First things first: whether you celebrate Christmas or any other holidays, or just want a pick me up during this unseasonably warm and wet winter, we want to let you know that there might be something fun for you on the blog this Friday.
Now onto a more personal matter.
I hesitated about sharing this, because I try to keep personal things off the blog lately. However, it might help someone, and since my friend helped me, I should pass it on.
Gordon and I have had our annual doctor visits in November. We were less than satisfied with those, because we had to wait an hour and each of us got 10 minutes with the doctor. It was like a conveyer belt. Most of us are HMO plan patients, because that’s what you can get off the exchange in Texas.
Prediabetes has been a concern for me for a while. Predictably my A1C and fasting sugar numbers were not stellar. My A1C wasn’t higher or lower than last year, but it was still in the prediabetic range, so I made zero progress. I got the same note from our doctor I do every year: try to lose weight, adhere to a better diet, and exercise more. Word for word.
When I asked my doctor what else I can do to improve my numbers, since I have changed what I ate and how much and have gone to Mordor and back on my elliptical and have the receipts to prove it, which I showed him during our visit, he said that he doesn’t handle weight loss related issues because it’s too much hassle with the insurance and suggested I see someone else.
Gordon just got handwaved through his appointment.
So I complained about this to a friend, who clued me into something called concierge medicine. Basically, you pay a monthly fee to an internist directly. At that point, I was frustrated enough to try it. We had some additional questions about our blood work results and our regular doctor office just informed us that we have to make 3 separate appointments, one per each question, since they are technically different health issues.
Yeah. Each of us had an hour with the doctor. Do you know how bad my numbers truly are? My insurance, which nickels and dimes me every chance they can, approved the diabetes medication for me. They bypassed all of the usual try this, try that, we are not paying for this expensive drug. It was straight go to the pharmacy, pick up your meds, we need to lower your blood sugar now.
And Gordon is going to undergo some tests this Friday, because although he lost weight – as I mentioned, we both worked out regularly this year and changed our diet – his cholesterol suddenly spiked into a dangerous range.
We both needed urgent medical intervention. I, especially. If I let this go on as it was before, I would suffer serious medical consequences. None of this was addressed in our previous visit.
My new doctor texted me to check up on me. She texted me. She remembered I existed and she checked on me. I didn’t have to make an appointment or send her messages through the special system, where I would be told I have to schedule a telemedicine appointment for a 5 minute phone call 3 weeks in advance.
I called my friend and told her that she probably saved my health.
So. This is a small PSA: if you didn’t know, concierge medicine exists. And, if you have a feeling that you are not getting your questions answered, try a different doctor, concierge or not.
As for me, I’m on a draconian diet, I’m taking my meds, and I’m working on trying to readjust my life about this new scary development. I will let you know how it goes. I’ll be honest with you, although this was not the best news, my state of mind is so much better, because I know someone with a medical degree is actually paying attention to my health.
A note for the comments, just in case: please remember that BDH is not a substitute for medical professionals. We appreciate you keeping recommendations for miracle cures to a minimum.
I can relate, I fought for a diagnosis this time last year and anyone to beleive me.
I had a good feeling of my issues being something but I was deemed 2 years too young for menapause. I saw 4 gp’s before I finally met one that really listened.
I finally got a set of tests to look for fibroids and put on menapause treatments.
It’s felt like a long road but I finally feel more me with a doctor who seems to listen and remember me. it makes a huge difference to feeling like a number.
Ugh – it is so sad when medical systems are so terrible that people have to seek out options like this. Our system is maybe slightly better from a cost perspective in Canada, and you still see the same problem with family doctors hand waving and not actively managing health. I am glad you found a service that was affordable and helpful for you! I’ve also found having a good family doctor removes a lot of mental load and stress, because you know your health is in good hands vs. feeling like you have to do all the management and worrying yourself.
I wanted to mention something that worked for my mom and me, and got us both off the prediabetic list and lowered our cholesterol and we both lost weight. We started intermittent fasting. My mom is 83, and she fasts for 14 hours a day. I am 60, and I fast for 16 hours a day. It was hard at first, but now I am used to it, and feel great. It was my doctor that suggested it. It is not a cure all by any means, but it did make a big differences for my mom and me.
I have tried it for a year with a 6 hour eating window. I had no benefits from it.
