Flare-up and new doctor needed

By carol boberg

1 min read

I have not seen my COPD doctor in a year. My primary doctor has been doing my refills on COPD meds.

Trying to make an appointment

When the covid pandemic hit Florida bad I didn't leave home until I had been fully vaccinated other than to see my primary Doctor. When things had settled down a bit I called to make an appointment and the format for an appointment had changed it was all online and I could not get the portal to load. but I had lost my feelings for him as I had begun to feel like an insurance # only and not a person.

Flaring up

I am in stage 3 use oxygen at night and 2 inhalers. This week I have felt like a flare-up so have been using my nebulizer. Heavy sigh .....Carol Boberg

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Leon Lebowitz, RRTMember
Hi Carol, and thanks for sharing your story here with the community. We appreciate you taking that 'first step' and being so candid with all of us. If there is anything we can assist you with, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. You are always welcome here in our online community! Wishing you well, Leon (site moderator <a href='https://copd.net' target='_blank'>COPD.net</a>)
Lyn Harper, MPA, BSRT, RRT, AE-CMember
Hi Carol - there's no question, COVID complicated everyones life considerably, and certainly changed the way we do many things - such as making doctors appointments. Have you found a new doctor? Once you lose that "feeling" for a doctor it's probably best to move on. It's so important to have them in your corner and feeling like you have their support when you need it. I hope you're able to find one you like (and maybe that you can just call and get an appointment without too much hassle). Best, Lyn (site moderator COPD.net)
whirledpeasMember
Hi Carol, Boy, I hear what you're saying! I got sick in December, didn't call for an appointment because COVID, and my next appt was early February, which was a "Zoom" appointment with an ARNP. She said call her in two weeks if it's not better, but prescribed nothing. Two weeks later I went to ER and was then hospitalized for most of a week. I agree that was a bad call on my part! I think we were all hesitant to go anywhere we didn't have to. But I am paying for it now. Five days in the hospital, which I didn't expect, 18 days on prednisone, which is really hard on your system, but necessary, and I'm still not even close to back to normal. The sooner you go, the sooner they can get you back on track. You do not want it to carry on for three months! if you have to go back to that doctor to resolve this issue, you can always find someone you like better when you're feeling better.