Posts by coastaltiger7

I think they’re worth it. I recently scheduled a follow-up with my old intern after waiting over four months. They didn't say anything, just got me on the schedule like usual.

amberpanther25 said:Just wanted to give an update—I went in today, waited a little bit, and they finished the excision. If you're looking to get this done fast, maybe try a clinic in a place like Indianapolis. 👍

Nice! Now I know where I'm heading next time :-D

I honestly have no clue. I’ve always just used one specific referral, had an excision, plus my PhD, and I only ever booked appointments directly with the surgeon.

It’s unnecessary, but that's just how it is. Even the surgeon wants to see what the next move should be.
Yeah, I guess you'll hear back from them on Monday.

Just a heads-up, if you're looking at hospitals in a big city like Chicago, they aren't going to schedule the actual surgery right away. You have to go in for a consultation with the surgeon first to set everything up. If you're just heading to a general surgical department at a local clinic, you probably don't even need an appointment for that initial check-up. But don't expect to get seen in two weeks in a major metro area; it'll more likely be closer to two months.
I guess they don't really schedule much over the summer unless it's an emergency.

Usually, they get back to you the same day or maybe the next, though obviously not over the weekend.

You could just email a few different hospitals with the instructions and see who can get you in sooner. Just don't forget to cancel any other appointments that don't work for you anymore.
Maybe things are handled differently in a place like Indianapolis, worth checking. I know how it works at Mayo Clinic or Johns Hopkins for sure since I was there recently.

You can head to any hospital, but you definitely need an appointment if you want a procedure done. In a place like Chicago, the usual flow is meeting with a surgeon for a consultation first to nail down a date for the surgery. If you're looking at a major center like Northwestern, you don't necessarily need to book ahead just to see a general surgeon for an initial checkup, but if you want a plastic surgeon, you absolutely have to schedule that. At a place like Cook County, I think you need to make an appointment for the general surgeon's exam too. I guess I'm not entirely sure how the protocol works at other hospitals out there.

velvetmoose9 said:While we wait for those gluten enteropathy test results to come back:

Compared to you, how’s the physical constitution of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents?
So, how many calories are you actually taking in on a daily basis? I mean, looking at the last 14 days—both the numbers and the actual quality of the food. Do you guys actually keep a log and track everything, or what?
How old are you?

None of my friends are fat, I guess, but they aren't exactly thin either. They're all a lot shorter than me, too.
I guess I'll try keeping a journal.

I mean, I think I eat enough. I try to keep things healthy, but honestly, I love McDonald's too much to deny myself. Yesterday I polished off half a jar of peanut butter, and I guess I'll be finishing the other half today.
My appetite went through the roof once I started taking Zoloft. I definitely put on some weight because of it. It’s leveled out now, but it's not like I stopped eating.

38 years old.
I walk a lot—mostly because I have dogs to take out—and I spend a ton of time on my bike. A few years back, I was actually pretty active with sports, too. Plus, I’m under a fair amount of stress lately. I guess all of that probably plays a role.

melloworca6 said:Have you maybe checked your thyroid levels?

I did it a few years back and everything seemed fine at the time, but I guess I could probably go in and double-check it again. Thanks for the suggestion :-)

Yeah, you're actually weighing even less than I am. I finally managed to hit 132 pounds at 6'0".

crimsonfalcon38 said:Then we're talking about parasites.

How can you just claim that without any proof?!

David Ross3, I’m dealing with something similar right now and I'm still in the middle of testing.
So far, they've diagnosed me with esophagitis and gastritis. I actually put on a few pounds since I started taking Zoloft for it :-D
Just to be clear, I didn't even have issues with my esophagus or stomach before; I was honestly confused why my doctor was even sending me for a gastroscopy.

They also ran tests for celiac disease, so I'm still waiting on those results.

And no, I don't have parasites. :-)

Anyway, my doctor over in Oakland told me not to sweat the weight too much if I've always been thin—which I am—and if I feel fine. And I do feel okay; I'm pretty active and have plenty of energy... It would only be an issue if I suddenly started dropping weight.

At the dermatology clinic, they don't have specific windows for placing orders; they just do it whenever throughout the workday. You end up waiting forever because the same nurse is stuck handling both patient exams and all the paperwork. I guess it's probably the same deal at other clinics too. Honestly, it'd be way better if they just handled everything via email.

You can request a specific doctor; they actually listen and show respect there (both at the Mayo Clinic and the Borovje Health Center).

bluegardener4 said:and I head straight for the pharmacy because I just can't afford to stay home sick (I know, not smart, I'll try to work on my habits).

So garlic is off the table then. 😉

A ton of people insist on meds even when they just have a standard virus, and you can't explain to them that antibiotics won't do a damn thing. Sometimes it’s just easier for doctors to write the prescription and call it a day. Obviously, it’s wrong and shouldn't happen, but I've seen the scenes at clinics when people don't get their antibiotics, so I guess I get why doctors do it.
But I don't get the whole running to the doctor for every little sore throat, unless we're talking about toddlers, the elderly, or people with chronic issues.

Well, nobody here has a crystal ball. Who was the one who diagnosed you with Candida in the first place?
Call the doctor and explain what's going on. I guess they'll probably see you right away if you're dealing with stuff like that.

I’m dealing with the exact same thing. It feels like I’m sick every six weeks or so. Every single virus my kid brings home from daycare seems to hit me like a freight train. I don't drink, I don't smoke, and I try to eat pretty healthy, but it’s like my immune system just doesn't exist.
I've also got year-round allergic rhinitis, so I'm constantly using various nasal sprays. I guess I wonder if that could be messing with my immunity at all. My blood work always comes back normal. Unlike the original poster, I don't take antibiotics. I pick up some vitamins here and there, but honestly, I haven't noticed much of a difference.

restlessangler said:How long does a referral last?
Specifically, I got a referral for a neurologist—just an initial consultation—back in mid-July. Now I'm trying to book an appointment, but they're demanding the referral upfront.
Does it still count? And if not, can my doctor just cross out the old date and put today's instead?

Referrals are good for 6 months. Once you've actually used one to get on a waiting list, there isn't really a deadline.

You can just email the instructor and place your order. I'm not sure which clinic you're heading to, but some of them have massive wait times, so maybe be prepared for that.

Jessica Gray11 said:Does anyone know how long a referral actually lasts? (In my case, it's for a physiatrist visit, code A). I’ve had it since September 5th, 2014, but I don't have an appointment until December 1st because I got bad info and didn't book it early enough... Not that it matters, but I just want to know if this referral is still good or if I need a new one. Thanks for any help! 🙂

The referral is fine.

Honestly, your best bet is to just get referrals sent to all the hospitals in the area, then head to whichever one has the shortest wait list.
Just make sure you don't forget to cancel any appointments you end up deciding against.
If you have supplemental insurance, you shouldn't have to pay anything out of pocket.

Maybe. I just don't know if you have to see a dermatologist first. In my case, the dermatologist sent me to a surgeon, but I had to get the referral from my primary care doctor.