1. < Osteoporosis & Bone Health
Profile picture for bmblsad

why does everything have to be so hard???

Posted by bmblsad @bmblsad, 2 days ago

Warning, minor rant here. I was diagnosed recently with osteoporosis and have been gathering information on next steps. I want to explore HRT (among other things) but my NP didn't sound knowledgeable/confident about using it at my age (I'm 65 and never did HRT before). So, through posts here I zeroed in on finding a functional medicine person in my network. The first 4 I tried aren't seeing new patients. The 5th is, but soonest she can see me is december 2027 (not a typo). Next, I thought okay how about endocrinology. First, almost none of those coming up in my insurance's care directory are accepting new clients. One that is has terrible reviews. The other said I need to get a referral from my PCP. So, now I'm back to dealing with my NP again. Why is getting care so f'ing hard? It's been almost 3 weeks since my diagnosis and I'm still at square 1 for finding care. Paying Dr. Doug (or some other concierge doc) $14k is starting to sound like a good idea, that's how desperate I'm starting to feel (And no, I can't afford that...). Seriously you guys - how did you find people to take care of you?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

Profile picture for cbusgma2017
cbusgma2017 | @cbusgma2017 | 8 hours ago
In reply to @oknowwhatpixie "@bmblsad The following videos helped me greatly when first getting started. I knew when i finally..." + (show)
Profile picture for oknowwhatpixie @oknowwhatpixie

@bmblsad
The following videos helped me greatly when first getting started. I knew when i finally got in to see a Dr what questions to ask and to make sure tests (blood & urine) were run. Because if they don't understand the underlying reason for your osteoporosis you could start a treatment and not get the results exected.

Causes and treatments



Secondary causes of osteoporosis

When i finally decided to go the HRT route the functional medicine Dr ran a Dutch Test and Bloodwork to understand my hormone levels before starting. I also chose topical creams for my hormone therapy, as this has the least amount of risk in my opinion.

Jump to this post

@oknowwhatpixie
Michael Lavacot's videos are the best for simply explaining what your options are. Watch them. Watch them twice (once on the treadmill, once taking notes).

REPLY
Profile picture for candaceb
candaceb | @candaceb | 8 hours ago

I agree! I am going crazy trying to figure out what to do. The side effects on all the meds they want me to take are horrible! There has to be a better way.

REPLY
Profile picture for dvargo
dvargo | @dvargo | 3 hours ago
In reply to @oknowwhatpixie "@bmblsad The following videos helped me greatly when first getting started. I knew when i finally..." + (show)
Profile picture for oknowwhatpixie @oknowwhatpixie

@bmblsad
The following videos helped me greatly when first getting started. I knew when i finally got in to see a Dr what questions to ask and to make sure tests (blood & urine) were run. Because if they don't understand the underlying reason for your osteoporosis you could start a treatment and not get the results exected.

Causes and treatments



Secondary causes of osteoporosis

When i finally decided to go the HRT route the functional medicine Dr ran a Dutch Test and Bloodwork to understand my hormone levels before starting. I also chose topical creams for my hormone therapy, as this has the least amount of risk in my opinion.

Jump to this post

@oknowwhatpixie Same.

REPLY
Profile picture for lightlifts
lightlifts | @lightlifts | 13 minutes ago
In reply to @bmblsad "@roseincalifornia Thanks for the encouragement! I do have to laugh about insurance. I just became eligible..." + (show)
Profile picture for bmblsad @bmblsad

@roseincalifornia
Thanks for the encouragement! I do have to laugh about insurance. I just became eligible for Medicare this year, and ended up picking a medicare advantage plan based on my belief that I was healthy. So, I didn't think too much about drug formularies, specialist copays, deductibles, or their in network. The interaction I've had this far with them in terms of getting clarity on coverage hasn't left me with many warm fuzzies. The good news is I can ride them out for the next 6 months and find a better/different plan in January. Wish I'd gone medigap supplement instead of advantage. Oh well!

Jump to this post

@bmblsad better to off to get off the advantage plan and get supplemental drug if it’s in your budget. WellCare is zero premium cost for me. That’s a drug plan and idk y it costs me nothing!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.