luvavacation
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 23, 2006
- Messages
- 913
I have an HMO. I must go to the primary care Dr. for everything other than gyno. I can't stand my primary care Dr., long long waits, too hurried, office staff too rushed, too many patients, Dr. misses vital information due to her rush, but I can't switch because this is my third Dr. on the HMO and they will only allow you three doctors (first Dr. suddenly closed practice, second Dr. quit taking HMO).
My gyno is great, love that practice believe it or not, and due to various hormonal issues (PCOS and thyroid) she feels I should see an Endocrinologist. I have spoken with my primary care each time I see her after my bloodwork every three months, and she keeps telling me I don't need one, she can handle everything fine. But she can't!
She lowered my Synthroid dosage because I said I was not feeling right, too tired, dry skin, just yucky. My blood test did not show that it needed to be lowered, but she decided it did, and had no explanation why, just said I need to eat better. But I do eat healthy, I have to or I will be even larger than I already am! And now I feel even worse than before!
I think all she sees when I go into the office is a fat lazy person. I try to explain that I exercise 4 times a week, I have over an acre of gardens that I love to work in outside (tell me how many lazy fat people have deep tans by June even with sunscreen? hello, not lazy here, doctor!), I take long walks almost every day, etc. Doesn't matter.
My blood levels fluctuate. I lost a kidney last year due to medication, and oddly enough my blood work-up the week before I ended up in the hospital showed over limit for potassium and kidney levels (forgot the name suddenly!). She never said a word, and when I saw her after I left the hospital after a 6 day stay, she said she had no time to go over my questions and make another appointment, even though I had already waited over an hour for my appointment with her, just like the other patients. So, I don't have the best relationship with her.
I really desire to see an Endo. She won't give me a referral. My gyno thinks I should see one. She can't give me the referral. Any advice on how to go about getting a referral when your primary care Dr. doesn't feel the need?
My gyno is great, love that practice believe it or not, and due to various hormonal issues (PCOS and thyroid) she feels I should see an Endocrinologist. I have spoken with my primary care each time I see her after my bloodwork every three months, and she keeps telling me I don't need one, she can handle everything fine. But she can't!
She lowered my Synthroid dosage because I said I was not feeling right, too tired, dry skin, just yucky. My blood test did not show that it needed to be lowered, but she decided it did, and had no explanation why, just said I need to eat better. But I do eat healthy, I have to or I will be even larger than I already am! And now I feel even worse than before!
I think all she sees when I go into the office is a fat lazy person. I try to explain that I exercise 4 times a week, I have over an acre of gardens that I love to work in outside (tell me how many lazy fat people have deep tans by June even with sunscreen? hello, not lazy here, doctor!), I take long walks almost every day, etc. Doesn't matter.
My blood levels fluctuate. I lost a kidney last year due to medication, and oddly enough my blood work-up the week before I ended up in the hospital showed over limit for potassium and kidney levels (forgot the name suddenly!). She never said a word, and when I saw her after I left the hospital after a 6 day stay, she said she had no time to go over my questions and make another appointment, even though I had already waited over an hour for my appointment with her, just like the other patients. So, I don't have the best relationship with her.
I really desire to see an Endo. She won't give me a referral. My gyno thinks I should see one. She can't give me the referral. Any advice on how to go about getting a referral when your primary care Dr. doesn't feel the need?
There has to be some protection for you, the patient/insured. Can you file a complaint against the doctor? File an appeal? Contact your insurance company and explain your situation. If nothing else works, I'd pay out of pocket to see the specialist. 
