slo’s FRIDAY 11/7 poll - Specialist Doctors

[slo]

Yesterday I went to see my Rheumatologist and when I was talking with him, he was asking me about the other specialist I have. As I was listing them for him, I was thinking….wow, that’s a lot. Even though I have several doctors that I see now, I’m sure many of you have just as many if not more. This poll is not about us wanting others to feel sorry for us and to be doom & gloom. This poll is about us 1) being grateful for the specialist we have to see 2) helping others with questions they may have about wanting to see a certain specialist. Sometimes seeing a specialist comes with some stress, anxiety, worry and upsetness. Maybe this poll can help others with their feelings and give some the nudge to make the appointment they need to make.
Here’s a list of many specialist…..



I was going to list some specialist, but then I realized there’s no way I can narrow it down - there’s to many of them. My DD22 is in her first year of becoming an OTD (occupational therapy doctor) and I wouldn’t be writing that specialist even though many of us see an OTD. So I’m simply just putting numbers in the poll and if you are comfortable, please post all or some of the specialist you see. So give us your specialized answer today……


Do you see a specialist doctor?
If yes……how many?
(multiple choice)



For Me……I see 10, which are…..Chiropractor, Gastroenterologist, Rheumatologist, Cardiologist (first appointment is on 12/18), Gynecologist, Dermatologist, Podiatrist, Orthopedic #1 (my knees guy), Orthopedic Surgeon #2 (my shoulder guy), Ophthalmologist. 10 is enough for me right now, I don’t need any more.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I've seen a couple of specialists over the years, most notably a hematologist. But thankfully, it was for something that improved a lot and my PCP just monitors it now.

 

[Kitty 34]

I've seen specialists over the years as I needed them (for example an orthopedic and neurologist when I broke my neck at age 25)

Right now I only have one; my lung doc. who I've been visiting for the last 12 years. I usually only see him twice a year.

 

[leebee]

I don't think I have any. I sometimes go to the chiropractor, but only when I have a specific issue. I don't consider them regular providers; I go infrequently enough that when I DO see them, I usually have to reregister as a new patient! I had an ortho do my knee and a bariatric surgeon do my gastric sleeve, but those issues are over and I haven't seen the knee folks in over a year, the gastro in... 6 years? I definitely don't consider them "my specialists."

 

[WDWEPCOT]

I put myself in the 9 to 10 I think all of my doctors ends in an ist
Every time I go to my general practitioner I seem to gain a new one currently looking for a rheumatologist and I may be having to see a cardiologist I’m just gaining lots of ist
Then I’m grateful that I can find them and that we have them to go see and some of them are hard to find and hard to get into because they’re just currently very booked or not taking new patients I currently just gained a dermatologist because I have some suspicious moles I’ve gotta get checked out
I have seen all Manor of specialist through the years for various problems mostly in the neurologist and in the orthopedic field deep dive in the orthopedic field especially in the level of specialist that I did not even know existed micro Nero orthopedic surgeons those are hard to find they’re like looking for needles in haystacks I hope you never need one

 

[Wood Nymph]

I have a cardiologist that I currently see once a year. I have seen other specialists over the years. But I none of them are regulars anymore.

 

[TippyThomas]

My Endocrinologist is the only specialist I see currently. I've seen others in the past, but hopefully they get to stay in the past forever now.

 

[NannyBeBe]

I see my oncologist once a year. It was more often, but I am 10 years cancer free so now it's just once a year.

 

[TippyThomas]

I see my oncologist once a year. It was more often, but I am 10 years cancer free so now it's just once a year.

Congrats on 10 years!

 

[CdnCarrie]

No. I saw a dermatologist couple times but that issue is resolved. Saw an endocrinologist once about my diabetes but won't again.

Just my GP.

