briarrose Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 I'm wondering how many different doctor's everyone else sees to manage there various problems?CardiologyNeurologyPrimary care docEndocrinologyInfectious diseasePulmonalogyENTG.I.UrologyOther? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfish Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 The short answer: Too many The long answer:Currently/actively:Primary (Family Practitioner)Neurologist (local autonomic doc)Cardiologist/ElectrophysiologistGastroenterologistEndocrinologistUrologist (2 of them - local & Vandy)Pharmacologist (Vanderbilt autonomic doc)AllergistDermatologistOBGYNOpthamologistIf I included surgeons who have released me in Nov & March, I'd have a Neurosurgeon & a General Surgeon to add.If I included docs who I've fired there would be 2 add'l GIs.If I included the doc who fired himself (told me I was "beyond his expertise"), there would be an add'l Cardio/EP.If I included docs I've made appointments with for the coming fall in anticipation of my move we'd be in real trouble!So...like I said...too many...:-)melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Hi,Officially not enough/not in my country. But the one I have is really good: Dr Grubb and Dr Goldstein.I am still looking around for one in my own country!Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSM3KIDZ Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Neurologist -POTS/autonomic neuropathyGastro -GastroparesisGyno- women stufffamily doc - any thing that's leftI want to find a doc who has info on testing for autoimmune, that's my next venture.Dayna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 InternistCardiologistRenal/HypertensionPulmonologistAllergistGynocologistGastroenterologistEP cardiologistDermatologistENTVeterinarian(just to see if you're paying attention )OpthamologistRheumetologistand probably a few that I missed there somewhere.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Hi Nina,Sometimes I feel I should get myself a vet because they seem to take better care of my dog than my doctors take care of me.Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roselover Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Oh Ernie, you make me laugh!!! But you are so right!My answer is too many too!And my biggest frustration is that they don't work together even though they often overlapp!!!!CardioNeuroInfectious DiseaseRheumGiFamily PracticeDone with Gyn (had hysterectomy last Nov)... Haven't found a reliable endo...~Roselover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morgan617 Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Ernie, that's hiarious! Unfortunately, it's probably true InternistgynENTgastroI don't waste my time or money on anyone else anymore, they always just screw me up, then send me back to my pcp to fix things, saying, she's crazy, or too complex. A total waste of time for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briarrose Posted June 19, 2005 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Mighty Mouse you're so funny and Ernie I was thinking the same thing. Animals probably get better treatment at times then we do.Thx all for your responses and the reason I brought it up was because I was talking to a doctor friend at work last night. I was telling him about some new difficulties that I'm having and I stated that if I really have a neuro-muscular disease then I want to travel to the East Coast to be treated. He didn't understand this and made a comment about having 1 doctor to manage everything. I tried to explain to him that this is a nice concept but really nearly impossible considering all the different issues of Dysautonomia and the lack of knowledge to manage it all as a primary care doc. This got me to thinking and almost feeling guilty about how many doctors I do have.Personally I have aPrimary care2 cardiologists (one in my home state and one in the midwest)RheumotologistneurologistENTENT surgeonEndocrinologistGYN docGI AllergistHematologist Ophtamologist (sp)OK, I had to cheat and look at Nina's list because it was very complete and helped me to remember who I see.Thx guys for responding to this. I feel a WHOLE lot better knowing that I'm not doctor seeking I hope everyone else feels the necessity that I do in trying to find help where you can get it by the specialists that know best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steph37822 Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 oops Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MightyMouse Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 I forgot to add that I also see a Pain Management doctor, who is an anethesiologist...and I see a podiatrist because due to my loose joints/EDS, my feet take quite a beating. I have an orothopedist too--but I rarely go to see him.Nina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corina Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 Nina,you sooo made me laugh with your vet!! And Ernie: I think you're right. Have you ever heard a veterinarian say it's in a dog's mind??? Well, I don't have to count: I have my familydoc and my PT.I had a very good cardio who was the first to think of POTS and he sent me to a neuro professor. I see him once a year, but he tells me there's nothing he can do for me (except for writing prescriptions).I had a neuro (who diagnosed me and was very nice, but after trying a lot of meds he couldn't help me further, so he told me I needn't come back, but he wanted to hear from me when I am cured (?????); I also had an endo who said he couldn't find anything wrong (he didn't