I was so happy to see new LLMD after waiting almost a year. She was actually recommended by my old LLMD so that I didn't have to drive 2 hours.
Formerly, I paid out of pocket and got a thorough one hour exam. My new doc is paid by insurance and I get 15 minutes.
I filled out questionnaire i brought with today. Was allowed 3 questions I llisted on the q.
There was no time for those questions. She's been focused on my thyroid for 3 visits now. My diagnosis is lyme, but it never gets discussed except to put me on zith a month ago.
Don't really expect any response to this. Just need to vent about this crappy medical system.
When I asked one of the three questions from my sheet she said she's sorry my 15min is up.
I have some babs or bart symptoms that never get adressed.
Am so exhausted and headachy can't enjoy anything and now have to wait a month to see her to see if boosting t3 a little more helps. It's been 2 months gone by feeling like I'm going downhill.
She did do an EKG because I'm aware of my heart beating feeling like it's shaking me at times.
I'll be pleasantly surprised if the additional t3 helps, but doubt it.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
What made you switch?
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
This is an LLMD in name only. No real LLMD would ignore your infections.
Maybe you should suck up the out-of-pocket and the long drive and go back to LLMD #1. And please report your experiences to LLMD #1. S/he needs to know which referrals are appropriate and which referrals lead to patients getting nowhere!
This situation would **** me off.
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
this is so ridiculous. im sorry i would be upset too!
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
I'm thinking I'll keep this MD as my primary care and go back to old LLMD. I like new one as a person and the fact that she is an integrative MD.
My former LLMD got her interested in lyme disease in the last couple of years. She specialized in CFS and Fibro. So she is kind of new and inexperienced in lyme.
Yes, I'm thinking the out of pocket and long drive are worth it. I'm always afraid of hurting someone's feelings. Will just say I undersstand she can only spend 15 minutes with me, but that's just not long enough.
Posted by scorpiogirl (Member # 31907) on :
quote:Originally posted by Marz: My former LLMD got her interested in lyme disease in the last couple of years. She specialized in CFS and Fibro. So she is kind of new and inexperienced in lyme.
Yes, I'm thinking the out of pocket and long drive are worth it. I'm always afraid of hurting someone's feelings. Will just say I undersstand she can only spend 15 minutes with me, but that's just not long enough.
You answered your own question there... "she's new and inexperienced in Lyme", so that's to be expected. You are NOT going to get the care you need to get well from her. How can you when you have 15 minutes? My appointments are always 2-3 hours per month. Yes I pay 100% of pocket and it's not cheap... but to me it's worth it. I can also email her office daily (today 3x for lab results and Prescriptions for my Cathflo for my Picc Line and my supplement order).
Getting healthy is your number one priority... protecting her feelings shouldn't even be a factor in all this!
Posted by katiebobatie (Member # 28753) on :
Marz,
that is a great excuse!
don't worry about hurting her feelings...
she obviously hasn't helped your feelings any by rushing you out the door Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
Guess I was thinking that it's the insurance co's fault.
My old PCP left HMO and went out on his own so he had no obligation to limit his time spent with his patients among other reasons.
He told me some company called to tell him they could teach him how to make his patients feel like 15 minutes was a longer period of time. (yeah sure--maybe they recommended hypnotism?)
My doc was furious and told him he didn't need his services.
Unfortunately, he wasn't able to make it on his own and I lost him as my PCP. He went back to school to specialize.
So now I'm wondering how many of you who are covered by insurance get more time with your LLMD. Are they with an HMO or in their own practice?
Still, I do not let her off the hook for not answering my questions which were lyme questions. Why bother having people fill out the 3 questions they're allowed if they're not going to look at their own form and answer them.
I think that should be the first thing they do when they walk in the door.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
My doctor is on his own and I get all the time I need. Usually about 30 minutes. He's an internist, not an LLMD.
Sometimes I'm out of there earlier if I don't have a big problem.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
My pcp spends as much time as needed never rushes and addresses everything. He takes insurance, so thats not always the reason. But it is his practice.
he also will stay late etc. but you do end up waiting for 1 1/2 hours in the waiting room which I hate, but he is worth it. I was annoyed at my first visit but I quickly realized that in order to get good care, from a REAL doc who gave a crap thats what I have to do.
Posted by Beth22 (Member # 30232) on :
i have never heard of a doc of any kind 'allowing' a certain no. of questions. what the heck? that is unconscionable. you should be able to get answers to ALL of your questions.
Posted by daisyrlb (Member # 15686) on :
Glad you vented. "Hurt her feelings?" we're talking about your life here!
Sometimes when we are in a situation it is difficult to get the full picture, "feel" the situation for ourselves.
Sooo, imagine with all your heart that you are not talking about you...but you are talking about the person you love the most (perhaps a spouse, your best friend, your child, parent) what advice would you give this dear beloved person?
Food for thought.
I encourage you to get a real Lyme Literate Doctor...the sooner the better.
Posted by missing (Member # 22437) on :
please! go see a REAL LLMD!
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
Thanks everyone. Putting it that way daisyrib makes me see it in a different light.
Maybe my old one was just trying to get rid of me because she didn't know what to do anymore!
Just kidding, I think.
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
I went to llmd in PA who takes insurance and spends about an hour with you each visit.
pm me if you want his name, etc.
Posted by lymeladyinNY (Member # 10235) on :
"Time's up!" for this doc. I'd be mad as a hornet if she did that to me. You deserve better!
Posted by julibug (Member # 33404) on :
Great advice to get an LLMD...big question is where do you find one in the Midwest?
Posted by BigJohn (Member # 27120) on :
That has to be dissapointing after waiting a year to be able to only ask three questions
It is hard when you have limited finances to get the proper treatment
Most Doctors give you less time then 15 minutes in our broken medical system
She is no LLMD, she is a doctor for hire, Today our medical system does not allow Doctors to practice medicine anymore, They get a list of patients they have to get through everyday, So there is no time to spend extra time with their patients
All the money we pay for insurance and they are getting cheaper by the day on things they will cover
Me and my wife talked many times about getting rid of our insurance and paying out of pocket with the money we would save
But one accident or major medical problem and you are in trouble without insurance
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
i would be upset too!
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)