Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Is there a doctor in the house?

Seriously, NYC. What is up with your doctors? All I want is someone to refill my birth control so I don't get extremely sick (or have a baby) but it's the hardest thing in the world.

I've been to several doctors since I moved here 2 years ago. The first was near-ish my house and I thought they would take my COBRA insurance. He was nice enough, but I was there for 8 hours. No lie. The 2nd was through my (new) work -union -insurance, and he was a bitter old Hassidic Jew that should not have been a gyno because he didn't believe in birth control. We conflicted over many things until I finally just stopped going. The third (attempt) was right by my house, but I waited in her office for 4 hours before even being acknowledged. I was going to die from hunger, so I left and never came back*.

The 4th was recommended to me by Suzanne, and she was awesome. I loved her. She was smart and competent and timely and her office staff were all of these things as well. She didn't make me take any preg tests or pap shmears or anything. Then suddenly I got a letter saying she was leaving the practice on January 30. The letter was dated 1/23, and I received it February 2. So the awesome doctor completely disappeared off the face of the earth, and believe me, I've been looking.

Then right before I went to CA in March, I called the pharm to renew my rx, which said it had a refill. "Oops" the pharm said. "Someone messed up. You don't actually have any refills." Nor did I have a doctor to call. And I was going out of town for 2 weeks. More thanks to Suzanne, she gave me her friend Dr.P's number and she refilled my rx. I felt bad doing it but the pharm messed up so I didn't get a chance to plan ahead.

Now it's approaching the time to renew my rx again. Still no word from Awesome Doctor, so I called the number they gave me on the letter. I have called about 5 times over the last 2 days, and the phone has never been answered. Not once. And each time I've held for over 5 minutes while the same 2 piano songs play, interrupted constantly by a recording that says "Please continue holding for the next available agent. Thank you." But that doesn't help me get my medicine, now does it?

I just want my rx refilled for a year. I'm fine on the meds, there's no need to see a doctor. I just need to be able to get more. I'm about to call the free clinic, which will be more inconvenient, but it's my last hope. That or fly back to CA to see my beloved Dr. K.

No sicky, and no babies. Is that too much to ask? Lord help me if I ever have an emergency.




* Since I was never acknowledged, I was not charged the no-show fee, which is good because it would have been a major pain in my ass to fight it, which I would have.





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18 comments:

Serena Woodward said...

Yet another reason I love living in a smaller area. If I needed birth control pills and I couldn't get in to see my doctor I could just call the local health department and they would set me up. I'm sorry you're having such trouble. Doctors can be such a pain in the butt somtimes.

super des said...

Yeah, I'm really thinking I'm going to the free clinic.

Brillig said...

Arrrggghhh. What a pain. I have only horrific stories when it comes to ob/gyn's. There's just something about them and me that doesn't... work. Like that one time that I was pregnant and I disagreed with the doctor (who was giving me LOUSY advice--I was looking for a more natural approach and he was a very medical guy) who then screamed at me, with hatred spewing from his self-righteous lips, in front of not only my children but also an entire waiting room full of people, that he hoped my BABY WOULDN'T DIE. But that's a whole nother story--even though I now think I've told the whole thing... ooops. Do I have my own blog? Why, yes I do, thank you for asking. hahaha.

Anyway, my POINT is that I hate ob/gyn's but sometimes, as in your case, they're a necessity. I hope you find someone you can stand working with who will fill your Rx!!!

super des said...

Wow. I hope everyone in that waiting room got up and left.

I've never been in a screaming match, but I might someday.

Brillig said...

BY THE WAY!!! I have to tell you that I'm an idiot with my bloglights on my blog. You SHOULD have been highlighted yesterday, but for some reason I have you on my blog roll as "Super Des" rather than "The Wonderful World of Des." Anyway, I just didn't want you to think that I was skipping you or anything... ;-)

super des said...

eh, I always think I should be first, alphabetical or not.
:)

Alex Elliot said...

That sucks! I just called my doctor today to get a refill. I had to make an appointment for an annual, but since I did that, they sent in the refill even though the appointment is in August. I had really meant to make my annual appointment earlier, but I just kept forgetting. It may be hard to believe, but having a pap smear is not right up there on my list of fun things to do.

cathouse teri said...

Free clinics. Planned parenthood. I dunno. There has got to be SOMETHING! Are you broke? There is a place here that costs eighty bucks to see a doc. They will usually give you what you need for six months or so, but they recommend you see a doctor and get tests, etc, very soon.

Also, I think it very odd that I gave you my number in this public place and you never called. Nay, never even acknowledged it. Would you care to explain that?

super des said...

I think you deleted your number. Anyway I'm not a big calling person.

I am going to a planned parenthood I think. They take my insurance and since I don't need any tests this might be easiest.

Pendullum said...

can not believe the rotten luck with Docs...
And I would hate to think if you really do have a medical emergency...
Ask around Des... You really need to have a GP just in case... Kinda like a safety net...

super des said...

I got the name of a GP when I got the gyno's name. I just haven't been in to see him /her yet. But for some reason the GPs here don't do bc pills. Ugh. My doc in CA was a GP and he did EVERYTHING and it was so much easier.

jessabean said...

Man, this SUCKS. I really hope you are able to find someone to dispense you some medicine! If I couldn't get my nuvaring, I think I'd panic.

Good luck!

super des said...

It really is stupid.
Maybe I should just give up and have kids?

LittlePea said...

Oh That sux. This has nothing to do with your grief but maybe it will make you feel better: my sister is so in love with her gynecologist! Isn't that hilarious?

super des said...

ha ha!
That's almost inappropriate.

Suzanne said...

A good GP will definitely give you a birth control prescrip.

I am mad that our doctor disappeared, too. I'm going to ask Amusing Farf who she uses, as she seems to like her doc a lot.

Cherann said...

What about planned parenthood. don't they like hand them out for free?? Or make friends with a birth control drug rep...they're always hanging out at the gyny offices.

super des said...

I'm going to planned parenthood. BC isn't free, but they take insurance like any other doctor.

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