Since my last post I have decided to find a rheumatologist here in the US. The only problem is, there is only two in my area. One is no longer accepting anymore new patients. The other won't see anyone without referrals regardless if I have insurance or not. The general doctors that I go to won't give referrals unless I have medical insurance, which I don't. So I seem to be stuck in a rut.
Currently, I'm applying for Medical Assistance, but that can take up to 30 days to process. In the meantime, I'm really struggling with my pain and possible side affects. When I went to the general doctor with complaints about symptoms, they just brushed it off.
I felt a little neglected and the pain wasn't going away. So I googled and I finally figured out why my one finger is causing me so much pain. Why I'll wake up because it feels like it burns and I can't straighten it. I've developed trigger finger. Its getting harder and harder to straighten it in the morning, even if I'm using my other hand. I was able to figure out that within 5 minutes. After a 45 minute and a brief appointment, my doctor had nothing to say about the pain in my hand. Its no wonder that I feel like American doctors, especially ones in small towns, are being paid to do nothing.
Previously, I had suspected I had RA, but the doctor brushed it off as inflammation. Lo and behold, half a year later, I was diagnosed with RA. I feel like I do a better job of diagnosing myself. The only problem is, I can't treat myself, but its hard to get treatment from doctors who brush off the symptoms I talk to them about.
Why can't I find a good doctor!?!
I'm Canadian, so unfortunately I don't know enough about the American system to be of substantial help to you - hopefully, you'll get some suggestions from other users.
I've got a couple suggestions that may be helpful or may not be. Try contacting the American College of Rheumatologists - they may be able to give you some information. You could also try to get around the system by going to an ER - sometimes, the staff in emergency rooms can give you information on how to get through the system or they may be able to give you a referral. You may also try to contact the city government where you live - there may be city-run clinics for people who don't have insurance who could help you. And if all else fails, contact your congressperson - sometimes, elected officials can be very helpful in intervening on behalf of their constituents.
Hi - I'm on the US side of the border and here are a few things that come to mind:
1) Call your County medical association and ask for a referral or suggestion.
2) I have a friend who wouldn't be treated by one of the nearer rheumatologists because her lab tests didn't fit the profile, but she has psoriatic arthritis. She found a dr. who is not a specialist who was willing to treat her (he is knowledgeable because he too has RA) prescribe her methotrexate, and she's been successfully on it for 25 years.
3) another friend of mine preferred to go to a PA (PHysician's assistant). PAs and nurse practitioners can prescribe medication.
4) Do you have copies of all your medical records? If not, request a copy of everything from your GP. I always request a copy now whenever I have a test done, even routine blood tests, because you never know when some doctor is going to leave town or close practice. I have never had to insist, but some doctors may balk, however, you are entitled to this. You may have to pay a copy fee, but I don't believe that they can deny you this. Doctors may prefer to send it directly to a doctor, but if your doctor isn't willing to refer you, then his office can at least provide you with the testing results and records so that you can go elsewhere. If not, then once again try contacting the medical society or association. At the very least, they could be sent there, so another doctor could request them with your permission. (Those HIPAA laws cause a lot of aggravation, in my opinion! I once had to sign a waiver for the doctor to release information to me about myself! But that's unusual...)
5) If you do have to go out of your area - well, I know it's inconvenient, but you might be better off in the long run. I had to go 70 miles for a while - now sometimes the doctor comes to my area for one day a month, but more and more, the appointments are full when I try to schedule locally. It shouldn't be that way, but that's the facts of life. If you can get to a city, at least to have the initial prescribing done, then perhaps your local doctor or PA could take it from there. But RA does require regular follow-ups, and you should have access to a specialist in case of needing changes in medicine, new symptoms, etc.
Hope this helps! Keep in touch ...
I tried to copy direct from a Word File that I created by pasting names from the insurance website. Guess that was not the best way...
Thanks so much for posting that - it'll be a handy reference for me and helpful to the users who need care, but have no insurance.