I'm full of rage. Random primary care doc question.

Irishcurls

I don't have a primary care doctor. I'm lazy. I got an eye infection about a month ago, my husband and the ER doc I was forced to see (urgent care couldn't/wouldn't help, but sure did charge me $150 to tell me that) urged me to get one. Perfect. I've been waiting for my old records/trying to schedule an appointment for weeks now. The lady just calls and doesn't know how to use a calendar and after 6 minutes of fumbling, offers me an appointment THE SAME TIME AS MY FIRST OB APPOINTMENT. I say, unfortunately that won't work. She says "why don't we do this when you come in to pick up your records tomorrow?" Fine. : 

Here's my actual point. Do you have a primary care doc? I really wanted my cholesterol and standard bloodwork done. I also wanted my Hep B titer checked. But that's sort of it, other than saying I have a doc now. Can any of that be done at the OB? Is this a dumb question?

/rant

ambmama

We've moved a lot, so I have had a million "official" PCP's. I would say find one that is under your insurance and local and just make it your primary care doc. You can always change it if you aren't happy or change insurance. You really should have one for things outside of your pregnancy - like eye infections. Or catching whatever virus your soon to be LO will give you from daycare (the pediatrician will make you go to your own doc for meds). Just know you won't likely have to use them a lot, but they are there for annual physicals and when you need them.

Oem617

I just saw a primary doctor in Feb for the first time in years. The bloodwork you are asking about is usually done for pregnancy with your OB. I don't see the point of getting two sets of blood work done. They take like 10 tubes the first time. But when in doubt ask your OB, I'm sure they will offer you advice.

lcwed

I have a primary doc, but we also have a really good urgent care facility we go to for small stuff.  They are in the same category as a walk in clinic, so there is no massive ER charge.  One town I lived in had tons of clinics we called "Doc's in a Box."  I miss those.  They were great for sinus infections, UTIs, and such.

dreemkin84

I do have a primary care Dr but I have not been to her in a while. If it's something small like hives or ear infection, it's cheaper and quicker to go to the immediate care center affiliated with the hospital I work at.

Irishcurls

Thanks ladies, I've had great luck with Urgent Care for little things (allergy script and stuff like that) and haven't really needed a Primary for awhile....good to know about the blood work. I won't ask for it if and when I actually see these people. I guess I can bring my OB records to the primary care as well? We'll be moving again in a year (at the most) so the whole process is frustrating me. I will *definitely* get one quickly the next place we go. Getting the records was a whole other headache too....this is just not my day!

jaztastic

I elected to have my Urgent Care (Patient First) as my PCP. It just made life so much easier since I already go there all the time. My OB office is part of a health/wellness center I guess thats what they are called. One main office building with affiliate doctors in different suites. One suite is Pediatrics, one suite is Family Practitioner, and one suite is OBGYN. Ive contacted them to have my PCP become part of the joined doc office. That way me, the kid, and DH can all go to the same place for care.

court860810

We have a family PCP. She's young, has young kids, and I really like her. She's great with our DD and nice to have around when we need her. I'm one that thinks it's always a good idea to have a PCP on hand, I'd much rather go to her than someone I don't know in an urgent care. Though, we have had to do that a few times with DD after hours. 

mandamoochie

I loathe my pcp. He once when I was 25 diagnosed me with shingles and prescribed a $500 precription (my health insurance sucked at the time) that didnt work. Guess what.. I went to the dermatologist and it was simple dermatitis and was a $3 prescription cream that fixed it. Its pretty freakin rare for a 25 yo to have shingles. Why wouldnt you go the more logical route first?

I dont really know how to go about finding a new one tho because I didn't grow up around here and dont really have any local friends. Needless to say thankfully I dont go often.

MaddScientist

I do not have a PCP. I don't really have a need of one. I feel like for all you are asking for your OB will be all you need. 

Irishcurls

CrazyCornball said:

MaddScientist said:

I do not have a PCP. I don't really have a need of one. I feel like for all you are asking for your OB will be all you need. 

Totally agree, especially if you are moving again in a year at most. 

So.....do you think I should just tell these people thanks, no thanks? I have to show up to the office at 7am to pick up my records on disk (that they can't open. I have to print and return) which means I'll get to work about an hour late. Is it awkward to break up with a doc's office? I hate shit like this....

MaddScientist

Irishcurls said:

CrazyCornball said:

MaddScientist said:

I do not have a PCP. I don't really have a need of one. I feel like for all you are asking for your OB will be all you need. 

Totally agree, especially if you are moving again in a year at most. 

So.....do you think I should just tell these people thanks, no thanks? I have to show up to the office at 7am to pick up my records on disk (that they can't open. I have to print and return) which means I'll get to work about an hour late. Is it awkward to break up with a doc's office? I hate shit like this....

Do you have a copy of your records otherwise? If not, I might get them just because it is always good to have a copy of your records. That way, even when you move you can easily have them to establish a PCP elsewhere if and when you need it. 

I don't think it should be too awkward. I have switched from gyn before and no one has every asked me why. If they do, just say it is because of something that is out of your control - like you are moving  

Irishcurls

@maddscientist, I literally just had the thought that I should go get the disk, keep it for myself and just say nothing about making an appointment at that time. 

I've been talked off the rage ledge. Thanks!!

HerHighness

I have a primary care dr. I usually dont go to him while pregnant. My OB just handles any issues i may have.

alicb

I have a PCP and I LOVE him.  I go in for a physical every year where they do all the blood work you list.  I also go in through out the year for different things, having someone that knows your medical background and knows you is really great.  When I lost my dad last year I went to my PCP for depression and he really helped me get through it (with and without meds).  The key is finding someone you like, I went through 6 or 7 doctors over a couple years before I found him.  

All that being said when I was pregnant with my first I didn't go see him, I was seeing enough doctors!  On my first OB appt they did a ton of blood work I bet they can add whatever you need.

michelle142

We have a family PCP that we use for random non routine things

amt0312

CrazyCornball said:

Your OB should be able to do all that.  I do have a primary care doc now, but this is the first time in 10 years. Your OB will want to see you during your whole pregnancy, anyway, even when you're sick. 

I always have my OB do my cholesterol, etc at my annual exams. 

Not always true- my last OB and current OB both do not take care of my regular sickness unless there is a chance it could affect the baby. I had strep the last time around and was told to call my PCP. 

OP, you are better off getting a PCP just in case. OB's do not always take care of every illness you could have during pregnancy. BTW how old are you? Since I am a nurse, I would recommend you start getting yearly physicals and routine blood work done. Sign up for a PCP, but you don't actually need to go see them right away. But at least they will have your records and you can get in for an appointment easily should the need arise. Schedule yourself a physical for after the baby's arrival. 

Irishcurls

Yeah I'll get on the yearly train when we move, I've been slacking the last few years. It's just such a pain in the nut getting all new docs every 2-3 years. 

HeyStVincent

A PCP is a good idea.  A lot of resaerch has shown that patients who have a "medical home" (or a PCP they see) have better health outcomes and are overall healthier than people who don't.  It's a good idea to have someone who knows you  - not only your medical situation, but a little bit about you and your life.  It might not seem like it, but little things about your history (things you might forget to tell a new doctor) can be big clues to helping not only diagnose, but picking a good care management plan for you if anything were to ever come up.  It also helps with not running repeat tests and diagnostics (who wants to get stuck with a needle if they don't have to?)