Topic: When you were on IV...did your LLMDs office check in on you??
CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
wondering whose doc out there did/does this. What kind of monitoring is provided for the most part? How often do they check in? Do you talk to the doc or someone else?
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
I am on iv and my dr. always wants to see me either weekly or biweekly. They want to draw your labs too. My doctor's office doesn't call me to see how my PICC line is; is that what you are wondering about?
Posts: 374 | From United States | Registered: Nov 2008
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posted
The doctor's office doesn't check on me. The infusion company nurse comes out once a week to check things out and biweekly draws blood for labs, if anything is out of range then the doctors office will call and let me know. It doesn't seem like to big of a deal, I've had my PICC in for over a year now.
Posts: 499 | From Indiana | Registered: Oct 2007
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seekhelp
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Weekly Snailhead. I'd go broke!! Posts: 7545 | From The 5th Dimension - The Twilight Zone | Registered: Mar 2008
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CD57
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Member # 11749
posted
I guess I meant when you are treating, do they check in to see how treatment is going, how you are feeling, etc?
Or is it no communication between appointments?
Not about the PICC line, that is a nurse thing.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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posted
That's what happens at the regular doctor visits; they go over how you are progressing. How long do you go between visits? I am fortunate in that I have primary and secondary insurance, and my LLMD takes both! Yep, it's true.
Posts: 374 | From United States | Registered: Nov 2008
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sammy
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Member # 13952
posted
I care for the PICC and do all the infusions myself. Every other week I have labs drawn for CBC and complete metabolic panel.
My doctor reviews the labs and calls if there is any problem. The office does not call to check on me, they expect me to call if I am having any problems or questions.
Every 4wks I have a f/u appt with the LLMD. At that time they review the treatment plan and make changes as needed.
Posts: 5237 | From here | Registered: Nov 2007
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MariaA
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Hey, how much do the CBC and metabolic panel labs cost if you don't have insurance? Metabolic panel is liver enzymes, right?
I don't know much about CBC- is it to look for infection?
-------------------- Symptom Free!!! Thank you all!!!!
posted
I had to see my LLMD every two weeks (6 hour round trip). Had picc for 5 months. Blood tests weekly. Home health took care of picc line and blood draw every week. I had every possible phone number my LLMD could give me to call if problems-very speific.
It was all worth it! Made progress with very aggressive treatment.
Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
See LLD every two months Weekly blood draws for liver and all things mentioned above Monthly ultrasound of abdomen to check gallbladder Weekly nursing visits for dressing changes
This is when I was on IV, plan to get back on soon.
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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Lymeorsomething
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I've never really had a doc give a rats between appointments but let's face it...these guys deal with a mind numbing amount of patient info on a regular basis so it's somewhat understandable...
However, even a call from the med assistants would be nice sometimes...
-------------------- "Whatever can go wrong will go wrong." Posts: 2062 | From CT | Registered: Jul 2008
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
Melanie, that you paid $199 from Quest makes me mad. I have insurance and the "reasonable and customary" amount allowed for these tests are $79! So you should be allowed to pay what the insurance companies pay!
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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Melanie Reber
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Member # 3707
posted
Thanks Miss CD,
but 'reasonable' hardly describes anything to do with TBDs these days.
This is why I no longer can afford to get blood draws along with many other things that can not be afforded w/out insurance.
I am only one of countless thousands in the same situation. It is sad and frustrating and yes, infuriating at times. But it is what it is, and we must try to live with it the best we can.
Posts: 7052 | From Colorado | Registered: Mar 2003
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CD57
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 11749
posted
i think you can negotiate to pay what the insurance co's are paying. You just have to speak to the right people....go straight to a supervisor.
Posts: 3528 | From US | Registered: Apr 2007
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
I tried that at former LLDs office; hubby had to pay $400 out of pocket while my Medicare was only paying $200 per appt. I asked them why we couldn't pay $200 for him also, they said "it doesn't work that way."
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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