Finding a New Doctor When Sick

[Eeyores Butterfly]

I posted last week about a bad experience at a doctor's office I went to. My issue is that I have caught whatever nasty bug is going around the other teachers at my school. After the bad doctor's office, I went to Take Care Clinic at Walgreens and was given a prescription and some advice.

In the last week it has only gotten worse and has now settled in my lungs. I am coughing like crazy. I have had problems in the past with bronchitis after colds, and this feels like the same thing.

I'm not sure where to go from here. I saw my endo today, but he doesn't deal with that stuff. I do have an appointment for a GP in the same practice as a new patient, but that's not until the day before Thanksgiving.

I plan to call them tomorrow to see if the doctor will see me. My insurance just kicked in, so it's not like I have had a chance to see her before now. Those of you who have dealt with this, do you think they will see me even though I have not had my new patient appointment? I'm not sure how much more the Walgreens clinic will be able to do at this point.

This is one thing I don't like about healthcare. I understand why they want to do new patient appointments, but you don't always have the option before you get sick, and I'm not sure where to go from here if they turn me down.

 

[JessicaR]

If your new office cant see you right away I would look up an emergent care center. Call first usually no appointments are necessary and around here they have x-ray options on-site. We have some great doctors running ours.
It sounds like you may need a chest x-ray. Hope you feel better!
http://yp.yahoo.com/yp/Blue_Springs...nters_Emergency_and_Urgent_Care/95507710.html

 

[lisah0711]

Jessi, sorry that you still have the crud.

Maybe you could call the new doctor's office (the one where you have the appointment for November) and see if they have an urgent care facility that they refer to. My primary care doctor is part of an urgent care group and we can always go there if we need to and there are no openings at the office. Or maybe they have a PA or nurse practitioner. It's not like you can drag around with bronchitis for the next 4 weeks in the middle of flu season. If worse came to worse you might have to go to the ER. Kind of silly when other care would do the trick if you could get in -- you are living proof that the system that we have does not always make sense or serve the patient like it should.

Good luck! Will send good thoughts your way!

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

That's a great idea Lisah! I just got the impression from Walgreens that they can only deal with more minor stuff. The last time this happened I ended up referred to a pulmonologist with a diagnosis of asthma (I now know it was bronchitis) that lasted on and off for 2 years. I haven't had any problems since I left Disney two years ago, and I'm really hoping that it doesn't get that bad again.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Jessi,
We have moved a lot. Twice I got sick and needed to be seen by a new doctor with whom I had a new patient appointment but had not yet seen. Both times I called that doctor's office and explained the situaion and both times they were willing to see me for the illness then and then ahve the new patient appointment at the scheduled time. I think any GOOD doctor (one you want to have as YOURS) would do likewise as it is clear you are going to have a new patient appointment and just happened to get sick before it got here.

I hope you start to feel better soon.

 

[bicker]

That's a great idea Lisah! I just got the impression from Walgreens that they can only deal with more minor stuff.

For the major stuff, there is always the emergency room. It's a big problem that these are the only options (and one of the tough nuts to crack in this whole health care thingy) but if you need medical care for something major and cannot readily find a doctor willing to help you, the emergency room is currently the safety net.

 

[LuvOrlando]

double post

 

[LuvOrlando]

I'd check to make sure my plan covers it then go to an urgent care center. Just find out what the ER copay is on your plan because the Urgent care centers around here charge me like its an ER visit. It might just be cheaper to pay the out of network fee for another General Practitioner, especially your old Dr because you are an existing patient... if your plan allows that I mean.

That's a great idea Lisah! I just got the impression from Walgreens that they can only deal with more minor stuff. The last time this happened I ended up referred to a pulmonologist with a diagnosis of asthma (I now know it was bronchitis) that lasted on and off for 2 years. I haven't had any problems since I left Disney two years ago, and I'm really hoping that it doesn't get that bad again.

My Pulmonologist tole me Asthma and Bronchitis are pretty much the same thing when I went in to see him when my DS was diagnosed with Bronchitis in the spring. He said Bronchitis is inflammation of a part of your body and Asthmatics get inflammation in that part of the body. Its called Bronchitis in someone that gets it once and Asthma if its ongoing... I'm no Dr. but 2 years sounds pretty on-going to me. If you were ever diagnosed with Asthma make sure you tell your health-care providers, it changes everything and will probably get you into a visit very quickly.

Feel better

 

[Debbie7452]

I would do anything possible and /or reasonable to avoid the emergency room. Emergency room visits are not worth the hassle of the bills, even with insurance. Later, you'll find out the Dr. who treated you is not on your plan, or the X-ray is not covered, or the person who reads the x-ray is not covered...ugh!

I have been in your shoes and needed a specialist to treat me for a serious (but not life threatening) condition. I got online and looked up my approved Dr. lists and called down the row until I got an office that could see me the same day, new patient or not. My GP had refused to see me and told me to go to the ER...It all worked out and it turned out I LOVED the Dr.

I also get that horrible bronchitis sometimes. My Dr. has to treat me very aggressively with prednisone, flovent, albuterol by nebulizer, etc...to settle it down. I don't have symptoms any other time. I'm so sorry for you...it just sucks when it happens.

 

[clutter]

Call your new doctor's office and explain that you have a new patient appt, but (cough cough) you're sick now (cough cough) and how soon can you get an appt (cough cough)? Given that it's mid-morning, you may not get in until tomorrow.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I didn't see your post last week so I'm not sure what happened there. (? link)

I think urgent clinics like Walgreens and ERs have their place, but it behooves you to have consistency in care by a good medical TEAM who knows you and follows trends in your health and well being over time, so I would try to get an urgent care appointment with your new care team first.

The fact that you are diabetic is an important consideration with you. As you know, illness and certain medications (like steroids) can cause fluctuations in your blood sugars and which can impact your illness and recovery, etc

Good luck. I hope you feel better soon

 

[MickeyMomTo2]

Honestly, it sounds like you have the flu and it has worsened. I would call the doctor's office first and explain the situation. With the current flu problems, I can't imagine that they would turn you away if you feel your lungs are comprimised. If they do, find an urgent care center, and then as a last resort, the ER. But, don't wait around. It sounds like you need a chest x-ray.

 

[Eeyores Butterfly]

The nurse tried to work me in, but was unable to today. (I did tell them about my past problems with bronchitis). They pointed me to the urgent care center, and that was a great place. The doctor was very thorough. Chest x-ray was fine, flu test was negative (as I knew it would be). They gave me a script for a z-pack, and a work excuse so I don't have to work at Worlds of Fun tomorrow after school (which would have been til 1 am) or Saturday for 15 hours. So hopefully a couple of days off will help.

I am calling the other office back tomorrow to see if I can move up my new patient appointment since past history shows that this will not go away on its own. I had scheduled it for the day before Thanksgiving to make sure I am not missing any school, but I may just have to suck it up and miss a half day. In the past I have ended up with two different inhalers and an oral medication and even steroids to treat it. Sometimes navigating the health care system is a real PITA.