Diabetes is scary but completely controllable IF you have the right medical team. I have had it for 20 years and after a team change 2 years ago am consistently in the 6’s for A1c. Good luck to both of you. So glad you are finally getting the help you need!
I am SO. GLAD. You are now receiving better support medically! Keep on keeping on – you’ve got this. The BDH supports you!!!!
My mom and dad started going to a doctor that did not accept insurance, she took a flat payment – they received excellent care and looked at them as people
Not numbers
I once went to a new medical provider office and the office staff…all of them… were too busy doing their “job” to look at me. At check out, with the 4th person who was busy on their computer I said “Wow! 4 for 4. Not one single person as looked at me all visit!” He looked up at me, shocked. Then when I said there was no need to make a return visit since I would not be back, he was dumbfounded. The problem is I am a medical provider also. There is a way to include patients when you are busy charting…you turn the screen and do it together! It’s their chart after all. Then you can look back and forth from the screen to them.
I lucked into a great NP a few years ago in a well run office. Thankfully she’s younger than I am, so I’m hoping I never loose her! The tone comes from the top, and if the docs are burned out and don’t really care, the staff finds it hard to care as well.
Sadly, I get why those MDs are so exhausted. The type of plan you’re on pays a lump sum per year, and it’s barely enough to cover basic medical care. MDs have to see a ton of patients to keep all the staff required to manage the paperwork required by the insurance companies, see enough patients to make an actual living and pay off school loans, and try to minimize referrals (for which they are often dinged and payment reduced.) It’s a lousy system, but what we’re stuck with.
So glad you found a great alternative!!
I’m really glad you got the help; I’ve been on the pre-diabetes meds for almost a year now and have lost 62 lbs, feel a million times better, and my A1C is staying where it needs to be. I didn’t do draconian “diet” though so much as just ate smaller portions (because honestly, I just wasn’t hungry). I hope this works for you, too — it was just such a relief to get the weight off after fighting for YEARS and years.
(I was giving two years of infusions which included steroids for a rare autoimmune thing, and that packed on the weight and I just could not get it off, no matter how I ate / dieted / exercised. It was so depressing.)
Thank you for the info on the concierge medicine thing—I had not heard of that.
*given
This is exactly what happened with me. I had been seeing several doctors for years trying to figure out why my GI issues were so bad. They never did bloodwork and gave me a lot of platitudes. I finally found someone else that, after hearing what I had been through, yelled about Doctors treating symptoms not the disease, and ordered bloodwork. We found I was not only diabetic but also had IBS.
I’m sorry you had to go through that, but I’ll second your thoughts. While it was not great news, I’m glad I found out what was happening. And if you don’t have a doctor that’s listening to you, change doctors until you do.
Guys;
I went all the way to type 2 diabetes, I wish you all the luck in the world in postponing it. And I have kidney failure, as well- so FB has ‘helped’ me with ads for myriad ‘cures’ that would embarrass a snake oil salesman. They’re good for a laugh, though.
I am so glad I am a Canadian. I see my GP annually and he is very proactive. I also see my diabetic counsellor quarterly (she works out of my doctor’s office.). My GP stops in to check on me when I see her.
Really? What province are you in? I hear so many stories of people not being able to get GPs. In BC I just heard a clip on CBC of two docs starting something to support the many on wait lists.
I’m with you. Got diagnosed last April with diabetes and put on a medication. Went back in Sept and my numbers were worse! So now I’m on 2 meds and working, literally, my ass off. Changing my diet has been really rough but enlightening. I never realized how much of my previous diet contained processed carbohydrates.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you during the holidays – so many cookies
Congrats on being an active participant in your own health, looking for better and getting it!
Blessings
I’m so glad to hear you and Gordon found a better healthcare path and are following a process that will help you get your numbers back under control. As we age, keeping an eye on this stuff is so crucial. The HMO process you described is simply awful but all too familiar.
We had a similar eye opening experience with our annual checkups this year, also. Our response was to switch to a Mediterranean diet and are already seeing good results. Brisk daily walks, included.
I wish you, Gordon, and the rest of your family a healthy, peaceful holiday season.
I would also recommend advance practice nurses, especially in private practice.
I feel you Ilona and Gordon, last year after finally got diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension after 3 hospital visits, and feeling like the doctors were not listening to me. Now on the right medications I am starting to feel normal again
So glad to hear you are getting the care and attention you need.