Doctor Visits... Why Bother?

[pbbeck]

I'm 40. Around here that makes me a bit of a spring chicken. I have a BMI that I don't care to mention and I haven't been to a doctor in years. I have committed to making serious changes in my health. I've begun studying martial arts because it's interesting and keeps me active, and tomorrow I start a strength/cardio regimen with a personal trainer. As part of this big change, I thought I'd start with my first physical in years, so last week I went to my Kaiser Permanente doctor for an exam.

 

Here is the follow up letter I sent him:

 

---------

 

I am writing to express how displeased I am with the lack of care I received during my recent visit to your office. During my exam, you spent around ten to fifteen seconds actually examining me (listening to my lungs). The rest of my allotted ten minutes were spent with your hands on the computer. You ran down a list of things that you (presumably meaning Kaiser) don’t do anymore and sent me on my way. The experience left me wondering why I bothered to come in at all for what could have been accomplished over the phone. Bottom line... I know nothing more about my health after my appointment than I did before.

 

When I emailed you on 20 September regarding my lab results, you called and left a voicemail saying it’s difficult for you to call me back. You then instructed me to email you about my lab results. I already did. I want an analysis. For you to say that “everything looks fine” is rather confusing to me since several values were outside of the published normal range. Did you even look at my results?

 

I am a 40-year-old man with several serious health concerns who is trying to take control of his health situation. Successfully doing so could save me a lot of grief in the future as much as it could save Kaiser Permanente a great deal of resources.

 

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In a nutshell, my visit was a giant, aggravating waste of time. It's impossible to comparison shop for doctors when you are locked in to a big health care system. I want to know if there are still doctors out there that do real physicals and talk to there patients. What's your experience?

 

 

 

 

[CoarsegoldKid]

I have Kaiser too in the Northern California region. My wife and I email our Doc all the time and get responses that are helpful. I have had one physical and two blood workups. All the results were emailed to me and snail mailed too. After the first blood workup the doc called and left a detailed message and also my inbox had a detailed response. The physical was rather wimpy however.

Keep up the martial arts training if you can pbbeck.

[pbbeck]

To KP's credit, my lab results were posted to the web site the same day that they drew blood. Very impressive from a technological standpoint, but those results are meaningless without expert interpretation.

 

[mbelectric]

You should also receive (by snail mail) a detailed report of your blood work up, included as such will be the parameters of each test, what is acceptable, and what levels high or low mean.

 

I believe this is KP policy. If you need further explanation of the test, leave a message for your doctor to call you, after you receive the results in the mail. Have it in front of you and ask LOTS of questions. Remember, these doctors have a heavy workload, and may appear to not have time for you. Make them give YOU the time.

 

Welcome to an HMO.

 

I have KP also.

 

The care you receive is only as good as what YOU insist on.

 

Good luck

 

MB>

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

The care you receive is only as good as what YOU insist on.

 

This is the best advice you'll ever get about an HMO.

[MotorinLA]

The care you receive is only as good as what YOU insist on.

 

This is the best advice you'll ever get about an HMO.

 

Amen.

 

Remember, the squeeky (sp?) wheel gets the grease.

[Joel]

The care you receive is only as good as what YOU insist on.

 

This is the best advice you'll ever get about an HMO.

 

And keep in mind that sometimes, in "managed care," the manager is YOU.

[1springer]

Did you get any response to your letter?

[pbbeck]

I just sent it this evening.

[Motodan]

Boney is correct....YOU (we) are responsible for your (our) health. If one senses an exam isn't going down the path one wanted, one needs to state that to the facility, at that time.

 

Suggest finding an interested party (medical facility) you can work with and feel comfortable with. Indicate your expectations with the scheduling staff and find out their protocol. Don't use an "escape hatch" of "they aren't a good facility" to prolong reversing your life style...that is what you've apparently been doing to get yourself to the state you describe.

 

These may be "tough love" statements, but you are continuing to avoid changing yourself just as you have over the years, it is so easy to do. TAKE CHARGE and CHANGE. Make sure your personal trainer is right also. Best of luck.

