you'll discover, I kinda stole the best tips and shared them with you. 🙂 Cuz, like you, I learn a lot from fellow patients.
– Your Tips on How to Get Off to the Best Start with a New Specialist https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/your-tips-on-how-to-get-off-to-the-best-start-with-a-new-specialist/
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I sent you a DM what I wrote to my doctor.