I am in need of your input. I just called to schedule an appt with a new LLMD. I expected to have to wait for several weeks minimum. To my surprise, the receptionist offered an appt to me tomorrow or Thursday. I grabbed the Thursday appt. I then asked how long the appt was for and she said it was a 45 minute appt. Does this sound right? I was surely expecting an appt longer than this considering the amount of information I have to share with the doc. I definitely don't want to be rushed in and out for my first appt.
I look forward to your thoughts on this.
Will
Posted by coltman (Member # 21272) on :
Consider yourself lucky to get appt that fast! If 45 min not enought you can always get another appt.
In my experience its rarely docs ever have appt longer than 45 min. Most of them have 15-20 min follow ups
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I think it is common to have 1-3 hour first appointments with an ILADS LLMD. I'm sure it varies though but I think my first appointment was around 2 hours. Usually fees are high for the first appointment because they take a long time. My follow-up appointments are for 1/2 hour but usually take longer.
I was happy with the time spent because my doctor went over my whole history (many decades), answered ALL my questions, looked through my records (there were MANY) and in general did a very thorough and thoughtful evaluation. As I recall, we were not interrupted.
Maybe they had a cancellation? Is this an ILADS doctor?
Terry
Posted by AnnaL (Member # 18464) on :
My first LLMD visit was either an hour or an hour and a half. My follow-up visits are typically 30 minutes.
If you're concerned about getting in all the info you want, I would suggest that you get everything really organized ahead of time. Lists of symptoms, medications, any previous lab results you have. Also, be sure to write out any questions you have. (I tend to forget my questions unless I have them written down.)
The more organized you are, the easier it will be to get through the info and get your questions answered. (Learned through experience!)
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
will,
45 min. for 1st appt. does sound short to me too, but looking back ... my very 1st appt. was probably SAME amount of time but he wasn't rushing for the door so i enjoyed every minute i had with him!!
yes, did you get the name from 1 of us here in seeking dr. forum?
as stated above, be prepared, prepare your list of questions MOST IMPORT FIRST leading down to the trivial ones! this way if you can't work it all in, so be it.
i always give ALL my drs. a duplicate of my questions so they have it when dictating their medical notes for my chart.
yes, you lucked out due to a cancellation.
1 of best in midwest had a cancellation lately; newbie gets in new week vs. 1 of others on list!
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
AnnaL has some very good points. I go with all the info that she mentioned + whatever the doctor wants filled out before the appointment.
I make a copy of the questions for both my doctor and myself with room in between each question so I have a place to write the information that I get under the question. I save the sheet of information with questions and answers in my file for future reference.
It's a good idea to have someone with you who can take notes as well. My husband and I both take notes at every appointment because they are so chock full of info and I can't get it all and answer the doctors questions etc at the same time.
edited to add: Betty must have been writing at the same time as me. She has some very good points too. As Betty said, very important to write the questions in the order of importance.
Terry
Posted by TF (Member # 14183) on :
If it's a Dr. J, I called for an appt with him for a friend. Got one within a week.
THen, another lymenetter called a few days later and got an appt within a week.
So, that tells you that people aren't lined up to see him by any means.
I was told by his office that he sends blood to Clongen or Quest.
I cancelled the appt. for an unrelated reason.
Then, another lymenetter emailed me another person's recent experience with this doc at their first appt. It was definitely not good. Person left there upset to say the least.
Posted by MayberryNut (Member # 16589) on :
This is indeed an ILADS doc that was recommended here. This was not a cancellation...I was offered to choose from 3 or 4 appts over the next week, which seemed odd to me. I even told the receptionist that I already had a positive Igenex test and wanted a fresh start with a new doctor.
The last thing I want is to cram all of my information in and walk out with no treatment to help my annoying neurological symptoms (or perhaps the same treatment I've already been on for months). I'm tired of vibrating at night!!!
Posted by MayberryNut (Member # 16589) on :
quote:Originally posted by TF: If it's a Dr. J, I called for an appt with him for a friend. Got one within a week.
THen, another lymenetter called a few days later and got an appt within a week.
So, that tells you that people aren't lined up to see him by any means.
I was told by his office that he sends blood to Clongen or Quest.
I cancelled the appt. for an unrelated reason.
Then, another lymenetter emailed me another person's recent experience with this doc at their first appt. It was definitely not good. Person left there upset to say the least.
This is Dr. M, who I've heard good things about.
Posted by bncrump (Member # 20374) on :
I have not seen Dr. M but I called the nurse practioner that works with him in PA and got in tomorrow...she had a cancelation.
I say take a chance. You will know after talking with him if he is the dr for you or not.
Good luck!
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
I see Dr. M.
I knew he had a NP in PA, but didn't know how it is that they work together.
Does he also see patients up there or just confer with her?
Posted by purplemom (Member # 21064) on :
My first appt was 2 hrs and second was 1.5 hrs
I had a huge recent work up neurology and rheumatology and tons of labs so there was alot to sort through. I surely did not feel rushed.
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
My appts are long as well. About 2 hrs for the first and 45-60 min follow ups.
Posted by bncrump (Member # 20374) on :
Kitty~I'm not sure but I will surely ask tomorrow and let you know!
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
Thanks. I also PM'd you. Good luck tomorrow!
Posted by zil (Member # 12048) on :
My first LLMD appt. was 1 1/2 hrs. I was brain dead and ready to lay down 30 min into it, after that it was non-productive for me. He had way too much information to share that first go round. 45 min should give the Dr enough time to get the info. Good luck.
Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :
fyi, my 2nd llmd 1st visit was 3 hrs. long; way too long and i kept falling asleep during it and especially signing all the 15-18 lab slips with my credit card no. on ... they'd fall to the floor!
Posted by kitty9309 (Member # 19945) on :
I have to admit, I love that I get a long appt, but I am zoning out at the end of it.
It is exhausting for me, but I get my time rather than being dismissed.