I called my endocrinologist today for my lab results. One of his nurses got on the phone to tell me that my lab results were "stable" and "a letter had been mailed on the 2nd." She also went on to say that the doctor wanted me to see the diabetes nurse educator. The moment she uttered those words, I could tell that she was done and wanted to hang up the phone. But I wasn't.
I asked what my A1c was, not caring about the potassium and other kidney function tests. I didn't want to wait another week to receive the envelope in the mail. She hesitantly replied that it was 7.4%. As if teaching a child, she responded that it was okay although we should be aiming for under 7%. I didn't want to say that last week, the very MD had told me that a 7.2/7.3 is FINE! Okay, I did want to say it. But I didn't.
I also didn't say, "Hey lady! I've been doing this for 15 years and 11 months! I'm quite familiar with a good and not-so-good A1c!" Sometimes I wonder if they look at the history of the patient before opening their mouths. Anyway, I quickly moved the conversation to my prescription.
"I'd like to get a prescription for Symlin like I discussed with Dr. ____ last week." As if I'd spoken a foreign language, she began darting in and out of what I was asking. Eventually, she told me that she'd leave a message for the doctor and someone would call me back.
About two hours later, another nurse called me. Her tone was rude from the start (no, I'm not making this up!). She explained that my doctor wanted me to see the nurse educator and would not fill the prescription himself. So in order to get the prescription, I'd need to spend another $45 plus gas and miss another day of classes. She also said that the doctor had told me this information at my last visit. I explained to her that he had not said any of this. His excuse for denying me the Symlin was that insurance rarely paid for it and he hadn't had success with other patients.
She argued with me about this information. Was she there in my appointment last week? Apparently, she thought she was. I can assure her that she was not.
The nurse went on to say that I could see another endocrinologist or a nurse educator to see if I'm a candidate for Symlin. Things became heated as my temper was flaring. I told her that I could not see either a nurse educator or another doctor because I could not afford the co-pay or the lost time. The economy is tough. Especially with chronic health conditions that take hundreds of dollars a month to manage.
Soon after, I was too mad to stay on the phone. She obviously wasn't going to help me out, so why waste my breath? I was seconds away from leaping through the phone anyway.
By the time I hung up the phone, I decided to change doctors. I have no idea how it's going to work considering my insurance and other health conditions, but I refuse to be denied access to a prescription that my doctor is capable of writing to me. I also refuse to have a doctor who believes a 7.3% A1c is good enough not to change, for a woman who plans to have a family within the next 5 years.
Here's my dilemma with changing doctors though: 1) it costs multiple co-pays until I find the right one (co-pays that I just can't afford) and 2) unless I stay in the same clinic that I'm currently in, I lose all my access to other doctors (like ophthalmologists, neurologists, rheumatologists, etc). I want someone who will work with me for the next 10 years to make a plan for my diabetes, so I have less stress in starting a career, stable control when I decide to move away or get married and healthy pregnancies (or just healthy years if I adopt). Bottom line, I want someone who will work with me on a regular basis (a doctor who I can email!), run necessary/consistent labs, and write acceptable prescriptions when I request them.
