Aa
why does it take so long
im feeling frustrated today....plus its shot day=( my doc has had my 12 week lab results for 2 days and has yet to call me with results....very anxious this time.....ugh
Quest faxes me directly ususally before I get in the the morning. On a vl test it usually takes draw on Wed am and tests on fax as early as Sat. I also get followup hard copy in mail about a week later for my permanent records. I don't know if they would email me, to me it is moot as all i want is immediate results for decision making, good copies come for file later.
Cool thing is that with my limited knowledge, the doctor steps the discussion up a notch and goes over more complicated issues and comparisons. We are like a team working to resolve this the best ways to eradicate my disease. With out my interest or knowledge I think I would be just another numbered patient. He knows me by name and shakes my hand and usually stops to chat for 30 seconds while I am in hospital for something else. It is a healthy relationship.
Cool thing is that with my limited knowledge, the doctor steps the discussion up a notch and goes over more complicated issues and comparisons. We are like a team working to resolve this the best ways to eradicate my disease. With out my interest or knowledge I think I would be just another numbered patient. He knows me by name and shakes my hand and usually stops to chat for 30 seconds while I am in hospital for something else. It is a healthy relationship.
My lab is Quest and I have copies sent to me and my GP.
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Curious, does Quest fax you the results directly or is it coming from your doctor?
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Curious, does Quest fax you the results directly or is it coming from your doctor?
My 10 week labs came back, mostly in order. One problem, platelet clumping. 2nd week in a row. Doc is watching this number and I thought it might be the triglycerides but that is not it. The asked me to get next labs done at hospital instead of Quest because of variance of enzymes used in testing platelets. What could cause it? Low platelet and not good enough test process. I said no problem, send me new order and I will get it next week. Doctor said they would email me copy of labs for my files. I asked abut platelets and have not bruising or bleeding issues. wonder why they are clumping? Proactive Angel, it is not about ethics, it is about the rules.
I have copies of all my labs faxed to my office. ALL of them. All tests I have copies sent to me. My records, I pay for them.
Prior to tx and dx stage I missed one lab during a follow up a few years back and the doctors office wanted to charge me for a copy. I ranted and they wouldn't budge. So I asked them what the results were and they told me over the phone. I was scheduled for a visit 2 weeks later and when they called to remind me of appt I said cancel it. They asked why and I said I already have results and don't need to pay doctor $180 to retell me. I told office I would have more blood drawn in 6 months (protocol) and get back with them. they were not happy then.
Today, I am one of their easiest patients, I am on top of my labs and understand them. Most calls are of a chit chat nature and they have me labeled special in their computers as "one who knows" They answer my questions, more than I answer theirs.
My lab is Quest and I have copies sent to me and my GP. Waiting for the viral load is worrisome, especially the 4 weeker. I remember going into work and seeing the fax on the machine and I just left it there fo 1/2 hour while I made some coffee and got ready for my day. It was kind of like a slow bottle of ketchup, the anticipation. Result, non detectable.
Ask your doctor first and if he says no then demand. They will give in.
Prior to tx and dx stage I missed one lab during a follow up a few years back and the doctors office wanted to charge me for a copy. I ranted and they wouldn't budge. So I asked them what the results were and they told me over the phone. I was scheduled for a visit 2 weeks later and when they called to remind me of appt I said cancel it. They asked why and I said I already have results and don't need to pay doctor $180 to retell me. I told office I would have more blood drawn in 6 months (protocol) and get back with them. they were not happy then.
Today, I am one of their easiest patients, I am on top of my labs and understand them. Most calls are of a chit chat nature and they have me labeled special in their computers as "one who knows" They answer my questions, more than I answer theirs.
My lab is Quest and I have copies sent to me and my GP. Waiting for the viral load is worrisome, especially the 4 weeker. I remember going into work and seeing the fax on the machine and I just left it there fo 1/2 hour while I made some coffee and got ready for my day. It was kind of like a slow bottle of ketchup, the anticipation. Result, non detectable.
