What gives??? My original rhuemy left the clinic I go to....so I was given a new one last summer. He says on first appt: " this overflowing file needs thinning out...I will go thru it and get rid of the unnecessary items - I'm sure there is a lot of repititious items..."
Okay, whatever. Maybe right, the file was an overstuffed folder plus another one filling up quickly.
So, I go see the doc 2 weeks ago and he comes in with a folder that looks brand new and has maybe 3 pieces of paper in it....? He holds it up and says, 'I thinned out your file..."
Ummmm, where did over 3 years of information go? The stuff that shows how ill I've been? How many different meds I've been on? My initial consult with all my history of meds and issues with previous rhuemys? This can't be right - did he decide not to "carry" the full folder around and that is stored somewhere? Did he actually "toss" my info like he said he was going to do? How could he have "helped" my SDI claim if he doesn't have MY HISTORY on hand? Isn't that his JOB? Is it AT ALL possible he just plugged it in to their new fancy schmancy computer system?
Ugh...am I over-reacting here? I was going to switch to a rhuemy closer to me that is part of the same clinic - do they have to start from scratch?
Wow--you have good questions. Perhaps he did manage to summarize a lot of your file on 3 pages, though? I'm sure my file has a lot of wasted paper in it. My rheumy takes notes everytime I go, but rarely do those notes take up an entire page. And medications I've taken in the past can be summarized on one page. Just a thought. You could always ask him outright, though.
Hey CaMama.... Hhhhmmmm... well, I would like to think (look out, I smell smoke ) that he shelved your orignal file, and just started a new one... I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Did you ask him what he did with it, other than "thinned it out"? He may have started another volume of records. Know what I mean? I know with my records I have 3 volumes, 'cause my folders got so thick, they just continue on.
If you go to a new rheumy, they will request that all your records be sent to them. They will do that, you won't have to bring them, unless you want to. (Which may be quicker and easier, things tend to get lost sometimes when a request for records is sent). You are not over-reacting, I would be the same way.
Let us know what happens, I am curious as to what they did. Take care and talk to you soon - DuckDiagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease -Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots
I was too stunned to think what to ask (I'm not so good with the thinking on my feet thing, unfortunately - guess that's why I'm a writer and not a public speaker! )
When I initially met him, he said he was going to toss most of the stuff. Usually, docs start a new folder, but keep your history of stuff with it....so, this is new to me. So, I really don't know, but was thinking the shelved idea. Also, with all my issues I've had - if he summarized it on 3 pages, do you think he put down all the stuff the rhuemy scoffed at as 'not arthritis releated' when my PCP, GI, and other docs said it was?
I sure hope not, like I said, hopefully he just shelved the old one... You can always call and ask his nurse... That would be a HUGE NO-NO if he did throw them a way, good luck CaMama and let us know what happens! :)Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease -Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds - Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots
That is interesting I would like to know my self.I would do what Ducky said call and ask his nurse and see what she has to say about it.But as Ducky said maybe he just stored the rest of your files some where..........Thanks
I would call and request your complete medical records from that office. Your rights are : YOU OWN THEM And do not let anyone tell you otherwise. It's the law. They are YOURS. They may charge you up to say 20 bucks, and it may take 30 to 60 days. But for your own protection? That's what I would do. Geesh! I would be flabbergasted too.Active, Severe RA. Crohns Disease. Chiari Malformation & Right Brain venous anomoly. AS. Emphysema. Rheumatic Lung. MVP and Tricuspid prolapse. Had Lymes disease for 10 years.
Meds: Humira 40mg every 4 days; pred; Pentasa; Imuran; dilaudid; diazepam; Avinza 30mg; MiraLax & too many others.
Hey CaMama.... Hhhhmmmm... well, I would like to think (look out, I smell smoke 
) that he shelved your orignal file, and just started a new one... I am trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. Did you ask him what he did with it, other than "thinned it out"? He may have started another volume of records. Know what I mean? I know with my records I have 3 volumes, 'cause my folders got so thick, they just continue on. 
