Endo's or Internal Medicine?

[Alice]

I've always used my Endo as a "primary care" doctor, so to speak. (I'm PPO, so don't really need referrals, but endo writes scripts for mammograms, etc.)

I am a (knocking on keyboard) healthy diabetic, so far...after 41 years and have never had the flu, allergies, etc., that would normally take me to a "regular" general doctor. But of course, the endo's have always covered the basics for me.

With an upcoming move, I am going to first establish a general internal medicine doctor as I'm 49 and need to get some tests down the road...bone density, colonoscopy, etc. (those fun tests you get as you age!)...currently my endo would refer me for all that stuff. But, I thought getting another doc would be helpful.

I've had wonderful endo's and some I would have changed, had I stayed in that particular city long enough. I'm thinking a Type I really needs a general doc as well as an endo, if anything, so I can get two opinions on new things that come up.

How many of you see an Internal Medicine doctor for your diabetes? How many, like me, only see endo's?

My current endo is not Board Certified, which worried me in the beginning, but for my purposes, I don't have an issue with that now. How important is Board Certified to you? That is normally something I seek out.

[pdxdennisj]

I have one of each and am happy. Both are board cert. I use the endo for diabetes and lipids and the internist for everything else - which is not a lot but I want someone there for heart , lungs and general maladies. I'm 68.

[RobiJo]

How many of you see an Internal Medicine doctor for your diabetes? How many, like me, only see endo's?


I see an endo and gyn, if anything else comes up I go to the local Urgent Care. I used to have a primary, but found getting into the urgent care much faster, for the same co-pay.
Then I see the eye doc, who should be charging me rent. But I'm only 25 and rarely get sick, so I would maybe only need a primary like once a year.

[EasyType2]

Like others, I have used an endo as a PCP; however, recently I've developed some other matters that took me back to the PCP. If all you suffer with is D, I would stay with the endo. Otherwise, find one of each.

[condensr]

Right now I use my endo as my only doc. I had a primary doc, but all she did was write referrals (unneeded by my insurance) for anything I went in for. I have a p-doc as well, but I wouldn't see him for anything I'd see a regular doc for, of course.

I've been intending to find a new primary doc, but haven't found any strong recommendations/endorsements from anyone I know to lead me to a particular physician.

[kgm0612]

MY PCP (internist) dx'd my diabetes and was more than willing to treat me for it, but because I have a younger brother (also type 1), she suggested I be treated by his endo.

So.........I see a PCP for an annual physical and routine blood work. I see my endo four times a year and the nurse practitioner at my GYN office once a year. I usually use the walk-in treatment center for minor things that come up because it's five minutes from my house, compared to a 40 minute ride and a very long wait to see the PCP.

All 3 of my doctors are board certified. Here's a link that explains what board certified means.
What Board Certification Means (http://www.abms.org/About_Board_Certification/means.aspx)


Karen

[Injecto]

Personally I "think" an Endo would be more experienced and directly relevant. HOWEVER, in my case I see an Internist (short for Internal Medecine). His Major is in Renal Function/Health with Minor in Heart. And 90% of his roster of patients are diabetics. Plus, he is an absolutely great Dr. in my opinion. Friendly, caring, so so nice. He listens and accepts alternate thinking if HE thinks that YOU'VE thought about the alternatives. He's open minded BUT if he thinks your idea is full of ****, he tells you straight up. So no convincing him that I DON'T want to take certain medecines, or just go on a "smoking pot" therapy plan. He's no *******.

And his receptionist/aid is HANDS DOWN THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS. That woman has perma-smile and is always perky. I just don't know how she does it. She almost makes you happy to be a diabetic and sick.

They are the ultimate medical team and I keep them my secret. I can always rely on them. I owe them both so much.

Of all my Dr.s, He is the best and most favourite, and I still see a GP, Cardiologist, Neurologist, Opthamologist, Optometrist...lost of "ists'"....Obviously I'm a sick person.

[VinceF]

I use a endo and general practitioner. I insist they communicate and share results of test. It has worked out great. My endo runs the "team" she sees me at a moments notice and calls in the evening to make sure everythings okay.

[LancetChick]

I'm lucky I suppose, my endo is board certified in both endocrinology and internal medicine. Now that's a time saver!

[rzrbks]

Only go to GP, the Endos in this part of the world are CERTAIN they are personally related to God.

Even the CDEs tell you to find a good GP and stick with him/her unless you Must go to Endo for something.

[KickStart101]

I have my Endocrinologist(and Metabolism),
(Minor Sp.-Internal Medicine),
Rheumotologist(Minor Sp.-Internal Medicine),
and GP(Minor Sp.-Psychiatry).
I like to wait 'til my last Dr's. appt. and
I give the Lab ALL 3 Dr's. tests sheets so
that they can pick out all the tests and
just pull the 5 vials out of me at the one
time so I don't have to go back 3 times.
Usually I can pull it off.

I can get referrals, tests, most drugs
from any of them. They are all Very
Friendly, Professional and Certified, of
course.

I also have my Ophthalmologist and Eye
Specialist.

[Cyborg]

I always see my endo every 3 months for my diabetes. :vroam:

[gettingby]

I see an endo for my diabetes. My PCP for everything else except for my eye exams. I see an Opthomologist for that.
I see my endo every 3 months. :)

[Alice]

Yes, I've always seen endo's every 3 months or so. I guess I feel like I'm missing some "chat time" with another doctor who generalizes a little more.

My endo wouldn't even ok me for a teeth cleaning (I couldn't remember if I had a heart murmur or not)...had one when I was a baby. So, I had to go for a complete cardiac checkup (my choice) when a simple check-up by a internist would have been fine. (Dentists are very careful on heart issues now due to liability)

I was in excellent cardio shape...but it was an expensive day at the Cardiac office!

Other endo's I've had did everything from draw blood to pap smears (Ok, that was one very eager guy right out of med school...)but, currently, I really want a doctor that is beyond the A1C's and basals...if you know what I mean.

I haven't really been all that comfortable with my latest endo...am actually looking forward to moving and meeting (and learning from) new doc's. I've had some good ones over the years...but believe me, they are all different and believe different things.

[Mich]

I have an endocrinologist who is also my main doctor. He sees my husband too because he (laughingly) says he needs at least one normal guy in his patient line-up. Our HMO requires a primary-care doctor and this one just happens to be a terrific diagnostician, able to send us to excellent (and also board-certified) other specialists.

I also go to a gynecologist and an opthamologist who is a retina specialist. I too, should be paying rent to the latter. They offered to let me move into their back room for a while during my three vitrectomies! :T

I do see the value of having a board-certified internist as your main doctor. His or her knowlege base would be wider, but probably not as deep in some of the specialized areas. For instance, my doc knows EVERYTHING about diabetes but sent me to a heart specialist for a baseline stress test because he had the correct equipment in his office.

Mich

[Alice]

I think I'm looking for a Dr. Oz type (Oprah!) for both endo & internal medicine. I never seem to luck out on the personality side of medicine...although years ago I had wonderful endo's that would take the time to talk career, growing up with diabetes, etc.

I think I miss the encouragement I used to get...but I've noticed the difference in being a 25 year old diabetic and a 49 year old diabetic...age really changes the dynamics, if you ask me! I feel like I'm falling between the cracks...and this has never been a problem for me with the medical community.

I'm sure I'll find someone great in my new city...sometimes changing doctors is a blessing, I have found.

I think I'm going to visit an Internist close to my house and get a referral for an endo at that time. The endo will be a 45 minute drive away, at least. I've always had them around the corner, so I really think a local internist will be handy for emergencies.