Lack of Communication from My Primary Care Provider
I am a 60-year-old woman dealing with several chronic health issues, and I'm currently in the process of obtaining clearance for rotator cuff repair surgery. Recent lab results indicated a urinary tract infection, prompting my doctor to prescribe a round of antibiotics. After completing the medication, I reached out to my healthcare provider via the patient portal on Wednesday morning, around 9 or 10 a.m., to update her. However, by Thursday afternoon, I hadn't received any feedback and considered that she might be overwhelmed with messages. Consequently, I called the office later that day and left a voice message, simply to inform her so that she could initiate orders for a retest. Unfortunately, I still haven't heard back. Out of concern, I decided to contact the lab to check if the orders had been placed. To my disappointment, there was nothing on record. It's now another day without any communication. I understand that physicians are often swamped, but it's unusual for me not to have heard anything from this office, which has consistently been fairly responsive in the past. What should I do next? My shoulder pain is quite significant, and I also have other important appointments, including a mammogram and dental cleaning, that are pending.
Answers (1)
8/25/2025, 10:31:59 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandably frustrating when your healthcare communication fails to meet your expectations, especially concerning your health concerns and ongoing treatment plans. Here's a structured approach to address your situation regarding the lack of feedback from your primary care provider.
Main Points:
- Ensure your update about the urinary tract infection (UTI) has been acknowledged.
- Take immediate action to get your required retesting for the UTI.
- Consider alternative ways to follow up with your healthcare provider and manage your appointments effectively.
Explanation:
Your health issues, including the significant shoulder pain and ongoing management of chronic conditions like Multiple Sclerosis and Lupus, require prompt attention and communication. The delay in response from your healthcare provider can be concerning, particularly when lab results and treatment decisions are pending. It's important to advocate for your health while being proactive in obtaining necessary care.
Next Steps:
-
Follow Up Again:
- Call the Office: Reiterate your request for the retest order regarding your UTI. Explain the urgency given your symptoms and upcoming appointments.
- Request to Speak with Another Staff Member: If you can’t reach your doctor, ask to speak with a nurse or office manager. They may be able to expedite your request or provide useful updates.
-
Health Management for Shoulder Pain:
- Consider discussing pain management strategies such as applying ice or heat, gentle range-of-motion exercises, or over-the-counter pain relievers if they're appropriate for you. Keeping your shoulder immobile may also help reduce discomfort.
-
Reassess Communication Needs:
- If you consistently experience delays, discuss the communication process with your doctor during your next appointment or create a plan on how to handle urgent issues in the future.
- If after multiple attempts you still obtain no response, it may be worth considering a second opinion or different care provider who can better meet your communication needs.
-
Keep a Log:
- Document all interactions with your healthcare provider, including dates and details of your messages, calls, and any responses. This can provide a clear record when discussing your needs with the office or if considering a switch in providers.
Reassurance:
It’s important to remain proactive about your health, and your efforts to communicate your needs reflect your commitment to your wellbeing. Don't hesitate to advocate for yourself, and remember that timely follow-up from your healthcare provider is part of your care. Let me know how things progress or if you need further guidance!
Related Questions
Unexplained Left Chest Pain, Electric-Like Jabs in Lower Back, and Unusual Headaches
Hi there, I’m a 15-year-old experiencing some peculiar health issues lately. A visit to my doctor led to a diagnosis of anxiety and poor posture after I complained about headaches and strange, electric sensations rising through my head. However, after that appointment, I became aware of pain in my heart and strange discomfort in my left chest accompanied by difficulty breathing. Initially, I thought these symptoms aligned with anxiety, but they persisted long enough to cause concern. To rule out any serious conditions, I underwent a blood test, which fortunately came back normal. Despite the positive results, I continued to feel unusual pains in my heart region and a peculiar ache in my lower abdomen. The doctor had previously mentioned my poor posture and identified an issue with my occipital nerve, which I’ve somewhat addressed. Now, though, I find myself having intermittent back pain and brief discomfort just beneath my left lung. These pains are indeed strange; they don’t always last long, sometimes just fading after five seconds or they might stick around for several minutes. I tend to spend a lot of time in bed and don’t often leave the house, yet when I do, these pains still occur. Thankfully, they aren’t debilitating, but I can't help but feel anxious thinking something might be significantly wrong with my health. It’s unsettling and I’d prefer not to dwell on such thoughts. To summarize: I experience chest pain in my lower left quadrant, specifically near my lung, alongside a mild but uncomfortable sensation that waxes and wanes. Additionally, I suffer from headaches located on the upper left side of my head. I apologize for any grammatical errors as I used voice-to-text for this message. Another detail that might be relevant is that I have recently quit vaping, now almost 22 days ago, and I wonder if this could be part of the recovery process.
