Question About PCPs

[drz]

I think that some doctors suffer from something that affects us all - Old Age!

My local GP has been with me for 20 years and has changed from young and enthusiastic to just going through the motions. This is fine for me because I only use him to supply repeat prescriptions or to give me a referral should I need one and I don't think he can be bothered to argue so just does as I ask. However, I'm thinking of changing to a younger edition because I don't think it is good that he shows little interest in how I am getting on.

My old Wegener's specialist has now retired, but he did not seem to suffer from any lack of interest and seemed to become wiser if anything as the years passed.

I think it is important to have a doctor younger than yourself or at least one that seems in good health and apt to be practicing for awhile. The last thing we need when we are old and in failing health is to have to search for a new doctor because you regular doctor either retired or died .

[drz]

I think the best doctor for us with a long term chronic disease might be the doctors that can handle being a Hospice doctor. They have learned to accept illness and that they can't fix everyone, but they can help us function at the highest level we can as we journey along life. During our ups and downs they try make us more comfortable and be supportive generally.

The pressure to see more patients in less time for economic reasons and their decreasing payment schedules from insurance and Medicare really have negative impact on our quality of care, but there is little we can do about that except to try organize and prepare for our appointments so we don't waste time and can get covered what is most important.

[Sangye]

I agree that it might be time for you to look for a new GP, Jack. I always told my patients that a doctor should look at you with "new eyes" at every visit. There is something to be said about knowing your body, but not to the degree that you tune out new info.

I also agree with you guys that it's good to have younger or middle-aged docs. I like that Dr Seo is in that category. Dr Jones, my ENT and my eye specialist are young, too. I plan on living a very long life with Wegs and hope to have them on my team for as long as possible.

[JanW]

Agree Sangye. My doc is a couple of years older than me (so younger than 50) and my ENT is around 50, or a little older. Both born and bred NYC-ers so assuming I stay here most of my life, I should be set!

[pberggren1]

Hey Jack, your previous Wegs doc was Dr. Adou, right?

[Sangye]

I finally saw my new JHU PCP today. She's great! I'm so glad I made the decision to move my PCP care there. Her being able to look up prior labs and clinic notes makes everything much more efficient.

She's concerned (as am I) about my increasing weakness, exhaustion, and tons of joint pain. I'm barely able to function, feeling totally wiped out every day. It's gotten worse each week. I'm having some GI issues too, so we're gonna test the poop and make sure nobody's living in it. I don't mind being a home to billions of good bacteria but beyond that, there is just no room.

She agreed that the 2 rtx infusions might not be enough for me but wants to rule out other issues. All in all I feel very safe in her care.

[Chris G]

That's great Sangye! Doesn't it feel great to have full confidence in your doctor?! It seems so rare these days.

[Sangye]

Yeah, the PCP I was seeing outside of JHU was a very good doc but she was out of the loop. I always had to guide my care. It was great today to just tell her my symptoms and let her go at it.

[pberggren1]

My GP is kidna like your old PCP Sangye. I have to inform her as to what is going on and what Wegs is mostly about.

Speaking of POOP. I saw a funny shirt today advertising a local plumbing shop. It had a picture of a guy on a toilet and the words: Everybody Poops. LOL

[elephant]

Sangye , glad you are getting good care!