NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!

[davincidanes]

I just need to vent.  My appt. with an MS Specialist at Vanderbilt University Hospital was set up over four months ago to be on Feb. 24th.  I just got a post card in the mail that changes it to 6-01....  Oh, yeah, I called them and clearly stated my feelings about this being unacceptable. I was told that at the time the appt. was made, they didn't know the doctor was going to be off that day.  The only way they can get me it earlier, perhaps with a different doctor, is for my General Neuro to call them.  Left message for her......  I'm livid right now!!!

That is all.   :(

[davincidanes]

Thanks, all!  Happy Valentine's Day!

[4happygnomes]

So glad they are making it right for you!  

Hang tight and Happy Valentine's day!

Karen

[ksrn19]

good! I'm glad they're working something out with you. So sorry to hear about your frustrations. I've been on the phone every day for the last 6 weeks trying to get my copaxone and I've been without them for 2 months. Now having exacerbation. You can imagine the words that my doctors office received from me after finding out that it was all their fault all along.

Who knew that dealing with insurance companies, specialty pharmacies, and doctors offices would be worse than the MS itself!? :0) chin up!

[davincidanes]

Update:  So, three days after my first phone message to my general neuro, I get a return call from her assistant.  I'm told that they were as unhappy as I was, and felt bad for the situation.  They are going to try to get me in earlier.  I had asked why it was that I was scheduled with this particular doctor and she said it's because he is the best in the state, and apparently that's what I need.  In the meantime, she set up an appt. for me to come back to see them on the 23rd, so that is something.  
Hope all have a good weekend and Happy Valentine's Day.
~ Linda

[aspen2]

Happens all the time.  In April-May 2014 I was smack dab in the middle of a relapse.  I was booked to see my ms neuro for the beginning of May.  It would have been the FIRST time he had seen me in the middle of one of the episodes.  I had double vision, the right side of my face had drooped, I had balance issues and was falling.

I got the notice in the mail April 29 or something like that that my appointment had been moved until June.

I was ticked ... but there is nothing you can do.  Turns out he had ended up at an MS conference ... to keep up to date ... probably a good thing, right?  I took photos of my face, saw someone else re: my eyes who sent him a report.  I was much better by June and told him so -- he was honestly sorry he hadn't seen me (and I still failed all the gait and balance tests, so he informed me even though I was much better .. I was still the worst he'd seen).

I so empathize with you, having done this lots.  And by the way, the waits around here can be a year for a first appointment!

[davincidanes]

Thanks.  I'll give an update after I can talk to my Neuro.  No return call yet.  :(

[4happygnomes]

Oh, that's terrible!  Keeping my fingers crossed that you can get in right away!  

Karen

[davincidanes]

Thanks for the support everyone.  I'm hoping I get a call back today.
If I have to wait until June it will be a full year that I started this journey when the lower half of my body became numb and I've lost balance & coordination.  

Hugs,  Linda

[nov23h2004]

Oh No! I'm so sorry to hear that. Like you stated we have a shortage in MS doctors and it's hard enough to get an appt but they should have some available for situations like this. Not sure how long your appts are but mine are like 20-30 min so you'd think they'd be able to squeeze you in. Well hopefully everything works out for you.

Take care
Stephanie

[davincidanes]

Thanks, everyone.  I'm done being angry. Right now, I am just very sad.  :(

[Joiedecour]

sorry to hear that....how very annoying.....hope you can get it worked out or get a cancellation. take care, hugs.

[Wobbly]

That's horrible.... I would be upset at that too.  But I have to say it happens more then you think.   It's very frustrating and it's happened to me before.  

Take care
Wobbly

[davincidanes]

Oh, Alex. I totally understand that there is a shortage of MS Specialists.  It just seemed to me that a 4 month initial wait is long enough... now another 3 1/2 months added to that seems incredulous to me.

I sure hope I can come up with another option when the Gen. Neuro's assistant calls me back. I'm crossing fingers that it is tomorrow.

And you are right.  My dogs get great veterinary care.... Right now I feel like it's much better than mine.  :(

[HVAC]

You have aright to be mad. It is upsetting.


My MS Specialist has a couple thousand patients. My appointments with him are always put off for several months or I do not see him at all. His N.P. is very good. If I am lucky I will see him three years since my last appointment. I complained when I was changed from him to the N.P. who I had never met the last time. They just got upset with me. They said I could have waited six months to see him which would have been 18 months.

He teaches and is over booked with patients. Duke which is a big university has one or two MS Specialists. We usually have 5 MS specialists and a population way over a million people in our area.


I first saw this doctor in 2010  and I have seen him 4 times all together and his N.P.s twice. I do not have another neurologist.

There is definitely a shortage of MS Specialists in most parts of the country. I thought once I was diagnosed I would see a neurologist at least once a year but that does not happen. It was the same with my other MS Specialist.

Truth is my dog gets to specialists faster.

Alex

Alex