Ask your doctor first and if he says no then demand. They will give in.
If you either use Quest or Labcorp for doing your VL's you can sign up to have the report sent to you via email. Unfortunately, your doctor has to authorize this and be willing to participate and have staff willing to learn how to do this. They simply provide you the necessary codes to input. My doctor wasn't aware you could do this, so I never had the chance to use it. I know others on the forum have taken advantage of it.
Quest has a mobile app called Gazelle and Labcorp - Beacon. Ask your doc if they are willing to look into this so you don't have to wait for several days to get these results.
Quest has a mobile app called Gazelle and Labcorp - Beacon. Ask your doc if they are willing to look into this so you don't have to wait for several days to get these results.
It is your blood and your health and they are your records. I don't think they can legally keep them from you. They can not tell you your results. All I have to do is sign their form and they hand me my results, no questions asked.
see i tried to get my results from the lab and was told it was unethical to give them to me before i talked to my doc...i told him weird seeing hows my first VL results were given to me before the doc...he said they arent supposed to. heres what i think...its our blood..and we have every right to know what the hell is going on. i doubt the nurse or doc is tossing and turning at night...grrrrr just venting
I never wait for the Dr to call. I always go pick up my own results from the lab. They're our results, we can get them anytime. For my 12 weel VL, I knew my results three days before dr. called.
I really hate that some doctor's offices still behave as if you're privileged to be their patient.
Sometimes you have to make a stink. Stop being the nice polite one.
If it were me, I'd keep phoning, vent my riba rage on them, cry scream, go ballistic and tell them exactly what you want. If you call every hour on the hour I'll bet someone would get your the answer quickly just to shut you up.
However, I was lucky. If the nurse didn't call me the day after my labs came, I phoned her. She brought them up on her computer and told them to me.
However, I had done this with AT& T when they were screwing me around on a bill. It works.
Sometimes you have to make a stink. Stop being the nice polite one.
If it were me, I'd keep phoning, vent my riba rage on them, cry scream, go ballistic and tell them exactly what you want. If you call every hour on the hour I'll bet someone would get your the answer quickly just to shut you up.
However, I was lucky. If the nurse didn't call me the day after my labs came, I phoned her. She brought them up on her computer and told them to me.
However, I had done this with AT& T when they were screwing me around on a bill. It works.
I just commented in another thread that I NEVER received the calls about my VL that I was promised. Not. Once.
So yes, I called. And I didn't leave messages, either. I just kept calling and calling until the study coordinator answer the darned phone!
The response was always the same, "Oh, yes. I *just* received your results and I was about to call you."
Trouble is, I always waited at least two days after she said she would have them. I would believe it to be true if it happened once or twice. But late every time? Sheesh.
So yes, I called. And I didn't leave messages, either. I just kept calling and calling until the study coordinator answer the darned phone!
The response was always the same, "Oh, yes. I *just* received your results and I was about to call you."
Trouble is, I always waited at least two days after she said she would have them. I would believe it to be true if it happened once or twice. But late every time? Sheesh.
You're the patient. You're the customer. Who feels worse you or nurse? Just one thing though, after dealing with my treatment doc for more than two years I learned his schedule. For example, every Wednesay - morning til late afternoon he was shoving hoses up or down patients. So, I never expected to hear from him on Wednesdays. For other non-hcv reasons, ahem, we did bump into each other on a few Wednesdays over the years. Those are days not to pizz the guy off, or shake hands.
LOL!! how tempting that sounds right now=) only my doc is 2 hours away. is it dumb to feel like you are gunna **** off the nurse if u call for the third time today?
Go take a seat in his office. Put your feet up. Bring a noisy snack (Funyons) and wait him out !
Girl, don't be sorry, it just gets really hard sometimes; the meds, and stress on top of that! BREATHE.
C
C
ive called twice...i mean how hard is it to look over the results and make a 2 minute phone call....im sorry...im feeling very overwhelmed today
Yes, I'd be calling them requesting this information. This is important stuff to just push off for a few days.
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