[Jake]

You can get what you want, but it may cost you. Two years ago, our family doctor (who I rarely saw) arranged a series of meetings with all of his patients. His story was that his partner left a year earlier, and now he had over 2,200 patients. He felt that while the care he was able to provide was adequate, he was not satisfied with adeqate. So, his news was that he was joining an organization called MDVIP (Google it), and he would have no more than 600 patients. Price for entrance was $1,500 per year to be one of the 600. He knew that was a lot of money, and a big ask, and lousy news for those who did not have the means to join. It was a tough meeting, but he was pretty genuine about the realities of health care, and the level of care he wanted to provide.

 

I joined, and so did my wife. What we get for our $3,000 is a doctor who picks up the phone personally when we call. We can call him 24/7. He also barges us into a specialist immediately when we need one. I broke my scapula last year (wakeboarding oops), and I was ushered into the best Ortho in South Florida within two days of my initial X-ray. Our annual physicals last 2 hours for the initials (blood, urine, the works), then a week later we consult with the Doc for 2 more hours with the results. Everything is checked, poked, proded, probed, even a psych/stress screeening. When we have an appointment, we walk straight into his office, bypassing the waiting room. Never a wait, not one minute. He wants us to live well, and is unrelenting in his support for us to do so. I was initially skeptical about the deal, but it has been worth every penny, and gives our family peace of mind.

 

Good luck with your quest. There are solutions, I hope you find them.

[Quinn]

Sounds like my PCP is following the same proceedure. I always figured he was afraid to touch me. Annual blood test, reads my responses I've given on a clipboard questionare, asks how my meds are doing, and renews my prescriptions for another year.

 

Kind of like taking your car to a mechanic; if you don't know what's wrong with it, he surely doesn't. You've got to go in with specific questions and concerns. Only three to a customer. Even then, mine would make a best guess, give it one shot at a prescription, and see you next year. A week or so later, I'd go on line to see his notes on my blood workup. I always wanted to have the blood work early so we could discuss the results face to face, but it's not their policy. Wonder what it would cost if he had to use a rubber hammer on my knee or ask me to cough.

 

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[tallman]

Our HMO is consistently selected as one of the best in the country.

Excellent care, ez access, plenty of communication.

No complaints, but I do participate.

Doctor(s)realize this and it makes their job easier.

 

 

 

 

 

[Ken H.]

I want to know if there are still doctors out there that do real physicals and talk to there patients. What's your experience?

In a word – Yes. My most recent general workup was excellently done. Including the doc calling me and talking through the results. As was my whole cardioversion experence earlier this year.

 

More dialog than that on my part would risk re-opening up the whole USA vs. Canada health care system debate, and I really don’t want to go there again at the moment.

 

[beemerman2k]

The old paternal model of the doctor taking care of us is dead, and as far as I'm concerned that's a good thing. Doctors have their own lives and their own pressures -- professional and otherwise. To rely on them to monitor our health is not at all realistic, nor it is a good thing. Once we decide to take responsibility for our own health and well being, then things can get done.

 

The lab test results become a procedure primarily for the patient, secondarily for the doctor. The patient cares more about what's on that report than anyone else on the planet, so it's for the patient's information that such lab tests are performed. The patient, in conjunction with the doctor and online resources such as WebMD, BMWST.COM, Facebook, and others, can then best assess the results of the test, and what those results mean going forward (change in diet, further medical tests, more lab tests to spot positive or negative trends, etc).

 

I know I definitely feel in charge of my own health care. Doctors and all other resources are just that, at best questionable resources.

 

I did have a scare recently. I bought a blood pressure test kit and began routine testing. My results were consistently high, too, in the neighborhood of 150/100+ That prompted me to schedule a doctors appointment to check my blood pressure and to get on some sort of medication. The doctor checked me out and assured me that my machine needs calibration because my blood pressure is a quite healthy 120/80. Nonetheless, I take charge of my health, my numbers, and my indicators so that I can improve my health through exercise, diet, and medication if necessary.

 

Anyhow, I applaud you pbbeck, way to take charge of yoru care! Rattle that doctor's cage until you get the service you require

[upflying]

I've been a KP member for 54 yrs. Generally pleased with it although I don't have any other medical care to compare it with.

Earlier this year I complained of rectal pain. My doctor immediately started a conference call with GI doctor who immediately set me up for a colonoscopy. Fortunately negative.

What really ticks me off is premiums go up 7% next year. What ever happened to "healthcare will be cheaper" when the health care bill passed?

