posted
Before I started seeing my LLMD, I went to a CFS specialist. He said he had me tested through Igenex, but I never received the results.
His office now denies that I was tested. I called Igenex, and they cannot look it up without the Dr's information (code, maybe?). They were very nice, but did not find anything under my name.
I would love to be able to track the charge through my credit card, but, alas, that was the card that was stolen from my open (duh) backpack on the bus. So it was cancelled, and I no longer have access to the online statements. Oy vey. Hey, it was my first week on Mino, so I was as dumb as it gets.
Any ideas? Thanks!!
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
I wonder if they mean they need the doctor's NPI code? Most of my doctor's have that particular code along with their Fed. Tax ID Number printed on the invoices.
You may be able to call your credit card company and request copies of your prior statements. Even though your card was canceled they may still have your records somewhere.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
THanks, Leelee, that's a really good idea. I'll try to get the credit card info, and see what happens. I can also look at my doctor's invoice to see if there is any code.
I appreciate your help.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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bettyg
Unregistered
posted
lee, outstanding advise!! i would not have thought of it. best wishes!!
also is your dr. in a small office or a LARGE clinic?
if large clinic, i bet you could ask to look thru your medical records with someone being present so that you do NOT TAKE anything out leaving them with nothing about what it was.
i've done this at our large clinic!! a friend works there, but she's not allowed to help me; they are very accommodating here! good luck.
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posted
Hmmm. Interesting. No, it's a pretty small office. The staff is amazingly nice, but relatively powerless.
I think anything of interest was deleted or buried, since he did fax "all" of my records to my LLMD.
The packet did not contain the Igenex tests.
Amusingly, they also lost my Quest Lyme test, but I already have a positive WB from Quest, so I was not as worried about that one. When they later found it, it indicated that the test was not performed due to incorrect something or other. I don't have a copy here.
I don't want to be a conspiracist, but it all seems fishy to me.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
mazou, do you recall what your CFS specialist said your results were?
I am curious to know if he or she indicated Lyme as a possibility for your fatigue.
My LLMD said CFS is a symptom of something else and is not a diagnosis in and of itself.
Anyway, let us know how things go with your attempt to get the copy of your Igenex test.
Best of luck,
Leelee
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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posted
Thanks, Leelee, for your question. The whole thing was really strange.
At that point, I wasn't aware of the controversy surrounding Lyme. So, like I said above, I wasn't thinking conspiratorially, especially at the time.
But as I started asking him if the symptoms could be related to Lyme, he was nodding his head. Then he was suddenly called out of the room, and when he came back, he totally shut the conversation down.
When I went for my follow up, he was firm with his CFS diagnosis, and brushed off my questions about Lyme. I actually cried on the street after the appointment. I felt so disillusioned.
However, it was an impetus for me to go and immediately find my current LLMD. No messin' around.
Long answer, I know, but I'm sure others have similar stories, so I wanted to share it.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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posted
To offer the doctor the benefit of the doubt, he is a pretty famous CFS doctor, so he may have truly believed his diagnosis. He knows his stuff, so I'll give him his props.
I am not upset with his diagnosis. I was just not OK with the belief that I hadn't been listened to.
Posts: 636 | From Saratoga County, NY | Registered: Apr 2008
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Leelee
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19112
posted
mazou, I completely understand your innocence and confusion about stepping unwittingly into the Lyme controversy.
I was amazed myself at some of my doctor's responses. The allergist I went to comes immediately to mind. I asked if my misery could be due to Lyme and he actually sneered and rolled his eyes. I did not have a clue as to why I had offended him, but I got the message loud and clear I had said something wrong.
A PCP responded with "highly unlikely" when I asked her if I could have Lyme. She proceeded to tell me that I had "obvious psychological problems" and she would not talk me further until I brought her copies of my psychiatrist's notes. How humiliating. Then she couldn't get me out of the office quick enough. Again, I didn't understand. I too cried and cried when I left her office. It was degrading.
It wasn't until I discovered Lymenet that I realized my "faux pas" in asking doctors about Lyme.
Silly me! I was only trying to get well!
I don't blame you one bit for your suspicions that your doctor intentionally misplaced your test results. The old me would never have even considered it. The new me says the odds are that you are right.
What a crazy, crazy world this Lyme business is.
Please let us know how you fare in your search for your test results.
-------------------- The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Martin Luther King,Jr Posts: 1573 | From Maryland | Registered: Feb 2009
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