Expectorated Large Tissue with Blood
At 28 years old, I experienced a fever the previous night, after which I had no other cold symptoms. To my surprise, today I coughed just once and expelled a significant piece of tissue mixed with blood. Following this alarming incident, I sought medical attention at an urgent care facility because I developed a headache immediately afterward and felt a peculiar "butterfly" sensation in my chest. The healthcare professionals did not conduct any laboratory tests or imaging studies, instead opting to prescribe antibiotics for what they suspected might be an infection. Is this an appropriate response to my situation? This is quite concerning.
Understanding Kidney Pain: Should You Be Concerned?
As a 15-year-old assigned female at birth (AFAB), I've been dealing with acid reflux, although I've been neglecting to take any supplements. I also have scoliosis, which I doubt is linked to my current issue. Recently, I have been experiencing pain in my kidney area, specifically in my back, where my kidneys are situated. My mother suggested that this discomfort might indeed stem from my kidneys. For several months now, I haven't pinpointed the cause. I typically consume about 1 to 1.5 liters of water daily, and occasionally I drink cola, though I've reduced that due to my reflux. I sometimes have peach juice or plain tea, but those drinks have become quite infrequent. Despite my fluid intake, it seems my pain level remains consistent regardless of what I drink. The pain primarily affects my right kidney, but during more intense episodes, I also feel discomfort in my left kidney. I've tried lying down and applying gentle pressure to the area, which provides a bit of relief. Aside from occasional bladder discomfort today, I haven't experienced any additional pain that relates to my kidneys, aside from the persistent back pain from scoliosis and the usual stomach and chest pains from my reflux. Is it necessary for me to consult a doctor about this concern? 🥺 I am hesitant to go unless it's truly serious because I was hospitalized last summer due to undiagnosed tics and twitches—likely anxiety-related—and I spent the entire winter seeing doctors for this issue and my scoliosis. I’m also worried about missing school due to more medical appointments, especially since my doctor has a packed schedule, and I'm uncertain if she would prioritize my concern if it doesn't seem urgent. When I was hospitalized last summer, tests including urine and blood analysis showed no significant issues, so I'm unsure whether this warrants another visit now.
Persistent Shin Discomfort
For the past year, I have been grappling with ongoing discomfort in my shins. Despite consulting multiple physiotherapists and doctors, I have yet to find a solution to my problem. My routine has included extensive strength training targeting my hips, glutes, calves, and lower leg muscles. I've also taken steps to improve my running form and have experimented with various recovery techniques, such as foam rolling and using massage devices. No matter what I try, the pain persists, specifically on the inner side of my lower legs. Initially, I suspected that I was suffering from shin splints. However, given my varied attempts at treatment and the lack of improvement, I am starting to believe that the issue might be something different. Even mundane activities, like walking around at home, have become increasingly uncomfortable, not to mention my inability to ride a stationary bike without experiencing pain. If anyone has any insights or recommendations that could assist me in alleviating this issue, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for your help! I'm a 20-year-old male, standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing 70 kilograms.
Micronodules Detected in Lung
Hello, I recently underwent a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan to assess arterial plaque, and I was pleased to receive a favorable score of 7.75. However, the report highlighted the presence of several clustered micronodules located in the right upper lung, accompanied by adjacent ground-glass opacities. I am a 60-year-old male, 6 feet tall and weigh 190 pounds. I do not currently take any medications and generally enjoy excellent health. There is a family history of heart disease on my father's side. Additionally, I am a non-smoker, apart from occasional use of cannabis, and consume alcohol very infrequently. Thank you in advance for any insights you can provide!