[Bob Palin]

I bought a blood pressure test kit and began routine testing. My results were consistently high, too, in the neighborhood of 150/100+ The doctor checked me out and assured me that my machine needs calibration because my blood pressure is a quite healthy 120/80.

Lucky you, my readings at home are OK but any time I see a doctor they go through the roof, but try telling them that! I took my machine to the cardiologist and used it when they took my pressure just to confirm. Think I'll take it now, bet it's high with the stress of all these visitors arriving.

[notacop]

Hey, I've been going to a cardiologist for a while not because he needs a new office and I and Blue Cross are making it possible. Not that he's found anything wrong mind you, like your colonoscopy.

My BP is slightly elevated and I follow that with my BP monitor.

It's just good for the ECONOMY. Helping America, you know. I pay him, he pays his help, they buy cars and food and make donations to church and the NRA and all is good.

Some of us do our own maintenance and slow the counties recovery.

Premiums up 7%, be glad it's not the 39% the companies wanted.

By golly, I bet a lot of you would complain about being hung with a new rope.

[upflying]

Some of us do our own maintenance and slow the counties recovery.

Premiums up 7%, be glad it's not the 39% the companies wanted.

By golly, I bet a lot of you would complain about being hung with a new rope.

Here is a flip side of the coin.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/henry-miller/health-insurance-premium_b_273634.html

[Paul Mihalka]

Probably some of you will say it is not right, or even stupid, but my better half and I we do not have a "primary care physician". Years back when we had job related HMO, we had one because we needed referrals for everything. Now with Medicare that is not needed. I have a cardiologist who sees me once in a while. Couple of years back I had symptoms that could be prostate related so it was checked out 100% from every angle (don't ask) and it was fine, just getting old. A few weeks ago I had a bad pain in my abdomen. It was checked out and diagnosed/treated in one of those non-hospital urgent care clinics. For blood pressure/pulse checks I stick my arm into the machine at the supermarket. My most frequent ailment is broken bones - grrrrrr. Motorcycles are dangerous if they fall on you. Hospital emergency takes care of that. So, no regular doctor's visits if everything is OK. If it ain't broke, don't fix it....

[Joel]

You can get what you want, but it may cost you. Two years ago, our family doctor (who I rarely saw) arranged a series of meetings with all of his patients. His story was that his partner left a year earlier, and now he had over 2,200 patients. He felt that while the care he was able to provide was adequate, he was not satisfied with adeqate. So, his news was that he was joining an organization called MDVIP (Google it), and he would have no more than 600 patients. Price for entrance was $1,500 per year to be one of the 600. He knew that was a lot of money, and a big ask, and lousy news for those who did not have the means to join. It was a tough meeting, but he was pretty genuine about the realities of health care, and the level of care he wanted to provide.

 

I joined, and so did my wife. What we get for our $3,000 is a doctor who picks up the phone personally when we call. We can call him 24/7. He also barges us into a specialist immediately when we need one. I broke my scapula last year (wakeboarding oops), and I was ushered into the best Ortho in South Florida within two days of my initial X-ray. Our annual physicals last 2 hours for the initials (blood, urine, the works), then a week later we consult with the Doc for 2 more hours with the results. Everything is checked, poked, proded, probed, even a psych/stress screeening. When we have an appointment, we walk straight into his office, bypassing the waiting room. Never a wait, not one minute. He wants us to live well, and is unrelenting in his support for us to do so. I was initially skeptical about the deal, but it has been worth every penny, and gives our family peace of mind.

 

Good luck with your quest. There are solutions, I hope you find them.

 

I've read and re-read that with interest, since my regular doctor also joined MDVIP. I'm glad for you that it is working out.

 

I declined the invitation to follow my doc, primarily for fiscal reasons. In the past five years, I hadn't spent $1,500 total on my healthcare, so spending that much more per year had little appeal when I'd still be spending five figures annually on health insurance. My other objection is with a healthcare delivery system that has devolved to the point where the levels of care and doctor-patient interaction that MDVIP touts have become an exception instead of a standard. Since I'm still a participant in that system, I guess my dissent on that point isn't having any impact. But I'd have to jump to a "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" position to go along, and I just can't go there. For what healthcare costs, and the rate at which those costs increase, we should reasonably expect more service than we get.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

I got stupid a couple of years ago and decided to drop my doctor and all medication.

