Docs". I'm frustrated!
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
My LLMD e-mails back within hours. I have even gotten e-mails over weekends.
I think he may be on the extra responsive end, but still what you describe does not seem right.
Posted by nomoremuscles (Member # 9560) on :
I try never to call with emergencies. I have found that, although they will say otherwise, most of them really don't want to be bothered. Because of this, if it's at all possible, I avoid calling.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
Some offices are not very responsive. Mine always got back to me in a few hours.. for sure by the end of the day .. unless I called late in the day.
Posted by Catgirl (Member # 31149) on :
They can't deal with emergencies, and most suggest people go to the ER. Our poor docs are absolutely swamped trying to help everyone they can.
They also know that they can't help the patient with certain issues regardless if it's an emergency, so when things calm down they resume treatment.
Posted by Maia_Azure (Member # 44330) on :
Mine doc is not responsive, due to the high volume of calls they don't always get back to me same day.
I usually call again and try to get someone on the line
I have found if the doctor is changing my treatment or has a result, they call me pretty quickly. But if it is something I NEED that they don't have incentive to address (like when I am trying to get something for my insurance) I often hear crickets on their end unless I call like 3 times.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Oh let me guess mamalicious. H's office. Been there, done that. DD had a major medical crisis Thanksgiving weekend years back.
Left numerous messages for days until finally getting a return call from PA. He recommended stopping the 60-something (how ridiculous) pills H had put her on. Thank God, her sx stopped. She was given way too much too soon and clearly it overwhelmed her body.
I totally disagree wirh not having these doctors being accountable in times of emergencies. For "H" and his associates to be unreachable for DAYS when my DD was needlessly suffering due to his over-zealousness in prescribing too many supplements and medications at the same time is inexcusable and borders on malpractice as far as I am concerned.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
While my doctor tends to put me on a boatload of supplements, I'm always told to start one at a time. That way if I react, we know why.
I've never found any doctor's office to be overly responsive to an urgent call.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
There is not enough time in their day to hand hold to the extent that some would like. As catgirl said, they are swamped. Some people are more needy than others. And may not have had much doctor experience before lyme to know what normal behavior is even with doctors who are not as busy. Questions like this always come from people who are new to lyme treatment. After a while they become less anxious and more able to figure things out for themselves. Or come to the forum and get some advice.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
When my daughter became VERY ill I did not need "hand-holding" nor was I "needy" or a newbie. To suggest that it's even remotely acceptable for ANY physician's office to NOT return urgent phone calls regarding a patient in crisis is ridiculous.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
I agree with Beaches. For the money that most of them are charging, surely they should have enough staff to be in touch with patients in need. When I had serious lyme many years ago, it was pretty much an unspoken rule not to expect help if you had a crisis and I saw some of the best LLMD's at that time and they still are considered so. It's unacceptable.
Posted by poppy (Member # 5355) on :
When I call my primary's office, where they do not even know I have lyme or any other critical issue, the recording starts out "If this is a medical emergency, please hang up and dial 911." Then it gives a menu for various people in the office.
Posted by jackie51 (Member # 14233) on :
They simply are not equipped to handle emergency calls. It's a tough situation we are in when the doctors treat us unconventionally and then we have to run to the ER which knows nothing about lyme. Welcome to the world of lyme.
Prayers and hugs.
Posted by mamalicious (Member # 43611) on :
Well in my humble opinion if they are taking you down
path of taking multiple drugs they prescribe they
need to be prepared to handle calls if your lyme
symptoms change due to treatment. They are the
ones saying you cant heal if you are in pain...
Not to mention their recording says they will call
in 24-48 hours. They took away the email option
which was a much more responsive way to
communicate. It's also why I pay $500 a visit.
As far a "needy" goes some people are more sick
than others too. Calling the nurses line twice in
10 months isn't exactly needy... But sounds like
any of the "Big Time Docs" could be just as slow.
In the meantime I had a really fun ER experience
with a doctor who doesn't understand chronic Lyme!
Posted by mamalicious (Member # 43611) on :
Oh and I paid $200 for that visit too plus what ever
the CT scan will run me...
Posted by Phoiph (Member # 41238) on :
When an LLMD chooses to take on the "title", of "LLMD", he/she also takes on the responsibility of caring for "needy" patients...that's what Lyme patients ARE. It is a given.
If a LLMD is willing to charge and accept (often high) payment, they need to be willing to render services paid for, not expect the patient to guess at what they should do or solve situations on their own, particularly when they commonly prescribe intensive treatments involving multiple drug therapies.
If an LLMD (or any doctor) does not have time or an efficient means of addressing questions/concerns/situations regarding "difficult" or "complex" patients, then they should not be practicing as specialists in something as serious as Lyme disease.
Lyme patients deserve better...and they don't do anyone a service by accepting this kind of treatment as status quo...
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
I think doctors should be responsive to their patients' needs. Mine is. I also see that the staff helps, as well, to direct urgent questions to the doctor.
Posted by Abxnomore (Member # 18936) on :
Well said Phoiph!
Posted by LisaK (Member # 41384) on :
my llmd never emails me back. but if I call he talks as long as I need.
so 50/50 for me.
I get mad, but he is so nice that when I speak to him I settle down fast.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
We pay big money to get help from our LLMD. We are on our fourth doctor since 2010. Only one of those doctors was hard to get in touch with.
Our LLMD that we have now has a wonderful system of taking care of patients with minimal staff. She is only an e-mail away and has never failed to contact us without a few hours.
I don't think it is ever acceptable for a doctor who is treating with an arsenal of drugs to not get back with a patient.
Posted by kidsgotlyme (Member # 23691) on :
We pay big money to get help from our LLMD. We are on our fourth doctor since 2010. Only one of those doctors was hard to get in touch with.
Our LLMD that we have now has a wonderful system of taking care of patients with minimal staff. She is only an e-mail away and has never failed to contact us without a few hours.
I don't think it is ever acceptable for a doctor who is treating with an arsenal of drugs to not get back with a patient.
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