tomcatt

Not that easy Rob. HMO requires referal to another doc/specialist and if I don't follow the rules all costs for doc/tests/hospitalization/etc are born by me. I can switch docs but I have to find one and submit to HMO, then takes 4-8 weeks, sometimes more, before change is effective.

This isn't the first time I've been through this, I have a REAL horror story I could tell about the "docs" and "medical organization" that were "treating" me previously to the current quack. Funny thing is, this guy came rather well reccomended by several people.

I fully intend to switch but right now my options are limited.

BTW when I was in the er the doc that tested/evaluated me was not my regualr physician but the er doc. He was the one that said that at that time all the tests were indeterminnant. While he fully understood what i had been going thru and how I was feeling, and was quite sypathetic to our concerns he really didn't have any answers at that time. He said first thing was go to e/n/t specialist and get his eval.

OhioRacer

Tom,

I'll keep you in my prayers that you get well soon. If no one there can help you then come to the Cleveland Clinic. It is a world class medical facility.

ralper

I know that too, but this doctor doesn't seem to know what to do. Not a knock on him, but sometimes fresh eyes see things that tired eyes miss.

I know and appreciate the issues with the HMOs, but its your health that I'm concerned about.

If you need to come to New York for treatment, we've got room for you and Hilly, and we're only 30 miles out of NYC.

robb

Staying in the hospital sounds like the best thing to do.

Lainey

Hey Tom!

We haven't met yet, but I'm sorry to hear how sick you've been.

If you include the ER doc's opinion, you have two docs who don't know what's going on.

If you don't get an answer from the ENT doc, could they, (the primary and the ENT) doc maybe arrange to have another doc, perhaps at a teaching hospital if one is close by, review your symptoms and test results and see what they come up with?

Obviously, they need a new approach to find out what's going on with you.

Hope things improve for you soon!

rjosey8385

Oh Tom... If you end up hospitalized, would Hilly sign in once or twice and let us know what's happening? I know you have to go through your HMO - medical costs are prohibitive and all of the co-pays alone that I'm sure you've had to make during this illness are probably getting ridiculous. At any rate, if you guys want to come down here where it's a bit warmer and Baylor Medical Center in Dallas is on your HMO plan ( ) you guys are more than welcome to stay with us. If not, here's something that may amuse you - momentarily, anyway, until you realize how close to the truth it is. (I know I saw it somewhere else...maybe Joke of the Day, so I'm just providing a link rather than reproducing it): http://www.rescuehealthcareday.com/HeyMoe.htm

Grannyrod

So sorry to hear that my TC is feeling poorly. I hear your frustration too. Something's got to show up sooner or later so they'll know what and how to treat you. Meanwhile, I'm praying that you feel better soon and that the doctors will come through sooner than later. We are worried about you so please keep us posted. From your granny with love to you and my Hilly. Hang in there, buddy. You know we'll make a road trip if we have to.

Chazmo

Tom, this really sucks. Please let us know if there's anything we can do for you or Hilly.

uppitychick

Tom, Ralper is right.

You need to go to another doc. If ENT guy does not find anything, have your doc refer you to another doc like himself. He should not take this personally and be happy to refer another for you. If he does not want to refer you, you definately do not need to see this doc. He knows he cannot help you at this point. Maybe an osteopath. Sometimes they view things much differently and could possibly go down another path to find the problem.

Show him the list of your HMO docs and let him pick the best one to go to.

Just a thought for you. Very sorry you are still sick.

Honda 367

Tom,

I am sorry that you are going through such a tough time in your life right now. I hope and pray that you will get better as you continue to work with the doctors. I hope they are able to figure out how best to treat you and help you get stronger and healthier.