Migraine

I'm nervously, skeptically excited... I have an appointment with my new neurologist on May 13th. I'm glad it's so soon, I know it could have been so much longer. I don't know much about this doctor, except that my PCP recommended her, and that he told me my current neuro wasn't any good--and boy do I agree!

I'm wondering though... I'm also currently scheduled for an appt with said old neuro for the 16th... thinking that I didn't know how long it would take me to get in with a new doctor and I wanted to have someone to help me keep up with my meds at least, since he's really not good for anything else (and not great at that!). I'm wondering if I should still keep it, since I'm not sure if I'll like this doctor or not? Or just commit to switching, since how could this one be worse than the last...

Thoughts?? What have you guys done?

Well, I would think you have to call old neuro's office for medical records anyway....which you should do now to get in time for your appointment.

Then, once you get them, most offices want at least 24 hours notice for a cancellation....so you have time, if for some reason new neuro is worse then (I am hoping that this is not the case) old neuro.

I would think you would be ok to cancel old neuro - but get your records first!

Then, go from there.

I agree with Eileen. Get your records as soon as you can. I know I would then cancel my appointment with the old neuro. I found that when I fired my last neuro, that my really good PCP took care of my meds while we were looking for a new one. So you probably could count on your PCP for a temporary backup if you don't like the new neurologist.

Tracie

Hi Candace,

Honestly, you could do this several ways. If your PCP is comfortable in prescribing you meds you can always just cut off ties with your old nuero. When I was looking for a new neuro and had an appt set with my old neuro I would keep it just in case, which in my case, worked out, becuase the newer neuro was worse LOL.

Also, you might want to make sure your new nuero is a migraine specialist. I think that is why mine did not work out so far. I am actually seeing a new nuero who is a Migraine Specialist tomorrow

Anyway you work it, just make sure you give the 72 or 24 hour notice of cancellation, whatever the office request, so you are not charged. Also, you could move the appt. for a week later.

Also, when you request your records, you do not have to tell them why. If you really feel the need, you can always say I am getting a second opinion or my PCP wants them, or you want them for your files. You have a right to your records, they don't have to "send" them to the new doctor.

Good Luck And let us know how the new neuro goes!!

Dar

Candance,
As long as the cancellation policy with the "bad" neuro is 24 hours, keep the appointment. You have nothing to lose and if for some reason you need it, you'll have it.

Check with your PCP, he/she may have copies of your records to send to the new neuro for you. I noticed when I saw my PCP last time she had letters from my neuro regarding my care.

While you absolutely have the right to your records (my profession is health information managment i.e. medical records), doctors offices are often horrid at getting info out in a timely manor. Also, if you request the information for yourself, they have the right to charge. Depending on the state those fees can very greatly. There is an upfront "administrative fee" that covers pulling the record and deciding what to copy and than an acutally copying fee of usually so much per page. Stuck into that is usualy another admin fee for the cost of the person doing the copying. Please remember, I don't think much of these fees, but that's what they do. And no, they won't let you copy the record!! If they send them to the new neuro for a second opinon there should be no charge involved. The standard is for continued care of a patient, no fees should be involved when sending records.

Take care,

Cindy

Ok.. Now there seems to be a consensus on the records bit... forgive my ignorance, but what exactly does that include? What are "my records" when it comes to a specialist? What does that tell my new doctor that I won't tell them? Do the reports that my PCP receive constitute the same thing?

I kinda have doubts that ANYONE could be worse than my current neuro... and he is a "migraine specialist" ... but I guess anything is possible. Good point, I guess my PCP probably could manage my meds for me. I actually like that idea a lot better than seeing my mean neuro... who actually puts me into a tail spin depression for a week and a half after every visit.

I've been collecting my records.. tests anyways since all this started... I haven't organized it into a binder yet, but I've been meaning to! All part of becoming that uber prepared patient!

Your records include:
-all test results
-progress notes
Usually hand written in an office, but sometimes offices dictate
them. The progress notes are the notes from your visits and will
track your medication changes symptoms from visit to visit etc.
WARNING: This is the area of a patient's record that is most
open to subjectivity and patient's often dislike or disagree with
what is said.
-Nursing Notes
Vitals, record of current meds. Sometimes in doctor's offices
this is the beginning of the doctor's progress notes so every
thing for a single visit is together
-Vaccinations
-Medication
There can also be a section for phone calls that include calls to and from you or say your pharmacy for re-fills.

I'm not as familar with office records as I am inpatient records. And not all offices would include all components. They could combine things together.

Cindy

I kinda doubt he made those kinda notes on me... but boy oh boy would I like to get my grubby little hands on those puppies!! From my PCP too... but I guess I'm imagining it would be juicier than it probably actually would be... I asked him last time I saw him... "Am I your most difficult patient?" I think I'm the definition of high maintenance... but watch ya gonna do... I'm sick man! He assured me I'm not. The office ladies all call me "Candy" now... I think I must be the only person under 60 they all know by name.


Would the term I need to use be "complete records"? How do I get them to send everything? Or how do I know if they actually did send everything?

When I got my records from old not so great neuro, they just said my age, that I was left handed, my BP at time of my appointment, previous treatment, what she recommends and the symptoms I experience during migraine.

This was just from my neuro. If you had bloodwork done with your doctor, there would be a copy of those results, any CT's/MRI's things like that.

It wouldn't be a bad idea to get a copy from your primary either...but you can always just start at your old neuro.

And yes, they may charge you per page, but I rarely run into that, but it does happen.

Candace--

You can definitely get an honest to goodness xerox copy of anything said about you in those records. I'm sure you've heard of HIPAA and signed HIPAA agreements to allow Doctors to share medical info with ins. companies, etc. I really LOVE this little patient right. It's worth the charge to get your records. You'd be surprised at how little they actually say about you. I had a wonderful PCP who left the practice, and the doctor I was reassigned to was a bit wet behind the ears (I've been known to eat a medical resident or two before lunch), and we didn't get along! Her ideas of proper treatment were absolutely ridiculous. She sent me to a GI doc but didn't forward the ultrasound which showed a very serious case of gallstones! Only mentioned it in passing to me. Guess what I really needed--gallbladder surgery. So when I found a new PCP I picked up my previous records myself. What a hoot!

Tracie

My own PCP has strongly encouraged me to make sure I get copies of all test results from other doctors. Her offices alwasy sends me copies of test results. Her sister in law had a similar situation of an abnormal test result being missed that had a very negative outcome.

Patient's in the majority of states have had the right to their medical record information for some time. HIPPA has made that a fact in all states. Most of our records are quite boring. Candance you might be surprised that while you ask alot of questions etc, your doctor might consider you a better patient for it. People who don't ask and than wonder what went wrong or wonder why they weren't told something ususally are worse patients. Doctors really cannot think of everything. Your questions help them many times, especially if they are asked in the spirit of wanting to learn and be informed. Stepping down from the soap box now.

This link might help you get organized for the first appointmentMigraineur's Guide to a Successful Doctor's Appointment.

Good luck
Cindy

Candace,

I'm so excited you're seeing your new doctor so soon! When I fired my neuro I asked for my records first and then let her know it was time to move on. She was very understanding about it and even let me refill my presciptions while I was searching for a new doctor.

Here's another article that will help you get prepared:

Coping with Busy Doctors-You can learn how to get more out of your doctor's appointment even if they're busy.

Keep us posted, k?

Candace, the others have given you some good advice, so I'll just add that I'm very happy to hear you got in with another doctor. I'm sending you lots of positive thoughts. I hope your appointment goes well and this doc turns out to be a keeper.