diagnose me with menopause which I already have for years, whcih was diagnosed again by my gyn in January), so he told me I needn't come back and there's that doc who I thought was a dysautonomia specialist but after testing me while I was on meds (as THEY adviced me to do) he told me that I don't have dysautonomia, so again I needn't come back (but I took that decision myself because I didn't think he was a good help for me).My PT and familydoc are the best (I might have mentioned that before ) but they're not specialists and sometimes I'm afraid of what might happen when I need surgery or end up in hospital for some reason. Doctors don't know much (or anything) about dysautonomia in my country. It makes me feel unsafe.Corina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taylortotmom Posted June 19, 2005 Report Share Posted June 19, 2005 When I first got sick I had a Gyn and General Surgeon as my preliminary problems were gynecological.(However, there were a few scary weeks when even the docotors thought I had colon cancer at 28!) Went to various gynecologists including the Department Head at a major research hospital. At that point I was diagnosed with endoemtriosis on my rectosigmoid (lower bowel). One fruitloop doctor (not the Dept. head) had put me on estrogen which kicked off a vicious cycle of atypial complicated migraines. The Dept. Head had a duck over this and told me I could not have an ounce of estrogen because my stroke risk was through the roof with the complicated migraines. Okay, stay with me here. He wanted to try other meds before surgery because he felt surgery would be extremely risky because my bowel might be punctured. I'm not going to get into the horrific symptoms I was expereincing. Alright so, I had this weird endometriosis on my colon and compicated migraines, this bought me a neurologist. Okay, he saw me repeatedly per his request (see me back in month- every visit), ran every imaginable test and told me repeatedly that he felt that my neurological problems were related to my heart. I didn't buy this but did agree to see a cardiologist he referred me to. This was the A-ha moment. My cardiologist was the one to figure out that my autonomic nervous system had gone nuts. So, for about a year I saw my cardiologist and neurologist once a month per their request. Took a chance and saw a different gynecologist who booked me for a hysterectomy within ten minutes of seeing me. She was awesome. (I had no problems with the surgery by the way, and it remains one of the best days of my life). Eventually, I tried a different neurologist (per cardio recommendation) who thought I was nuts. So, I haven't seen a neurologist in almost two years now. So, I am down to one doctor- my fabulous cardiologist and a once a year gyn visit for maintenance. I know this is a long answer but it was a long road to get down to one doctor I routinely see. Thanks for giving me a chance to chronicle my history (the Reader's Digest version at least!)Carmen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sunfish Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 MightyMouse & Ernie...you gals gave me quite a laugh...thank you!And yes, I sure as heck wish that one doc COULD be the only doc, but unfortunately that's just not realistic. I settle with at least trying to keep them all in the loop & do have less than a handful who I would consider my "inner circle".:-)melissa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poohbear Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 Oh wouldn't it be great if we could be seen and effectively treated by just 1 or 2 Dr's?!!!!! That is the most helpful thing to me in going to the Mayo clinic; because it's a team approach and all the Dr's are reading each others notes and working together to find options for YOU that seem most helpful and least likely to cause problems and they explain in their notes why certain meds might not be good in your particular case and why....very helpful!!!!Anyway, for me:CardiologistNeurologistGynecologistEndocrinologistOpthamologistPsychologist (Mainly to have someone to vent to about all the inadequate and inappropriate medical treatment and someone, besides all of you, who is local who understands chronic illness and all that goes along with it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jenn202 Posted June 20, 2005 Report Share Posted June 20, 2005 I have: Lyme Dr Neurologist ( specializes in Dysautonomia) A suedo Internist An OB/GYN Urologist Dermatologist And of course the expertise of Dr Grubb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 You know it is funny. But then again it is. When I read everyone's list it made me laugh. I felt like we could all poke a little fun at ourselves with this topic. How special we all are to have all these doc's. Everytime I have to see a new specialist I am amazed at all the specialty fields that exist.I won't bother to list all on mine but put a couple of the ones that really caught me off guard! I count 14 to 15 different specialities I have been referred to. Most not related to pots.My latest was went to the opthamologist for a routine eye exam. I knew my eyesight had been failing but thought must be that I am 46 and I need glasses big time. Come to find out my vision was blurred and uncorrectable. Sent to the hospital for some testing. Then sent last week to a nueroopthamologist. I was told i have shunt vessels in my eyes, probably as a result of a small stroke TIA. I have been hospitalized twice with that concern but never able to find evidence via MRI and a million other tests. Well this is the evidence. Thursday having two tests