I am sad

[gottapottie]

I'm so frustrated and sad. Been dealing with insurance issues for about a year, which is a long drawn out story in itself but in a nutshell is insurance discrimination at it's finest. And then this week, I found out that my doctor is quiting his practice because he has cancer and cannot continue to work. He is such a wonderful doctor and I have been with him for so many years. He was the one person who I felt sort of validated this disease for me.....really knew and understood what I was going through, would listen to me. I am just so sad. I have this crazy disease and no help from my insurace company and now no doctor. I know I have to......but right now I just don't have the energy to start all over with someone else......there is another doctor in his practice that sees IC'ers but he, of course, is so booked right now that the first appt. that I could get with him is in May. (I was supposed to see my doc. in Mar). Anyone live in the Birmingham, AL area know a good IC doc?

[Berkshire Road]

I'm so sorry. I once had a wonderful doctor (PCP) who died very suddenly. It was a huge sense of loss and I'm sure this is similar to the way you're feeling now. My sympathies.

[kellymh]

I know how you feel, my primary doctor is talking about retiring. He has always listened to me and made me feell that what I'm going through he will help or get me help. It freeks me out to know I won't have him. I still have my urologist, but he's 50 miles away. He's good, but can't help for all issues. I feel abandoned or something like that. I hope you find a good doctor soon.

[ICNDonna]

I do understand what you're experiencing. First the uro I had seen for thirty plus years retired --- then our primary care doc stopped taking primary care cases. Fortunately, we have found a new primary care doctor we like better than the one we had. I still miss my old uro, but the new one is okay.

Donna

[GriffsMommy]

That has got to be so hard to lose a dr that you feel so comfortable with. I know that if the dr that I see for all my pelvic pain issues including IC were to retire I would freak. He looks like he's in his 60's but he also feels a great responsibility to help his patients so I try to think that he will be there for me forever, lol.
If your current dr is retiring have you tried having him get you an appointment with the other dr in the practice sooner. If orginally he wanted you to come back in March that's a big difference between the May appointment you can get with the other dr. I don't see why they can't do something for you. Sometimes they have to double book but dr's do that all the time and usually do it when the patient really can't wait a long time to be seen. I hope you can work something out. :grouphug:

[gottapottie]

Thanks for your encouraging words. I callled today and talked to my doctors nurse. I told her that I really need to see the doctor sooner than May, she said that she couldnt give me anything right now but would keep my info available and call me if something came available. Just hoping that she calls me. There is a URO about 45 mins from me that is highly recommended and is supposed to be very knowledgable about IC. I don't know anyone that goes to him, but I'm thinking of changing to him. Just not sure yet. Thankfully, I'm pretty used to managing flares and doing home instills as long as I have the meds. But I still miss having my doctor there for me, and I do have some issues going on right now that I need to discuss with him or whoever.