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How often do you see the Doc?


LisaColumbus

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How often do you see your doctors?

The reason I ask, my LTD company is trying to deny benefits by saying that I am not under the continual care of a physician. I had my ablation June 3rd and the cardiologist scheduled my follow up for Oct 18th, I saw Dr Grubb July 21, he scheduled follow up for Dec., I saw family Doc in Sept. My docs have stated to the LTD that I am severely disabled and the prognosis is poor and unlikely to change. If the condition is not expected to improve can the LTD require me to see the Doc monthly?

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Mine pushed and pushed me... Even once demanding notes for a visit on March 25 - on March 21!!! The woman at the LTD company always talked to me in a terrible manner - like I was lower than pond scum. She had no medical training.

I see my cardiologist once a year - there is nothing he can do for me. I see my PCP every three months.

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I saw my specialist once every 3 or so months ...however now i have a diagnosis and i am improving on my own she is seeing me next march. So thats a 5 month break.

I am in a different country under a different system so i dont think my details are much help to you anyway... that sounds strange that they expect you to see someone constantly? gosh you would have to constantly be on the waiting list

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my LTD company is trying to deny benefits by saying that I am not under the continual care of a physician.?

Hi Lisa,

The insurance company will do anything it can to deny your benefits -especially LTD, STD is easier.....UNUM is well known for this and got in trouble a couple of years ago, as it was denying claims it should've paid. However, I'd suggest you get a LTD lawyer to handle your claim if you get denied. They don't charge you upfront -they collect a fee from the money is owned to you and it's sometimes the only way you can get them to pay......sorry to hear that besides being sick, you have to deal with an insurance company that doesn't want to pay and that hires reps that mistreat you....they probably don't know how it's like to be very sick.

Hope this helps,

Andrea

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My docs told me that they don't need to see me anymore because there's nothing they can do for me (neuro, cardio). Can you believe it? Who is going to help me, who am I turning to with questions. Oh, and my neuro asked me to let him know whenever I am cured (that's because he doesn't know any POTSpeople older than about middle aged. To be honest I think he doesn't know any other POTSpeople than me). I feel so VERY frustrated at times, because I can only ask my PCP for help and he doesn't have answers because he doesn't know about POTS.

Corina

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Right now I'm seeing a doctor every two weeks, sometimes more. However, I'm new in my diagnosis, and my POTS/NMH is pretty severe (I'm bedridden most of the time, and have just gotten a wheelchair which I need to go anywhere).

My health insurance has never given me a hard time, but I'm sure they'll start soon with all the doctor's visits.

I hope you get things resolved, it stinks to be sick, but stinks even more to be sick and getting grief for it :angry:

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I have been out of the hospital for three weeks. I was supposed to see my pcp in 2 weeks. I have called four times, but since the neuro said everything wrong with me is in my head, they haven't made an appt for me. I believe my pcp is so frustrated he wants to believe the neuro, so he can feel better and is now blowing me off. Despite the fact that two psychs state there is no psychogenic basis for my bp and pulse and abnormal labs.

Yesterday I called and asked for atenolol. Today i got a call and he is starting me on a very low dose, and I asked if I could just make an appt as it's been 3 weeks with no appt in sight. She said she'd let me know. She called back and said I could come at the end of the month. So my two week post hospital visit is now 2 months. I'm pretty bummed about this, as he's really been my only advocate in all of this, and he is so frustrated he will take the word of a neurologist over two psych people on my mental health.

I was supposed to see the cardio 2 weeks after my first hospital stay, which was in Sept and they won't make an appt unless I go to a clinic in a different town. His office is 10 blocks from my house, on the same street, but I can only see him if I make an hour trip one way. Does that make sense. I don't think so.

So I guess my point is, no matter what's going on, LTD, post hospital, whatever, we can't seem to win. We are either non compliant, or want too much. Don't do enough or do too much. Are crazy or just plain crazy.....offherrockermorgan

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Morgan,

I'm sorry to hear your doc's are being so poopy. I got angry reading your post, I just can't believe that doctors, who took the hippocratic oath to "do no harm" are blowing you off.

I can't offer words of wisdom, but I can offer you a cyber hug: (((HUG))). I really hope you see your doc's soon and get to the bottom of your paralysis :angry:

Cheers,

Lauren

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Thanks everyone for your responses. I guess there really is no true standard as to how often a patient needs to be seen. When I was first became ill I was seeing doctors all the time, trying to figure out what was going on. After being dx'd by four different specialists over the years I have finally slowed down on and almost given up on finding a cure.

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Hi I see my Dr every 3-4 months and sometimes in between for emergencies. She likes to keep an eye on me and watch my electrolytes. However, I do have metablic issues...pos mitochondrial myopathy.

My oldest daughter 14 at the present is not even being seen for her POTS. Her symptoms are managed by diet and she is doing well. She hates Drs and I do not see the need for her to see a Dr on cont basis.

It is difinitely a case by case thing.

Dawn Anich

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I was seeing my cardio every month before coming here to England, and thenmy PCP whenever, and I saw an electrophysiologist a couple of times this summer before going to Vandy.

I guess since my life isn't stable/ regular at the moment, neither is my healthcare. Ideally, I think, I'd like to see a doctor once every 2 months or so, depending on if we're trying out new meds or are continuing with old ones.

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I see my doctor every couple of months (6-8 weeks). I haven't had much change in the past year..but I find it comforting to check in with him and have that ongoing monitoring...It's also benificial b/c I'll be coming up for disability review next year and it's good to have "proof" that I'm still too ill to work. I'm also one of the folks that hasn't had much luck with treatments and am still homebound..so that might also be why I see him so often.

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I see a rheumatologist who also deals with chronic fatigue syndrome-type illnesses every six months. He is the one I count on partially to manage my POTS. I see my cardiologist once a year. He controls my heart rate but does nothing else for me. He basically makes sure I'm not dying.

My family doctor doesn't really know how to handle POTS, so he is happy to have the rheumatologist handle me. I see the family doc if I become acutely ill (i.e., flu, allergies, etc.). I also see my midwife once a year.

Amy

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