[eskielover]

I am not sure where to put this, but thought it might as well start here.

I found a new GP last year after dealing with the one I had. My previous one did a stress test due to chest pains which were really stress related. There were differing opinions on what was needed & I felt that I needed to see a different GP with a more down to earth perspective on treatments. I had met a lady in the hospital my Mother was in for her cancer surgery that was being treated for Lupis. He sounded like a wonderful caring DR unlike the one I had. I started going to him last July with an asthma attack......which he treated with a med I had an alergy to. Then just after that, I had another asthma attack that he put me into the hospital for.....I was there 10 days due to another allergy I had. My weight loss was a concern to him so he insisted on monitoring me. Then came the problems with my Mother & my weight loss turned into a horror story along with my Mothers care & her health. He worked with me through this time (along with my pdoc). When I became so exhausted I couldn't go on, he kindly hospitalized me for something other than exhaustion so that I could get the care I needed. He also let me out of the hospital to deal with my Mothers care at the end of her life & then put me back into the hospital just before she died because of my malnutrition....to sum that up, he cared for me for almost 2 months in the hospital for what was "anorexia". There was a lot of controversy as to what was my problem & what treatment I really needed after being stabalized. He was great in monitoring my monthly for my weight loss & now I seem to be somewhat stabalized at a weight 6 pounds below my minimum safe weight. I can't seem to gain any, but fluctuate all around.

As some of you may know, I have been having problems with dehydration & passing out this summer....due to what he said is that "You have no reserve to go on". He has told me several times to go to my ER close to home to have IV fluids. When that happens, they end up getting a local Dr to admit me to the hospital. I am reluctant to allow them to do anything other that the IV because I feel that my own Dr should be doing any care necessary. I have put several calls into him & the office says don't worry, he will call back......he never calls back......ever.

I have differing feelings about this. One is that he is either telling me that there is nothing to worry about.....I'm not worried so you shouldn't be.....I'll see you at your next appointment next month. ( & then the appointment gets cancelled because he is out of town). Or he is telling me, why don't you go see another Dr, I am tired of treating you. Part of me feels that I really need a Dr closer to me.....because I am ending up in the ER close to home....it would be nice to have a Dr to go to rather than the ER. The other part of me realizes how much he knows about my situation & no one else except my pdoc knows what I have been through. I respect my current GP, but I just don't understand the situation I am in. I know the best thing to do would be to confront my current GP with my feelings, but I haven't been lucky enough to get him to call back to even talk with him.....& I hate making an appointment that I have to pay for just to talk to him about this issue.

Any comments & suggestions are very welcome...I am confusing myself by thinking about this.

Debbie

[(JD)]

I think I would ask the doctors you see in the ER who they would recommend. I know I cannot change MDs... as that would only put me fully into the system of insurance ***** doctors, and not only would I not have my pain med then, I would probably have to have my other doctors battle (again) how I can NOT work... Take a permitted short break from thinking... and then try again. .. be sure to let us know how and what you decide.

[eskielover]

The long & short of it.......I guess my question has been answered by the fact that the Dr (Internist & pulmanary specialist) that admitted my into the hospital from the ER here where I live, is willing to take me as a patient on medicare. He seemed like a very kind & understanding Drthat night & the next day, especially whey I didn't want him to do any tests because I thought my own GP should be doing them. He was willing to actually sit down & talk to me about not only what was going on with me & other subjects that came up. In some ways, it may be better because I am known for getting pnemonia let alone asthma. He was the one treating my dehydration in the hospital, so know he is pretty thorough. I guess in the long run, I will probably leave a voice message on my GP's pager service asking him to call me regarding the change. In some ways I feel bad leaving someone who helped me live through everything this year, making sure I stayed alive & supported my need to take care of my Mother & the funeral arrangements & even understood my need to go AMA to be at my Mothers funeral.....don't know of many who would have been that caring either.

I hope I am doing the right thing, but think it wouldn't have worked out if it wasn't meant to be.

That is one good thing with medicare is that I am on the plan that you can choose your own Dr's that will take medicare of pay for those who don't. I have my pain specialist (who I will never change.....I will drive to the end of the world to keep going to him). I have my pdoc, & my GP that all take medicare at least as a portion of payment....my psychologist is the most costly....medicard only covers 1/2 of her cost. Oh yes, my horses & my chiropractor don't take any insurance.....lol. It is good to be able to feel free to choose the Dr's that work for me..that is why I didn't choose the HMO medicare. I need to go to a Dr that I feel comfortable with & not be dictated my insurance......my need to be free comes out again.
Debbie

[January]

Debbie,

As I read through your posts, I realize that you have answered your own questions. I wish you the best of luck in this and please know we are always here for you.

Hugs,

Jan

[eskielover]

I do have a feeling that I would really like to talk to my current GP & let him know that I appreciate all he has done for me & the care he took to keep me alive at the beginning of the year & the support he was through the horrible things I ended up living through.

I don't want him to feel like I am mad at him for what he has done for me.

I am frustrated yes, that I have problems & don't seem to be able to fix them from continuing to happen, but I also can realize how frustrated he must be also after dealing with all my problems.....I think I would like to get rid of a patient that was that complicated too......in reality, my problems are probably way too time consuming.

Debbie

[__zh]

the new doctor sounds like a good fit from what you tell us of him. as for making the break with the old? it is very thoughful that you want to express your gratitude to him for all he has seen you through. but.......mad? don't take on responsibility for his feelings in addition to your own!! from what you described it sounds like he'd be happy to see you doing whatever was needed to promote good health for you.

as for this statement from you</font><blockquote><div id="quote"><font class="small">Quote:</font>
I think I would like to get rid of a patient that was that complicated too......in reality, my problems are probably way too time consuming.

</div></font></blockquote><font class="post"> do you really think you can say that and get away with it?! human beings are complicated things!! so what if your medical issues are ones that take time? you're worth it!!

like Jan said please let us know what your decision is and how it goes.