Impressed With Va Doctor

[COOL BREEZE]

I went in for a routine appointment today and I was really impressed.(and I am a very hard person to please) I didn't see the regular doctor-soon as they asked the question how are you feeling today - gave them the 9 for pain scale-a different doctor showed up quickly-one that was doing urgent care appointments. Explained that I was in terrible pain from my neck-radiating all over entire body-nerve damage possible. The tricare still hasn't approved the MRI. She ordered complete xrays-neck and entire back, not just the neck(the base doctor said we aren't going to worry about the back pain, that is hard to treat and most of the time that doesn't work). They only did 2 xrays, the VA took 15. Also prescribed pain medicine which the base never did,(imagine, going without a prescription for pain) and all the labs- and a MRI. Also she gave me an emergency follow-up appt. for next tuesday to see how I was doing.Normally those take a month or so(or does that have to do with being 50%) The VA doesn't have to wait for an approval for any test. And an $11.50 cash travel pay for each appointment. Also appointment for a surgeon. Plus that dreaded shock test for nerves(ouch) Doctor said you aren't getting out of this test. My wife said you better watch out, they are gonna kill you. Well, if they do obviously you well be quite rich. Since I can't get treated by the military properly, I am counting on the VA. I haven't had them treat me for anything major yet. The only bad thing is the doctor said based on my symptoms it could be surgery-just wait. This will be their opportunity to redeem themselves for past terrible experiences. Other than VA compensation exams, and a pill for foot pain thats it. I made sure I submitted a request for copies of all exam results and the doctors write up. This is something that I do for each visit. I never post anything positive, so this is a first . I am hoping for a good out come as this also was an issue that was left at 0% for the last rating decision

[Pete53]

Gladthat you had a good experience

[john999]

The thing is that if you have medicare or some other insurance you can get a second opinion. I like having options.

[COOL BREEZE]

The thing is that if you have medicare or some other insurance you can get a second opinion. I like having options.

Very true, but I have been waiting for 2 weeks for an MRI that still hasn't been approved, not given any pain medication, and a snotty reaction from them as they know I also receive care from the VA and vice versus. So, I will now switch back to having the VA as my primary doctor(let them know they are now my primary) and use tricare as a backup. Now the base did me good in getting a cardio out in town which is how I received an 30% increase in disability with a letter of reconsideration for another 30% for missed medical information, but since I am rated for hypertension, I'll let them prescribe and issue that medication from now on and everything else. Getting a better response and better treatment from them then 15 years ago when I switched and had them as the secondary-I feel the base(tricare prime) will give me a hard time when I ask for a referral for a 2nd opinion as I am switching back again, and won't be using them as a primary. Its nice to have a backup, but they sure hate it-especially the VA.

[john999]

If you have Tricare you don't have to depend on the base hospital do you? Military base hospitals are like the VA only worse.

[Papa]

John, Could not agree more, if I had reenlisted, I would be DEAD.

Papa

[Notorious Kelly]

Glad ya got out, Papa

And happy you're getting proper attention, Breeze.

I was happy with the Portland VA and also wrote appreciation letters.