to measure the blood flow in the vessels in my eyes. An angiogram of the eye.I never even knew these things existed. Very scary and puts me at great risk for a major stroke. But at least I know I am not crazy.Anyway thanks for listening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Tired Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 PCPEPWent to Neurologist once... He told me I was nuts. So I won't count him!I suppose I could say I have an Gyn, my niece married him and once when I was in for one of "those" exams I was doing fine until he said, (while looking "down there" with speculum in place) "Aunt Gayla, I haven't seen you since your wedding!" OK, my sisters and I had all developed endometrial cancer so we were trying to all stay with the same doctor - but NO ONE who is looking down there should address you as "Aunt"!!!! Fortunately, since my hysterectomy I haven't needed his professional services.I wouldn't have the EP but he has to keep track of this **** pacemaker. But he's a nice guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
calypso Posted June 21, 2005 Report Share Posted June 21, 2005 Although I have seen at least eight docs -- a cardiologist, neurologist, rheumatologist, family practitioner, immunologist, OB/GYN & perinatologist (these two because I had just delivered prior to the onset of POTS) and a psychiatrist -- I am followed regularly by just two. Those are the rheumatologist (because he specializes in chronic fatigue and hard-to-figure-out diseases) and the psychiatrist (because I had pre-existing panic disorder). I see the cardiologist once a year to renew my beta blocker Rx and that's it. I'm mostly on my own, though. My psychiatrist knows a lot about the autonomic nervous system but didn't really know that POTS was an actual condition until I printed out some info from this site for her. She helps me make decisions based on what she knows about the nervous system, and so far she's been right on.My cardiologist is an excellent doctor but isn't helpful on the POTS stuff -- he calls it "neurochemical issues" instead and says there's not much you can do for them except to take the beta blocker, which I already do, and exercise to decrease autonomic sensitivity. My family practitioner is happy to have the specialists deal with me and he is a nice guy who I usually only see when my daughter goes to the doctor for her well child visits (because he is her doctor).Amy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
briarrose Posted January 31, 2006 Author Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 bump for the new guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Belinda Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hmmm..I see..CardiologistElecrophysiologistGynoGastroPulmonologistNeurologistFamily Physisician(rarely now since this is all out iof her league)Will be seeing Grubb In April..And all the lovely ER Docs I see every other month or so...LOL! Just Kidding on that one..BelindaHmmm..I see..CardiologistElecrophysiologistGynoGastroPulmonologistNeurologistFamily Physisician(rarely now since this is all out iof her league)HematologistWill be seeing Grubb In April..And all the lovely ER Docs I see every other month or so...LOL! Just Kidding on that one..Belinda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jacquie802 Posted January 31, 2006 Report Share Posted January 31, 2006 Lets see here... EP/Cardio Regular CardioPCPNeurologistGynoDermatologistGastroenterologistOtolaryngologistOpthomologist...I think that is enough! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icthus Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 I don't get out much, and when I do, it is to go to a great restaurant, see a good movie? No, to indulge a doctor. Bummer.Indulge is the word because I enter and exit with the same information and treatment. So I go very seldomly. Except when symptoms become unbearable and I'm desperate. Like now. I have an appointment with an electrophysiologist this week. Hope he can help. Hope he knows about dysautonomia...I have two doctors, soon to be 3 (an electrophysiologist)Internist - excellent, outstanding, wonderfulCardiologist - dropped becuase he determined there is nothing wrong with me...after $$$$ of tests but no tilt.Electrophysiologist - referred to by the cardiologist (who said I was OK) who categorically insisted that I do indeed have POTS and dysautonomia but didn't have any treatement suggestions...Lots of sympathy, though.Neurologist - very knowledgeable but too busy for patient patient care (chief of neuro at med school)I've also seen numerous others over the years but since I extremely dislike going to doctors, I try to avoid them...Great encouragement to see that I'm not alone with more doctor business cards than business business cards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lukkychrm42 Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 It's true! Plus they've probably all heard of dysautonomia since it's so common in cats and dogs!Hi Nina,Sometimes I feel I should get myself a vet because they seem to take better care of my dog than my doctors take care of me.Ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest CyberPixie Posted February 1, 2006 Report Share Posted February 1, 2006 I said to my other half the other day I should see a vet LOLAll I have is my GP who's never there, doesnt believe a word I say and doesnt help me one bit. Then I have an endo who also doesnt help me much and doesnt care.Mostly I've had to research stuff myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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