At the end of 2015, my primary care doctor closed his office to relocate to the east coast. I was sad, because I really liked his attitude and his emphasis on better dietary and lifestyle choices for health issues instead of prescription drugs.
The hospital he was affiliated with sent out a letter announcing his relocation. Along with the letter was a sheet that listed several suggested physicians. Shortly after that I happened to be in the doctor's office and I asked him which of the suggested ones he'd recommend. On the way out of the office I signed the form to have my records transferred to that new office.
Hubby Tony also had to switch but he chose a different physician. He came back from his initial visit with the new doctor with a glowing report. In the meantime, I was having trouble setting up an appointment. The first time I tried to call the new office they couldn't find my records, and a couple of days when I tried to call again it went to voice mail and was never returned. After that I ended up changing my mind and opting for Tony's doctor.
Today was my first appointment. This doctor likes patients to bring in all their medicine bottles so they can verify what the patient is taking. I don't have any prescriptions, but my collection of supplements was enough to fill a small shopping bag. There were the Costco-sized bottles of calcium and Vitamin D3 (to help absorb that calcium), smaller bottles of Vitamin B-12 (because I don't eat much meat), black cohosh (for hot flashes) and a couple of kinds of digestive enzymes (that were suggested by my chiropractor).
When I was filling out paperwork in the waiting room I had to list everything, including dosage and how often I took each. There were several other patients in the room and it was slightly embarrassing to pull out the bottles.
Five years ago today: Zoom
It's always a bit sad to see people moving on and out of our lives. You are lucky you are not on any prescription meds. I just take one for blood pressure and vitamin D, omega 3 and glucosamine supplements. My husband calls those my 'fake' meds.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you're so healthy!
DeleteYou sound very healthy! Because I rarely eat meat or dairy and need the B vitamins I've started eating at least two eggs a week. I hope your new doc is good like your old doc. It's tough when your doctor is suddenly gone.
ReplyDeleteEggs sound like a good idea. I had hoped that the old doctor would be the last one I'd have to choose, but he obviously didn't consult with me :-)
DeleteI take Imedeen tablets. They seem to work, I still have skin. However I seem to buy my oldest masses of supplements as she has allergies to nuts and raw fruit and veg so misses out on vits and minerals in food.
ReplyDeleteAnna, thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! It must be rough to try to feed someone with a lot of food allergies.
DeleteLike you, there are no meds, just a box full of supplements. I only mention them to my dr now and then. She's never asked for a list. She did say one time, though, "whatever you're doing, keep doing it because it's working."
ReplyDeleteHere's to no meds! I suspect there's no need for a list because you have a good relationship with your doctor.
DeleteThat "having trouble setting up an appointment ... couldn't find my records ... voice mail and never returned" were giant red flags. It's been a number of years since my doctor relocated to a facility too far for me to travel. The new doctor is lovely, but I still miss the doc I was previously very happy with.
ReplyDeleteYou're right...GIANT red flags. Glad I listened to them.
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