Depressed, need advise

**Psyborg** · 12-18-2011, 10:22 AM

My dear family doctor who's been my physician for close to 20 years passed away unexpectedly last week. She was only 49 years old

So now on top of that bad news I have to figure out where to go for a new doctor. Anyone have advise for finding a good family doctor? I just don't want to go through a parade of bad doctors trying to find one

Al · 12-18-2011, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Psyborg

My dear family doctor who's been my physician for close to 20 years passed away unexpectedly last week. She was only 49 years old

So now on top of that bad news I have to figure out where to go for a new doctor. Anyone have advise for finding a good family doctor? I just don't want to go through a parade of bad doctors trying to find one

This is a tough one, Bob. All flesh is grass. We know this is true, even for doctors. We had a friend who was a lipids expert at the University here, my age, who was very alive. He saw a patient one morning last year (this was soon after my own diagnosis, and felt feverish. A colleague convinced him to quit for the day. He quit forever. The report was that he had an undiagnosed case of hairy cell leukemia (which is usually not fatal in itself), complicated by Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, apparently driven by an unknown autoimmune reaction. But he is gone, regardless. His life doesn't go on now...but our's does. This doesn't make it easier, but, as we grieve, and honor those who are no longer with us, we also have a responsibility for the still living, and those not yet alive.

Finding a new doctor is often a matter of referral; word of mouth based on personal familiarity helps. Unfortunately, we are not in a position to help there. So what can we tell you? A good and knowledgeable internist is a great one to be on your team. But I think that, given your situation, someone with a lot more experience in treating autoimmune diseases--GPA, in particular--is something you need to consider. If I were you, I would present myself to the Cleveland Clinic and give them the whole story.

Al