 

Lately I have been suffering from a few symptoms, among them, large weight loss (100 lbs in 2 years), urinary and bowel problems (only the last 2 months), pain in legs and feet, general malaise and loss of muscle tissue. I'm only 155 lbs now and don't look good.

 

Went to a new doctor 2 weeks ago and his initial diagnosis, based on symptoms and risk factors was cancer. He immediately got going on blood work and urine analysis. Went in today for an ultrasound check of my abdomen and the technician found some worrisome things. Had a consult with the doctor.

 

All blood work was normal except my A1C which was over 11 indicating that my diabetes, untreated now for 2 years, had greatly worsened. I'll be taking my first insulin shots tonight and, probably, for the rest of my life. I'll be seeing a urologist tomorrow to find out why I have over 1500cc of urine in my bladder and no urge. The blood work revealed no prostate cancer but other stuff is not, at present, ruled out.

 

Moral here, no matter how little time they seem to spend, they are your resource for testing and you need to see them on a regular basis. My stupid decision to abandon medication and a physician's care has probably taken years off my life.

[Paul Mihalka]

Yup, I said if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but if something seems to be breaking, get it fixed!

Ed, I hope with good care you get back up again soon!

[beemerman2k]

I'll be taking my first insulin shots tonight and, probably, for the rest of my life.

 

I have been on Insulin for the past 15 years. In short, it sucks! Hopefully, you'll be on at least 2 different types: long term and short term (Levenmir and Novolog). The former is a base that needs to be in your system at all times (lasts for like 12 hours anyhow) and the latter is a relatively quick acting insulin. Regardless, make sure you clearly understand when the insulin will peak inside you after you inject!!! This way you won't inject if you do not have access to food or juice, and you won't go anywhere if you know your insulin is about to peak. If it peaks and your blood sugar falls, you will be in trouble, so avoid that scenario at all costs!

 

The biggest problem will likely come when you are riding and are focused on the ride that you don't realize your blood sugar is falling downward. That will present some "interesting" situations that you really would rather avoid, no doubt.

 

I don't have a pump, but I hear that is the way to go for insulin dependent diabetics.

[Selden]

This reminds me of a story I heard on NPR yesterday about touch and health. The part of the story that really leapt out at me was a comment that it's becoming less and less common for doctors to touch their patients; all truth/knowledge is on the computer. I hope this is a problem that medical schools are starting to recognize and deal with in their training, because if they don't, things will get worse.

 

I love computers and the net, but I also recognize their limits. There are significant differences between data, information, knowledge and wisdom. The first is overwhelming us; the last is always in short supply.

[JayW]

As a primary care doctor, perhaps I should weigh-in on this issue. Yes, the doctor should certainly have spent more time on a proper exam for the OP and ensured that your questions were answered. If I got a letter like that from a patient, I would take it very seriously and get him/her back in for a free visit to try and smooth things over.

 

My bias is to recommend an internist because of our additional training in the diseases of adults, but there are also many well-trained family practice doctors. I think it is risky not to have a primary care physician of some sort though. Our job is to be the "head coach" and make sure that no important screenings or other health issues slip through the cracks. A good internist can effectively treat most chronic diseases and come up with a cause and treatment options for most any complaint.

 

In my experience, subspecialists - as valuable as they are - often overtreat straightforward problems and do more tests than may be indicated. Of course this varies a lot depending upon the doctor. Also, if all you have is a cardiologist and urologist, then who is going to remind you about the colonoscopy that is overdue or ensure that you get regular screenings for diabetes? We can also be invaluable in controlling polypharmacy (too many drugs), and ensuring that the subspecialists are not prescribing medications that interfere with each other. I also know all of the subspecialists in the area and can direct you to a good one when needed (or steer you clear of a lousy one).

 

Finally, the interpretation of lab tests can be confusing and cause needless worry. Go ahead and do your own reasearch, but don't use that to finalize your conclusions. We don't mind going over them with you - that's part of our job, or at least it is supposed to be.

 

Jay

[beemerman2k]

Lately I have been suffering from a few symptoms, among them, large weight loss (100 lbs in 2 years), urinary and bowel problems (only the last 2 months), pain in legs and feet, general malaise and loss of muscle tissue. I'm only 155 lbs now and don't look good.

