Connect
Visit to National Jewish Health in Denver, CO
I have read that some people on this site are interested in the value of visiting National Jewish Health in Denver, CO. I spent 6 clinical days there in October. I had consults with 5 physicians. That was decided by my pulmonologist and presented to me with a schedule. I am 84 years old and went alone although most people had a family member or friend with them. I was busy for at least 5 hours every day with testing and consults. I had two procedures requiring anesthesia, both at the same time. I stayed at a hotel as there are no inpatient facilities and traveled back and forth using Uber.
I am new to treatment and still have a lot of questions. I will continue with my pulmonologist in Scottsdale where I live. I could return for scheduled consults there if I choose. I also could have my pulmonologist or any other physician there as my primary.
The Infectious Disease physician was very thorough and suggested I nebulize with Aerobika. The pulmonologist said I only needed to use the flutter device for now. I have been doing that but find
I then have mucus for hours after use, so I am probably going to try nebulizing .
I can keep in touch with the physicians there using MyChart.
I just called up NJH and told the very helpful person on the line that I wanted to arrange a visit. It took about 6 weeks from then until I stepped off the plane.
I'll be happy to answer any questions. No question is not a good one.
Roz
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the MAC & Bronchiectasis Support Group.
Connect
@sickalot HI JoAnn, I'm so sorry you went through that. I can relate to having questionable Pulm Drs. My first one in Scottsdale refused to write scripts for anti-biotics telling me that I had viral infections. No wonder my BE progressed. My 2nd Pulm diagnosed me with asthma which now NJH doctor is saying I don't have. I was on steroids for years. My 3rd Pulm doctor here is better. I have been with NJH for quite a while. I lived in Keystone and then Centennial from 1996 to 2011, and then I moved Scottsdale. From 2005 to 2011, my NJH Pulmonary doctor was Dr. James Ellis (a legend), but he's since retired. I just started back at NJH in May of this year following my MABC diagnosis, and my ID doctor there is Dr Michelle Haas. I saw Dr Haas practically every day I was there and I correspond with her on my chart-she's fabulous! Really knowledgeable! I believe she was 5280 #1 ID doctor 2024 or23? No surprise! I can't remember the name of NJH pulmonary Dr, I only saw her briefly, so I don't really have an opinion. I believe Roz liked her Pulm doctor-she was the original post on this thread, so you might want to ask her. You're lucky you live in or near Denver, you can go to NJH for your Pulmonary doctor. It takes a LONG time to get into NJH, so maybe set up 2026 appointment now. Please keep us posted. Kathy
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI liked my pulmonary doctor, but I'd try someone else if I were you. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Mine was Josh Webster. He wasn't warm and fuzzy, and I think we all need that while negotiating through this puzzle.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionDear JoAnn,
You will learn a lot from this site. I certainly have. Roz
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kathyjjb Thanks so much everyone: Kathy , I will keep the doctors names if I ever get to NJH.
I see I forgot to say when I got to the hospital I had pneumonia in both lungs . That was in Sept. of this year. The doctors at Rose hospital encouraged me to get to NJH. They also got me started on the nebulizing treatments at home and wanted me to get a vest. My Kaiser pulmonary wasn't positive about that , he said you've had back surgery and you might brake a rib using it. I went ahead and checked into it anyway and they are expensive and they are a rental from the company kaiser uses. A lot of self care with this disease.
Thanks again all. JoAnn
A lot of time consuming self care.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@sickalot Sepsis is so scary, I was thinking you must have had bad pneumonia to get sepsis. I'm sure glad you got through it. Also, good that you are nebulizing, hopefully with 7% twice daily. When I was at NJH, Dr put order through for vest and it was approved and paid for by insurance company. I cannot use the vest since it gave me vertigo. I hope you call NJH soon, it took me 4 months to get in. It only took Roz 6 weeks, but she did not have a confirmed NTM diagnosis, so I believe she was assigned a pulm as lead dr. My lead dr. was ID, due to confirmed MABC diagnosis. Roz, can you chime in? if I'm wrong.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kathyjjb You are right, Kathy. Now I have to send a sputum specimen every 2 months to my ID doc.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 Reactions@rozie83 That's nice they did that. I couldn't stay overnight in my room, but it sure was nice to have.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@kathyjjb I will say I was shocked to hear about sepsis. Don't know how to tell if it is gone. Since I take azithromycin 3x a week I don't think a sputum culture would be accurate.
Right now I am overwhelmed comparing health Ins. having doubts about United so I may have to keep looking outside of PeraCare. Yesterday I asked United about the prescriptions I take and found out that the inhaler and both nebulizing meds are excluded meaning get them else where, they don't have them. The other 5 meds I take had co-pays of $30.00 for 90 days. Not so bad but comparing it to kaiser everything I take is free.
I was told by NJH that the best plan is Original Medicare and then get Medigap for the rest.
Any comments on that?
Thanks, JoAnn
@sickalot I am going through the same thing! I'm looking for a new insurance and at this point not sure if I would even get a Medigap since I've never had a supplement and most likely underwriting will be required. I have Humana PPO now, and they have denied Nuzyra, and Brinsupri is not in their formulary. At this point, I really don't know if I need any of them.