Karen White4 said:How do I go about testing for celiac disease? Can my primary care doctor refer me, or does it have to be a specialist? Since I don't have supplemental insurance, how much am I looking at paying per test? And what's the typical wait time for results?
Is this a fifteen-minute turnaround? Does it look legit to you?
Your doctor can definitely send you for testing... though, of course, whether they'll provide an insurance referral based on their suspicion is a whole different story.
I have just one more question regarding neurotropic viruses. To avoid repeating my entire history over dozens of pages—as you probably know, I’ve been posting extensively in the Vulvodynia thread where I laid everything out—Dr. Bakran believes there is a strong possibility that some sort of virus is messing with my nerves. To confirm or rule this out, he suggested I undergo specific testing once I've finished my pelvic MRI. However, he didn't provide a formal recommendation for which specific viruses to test for. Now, I find myself wondering: which type of specialist would be able to write an order for that? Dealing with all this administrative red tape and the endless cycle of insurance referrals is becoming more exhausting than the condition itself. Honestly, if I can just pay for these tests out of pocket, I'd prefer that. If this continues much longer—and I've been struggling with this for two years now—I am genuinely afraid I will never actually uncover the root cause of what I'm going through.
I know they have the strongest 3T magnet in the country over at Neuron Radiology. But it makes me wonder—is it actually capable of picking up the specific structure they're looking for in this case? Does anyone happen to have a radiologist lurking on this forum who could weigh in?
I was hoping to get some insight from any doctors out there, or perhaps fellow members who might have navigated similar issues regarding the following:
1. I’ve been prescribed Lyrica to help manage a diagnosis of non-specific mononeuropathy. However, I’ve run into a bit of a hurdle with insurance—it isn't covered by my Medicare plan, so I’m looking at paying the full retail price, which comes out to roughly $77. Does anyone know why a medication like this wouldn't be covered under standard coverage?
2. Regarding diagnostic testing, where would be the best place to go for blood work specifically looking for neurotropic viruses? Also, is this something I can do with a referral from my doctor, or will I need to pay out of pocket without one?
3. I am also trying to figure out the logistics for an MRI. Specifically, what strength of magnet is required to properly visualize the pudendal nerve within Alcock's canal? I had a conversation earlier today with Dr. Borić over at Saint Catherine Specialty Hospital, and he mentioned that a 1.5T machine should be sufficient to capture the necessary detail. On the other hand, I reached out to Medikol, who also utilizes 1.5T technology, but their radiologist insisted that such a visualization is impossible at that strength. It leaves me wondering—who is actually correct in this situation?
Megan Sullivan12 said:My primary care physician referred me for an EEG, and I've got the appointment scheduled for tomorrow morning. The catch is, I don't have any supplemental insurance. Am I still responsible for the cost of the EEG even if I have a referral from my doctor? And if I am, does anyone know roughly what I should expect to pay? I've been scouring the internet, but I can't seem to find a straight answer anywhere. I would truly appreciate a quick response. 😢
You'll be paying. I suspect you'll have to cover it yourself. $17 😉
It doesn't always have to be about bribery... though, unfortunately, that’s still a reality for some people today. For instance, my father was sent home three or four different times, having to redo all his pre-op preparations from scratch every single time. It’s such a massive waste of resources for Medicare, not to mention the sheer amount of wasted time. In the end, he actually walked away from the surgery altogether because he truly felt the doctor was looking for a kickback. And honestly? I suspect he was right. As for my own experience, I was turned away from the hospital and missed my scheduled surgery date simply because my surgeon failed to notify the department head that some "emergency" cases had popped up, causing my procedure to be pushed back. So, anything can happen, really. But if you notice a recurring pattern like this... you should definitely consider reporting it. Best of luck!
Jesse Castillo9 said:Personally, I wouldn't recommend it. You should probably look elsewhere.
crimsongull20 said:What exactly went wrong? Was it the initial consultation, the actual procedure, or both?
Jesse Castillo9, if you don't mind sharing the details of what happened... it would be incredibly helpful for everyone else here. After all, nobody wants to end up in the hands of someone unprofessional. I am truly sorry to hear you had such a bad experience.😢
From what I’ve managed to dig up online, Dr. Ivanovich also practices using the KB Merkur DG HAL method.
