Hello everyone. I've been gone for a long time! I was laid off work a year ago August and didn't have computer access for a while. I filed for disability after that and am doing o.k. I went through a pretty rough patch for a while, not having medical insurance. I am now on public assistance and am actually really happy with the Neurologist with the county medical center!
Who would have thought the county medical center would have a better Neurologist than the one I had through my insurance for the last 30 years! This young woman is a real go getter! She has run more tests and asked more questions in the three months I have been seeing her than the Dr.s at Kaiser did over a 6 year period!
At Kaiser, when I would tell them I had done research on line, and had ideas or suggestions, had questions or wanted to know more about my PN, they made it out like I was self diagnosing and I was a Hypochondriac (sp?).
I didn't even have to suggest to this new Dr. anything, she came to me with the questions about what tests had been done, and because I have done the research and been so involved in my own care, I could have an educated conversation with her! She asked me to get a copy of my MRI from Kaiser, and ordered an updated Nerve conduction study, over 16 new blood tests, and is having me come back next week for a follow up visit. Wow! I do feel my tax dollars were well spent on this Dr.!!!!!!!!!

I have been catching up on some of your posts and seeing how everyone is doing. It's nice to be back! ( I have a laptop now)

I've missed you all!

Glad to see you back, you have had a rough time but I am delighted you now have a great Neurologist, here's hoping she will make a difference. Enjoy your laptop

Isn't it refreshing to find a doc you don't have to give the 'ABC's' to?
Almost want's you to go drag them out for a cup of coffee and a cupcake or something...doesn't it?
I say this after spending a 5 day stint in a hospital for another issue and having had to do the 'explaining' to newbies[docs-new crop of residents, no less] all over again about 57 times!
I'm truly hoping that you'll get some answers this time and help to get the right treatments!
Many, many 's !!!!!!!!!! May they pay off w/interest! - j

--you're not the first to indicate a difficulty getting a comprehensive work up through the Kaiser system.

Glad to see you back here.

Welcome back. I hope things move forward in a better way.

I actually WORKED for Kaiser for the last year!!!! Actually working for them didn't help at all. It made it worse when I tried to get disability. The doctors were so afraid to give me a letter stating I was actually "diagnosed" with PN, (even though they had said it to me verbally many times!) because they had laid me off !!!!!!!! What a joke!