 

I'm guessing you have been living with very high blood sugars for some time now and that's why you've lost so much weight. This happened to me over the summer of '95 when I was initially diagnosed as diabetic. My eye sight deteriorated greatly and I lost a ton of weight to the point where I looked like a survivor from a refugee camp! I did not look at all good, either. Once I got my blood sugar under control, the old me returned with a vengance. I gained all my weight back...and then some

 

Once you start taking insulin, test often! I test pretty much every 2-3 hours throughout the day and more if my numbers are lower than 90 or so just to make sure I am not about to experience hypoglycemia. You'll also find that any exercise at all is the best medicine you can take. Caution: when you expend energy, your body will absorb insulin at much more efficient levels! This means the 10 units you used to take might be way too much now and could cause your blood sugars to crash.

 

Never ride without a source to raise your blood sugar. I highly recommend those glucose tablets you can buy from the local drug store. If the bike breaks down and you have to walk, and you have some insulin flowing in your blood stream, you could end up in serious trouble as expending energy will cause that insulin to work far more efficiently. This is some dangerous stuff!

 

I know I'm telling you what you did not ask for, and you likely already know this and more, but I just want to remind you once again to remain vigilent and stay extra careful. Insulin is like gasoline, treat it accordingly

[beemerman2k]

One last thing: make sure those around you are aware that you are an insulin dependent diabetic!!! This is ciritical and it has saved my butt on several occasions. Trust me, there will be times when your blood sugars silently falls to a point where you will come off to others as particularly "slow" or drunk or whatever, even though you are not at all aware of it!

 

If someone encourages you to drink some juice, DO NOT ARGUE! There have been countless times when my family or my co-workers want me to drink juice only for me to insist they are over reacting. When I fianlly drink the juice I realize that I have been under some sort of dilusion and not at all myself!

 

In fact, just a couple of months ago, I was at work, sitting at my desk, writing software when suddenly some EMT's appeared at my cubicle! I look around the office expecting to see some co-workers laughing at the practical joke they're playing on me, yet everone is looking at me with grave concerns The EMT asks to test my blood sugar and I oblige. It was something like 37 or so. They injected me with glucose and set me aright. So I asked my coworkers why they called the EMT's. They began to explain to me all the wild things I had done over the past hour or so -- shouting out loud in the office about some meeting I needed to be at although I had no meetings to go to, taking paper off of someone's desk and tossing it up into the air(!), my manager sitting down and trying to get me to drink some Coca Cola and me refusing -- none of which I have any memory of at all. Because they are all well aware of my insulin dependancy (and for those who weren't, they know it now!) they knew the problem was my blood sugar. Now I keep these glucose injection needles in the office refrigerator. Next time I am in outer space, my associates know to fill that syringe and stab me right in the back! (this way I cannot fight off their aid).

 

When you ride with others, make sure they are aware that you are an insulin dependent diabetic! Tell them that if they have reason to suspect you are not in full control of your riding that they are to signal you to pull over so you can check your blood sugar.

 

This is some dangerous stuff! But I've been on it for 15 years and I'm still in one piece to tell about it. Man, I won't bother to mention the times I was riding in LA rush hour traffic while suffering low blood sugar. Suffice to say, there had to have been angels watching over me (or flat out taking control of the motorcycle) on those occasions.

[Joel]

Ed, I hope with good care you get back up again soon!

 

+1

[Lets_Play_Two]

I have had an annual physical with the same doctor for the last 22 years. He does exam work other than blood tests and chest xray which his nurse does. We talk about medical and life changes for 15-20 minutes and shoot the breeze for another 15. I later get a letter from him summarizing results and telling me to lose weight, along with detailed lab work. Just like your local BMW dealer, it pays to cultivate relationships.

[Nice n Easy Rider]

I have had an annual physical with the same doctor for the last 22 years. He does exam work other than blood tests and chest xray which his nurse does. We talk about medical and life changes for 15-20 minutes and shoot the breeze for another 15. I later get a letter from him summarizing results and telling me to lose weight, along with detailed lab work. Just like your local BMW dealer, it pays to cultivate relationships.

+1. When you finally realize something is wrong is not when you want to have to find a doctor you trust to treat you.