 

[loves to dive]

I don't see any specialists. Over the years I have but not currently. I had a gyno for years, the same one but as I got older it just wasn't necessary. I had a hysterectomy years ago and continued to see him but I really don't need pelvic exams any more. I do get a mamo once a year but don't have a regular doc. to do it, I just go wherever my GP books me (they used to be able to do it in their office). I have had a couple of bone density tests but again, just where my GP books me. I did go to a gastro. two years ago who wanted to do all sorts of tests. I did do the specialized ultra sound and the swallow one, where it was determined I had a gall stone. Surgeon swore it really wasn't bad enough to remove but I did have a lot of "sludge" so he would go ahead and remove my gallbladder via outpatient. I ended up have a 5 hour surgery, two surgeons, a 3 day hospital stay and went home with a drain bag. Turns out yep, I had a gallstone, it was actually almost the entire size of my gallbladder. It had adhered to my gallbladder and even with two surgeons they couldn't remove it all because the gallbladder had then adhered to my liver and they didn't want to damage that. I see an optometrist about every 5 years, not the same one, just whoever my insurance will cover. My GP suggested I might want to think about an Orthopedic doctor since I have osteopenia in my hips but I declined. I go to my GP every 6 months, but only because I have to in order to get my prescriptions refilled.

 

[jimmymc]

The only specialist I regularly see is my eye doctor. I've seen others when something was wrong.

 

[RUDisney]

I have an essential tremor, so I started seeing a neurologist. The most non-invasive treatment is a bracelet that sends electric stimulation from your wrist to your brain. It works 90% of the time.

My insurance won't cover it. It's $7,500 to buy the bracelet and $750 per quarter to change the stim pads. I don't want to afford that.

So, she started me on a drug. Starting with a quarter tablet and bedtime, to be increased to 1 tablet. The quarter tablet made me catatonic, so after almost a month, I stopped it. We'll try something else at my next appointment. The most invasive is surgery to implant a stimulator at the base of the brain. Not what I want to have done, but the shaking is annoying.

I would love to not have my hands shake all the time. I know that it gets worse over time since it's genetic and my Mom and Gramma both had it. Gramma had to carry straws with her to drink soup, coffee or drinks in restaurants because she couldn't lift a glass or spoon without spilling. Mom hadn't gotten to that point, but her penmanship was very shaky at the end.

I understand that Medicare covers it, so unless we can come up with something else that works, I have 6-years before I can have the bracelet unless commercial insurance starts to cover it before then.

I hate healthcare in the US.

So, the long-winded response is yes, I have one specialist.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Most I don't see regularly (thankfully), but unless it's basic stuff (and for that, I usually use a clinic or urgent care for a nurse practitioner)...I think just hitting up a specialist is far more efficient. I remember when my old GP wanted to also take over for my OBGYN and I'm like...ARE YOU CRAZY! Specifically though...in the last 10 years...I've worked with a/an: OBGYN, Allergist/Immunologist, Orthopedist, Various Eye Doctors, Dermatologist, Oncologists, Rheumatologist, PT, Urologist, Gastro, etc.

 

[hardcorestitch]

I see an eye doctor every yearish. She’s really nice.

 

[ronandannette]

I’ve been seeing a gastroenterologist once annually for countless years. I’ve finally, blessedly, been referred by him for surgery, so I’m also consulting with a thoracic surgeon. I will likely wait a year or more for the procedure, but once I have it, we expect the GI issue will be resolved and I’ll no longer need to see the gastro guy.

From time to time I’ve been referred to specialists for testing and evaluations of various kinds but none of that has ever led to any on-going care.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I get so sick and tired of seeing all these specialists.
Regular medical oncologist
Orthopedic oncologist
Pulmonologist
Cardiologist
Vascular surgeon
Gastroenterologist
Radiation oncologist when needed
My newest…Breast cancer surgeon
Breast cancer oncologist
And I haven’t made an appointment yet but they want me to see pain management Dr.
Didn’t even include pcp

 

[Micca]

My only regular specialist is my eye doc. I've seen some specialists for a one-off a few times, and of course the gastro doc for the colonoscopies.

 

[kanerf]

In addition to my PCP, I have a Pulmonologist, an Ophthalmologist and a Pediatrist that I see.

 

[Turn the Page]

Good lord. Ok, if we are counting anything other than a PCP then I have 6.

I have a neurologist, an opthamologist, a dermatologist, an OB/GYN, an ENT, and a digestive health specialist.

I'm only 42! I'm falling apart!!!!