New Doctor - what data to provide?

[kiwii]

Very interesting comments, Sleeprider.

My (new) PCP referred me to the specialist for a sleep study, but I assumed he was sending me there for the entire course of treatment. If I understand you correctly, it would be entirely appropriate for me to return to my PCP and have him continue with the care? I didn't realize you could do that.

That the new PCP is affiliated with the current sleep doctor causes me some concern. I do like him, quite well, but I'm not impressed with the medical group he is with.

My old PCP retired and his practice was transferred to someone else. He (personally) gave me two referrals for a new PCP: the first was someone he knew personally & socially; the second (the one I went with) was an idea after a few moments thought, and is one he knew by reputation. My old PCP was a very caring and kind person - very compassionate. Maybe I should have gone with his first choice for me.

[kiwii]

... My latest visit was actually the best and most helpful chat I've had with my pulmonary doc. It's also my last one because he's retiring before my next visit. FWIW I don't think he's purposefully retiring before my next visit.

Oh! Thanks for the laugh!! I needed that.

Thank you too for the suggestions. I hope the doctor doesn't cringe when I walk in with an armload of data.

I'm going to see if I can get in to see my PCP before the upcoming appointment with new sleep doctor and see how that goes. I'll go armed with the charts you all have suggested.

---

Thank you all so much! I actually feel hopeful and not so scared.

[SarcasticDave94]

 glad I could assist

My situation is where the patients are distributed among the docs upon this current doc's retirement. I'll see how my visit goes in 3 months and decide to stay or head over to a facility where I did a second opinion earlier in the year.

[deathscreton]

Very interesting comments, Sleeprider.

My (new) PCP referred me to the specialist for a sleep study, but I assumed he was sending me there for the entire course of treatment. If I understand you correctly, it would be entirely appropriate for me to return to my PCP and have him continue with the care? I didn't realize you could do that.

That the new PCP is affiliated with the current sleep doctor causes me some concern. I do like him, quite well, but I'm not impressed with the medical group he is with.

My old PCP retired and his practice was transferred to someone else. He (personally) gave me two referrals for a new PCP: the first was someone he knew personally & socially; the second (the one I went with) was an idea after a few moments thought, and is one he knew by reputation. My old PCP was a very caring and kind person - very compassionate. Maybe I should have gone with his first choice for me.

There's nothing stopping you from seeing that first recommendation. You (usually) aren't tied to one doctor and have the ability to see multiple. It takes time and patience, and that sucks when concerning your health, but what's even shitgier is wasting those resources with someone whose pigheaded and refuses to mold to YOUR needs.

[HalfAsleep]

Very interesting comments, Sleeprider.

My (new) PCP referred me to the specialist for a sleep study, but I assumed he was sending me there for the entire course of treatment. If I understand you correctly, it would be entirely appropriate for me to return to my PCP and have him continue with the care? I didn't realize you could do that.

That the new PCP is affiliated with the current sleep doctor causes me some concern. I do like him, quite well, but I'm not impressed with the medical group he is with.

My old PCP retired and his practice was transferred to someone else. He (personally) gave me two referrals for a new PCP: the first was someone he knew personally & socially; the second (the one I went with) was an idea after a few moments thought, and is one he knew by reputation. My old PCP was a very caring and kind person - very compassionate. Maybe I should have gone with his first choice for me.

It sounds like you had a great doc. S/he is going to be a hard act to follow.

Think of it as interviewing for the doc who is best for you. This may take you a little longer than you planned, but you may have this doc for many years.

The medical group may be very important if you have your PCP for a long time and will have use for the other specialists. So, don't minimize the importance of the overall practice. IMO.

I have my stuff all done at a teaching hospital. I have "docs" who are residents, nurse practitioners, fellows, ODs, and MD's. All my bloodwork, sleep study, xrays, any medical records are at that hospital. I can coordinate care between docs. (Docs don't think to do this right away, but most welcome collaboration if I tell them where they overlap.) For instance, I have placed my sleep issues on the radar with 3 docs. They all have incorporated it into their treatment plans. I really recommend this paradigm, especially if you're trying to integrate trauma issues.

[SarcasticDave94]

Sounds like a pretty nice setup HalfAsleep.

[kiwii]

The medical group may be very important if you have your PCP for a long time and will have use for the other specialists. So, don't minimize the importance of the overall practice. IMO.

This is the very thing I am mulling over this weekend. I like the sounds of your setup; the first PCP that was recommended is associated with a facility such as you've described. I've had dealings there before and it is very professional, like I expected (but did not get) from the current group. hmmm.

[kiwii]

...what's even shitgier is wasting those resources with someone whose pigheaded and refuses to mold to YOUR needs.

Lol! Well said!

[HalfAsleep]

The medical group may be very important if you have your PCP for a long time and will have use for the other specialists. So, don't minimize the importance of the overall practice. IMO.

This is the very thing I am mulling over this weekend. I like the sounds of your setup; the first PCP that was recommended is associated with a facility such as you've described. I've had dealings there before and it is very professional, like I expected (but did not get) from the current group. hmmm.

I'm not someone who has typically needed a lot of specialists, but now that I'm older, they're very helpful.

Not all of the providers in my facility, as anywhere, are top notch, but most are great. I've only once had one I think gave poor medical advice through negligence. Other than that, one kept me waiting for 4 hours, one tech planted her privates on my knee cap several times; one in the ER gave me 3 Advil, a Benadryl, Hydrocodone, Percocet, Valium all at once and then released me in a staggering state....I have no idea what I did for the next 5 hours...I finally got someone's attention and the hospital immediately paid for a taxi to take me home; one doc gave me a prescription for a med that hasn't been available  for 10 years..he was drunk; another wanted me to apply a cream way up inside my armpit to solve a shoulder problem. But that's out of something like 30 qualified prescription-level folks.

I now have a PCP at that hospital, and she's a resident and has a bizarre schedule (not to mention, she has to consult with a supervisor before recommending anything), and while I miss the friendliness of my old clinic, I do like how well my stuff gets coordinated out of one place. The PCP took the longest to get. If you already have a PCP in a facility like that, you may well be on to a good start. The PCP will also be on a friendly basis with the specialists.

I do like having all my tests, etc. in one database. Even when I lived far away, I organized things this way. I also keep my Advance Directive in the same file.

[kiwii]

I am so scared to go tomorrow. I'm hyperventilating which I've never done before. Course I know what to do from when I was in nursing, just doesn't seem to be making it any easier.

Anyone else with ptsd view their sleep doctor as a threat?