[Selden]

All good advice, James. My father-in-law (also named James) is 89, diabetic, and a pain in the a$$ about taking advice, so I have seen (but not experienced) much of what you describe, but that's another story.

 

Re making people aware of being an insulin-dependent diabetic (I'm not), even though I have no life-threatening medical conditions, I got a RoadID bracelet this year. I'm very impressed with their online response system (which is accessed by the account/pin numbers on the back of the tag). You can put as much info as you want, it can be printed out in an easily readable form, and the system has a decent voice synthesizer, so even telephone access is useful. Any time the account is accessed through the account/pin numbers, you get a confirmation e-mail. Maintenance charge for the online medical information is $10 a year, which seems cheap to me.

 

In my opinion, anybody with a medical condition who rides without some sort of medic alert system is a fool.

[pbbeck]

I knew I could count on this group for some thoughtful feedback. I suppose my notion of how doctors care for their patients is becoming outmoded. KP seems to shunt a lot of what doctors used to do to their much touted web site. I'm sorry, but a browser is no replacement for a hands-on doctor. My father (who passed in 2003) was a physician, researcher, and professor of medicine emeritus at Harvard Medical school. He literally wrote the textbook. He instilled in me a strong notion of what doctors can and cannot do, so when in a doctor's office I have no unrealistic nor unreasonable expectations. It is not unreasonable to expect to actually be examined when going for a physical.

 

I did get a callback from the doctors office yesterday (went to voicemail), but I am going to talk to them today to see how the doc responds to my complaint.

 

Motodan... I know your comments are well intentioned and I agree with you completely, but I am not scapegoating KP. I need to lose weight because I have been mostly sedentary for the past few years and because of the 50,000 cheeseburgers and pizzas and wings that I've stuffed into my foodhole over my lifetime. The trainer I rehired I worked with about 6 years ago. With his help, I lost 60 pound and it stayed off for about 3 years. Life changes though. I went back for a masters degree leaving me with no time to exercise. In 2008 I had surgery which kept me out of the gym for months. Then I had another surgery this year and before I knew it, all that weight was back.

[pbbeck]

I just got my official response from the doctor. He chose not to respond and instead I got a call from a customer service rep telling me I have been reassigned to a new PCP. Pardon my language (censor if you wish), but that is absolute chickenshit. I've been jettisoned simply because I want to be cared for properly.

 

The rep who called me simply gave me another doctor's name. When I asked about the doctor's background (GP? Internist? etc.) she couldn't tell me.

 

New question for you guys... how does one shop for a good doctor when trapped within a big healthcare system? Should I get out of KP? Blue Shield is the other choice, but I don't imagine that they are any different. What about a PPO? And why the hell does my employer force me to choose anyway? It's my money.

 

[Selden]

Yours is truly a depressing story. For finding a physician, you might try these:

 

HealthGrades

WebMD Physican Finder

 

OR, just go to Google and type physician ratings long beach

 

These approaches will at least let you separate the best from the worst. As to getting out/switching health insurance plans, so that you can choose a new physician, good luck. Your employer may or may not be of much assistance in this.

 

When I move to a new location, finding a primary care physician, dentist, mechanic, and someone to cut my hair are probably the four greatest stressors.

[Jake]

For all the respect I have for Physicians and health care providers, their business and regulatory structure is pathetic. If you wrote a letter of complaint in my industry, we are bound to treat it seriously, expeditiously, and there is a regulatory body available to you should you not like our answer. And that's just dealing with something silly like your money - your health is much more important!

 

One can't really find out much information on public websites about medical providers' competence at doing their jobs, which is a shame. To me, the front office's ability to handle their clients is as important as determining if someone is a competent Doc or not. What a crap-shoot.

[JayW]

...how does one shop for a good doctor when trapped within a big healthcare system?

 

It can be tough. They are worth a look, but I have not found the internet sites that "grade" doctors to very often agree with my knowledge of my peers. Most of the sites do not have enough patient-reporting data to be statistically reliable, though the facts about background, medical school and hospital affiliations is usually sort of up to date.

 

All other things being equal, you want a board-certified physician. There are some fine doctors who are not board certified, but it is a good sign if they can pass that difficult exam. It is often very helpful to get some recommendations from others who have a doctor they like. Ask them what a typical visit is like, if they were treated respectfully and what kind of personality the doctor has.

