[Theta Z]

I had typed and thought successfully posted this similarly a few days ago.
It apparently went poof and vanished as does happen time to to time.

I did get referred to a neurologist, albeit there is no neurologist on the north coast of Oregon (why?), thus 85 miles over the mountains inland and clear through all of the Big City to the eastern burbs.

Then I learn the doc has but 6 years of experience and is only general neurology, has no expertise with PN or the myriad other things out of order with me.

I am wondering do I just outright ASK for referral to Dr. Ochoa or OHSU?
Otherwise I can foresee my own energies being spent needlessly and wastefully.


* Dr. Ochoa is an eminent Peripheral Neuropathy physician in Portland, Oregon.
* OHSU is Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, Oregon.

[Zatochi]

I would assume that you could ask to be referred to a specific doctor. When my Neurologist said he was going to refer me to a pain management doctor I asked for a specific one and he did it. Only reason I asked is because I wanted one closer to home. Can't hurt to ask...

I would definitely ask for one that has a lot of experience.... That's how I found my current primary care physician. I called several and asked if the doctor had any experience with peripheral neuropathy (he did) and they even told me the number of patients he had with peripheral neuropathy. My long time primary care physician had no clue about neuropathy so I changed. I have peripheral neuropathy and radial neuropathy.

With my health insurance plan, it does not require referrals but most specialists do.

[Dr. Smith]

Originally Posted by Theta Z

I am wondering do I just outright ASK for referral to Dr. Ochoa or OHSU?
Otherwise I can foresee my own energies being spent needlessly and wastefully.

It might depend on your insurance and how OHSU is set up. Some policies require referrals for specialists, some don't, and some require referrals for some kinds of specialists but not others.

It may also depend how OHSU is set up. The major medical centers I've had experience with, depending on department/specialty, give you a choice of asking for a specific doctor or getting assigned to one. It may take longer (weeks/months?) to get an appointment with a specific doctor if s/he's in demand. IME, a referral from another doctor doesn't carry any weight unless something is critical/time-sensitive.

It never hurts to ask, and asking is the best way to find out.

All that said, I requested the most experienced PN specialist in the Neurology Dept. at one major medical center, and got him along with the head of Neurology. I still got a dx of idiopathic, and cut loose with a scrip for gabapentin.

Hoping you do better,

Doc