AngelM
Senior Member
- Messages
- 150
- Location
- Oklahoma City
Still on the exasperating journey of finding a forward-thinking doctor in this backward state, I had a brain storm. Call a compounding pharmacist and ask for advice. I remember from the past that my Infectious Disease physician slash ME/CFS researcher, like most integrative or holistic doctors, preferred to use a compounding pharmacy. I also remembered that the staff there was always knowledgeable and up-to-date. It just made sense to ask for their help.
Sooooo—glad I did. The pharmacist was wonderful. First she told me to forget the idea of working with a local family care doctor or internist in hopes of “teaching” them about my illness. Oklahoma is rated far down on the food chain of physicians, bottom ten in the country. She explained that the chances of finding a traditionally-trained doctor willing to work with a CFS patient are slim to none. I would more than likely be starting over again with multiple useless tests and countless referrals to specialists. She promised to call me back the next day with names—-and she did!
I thought the forum might be interested in hearing what she shared with me. First, she told me that in Oklahoma I should narrow my search to “functional medicine,” which I assume is a synonym for integrative or holistic medicine. She offered eight names and phone numbers, and said that these eight were pretty much my best bet in this state. Of the eight, four were medical doctors, and the other four, to my surprise, were PA’s and Nurse Practitioners.
Only one of the four physicians she recommended accepted both insurance and Medicare—-I understand this particular doctor has suffered a debilitating chronic illness in her past, and is now dedicated to helping others. She scrimps financially in her personal life in order to continue to serve all her patients, not just those who can afford private pay.
The other two “functional medicine doctors” were more “Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous” types, with fancy spa-like centers rather than medical clinics. I also noticed that these physicians advertised heavily on their websites that they sold supplements, beauty creams, and HRT medicines in their boutique stores within what they referred to as their “longevity”centers—a little too Orwellian for my comfort level. The fourth physician on the list accepted insurance, and came highly recommended, but I was told when I called that she is transitioning into a VIP Care Doctor—which means that in addition to regular fees for office visits, etc., you are expected to pay an additional $2600 per year to VIPcare, Inc. I understand why doctors sometimes feel compelled for the sake of profit to take this “prestige” route, so in an attempt to get more information, I called the 800 number given to me by the clinic receptionist. I was connected to a call center, where a smooth-talking salesman offered several payment plan deals and a “VIP Guarantee” of personalized care if I joined their club. When I finally hung up from the hard sell, I felt like I had just spent two days trapped in a used car dealership.
The remaining choices were Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, and I have always had a fondness for these medical professionals. The care I have received from PA’s and Nurse Practitioners in the past has always been excellent. They often seem more knowledgeable than any MD, and are certainly more willing to listen and learn. I did not realize that a Nurse Practitioner could also serve as my Primary Care Physician, and though that may not be true in every state, it certainly is in Oklahoma—which I think is great. After a great deal of research I determined that my favorites were part of the new Oklahoma Integrated Medicine Clinic, a professional “functional” medical center that specifically treats people with chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. The center also offers specialized treatments, as well as, lab tests unavailable at regular medical clinics in this state.
So after a full day on the phone, I am exhausted, but I feel I have made progress. I forwarded my medical records to two clinics who will get back to me with appointment dates and details. Then I can make a final choice Hopefully, I am on the right track thanks to the great advice of the compounding pharmacist, and can avoid any more expensive and unnecessary medical rabbit holes.
Sooooo—glad I did. The pharmacist was wonderful. First she told me to forget the idea of working with a local family care doctor or internist in hopes of “teaching” them about my illness. Oklahoma is rated far down on the food chain of physicians, bottom ten in the country. She explained that the chances of finding a traditionally-trained doctor willing to work with a CFS patient are slim to none. I would more than likely be starting over again with multiple useless tests and countless referrals to specialists. She promised to call me back the next day with names—-and she did!
I thought the forum might be interested in hearing what she shared with me. First, she told me that in Oklahoma I should narrow my search to “functional medicine,” which I assume is a synonym for integrative or holistic medicine. She offered eight names and phone numbers, and said that these eight were pretty much my best bet in this state. Of the eight, four were medical doctors, and the other four, to my surprise, were PA’s and Nurse Practitioners.
Only one of the four physicians she recommended accepted both insurance and Medicare—-I understand this particular doctor has suffered a debilitating chronic illness in her past, and is now dedicated to helping others. She scrimps financially in her personal life in order to continue to serve all her patients, not just those who can afford private pay.
The other two “functional medicine doctors” were more “Lifestyle of the Rich and Famous” types, with fancy spa-like centers rather than medical clinics. I also noticed that these physicians advertised heavily on their websites that they sold supplements, beauty creams, and HRT medicines in their boutique stores within what they referred to as their “longevity”centers—a little too Orwellian for my comfort level. The fourth physician on the list accepted insurance, and came highly recommended, but I was told when I called that she is transitioning into a VIP Care Doctor—which means that in addition to regular fees for office visits, etc., you are expected to pay an additional $2600 per year to VIPcare, Inc. I understand why doctors sometimes feel compelled for the sake of profit to take this “prestige” route, so in an attempt to get more information, I called the 800 number given to me by the clinic receptionist. I was connected to a call center, where a smooth-talking salesman offered several payment plan deals and a “VIP Guarantee” of personalized care if I joined their club. When I finally hung up from the hard sell, I felt like I had just spent two days trapped in a used car dealership.
The remaining choices were Physician Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, and I have always had a fondness for these medical professionals. The care I have received from PA’s and Nurse Practitioners in the past has always been excellent. They often seem more knowledgeable than any MD, and are certainly more willing to listen and learn. I did not realize that a Nurse Practitioner could also serve as my Primary Care Physician, and though that may not be true in every state, it certainly is in Oklahoma—which I think is great. After a great deal of research I determined that my favorites were part of the new Oklahoma Integrated Medicine Clinic, a professional “functional” medical center that specifically treats people with chronic illnesses, including ME/CFS. The center also offers specialized treatments, as well as, lab tests unavailable at regular medical clinics in this state.
So after a full day on the phone, I am exhausted, but I feel I have made progress. I forwarded my medical records to two clinics who will get back to me with appointment dates and details. Then I can make a final choice Hopefully, I am on the right track thanks to the great advice of the compounding pharmacist, and can avoid any more expensive and unnecessary medical rabbit holes.
