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04-15-2014, 08:43 AM | #1 |
Professor
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Houston TX
Posts: 1,857
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Time to find a new cardiolgist!
Last week I went in for my annual exam and left 2 hours later vowing to never go back to this guy.
A little background info: I have mild hypertension or high blood pressure. Been that way since I was 52 or so, a doctor I saw while in Altanta taking care of my parents before they died found out and prescribed BP medication. When I came back to Houston and had to find a new Dr. to get prescriptions I saw a GP who wanted to run every kind of test for just about anything and see me every 3-6 months for followups which I thought was crazy, just a way to fund her practice. So I went to see my mother in law's cardiologist. He seemed ok, he just wanted to see me once a year, do an EKG, etc. My biggest complaint was every time I have gone in to see him I end up waiting 1-2 hours because he runs way behind. He tends to talk a lot during the exam, mostly about himself which gets a bit boring. After the first year he wanted me to do a nuclear stress test. Now, I'm the only member of my immediate family with high BP and it's most likely because I am a bit overweight and also a bit stressed. No one in my family has ever had heart disease or a heart attack or taken BP medication. I blew if off as my insurance at the time would not cover it until I met my $1000 deductible. So, this year I go in because I am about to run out of meds and need the refills and he says I should really have the stress test because I "am just about at the right age" . Seems like you should be At the right age and not JUST ABOUT to me. Then he goes on to tell me that I could just do the tread mill stress test that my insurance will cover for a $20 copay. Then he goes on and on about Obamacare and how horrible it is and how it is ruining the country. I for one don't need to rely on the ACA but I am a big supporter of it. He then goes on to tell me how the Democrats are so bad (I claim to be an Independent but I definitely vote Democrat most of the time). I had to bite my tongue so as not to get in his face and tell him what I was thinking. Finally I am done and go to pay. Just a $20 copay for my exam which included the EKG and I schedule the stress test for next month. He also wants me to have my blood test done which won't cost me a thing under my insurance! I can only imagine how expensive this exam, the EKG, the stress test and the blood work would be if I had no insurance! I probably just wouldn't do it and I would just go about my life with high BP and probably have a stroke some day. I go pick up my BP prescription and it's approved for the whole year so I think I now have a year to find a new doctor who doesn't bore me with his political views and doesn't make me wait 2 hours and take tests that I don't really need. |
04-15-2014, 09:50 AM | #2 |
still says videotape
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,813
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My riding buddy had to say no to his gp this week. His doctor is very gung-ho about medicating him. My friend is more oriented towards diet and exercise. I think its important to have a doctor who respects individual choices and is smart enough to help you implement your decision wisely.
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If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis |
04-15-2014, 10:47 AM | #3 |
The future is unwritten
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 71,105
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At the request of my GP while he was trying to
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The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. |
04-22-2014, 11:31 PM | #4 |
I love it when a plan comes together.
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 9,793
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Have we got a doctor for you!
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04-25-2014, 09:56 AM | #5 |
Goon Squad Leader
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Seattle
Posts: 27,063
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Should be in the skywriting thread
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Be Just and Fear Not. |
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