[legzzalot]

So once again the whole medicaid thing has come to kick me. THEY picked my pcp for me. The guy I am now forced to go see to get a referral to any of my specialists... ummmm, he's an internal medicine specialist. So they are going to pay for a specialist to get a referral to a specialist. The one specialist I actually don't need. I have a nerve/ brain chick, I have a bone guy, I have a girly doc guy, and a bladder/kidney guy, and I have a whole team of physical therapists and soon to add a pain management guy since of the pain meds I am currently on are not working. So why do I need this new guy?? Oh yeah, I need to be cleared by the internal Medicine specialist to see my neuro. I also now need a referral for my Ty infusions, and all of my follow ups with the current docs. This is BULL and they know it.

Maybe he can refer me to a new Ortho without changing my phys therapy guys. My Ortho sucks. I broke my back almost 13 weeks ago. Redid Xray today and it is still broken. So i ask what is the avg time for this kind of fracture to heal? 6-8 weeks he says... hello?? It'll be 13 weeks on Thursday and he sees nothing wrong with this. So I tell him how the neuro said I needed to talk to him about pain meds since it is mostly joint and back pain. He decided to "up the dosage" on my tramadol. So he put me on the once a day 200mg extended release pill. I am not quite sure how that is upping the dosage from the 6 a day 50mg pills I was on as of this morning. Last time I did the math, his "increase" is really a 100mg decrease in a pill that is already not working. Did I mention this guy sucks?

[Lady]

Leggs, I am so sorry to hear that your back is still not healed.

I hope the ER Tramadol helps. Maybe he meant two a day? Every 12 hours? I would call him to be sure.

As for them picking a doctor for you, why?.. because he is cheaper or gives less referrals? I hope everything works out okay with your specialists.

Most every year my company would change medical plans and I had to get new doctors if some did not take it. That is why I lost some great Neuro's over the years. My NYC guy.

Some I dropped, but at least I had that option. I wish you luck

[Judy2]

I hope you'll be surprisingly pleased with your new pcp, Leggz! It really is a pain having to change doctors often. We're supposed to build a trusting relationship with them, but all of a sudden they're gone??? Red tape! Bah humbug!!

Good luck and be sure to let us know how your appointment went please!

[Dejibo]

I use my PCP as my go to guy. Its really easy to pick up the phone, and schedule alot of appointments with MS, GI, Optho, PT, ENT and so on. Before you know it, I have lost track of whom I saw and why. I use my PCP as my quarter back or my lead dog to help me keep track of whom I am seeing, and co ordinating the results into one makes sense package. If left on my own to do it, I would end up taking double drugs, and be lost in the shuffle.

Even tho I dont need a gate keeper, I use my PCP as one. Try to think of it as a good idea or as someone to keep track of you while you dance thru the system. It will prevent you from getting lost.

I hope you are feeling better.

[legzzalot]

Okay Okay I admit it, he kind of rocks! Of course he also scheduled a whole slew of tests tomorrow and a follow up and added even more drugs to the mix. He has ordered my medical records from all of my other docs and has referred me to another ortho and is trying to find an MS specialist for me.

I had a bit of a mental meltdown when he asked me about applying for disability. We were going over symptoms and we got to the depression and frustration and the tears began to flow. He was MAD they denied me for disability and told me he will be submitting his own findings.

I actually spent 2 hours with the man going over everything, and he actually listened when I spoke which was a shocker. He also decided it was time to start some real pain medicine, so I have a giant bottle now. Have to go back on the 21st to go over all of the tests he is having done tomorrow.

[Judy2]

Originally Posted by legzzalot

Okay Okay I admit it, he kind of rocks! Of course he also scheduled a whole slew of tests tomorrow and a follow up and added even more drugs to the mix. He has ordered my medical records from all of my other docs and has referred me to another ortho and is trying to find an MS specialist for me.

I had a bit of a mental meltdown when he asked me about applying for disability. We were going over symptoms and we got to the depression and frustration and the tears began to flow. He was MAD they denied me for disability and told me he will be submitting his own findings.

I actually spent 2 hours with the man going over everything, and he actually listened when I spoke which was a shocker. He also decided it was time to start some real pain medicine, so I have a giant bottle now. Have to go back on the 21st to go over all of the tests he is having done tomorrow.

WOO HOO and YAY!!! Sounds like you found a keeper this time Leggz!! Maybe a 'fresh' start all the way around will be a good thing......and finding one who really listens is wonderful!!

Good luck with all the tests.

[legzzalot]

He did forget one tiny little detail yesterday during our super long chat.... the bloodwork he ordered was supposed to be done while fasting. So i show up this morning with my second cup of coffee in hand and had just eaten my granola bar on the way to the hospital...

Lab wouldn't take me. Told me to go home and fast for 8 hours and come back. Funny part I only had the second cup of coffee because I knew they wanted to do a urine test too. sheesh! So i get to go back this afternoon with DD or I get to skip breakfast and coffee tomorrow morning and go to 2 hours of physical therapy and then go get my labs done. Looks like DD and I will be taking a field trip.

[NurseNancy]

this guy sounds like a gem. i hope all the things that have been set in motion will help you.