 

Now excuse me while I go tend to this patient who is clutching at his chest and cannot breathe.

 

Oh yeah - I almost forgot, make sure you choose a doctor who has his priorities in place. You don't want some clown who wastes his time on the internet while you are waiting for help. Hmm. Now where did I put that defibrillator?....

 

Jay

[tallman]

So simple, a harley rider can do it.

 

[Quinn]

I always ask for a fat doctor who smokes and they always give me some scranny triatholete vegetarian.

 

 

---

 

 

[motoguy128]

I need to lose weight because I have been mostly sedentary for the past few years and because of the 50,000 cheeseburgers and pizzas and wings that I've stuffed into my foodhole over my lifetime. The trainer I rehired I worked with about 6 years ago. With his help, I lost 60 pound and it stayed off for about 3 years. Life changes though. I went back for a masters degree leaving me with no time to exercise. In 2008 I had surgery which kept me out of the gym for months. Then I had another surgery this year and before I knew it, all that weight was back.

 

I feel for you. When I moved to my present location 5 years ago I have let myself go, gained 30lbs from 5 years earlier when I was competing in triathlons and doing marathons. 3 years later, I had lost 25 lbs and was doing great, did a 1/2 ironman... but life catches up, we had a child and 20lbs found it's way back in over a 2 year period. I've finally committed this last week ot watching my diet and losing 25lbs again. My motivation.... I had won hte local triathlon 5 years in a row. thsi last year I got beat. Not because the ocmpetition got better. Because I was 4 minutse slower than my best time. I lost by about 2 minutes.

 

My doctor went back and got his medical license at age 50. He's a little weird ot be honest. But I like the way he approaches things and semes to be well read and up ot date on the latest treatments.

[Ken H.]

Paraphrasing the old lawyer line, “A person who has himself as his doctor; has a fool for a patient.”

 

Personally I think it’s foolish and naïve at best, deadly at worst, for one to think that a few hours on Google can replace six years of medical school.

 

[beemerman2k]

Personally I think it’s foolish and naïve at best, deadly at worst, for one to think that a few hours on Google can replace six years of medical school.

 

The idea is not to replace medical school, the idea is to become an informed consumer. There's a difference. An uninformed consumer trusts in the old model of paternal medicine. That to me is what is "foolish and naive at best".

 

As a diabetic, as is ShovelStrokeEd, we have doctors and see them quite regularly. I see one every 6 months for a battery of routine tests and blood work. But I make sure I understand the tests being run, the purpose of those tests, and what the results mean. That's what Google and WebMD tell me and the information I get from those sources has been eye opening.

 

Information is power, to quote the old saying.

[bakerzdosen]

You guys are making me feel better about waiting the extra 30 minutes or so because my PCP is ALWAYS running late.

 

The reason is that the guy will always sit there and listen, explain things in detail, and discuss any concerns I have every time I'm in there.

 

So yeah, I'll happily keep on waiting realizing that he's somewhat of a throwback.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

I've been to 3 different doctors in the last week and have another to come next week. Each and every time, the doctor has taken the time to explain what is going on with me, what benefit he expects from future testing and my treatment plan. Not all the news has been good but I am, at least, beginning to understand what is going on.

 

My primary (only at this point) health care provider is Medicare. I'll be seeking some additional coverage as soon as the current flurry of testing/adjustment to treatment is over. Gotta balance copay and deductible costs against cost of supplemental insurance. Some of the drug costs are really up there, some, not so bad through either the internet or local sources. Generics are available on some of my drugs for only a couple of bucks at, of all things, Walmart. I will say the insulin is VERY expensive.

[beemerman2k]

I will say the insulin is VERY expensive.

 

The over the counter cost of insulin shot up over the past couple of years. I used to pay about $35/vial when I injected with traditional syringes. Now it's $60/vial! The last time I bought a vial at a Targets and they told me $60, I was so shocked that I argued with them that they marked the wrong product price. They insisted that $60 was indeed the correct price Crazy.

 

How the elderly and/or the impoverished with this condition possibly manage I have no idea. I also wonder about diabetics when I hear of disaster situations like Hurricane Katrina or the Haitian earthquakes. Insulin dependent diabetics are totally screwed in those situations.

 

Oh yeah, Walmart seems to be consistently the best place for these meds if it's coming out of your pocket.