Dr. Referal ?

[Rockhound]

Can you request and get a referal to another Dr.? Even if it means going outside the VA Hospital system, to get one to see and the VA will pay for it?

I need to get in to see a ENT DR. and we only have one with a Nurse Practitioner, both of whom I do not get along with very well. I disagreed with his assessment of my Nose problem and he wrote an assessment of my problem in a very bad light of my attitude towards his idea on how to treat my problem.

1. He said I was a candidate for a traciotomy because of my weight, with out even the

benefit of a sleep study to show him, that I do not have sleep apnea to such a degree

that it would be necessary.

2. Once he prescribed metal springs for me to stick in my Nose when I slept. Try

sticking metal springs up your Nose and you'll know what I went through. Not only

was it painful, but it caused irritation to the lining of my nostrils that they began to bleed

before I stopped using them.

3. Then he said my deviated septum was on a different side than what I believed, telling me my other

side was the side that was about 50 blocked. but when I ask why then was my other

side blocked completely he got all defensive.

4. Plus he said I didn't use my Nasal spray, when I do. I need it to keep my nasal passages

open, even though it is a corticosteroid and not recommended for long term use, but

nothing else works and I need to keep my nostrils open at least at night, so I can use

a nasal canula for oxygen to treat a Nocturnal Hypoxia condition.

Second question concerns the first. I'm not a very good candidate for going under the knife to try and fix my nose and their would be no guarenty that it would improve my problem either. As I mentioned above, I have Nocturnal Hypoxia caused by a restrictive lung condition, a good portion could be blaimed on my weight. But to treat it, I have to use a nasal canula to feed oxygen to my lungs when I sleep. I also have to use, as mentioned, a cortcosteroid nasal spray, which is prescribed at its highest dosage recommended.

Since my nose is Service Connected at present at 0%, what is the likelyhood that I can get an increase in the rating to no less than 10% or not more than 30% for exasserbation of a NSC problem, which is the Nocturnal Hypoxia? Without the continuous treatment of my Nose, I can not treat the Nocturnal Hypoxia. To not treat, that is to not use the oxygen could lead to a heart attack or worse, even sudden death syndrome during sleep.

I know, I write to much information, but I don't know how to use just a few words to explain things. Sorry.

Rockhound

Edited January 13, 2008 by Rockhound

[Dale Jr. 8]

I believe it can be done. You will have to start with a patient rep and will probably end up at the diredtor's office to get the answers.