Does anyone happen to have a recommendation for a solid endocrinologist (private practice is perfectly fine) or perhaps a good proctologist? I would truly appreciate any leads you might have. 🙂
Has anyone here actually gone to see Dr. Dominic Ivanovich over at the Leptir Clinic for an exam or maybe some kind of procedure? I’m curious to hear if anyone has any firsthand experiences to share. Any insights would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much. 🙂
Hi there! I was wondering if anyone here has had any firsthand experience with the doctors listed below? I’ve been on the hunt for a new family practitioner, but I just can't seem to find the right fit through word-of-mouth recommendations alone: - Tamara Kovacic : West Brooklyn Community Health Center - Slava Posenjak Pavišić : The Prečka District Clinic - Darija Crnić: The Prečka District Clinic - Sanda Bifflin - Bučar : West Brooklyn Community Health Center (Anin)
Honestly, I am open to suggestions for other doctors as well. Location isn't really a dealbreaker for me—I don't mind how far I have to drive as long as they are truly professional and provide great care. Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Kyle Lopez36 said:Thanks. I actually gave them a call, but it turns out they aren't accepting referrals for MRIs right now. They do take them over in Scranton (which is a bit of a drive, though I wouldn't mind traveling a little further if there were better options), but their schedule is completely booked for this month. As for next month? They don't even know yet if they'll be able to cover it through Medicare. Does anyone have any other ideas?
If memory serves, you should try the Neuron Clinic. I had a 3T brain MRI done there myself—it's easily the most advanced machine in the country. They accept insurance referrals, too. It's located right near the Salad, close to the Department of the Treasury. It might be worth giving them a ring to see what they say. 😉
Kyle Lopez36 said:Hi there, I was wondering if there are any private clinics in Washington, D.C. that accept Medicare for MRI scans and X-rays? If so, which ones would you recommend? To be more specific—I need to get some imaging done on my knee. If anyone has any leads, please let me know. It’s pretty urgent because I’m training hard right now, and if I have to wait for the standard public route, I’m either going to end up permanently sidelined or miraculously heal on my own.
I believe Quest Diagnostics accepts referrals through Medicare. Your best bet is to give them a call and ask directly.
Does anyone know which number I should call at Medicare to check which general practitioners are currently accepting new patients? This is kind of urgent!
I don't even know how many times I've asked this, but does anyone have a solid recommendation for a general practitioner? All I really care about is that they're located here in the city; honestly, the specific neighborhood doesn't matter much to me. Any leads? Please!
Sophia White8 said:It’s true that Nystatin vaginal suppositories aren't typically stocked here, but there are creams available that you can apply internally using an applicator. Besides that, if you really needed those specific Nystatin suppositories, you might be able to order them through that specialty pharmacy downtown—they carry the same ones used over in Germany or Austria, and they're available in places like Canada too.
Does that cream have a specific name? And is it actually Nystatin, or does it have a different chemical composition entirely?
I’ve been doing a bit of reading on *Candida glabrata*. I’m certainly no expert, and I personally haven't dealt with that specific strain, but from what I can gather, it's often considered a last resort, typically treated with Amphotericin B or Nystatin. I remember my doctor mentioning that Nystatin isn't really stocked in our local clinics anymore, and honestly, I don't think I've ever heard of anyone being put on Amphotericin B either. I assume those two are reserved for systemic candidiasis cases, so they probably keep them on hand at a major hospital like 🤷 . What does your sensitivity report actually show? To which medications is your strain susceptible? In my experience, my *albicans* was sensitive to both Diflucan and Itraconazole, yet I cycled through them so many times—I can't even count how many—and I just couldn't seem to shake it, even though the lab results clearly marked it as "S" for sensitive.
If you ask me, your best bet would be to reach out to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, specifically their department specializing in systemic and disseminated mycoses.
I could really use some advice here. I recently tested positive for ureaplasma, so I was prescribed doxycycline. Now that it’s been about two months since I finished the course, I need to go back for a follow-up urethral swab through Medicare. Does anyone know which specialist handles this kind of testing? I actually stopped by Fran Mihaljević, but they told me they aren't taking swabs anymore. 🤷 So, does anyone know which facility I should head to instead?
Also, is there a specific number I can call to find out where a general practitioner might have an opening? I'm looking to switch providers soon. Thanks! 🙂
I suppose I’m also in need of a Dr. House type, though it seems an American version of him simply doesn't exist 🤷 Anyway, does anyone know if there's a Jarun Health Center or something similar nearby? What's the closest health center to the Grove area?