Some thoughts on Drs

[Guest guest]

I woke up this morning thinking about the differences in my Drs here in town and

my rheumatologist, Dr. Whitman in NJ. (I have been seeing him for about 10 yrs

now, since I was first diagnosed)

I do have a local rheumy, because Dr. W insisted I do...as he is toooo far away

for emergencies, my local rheumy diagnosed Sjogrens Syndrome ( I have RA and SD

as well) and wrote me out a script for Evoxac. I asked if it was expensive as we

have no prescription coverage, he replied no...I went to fill it...UH YEAH IT

IS...unless you don't think about $300 a month is expensive! I will contact the

company or try and get it another way...my point is...he writes out the script

and is on his way.

Ok, my local eye Dr....he writes out a script for Restasis...I ask, is it

expensive, explaining we have a $10,000 deductible with my husbands health ins

and that Medicare does not cover scripts. He says no, not really bad....I call

around, for one month of Restasis, it is $288! Hello? Thats not expensive? In

what world????

I see Dr. Whitman, he orders a treatment, Photopheresis for a lung disease,

Obliterative Bronchiolitis that I developed...he advises me that it is going to

be a battle with the ins company to get the tx approved and that he will help.

Dr. Whitman sends me studies and writes letters to ins company on my behalf. Dr.

Whitman sends me to Yale, (where Dr. Girardi and the physician who developed

photopheresis practice) They both write letters to the insurance company as well

as Dr. Girardi spoke, via telephone at my hearing for approval with our

insurance.

And that is why I travel to NJ at least once a year to see DR. Whitman. He is

not especially warm and fuzzy...but he is brilliant and he works hard for his

patients. Some DRs just write scripts and think they are done...he wants to be

sure you can get what you need to battle your disease.

I am not saying that all DRs practice that way.....just that the difference from

my recent experiences was sooo magnified and it is sooo clear to me why I adore

Dr. Whitman. Having said that, I have to add that I also have the best Internist

in town! Shes great, she follows my case and its not easy with these diseases as

you all well know. So, not all local Drs are like the above...just some...Dr. W

just goes above and beyond for his patients.

Debbie in Cincinnati