simonbaker
Chef Extraordinaire
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2011
- Messages
- 16,488
Recovering from total knee replacement surgery.
That’s a real beeyotch! My mom had two, one on each knee; it was the first and only time I’ve ever heard her say the “mf” word. “Tell that mf-ing doctor that I’m gonna kill him,” when she came to. They never really healed correctly, because of her age, her weight, and her RA.Recovering from total knee replacement surgery.
I have Naproxen for my severely arthritic hip. I try to manage without taking it unless I REALLY need it. It works but if I take it for any length of time (eg 2 weeks while decorating) I get thumb-print size bruises on my arms and legs which goes away when I stop taking the Naproxen. According to the blurb in the pack and on the internet this is not A Good Thing.taxy, I feel for you. I hope they find something that quiets old Arthur Itis for you. I just walk around and complain, much to Himself's chagrin. Hey, it works for me!
Lydia, I hope your MRI results come back good.
The British National Health Service is wonderful. No-one dies or suffers unnecessarily because they can't afford treatment but unfortunately some of the GPs and their minions need attacking with a cattle prod.
Sorry, rant over.
That’s a real beeyotch! My mom had two, one on each knee; it was the first and only time I’ve ever heard her say the “mf” word. “Tell that mf-ing doctor that I’m gonna kill him,” when she came to. They never really healed correctly, because of her age, her weight, and her RA.
I feel for you. Hope you heal quickly and completely!
I have Naproxen for my severely arthritic hip. I try to manage without taking it unless I REALLY need it. It works but if I take it for any length of time (eg 2 weeks while decorating) I get thumb-print size bruises on my arms and legs which goes away when I stop taking the Naproxen. According to the blurb in the pack and on the internet this is not A Good Thing.
Took this issue to the doctor as advised on the blurb. I think I was boring her or at least wasting her afternoon napping time. No comment forthcoming apart from a lot of muttering under her breathe. By this time I was bored too, so bade her "Good Afternoon" and went home. Back to the over-the-counter anti-inflammatories which don't work as well as the Naproxen.
When I first moved here in 2010 I stayed with my Doctor at the old place (about 6 miles away) as I was (to quote him) "disgustingly healthy" and "intelligent and sensible" and he actually listened to what one said. However, he retired so I joined one of the two practices in the village where I now live. Here I am treated like a senile old biddy. Questions, however intelligent and to-the-point are treated as though you are trying to steal the Dr's job.
The British National Health Service is wonderful. No-one dies or suffers unnecessarily because they can't afford treatment but unfortunately some of the GPs and their minions need attacking with a cattle prod.
Sorry, rant over.
We have a "free enterprise" healthcare system here, and it is actually not much different. GPs here are called PCPs (Primary Care Physicians). The are certainly not stupid, but they have very basic medical education...
... but we have to go to them first, and have them refer us to specialists. Otherwise, the insurance company won't pay for the specialist.
... we have to go to them first, and have them refer us to specialists. Otherwise, the insurance company won't pay for the specialist. I'm sure your system has it's share of stupid rules, too.
CD
Again, it's not necessarily required in the United States that you see your PCP before getting an appointment with a specialist. It depends on your insurance plan and to some degree on state laws. The waiting times will vary widely depending on the number and type of medical professionals in a given area. Places that have a medical school nearby usually have lots of specialists and waits aren't too bad.We also cannot just "go" to a specialist. We must have a referral from our GP. Specialists will just put you on the end of a 3 to 6 year waiting list to see them without a referral. Even with it is often a 3 to 6 month wait for an appointment.
Ontario has PCP's but they are nurses - not doctors - their training is one step up from a nurse and one step down from a GP. They can write prescriptions (limited) and referrals. Not being in Ontario I'm not sure exactly what their limitations are.
If you have seen the specialist before and are in their records as a patient, the wait list is again shortened (down to about one month).
That's what I meant when I said it depends on your plan.In my case, the difference is whether a plan is HMO or PPO.. I have had both in Cali and MO..
In the HMO plan, the PCP directs me to a specialist..
In the PPO plan, you find a specialist who works with your ins plan..
I am currently in an HMO so, my PCP recommends a specialist within our HMO plan..
Ross
That depends on the specialist. It's always at least 3 months for my ophthalmology appointments. I have been going to the same doctor at that same clinic for seven or eight years. OTOH, if it's urgent, they fit me in the same day, but it might be a different doctor.We also cannot just "go" to a specialist. We must have a referral from our GP. Specialists will just put you on the end of a 3 to 6 year waiting list to see them without a referral. Even with it is often a 3 to 6 month wait for an appointment.
Ontario has PCP's but they are nurses - not doctors - their training is one step up from a nurse and one step down from a GP. They can write prescriptions (limited) and referrals. Not being in Ontario I'm not sure exactly what their limitations are.
If you have seen the specialist before and are in their records as a patient, the wait list is again shortened (down to about one month).
I agree.I think one of the reasons that referrals are often required for specialists is because that way you don't waste the specialist's time. Sometimes people don't know when it is appropriate to go to a specialist and sometimes they want to go to the wrong kind of specialist.