Guest guest Posted May 14, 2003 Report Share Posted May 14, 2003 Hi All, I couldn't sleep last night and went through all my medical records. I wasn't imagining what I was told previously by 2 other well respected doctors in their field. I have many papers from surgery stating I have chronic pancreatitis. I had a pain attack today that was horrible. It was intense and only lasted for about 1 1/2 hours. I know that was from the stress of this doctor and my family. Anyway, as I was going through my records, I found a test that was done showing calcification of my pancreas. So now I want to shove this paper under the doctors nose and say, What do you make of this? Without the calcification, I know I can have a chronic form of this disease. But with it being present, the severe form of it seems to ring true. I have often wondered why I have not had any cysts like many of you have, but have considered myself lucky to not have them. I also wondered how the doctors could tell me I have this severe form when so much of the last year, I have done fairly well...without needing many pain meds. Then I remember about many of you who are also sick and have gone long periods of time without a trip to the ER. That is how I used to judge how bad off I was, or am. I don't do that now. Thank you all for your support and replys to my email. I was thinking last night that my life was a lie for the past 4 years. And that I was putting my husband and son through all this misery for nothing. But I came to the conclusion that the doctor is dead wrong!!! Thank you to all who reminded me of your tests that have come back inconclusive or straight up wrong. I know this disease better than I would like to and I hate that this one doctor made me stop and think I didn't know it, myself or my health. My aunt has told me to put my medical case in the hands of a lawyer when I get back from my cruise in June. I think thats just what I may do. I have never wanted to hurt or sue anyone for any problems that have gone wrong in my health, but there have been so many mix ups, bad surgery (botched GB surgery causing this condition, I suspect anyway) and horrible doctors, that I just may have had enough this time. I have been in touch with a good friend within my insurance company and told her of the new report to go out and what the mis-diagnosis will say. She is horrified by this (as she pushed me for 2 years to see this particular doctor)and fears for my medication and what this diagnossis will mean for future treatemnt. She is checking on other doctors, far away, that I may be able to see...even though they are all out of network. I am an HMO person. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for your very fast responces. I truely needed them. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 14, 2003 Report Share Posted May 14, 2003 Hi All, I couldn't sleep last night and went through all my medical records. I wasn't imagining what I was told previously by 2 other well respected doctors in their field. I have many papers from surgery stating I have chronic pancreatitis. I had a pain attack today that was horrible. It was intense and only lasted for about 1 1/2 hours. I know that was from the stress of this doctor and my family. Anyway, as I was going through my records, I found a test that was done showing calcification of my pancreas. So now I want to shove this paper under the doctors nose and say, What do you make of this? Without the calcification, I know I can have a chronic form of this disease. But with it being present, the severe form of it seems to ring true. I have often wondered why I have not had any cysts like many of you have, but have considered myself lucky to not have them. I also wondered how the doctors could tell me I have this severe form when so much of the last year, I have done fairly well...without needing many pain meds. Then I remember about many of you who are also sick and have gone long periods of time without a trip to the ER. That is how I used to judge how bad off I was, or am. I don't do that now. Thank you all for your support and replys to my email. I was thinking last night that my life was a lie for the past 4 years. And that I was putting my husband and son through all this misery for nothing. But I came to the conclusion that the doctor is dead wrong!!! Thank you to all who reminded me of your tests that have come back inconclusive or straight up wrong. I know this disease better than I would like to and I hate that this one doctor made me stop and think I didn't know it, myself or my health. My aunt has told me to put my medical case in the hands of a lawyer when I get back from my cruise in June. I think thats just what I may do. I have never wanted to hurt or sue anyone for any problems that have gone wrong in my health, but there have been so many mix ups, bad surgery (botched GB surgery causing this condition, I suspect anyway) and horrible doctors, that I just may have had enough this time. I have been in touch with a good friend within my insurance company and told her of the new report to go out and what the mis-diagnosis will say. She is horrified by this (as she pushed me for 2 years to see this particular doctor)and fears for my medication and what this diagnossis will mean for future treatemnt. She is checking on other doctors, far away, that I may be able to see...even though they are all out of network. I am an HMO person. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for your very fast responces. I truely needed them. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 Sandy, Does your HMO allow referrals from your primary care physician? Perhaps he can refer you to a specialist, so that you could see another dr. Some HMO's allow this. Just a thought, Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 Sandy, I wanted to bring something to your attention after reading you latest note. It's about seeing referral doctors out of network for HMO. Some insurance companys have a little known clause in it. If your primary doctor refers you to an out of network doctor (after exhausting all in network doctors), and feels it is necessary to your continued good health to see that doctor, then they have to approve it. I know that PruCare and MetLife both had these clauses at one time (I had both those insurances at one time and needed out of network physicians for my pancreatitis). I don't know what HMO you have, but you might want to talk to your insurance friend and see if your insurance has this clause. It's one more possibility to help your situation. Kimber -- Kimber Vallejo, CA hominid2@... Note: All advice given is personal opinion, not equal to that of a licensed physician or health care professional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 15, 2003 Report Share Posted May 15, 2003 Hi, I am an HMO patient. I can only see another doctor other than my PCP with a refferal. I have been to 3 different specialists. All of them needing a referral before I could be seen or treated for anything. I have no other specialists left to be seen in my surrounding area according to the Insurance company. The first specialist to see me was more than 2 hours away and out of network. I would love to go back there but I am not allowed since there are 2 other specialists in my area that I can see. No regular GI will accept me as a patient for this illness. But they will gladly see me for other illnesses. So my only choice is to go back the surgery happy doctor for any treatment I will need. Thanks for the suggestion. Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 For what it's worth -- I did not have to pay my surgeon up front. He and his partner are in my company's network, and as a matter of fact, I deposited a paltry $250 with them, because I wanted to be sure any deductible would be covered, while I had it (ok. I'm not good with money management.) and they refunded the whole sum to me. Extraordinary folks in that regard, too! But i think many docs do want sizeable deposits up front, and some give discounts if you pay in advance... Dunno whether Dr. Arnett has this policy, though. I suspect that he pretty much can write his own tickets any way he wants, and still have customers lined up for months in advance. Such is his fame, and such, no doubt, are his abilities. C. > Hi everyone, we are new to the group. My wife is needing jaw surgery > to help her with her breathing. Her bone structure has changed over > the years and her airway has become restricted. We live in Southern > California and have been told that Dr Arnett in Santa Barbara > is one of the better surgerons in his field. Can anyone in the group > reference any experience with this doc? From an insurance > perspective, he is not " in network " so we are going to have to pay > for a significant portion of the procedure. His fee's seem very high > to me and he wants his money up front. Is this customary? My wife > is comfortable with this doc and I know that is a big part of the > process. Are there other doctors we should consider in the So Cal > area? > > Looking forward to getting lots of good advice > > Jim & Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2004 Report Share Posted August 29, 2004 For what it's worth -- I did not have to pay my surgeon up front. He and his partner are in my company's network, and as a matter of fact, I deposited a paltry $250 with them, because I wanted to be sure any deductible would be covered, while I had it (ok. I'm not good with money management.) and they refunded the whole sum to me. Extraordinary folks in that regard, too! But i think many docs do want sizeable deposits up front, and some give discounts if you pay in advance... Dunno whether Dr. Arnett has this policy, though. I suspect that he pretty much can write his own tickets any way he wants, and still have customers lined up for months in advance. Such is his fame, and such, no doubt, are his abilities. C. > Hi everyone, we are new to the group. My wife is needing jaw surgery > to help her with her breathing. Her bone structure has changed over > the years and her airway has become restricted. We live in Southern > California and have been told that Dr Arnett in Santa Barbara > is one of the better surgerons in his field. Can anyone in the group > reference any experience with this doc? From an insurance > perspective, he is not " in network " so we are going to have to pay > for a significant portion of the procedure. His fee's seem very high > to me and he wants his money up front. Is this customary? My wife > is comfortable with this doc and I know that is a big part of the > process. Are there other doctors we should consider in the So Cal > area? > > Looking forward to getting lots of good advice > > Jim & Jan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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