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1059594 tn?1261323966

How To Switch Doctors?

Hi guys,

My general practitioner and I really don't mesh!  I've been going to her for maybe 11 years, I haven't really seen her many times but every time I have RECENTLY, she seems agitated.  She yelled at me for filling medication from the ER, even tho I called and asked the staff BEFORE I filled it the next day, I was prescribed Loratab 5 mg, Flexeril 10 mg and Voltaren.  When I went into my next appt. I told her I went to the ER and that I had called and the staff told me that if you had a problem with them you would've called.  She looked through the report and the medications, asked me what I had filled, I told her the Flexeril and Loratab, I didn't fill the Voltaren because it was 45 dollars.  She said "They didn't have a generic?" I said "that was the generic"she said "there is no way" and she wrote in my file "Didn't try this medication", and she asked "So, you filled the loratab?" I said yes and she was obviously angry, I told her that did help more than the Ultram and she yelled "Well you don't want to be on those the rest of your life!" I went ahead and filled the Voltaren when I had the funds just to see how it helped, it made me puke so I never took it again.

She was once caring, once she couldn't diagnose me, she thought I was full of it.  She refused to refill my ativan and once she referred me to the Neuro, she refused to refill ANY of my medicines. She waited until I ran out of medication to tell me she would no longer be filling my prescriptions. I DID take Lisinopril for high blood pressure, I called and said I need a refill of that and she had the Nurse ask me "The doctor wants to know if you really still need the Lisinopril?"  I said "Well why wouldn't I? I've been taking it for months, I would assume that if I didn't my blood pressure would go up again, right?" and she said "Well check your pharmacy by 5" which it was never called in.

So how do I go about switching doctors?  I want to switch before I have to go back to her, how do I switch a doctor without a reason to see a doctor? (i.e. visiting the doctor because of a sickness)  What do I do?  I have NO experience with this, I just refuse to go back to her, I would rather be horribly sick for weeks than to deal with someone that is really rude to me and doesn't believe me.  (BTW, my neuro had diagnosed me with Small and Large fiber sensory neuropathy, with obvious proof)

Thanks guys :)
4 Responses
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547368 tn?1440541785
Hi Joshua,

My concern is that your Lisinopril was not refilled. Yes I am concerned for your pain also but uncontrolled hypertension can be life threatened. I suggest that first you have your B/P checked, like asap. This can usually be done at any pharmacy. If it is elevated to any great degree you cannot wait to see a physician. Your B/P can fluctuate so don't rely on just one reading. Please have it checked at several different times.

As you have been advised it is easy to change physicians. You do not have to have a reason. Just cal and make an appointment. Good luck to you and watch that B/P.  

Take Care,
Tuck
Helpful - 0
1059594 tn?1261323966
I called the other office, it's closed to Jan. 4th (is that a strike?) on the other hand, it was the actual doctor that left a message saying what to do in case of an emergency and who to call, he said that he'll be back Jan 4th and he will take walk-in's that morning!  I guess they all have to take vacations :)

I want everyone to know, this isn't because I'm trying to find a doctor to prescribe me different medications, that is what my Neuro is for. :)

Thanks for all of your help you guys :), I posted this on the other forum and they were very rude.  They basically called me a "doctor shopper".  I've been to 3 doctors in my life!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks guys again!  I was just nervous on how to do this, I wanted to do it right since I have no experience :)
Helpful - 0
356518 tn?1322263642
You need to get a new doctor that is for sure. You can simply make an appointment with another doctor and have your records sent to the new doctor. You will need to go and sign a release at the new doctors office before your appointment so that way the new doctor will have them by your appointment. You could also just ask for a referral to a pain management doctor. I believe this would be the best thing for you to do at this point. if she refuses to give you a referral then see the new doctor and go from there. You do not really need a reason to switch doctors but you do have a very valid reason for doing so.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi --  I'm not sure what insurance you may have, but what I would suggest is a) looking for doctors listed in the yellow pages of your local phone book b) call your local hospital and see if they have a physician referral service or c) call your neuro and see if he/she has any suggestions for a "regular" doctor.  With any of these, call the office of the new doctor and ask them if they are accepting new patients and if they are, ask to make an appointment.  Quite often it takes a while to get into a new doctor, so even if you don't have an immediate need, it's a good idea to make the appointment so that when and if you need them, you'll be established with their practice.  In my experience you don't have to have an immediate need for a physician in order to request a first visit, so long as they are accepting new patients.  If any of the new offices asks you either IF you have a current doctor or why you're looking to switch, you simply have to tell them you are not satisified or comfortable with the care that you are receiving.  Most of them will not pressure you for more information than that - I guess kind of a code of honor about not talking/gossiping about fellow physicians.  I, myself, switched doctors when I was not satisfied with the care I was receiving from my previous doctor (she literally sent me into seizures by stopping a medication abruptly that I should have been weaned down off of instead of just withdrawing it - nearly killed me)

You may want to check with your insurance company to see if  there are any other requirements for changing physicians in order to retain coverage - i.e., making sure you choose a doctor that is a "participating provider" with them.  If you are having trouble finding a doctor on your own, they may also be able to provide you with some suggestions.

I hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
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