I miss the good old days...

[AngryOldDem]

…when I could call my doctor’s office with a question and either get it answered then and there, or be put on hold for a few minutes until a nurse came on the line.

I just called my GYN about when to schedule my annual mammogram since I had my COVID booster on Dec. 11. I called, got an automated menu of phone options, was put on hold for a bit, and then got connected with an operator who had to confirm my identity six ways to Sunday before saying my question would be relayed to my doc’s office and someone would call me back.

I’ve been seeing consistently that four weeks out is a good time to schedule, in order to allow any swollen lymph nodes to return to normal size…just doing my due diligence by asking my practitioner, but if it means a runaround, I’ll go ahead and trust the consensus.

Just trying to avoid the hell of getting a callback. Went through that last year. I wish I could just stop getting these things, period, TBH.

Maybe I’m showing my age here, but it should not be this difficult to get a simple answer from your doctor. For years, it never was. Good thing I’m not in labor, LOL.

Now I’ll go off and yell at a cloud….

[Diamond_Dog]

1. I hear you.

Same here from my doctor’s office. Most of the time I have to leave a voice mail with his nurse, and God only knows when she will get around to calling me back. I have to relay my question a second time, to her, then she has to ask the doc, and then call me back again. Many times I don’t hear back until the next day. I know they are swamped and understaffed down there, but it’s been this way for years.

[gab13by13]

2. I had a successful ablation done for A-fib

2 years ago at UPMC Passavant, and I have an app on my phone where I can text my doctor questions, or I can ask his nurse questions. I usually get a response the same day or the next day. I have used it twice now and am extremely satisfied, plus it gives peace of mind.

My last appointment was done from my app, face time, because Covid was hot and heavy at the time.

[Wicked Blue]

3. It's extremely aggravating, isn't it?

I hate leaving callback numbers, because the calls inevitably come when I'm taking my dog outside, or in the middle of some messy task.

Part of the problem may be that people who work in medical offices are working from home to avoid potential exposure to Covid. They are only able to talk to one caller at a time, which is why they offer callbacks. I know this is the case with a couple of the physicians I deal with.

If your gynecologist has a web site, it might be easier to ask your question and get an answer online.

Good luck and I hope your problem goes away.

[Phoenix61]

4. Call the facility where you get your mammogram. nt

[AngryOldDem]

8. It's part of a big university health system.

As is my nurse-practitioner GYN. The only number I have for the mammogram is for scheduling. The GYN’s office did call me back this afternoon, though. Confirmed that a wait time between shot and screening is four weeks.

[jimfields33]

5. Do they have tele messaging?

I do all my questions on the medical message system on the website. It’s great and answered everytime within 24 hours and many times within hours.

[Xoan]

6. Holidays change schedules.

[Phentex]

7. I am frustrated too!

But this is your vent so I won't pile on. I was told 4 to 6 weeks either before or after the booster. Couldn't yet schedule the booster at the time because of the timing of the vaccine.

Took 3 months to get my annual checkup scheduled so I opted for a mobile mammogram site without referral well ahead of that appointment so that nobody would gripe to me about anything.

I am planning to skip next year for everything (except vaccines) cause I am so over dealing with anything health related at this point. Look, I'm too old to die young!

Good luck!