posted
i am so beyond anger right now. the llmd that i was seeing, who does not know i made an appointment for a second opinion, and the dr who told me it is basically hopeless for me, did a TON of bloodwork at my last office visit.
his office manager told me that the results were in last thursady, i have called every day since then and HE STILL HAS NOT CALLED ME BACK.
when i tried to call his cell phone, it was filled and no messages can be left. thsi blood work was testing for viral loads immune panels everything and i cant sleep for fear of what the results are.
what do you do when a dr will not give you your blood results and will not contact you despite repeated attempts? thank you so much for listening. love, jess
Posts: 651 | From ct | Registered: Sep 2011
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
Send a letter with tracking and ask for a copy of your blood work to be sent to you.
Good luck
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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posted
Faxing is good. My LLMD always mailed me the original and kept a copy for himself. Smart man. Sure kept ME happy!
I hope Dr #2 works out for you!
PS.. I always assume the best until told otherwise.
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96222 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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TF
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 14183
posted
All the lyme doctors I know require you to come in for an appointment to get your blood test results. Is that what this office wants you to do?
If so, do it. The doctor wants to explain the results to you. This is typical.
Also, it is in your best interest to figure out how to deal with this fear. If you can talk yourself into calming down, then good. If not, you probably should consider asking a doctor to help you with it.
Lyme can cause terrible anxiety. You don't have to just suffer and endure it. Many lyme patients have to take meds for this.
Posts: 9931 | From Maryland | Registered: Dec 2007
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posted
It has only been three working days since the results came in. This is not excessive yet.
You need to find out whether you have to come in for the results or they will mail them to you.
And you need to find a way to be less anxious or you will not survive this illness because it has a lot of ups and downs.
Posts: 8430 | From Not available | Registered: Oct 2000
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posted
All the folks here have given you good advice.
Have you ever tried a Bach Flower Remedy called "Rescue Remedy"? It may help with anxiety as a temporary measure. It has alcohol in it, so I just put a few drops on my wrists and rub in gently, rather than taking it orally.
Hang in there. Your answers will arrive and you will get set up with your treatment plan.
Best wishes.
Posts: 873 | From WA | Registered: Dec 2005
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posted
I agree with what others have said. If your doctor is like mine, they only discuss results in the office, not over the phone. I have to say I agree with the policy. It's important to have a face-to-face to go through test results, discuss what they indicate, and allow the doctor the chance to pull all of it together in a diagnosis. Stay strong, stay patient, and make sure you're on the books for an appointment to discuss your results and plan of attack.
Best of luck to you!
Posts: 251 | From Florida | Registered: Aug 2011
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scorpiogirl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31907
posted
I totally sympathize with you. I'm that way too... I anxiously wait for the results and with each passing day I get more and more panicky!
So at my last appointment I explained to the front desk that I want a copy of all my lab work via email the as soon as it comes back. But in case they are overwhelmed... I added my Pharmacist's name and fax on all my orders. Since I talk to my Pharmacist almost everyday... I get a phone call and a copy of my lab work immediately!
I hope you get your results soon!!
Rescue Remedy is helpful... and if you get the Children's version there is no alcohol. I used it when I fly and it does take the edge of my anxiety.
-------------------- Posts: 1391 | From Lyme Land | Registered: May 2011
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posted
I get that the doc may want to explain the results to you but this is a different situation. I'm guessing you don't want to pay for an office visit if you are planning to switch doctors? I wouldn't either. You can get copies of your labs without the doctors explanation if thats what you want. I agree that faxing or certified mail would be a good idea.
Posts: 707 | From Colorado | Registered: Jul 2010
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posted
I look at things I'm anxious about as, well, it could be what I want, it could be what I don't want, and it could be inbetween, as in shades of gray type thing.
Since all could be possible, we can't pick one possible result and know, as in, this is the one.
So that eases anxiety for me, because I don't KNOW that I've got a result I don't like.
Another thing about difficult results - they can lead us on to other things that are useful for us - it's the old story of the guy who fell off the horse and broke his leg,
and thought what bad luck, until he found out they couldn't send him to war 'cause he was injured -
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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posted
You might even try calling the lab who did your blood work and see if they can send you a copy.
Posts: 131 | From Maryland/USA | Registered: May 2011
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Dogsandcats
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 28544
posted
Maybe call back and try the sugar and spice request. or message....
it is worth a try.
And I don't believe any case could be untreatable.
POO
Personal Opinion Only
-------------------- God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there.
Billy Graham Posts: 1967 | From California | Registered: Oct 2010
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
waiting for clarity on my reports,also. It's hard to be stuck in bed most the time waiting..
I can set another appt. ask here or just wait and hope for best . I have such little energy for even finding time to take meds . without this other jazz .. It causes more anxiety.
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
Maybe this doctor only calls when its extremely important. I mean most of our lyme doctors are very busy. My guess is that your test don't show anything that requires him to immediately report it to you. So don't worry for nothing!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
You will probably need to sign a medical release form to get a copy of your records if you do not go to the office to get the copies in person. Most likely you would need to sign the form if you go in person anyway. And you may have to pay a small copying charge for the results.
You could have the records sent to your new doc instead of to yourself but technically the new doc would not be allowed to give you copies under the new health care laws.
Good luck.
Bea Seibert
Posts: 7306 | From Martinsville,VA,USA | Registered: Oct 2004
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quote:Originally posted by TF: All the lyme doctors I know require you to come in for an appointment to get your blood test results. Is that what this office wants you to do?
My local doctor has me do this, it's true. However, my LLMD was out of state, so he gave phone consulations. Strange though that they won't at least call you back to set up an appt???
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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posted
hi everyone...thanks for the tips. i called the drs office today, the nurse told me the doctor would definitely call me by 2 pm. guess what-NO call!! i am beyond angry.
i understand if the dr is busy, but dont tell a person he will efinitely call and then not do it. i will try again tommorow, but this whole thing is reinforcing my decision to leave this llmd. thanks again, jess
Posts: 651 | From ct | Registered: Sep 2011
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nefferdun
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 20157
posted
You can also have the new doctor get the tests sent to his office. You sign a release so all your records and test results are sent there. The new doctor can also go directly to the lab for the results.
I would be mad too. But don't worry - sounds like this guy was an idiot telling you your case is hopeless. He probably doesn't want to give you the GOOD NEWS that your result show no significant problems.
-------------------- old joke: idiopathic means the patient is pathological and the the doctor is an idiot Posts: 4676 | From western Montana | Registered: Apr 2009
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Catgirl
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 31149
posted
Chastain, I think we have the same dr. It is just he and is office mgr.? It is a busy office and he is busy seeing patients all day.
In my opinion, he is suffering from growing pains. He needs a nurse or PA, but is the last one to get that.
I faxed, called, and called, and called. No response. The guy is just too busy.
Unfortunately, there simply are not enough lyme docs out there, and the ones that are out there are too busy to hold our hands or answer questions. They simply don't have much to time to get back to us.
If it's an emergency, tell his assistant it's an emergency. If it's a blood test, just hang in there until you see him again, or you may have to find another dr.
I get the feeling some of these lyme docs like taking new patients on until things start to get complicated, then they don't call back (just want new patients). They get more money from the initial visit, than for follow up patients.
If it's a two person office (dr and recpetionist or office manager), stuff like this is going to happen. You may have to look for a doc with a bigger office staff.
-------------------- --Keep an open mind about everything. Also, remember to visit ACTIVISM (we can change things together). Posts: 5418 | From earth | Registered: Mar 2011
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