Kaiser in SF

[Strayboy74]

Yay!  I did it!

I managed to find a good job, where I'm not working graveyards, and I only had to take a 13 cent paycut! yay!  Anyway, it's a good job, for a good worker (who promised at his interview never to let contempt shine in his ever-worshipping eyes).  Anyway, instead of having to wait 90 days, I only had to wait 30.  and I'm now eligible to use my benefits.

So...  with all the foreshdowing out of the way...  Anyone in SF use KAISER?  Doctor recommendations??  help!

[Eldon]

Hey Strayboy74, Welcome to the forums where you will find the encouragement, love, understanding, support, fun, and many of your questions relating to HIV/AIDS. This is a great group of people and you will be glad that you found this site. There is a lot of information here.

Congratulations on your new job with benefits!

[Robert]

Hi there.....welcome.

I have kaiser in Fremont.  I've got a great Dr.  In fact I just saw her today for my quarterly visit.  It was business, and pleasure, as usual.  We discuss all things HIV as well as anything else that hits our fancy, like bikes, or rocks, or Corsica.  Anyway, if you'd like, I would be glad to send her an email and see if she can give us a referral to the SF Kaiser.  I take it, you're going to the one on Geary? 

robert

[bobino]

Hi Strayboy,

I'm in SF, but I don't use Kaiser.  I do know lots of people who do, though, so I could get you some recommendations if you like. 

By the way, one older friend of mine has been with Kaiser for almost 40 years and raves about them.  He says it's just a question of finding the right doctor. 

Congrats and best of luck.  Let me know if I can help.

John

[Strayboy74]

Robert and John-

That would be mighty kind of you.

I understand that some of the doctors at Kaiser in the city aren't taking new clients, and their website doesn't indicate a great deal.   I'd like to leave no stone unturned.

-joe

[Robert]

Hi Joe.

i just read all your past posts.  Sounds like things are looking up for you.  New apartment, new job. New insurance.  New doc.  Oh, and you missed a good time at the Gathering in Montreal.  I hope you can make it next year. 

Anyway, I sent my Dr an email and she mentioned most of the Drs in San Francisco are internists who specialize in HIV.  The Chief ID MD for HIV care is Dr. Steve Follansbee.

You mentioned you read the web site and it didn't appear too helpful.Did you try this page?.  One of their HIV Program Coordinators will get back to you.

Let me add, I've have nothing but good things to say about Kaiser and HIV/AIDS.  Three years ago I was dying of pneumocystis and they brought me back from the dead.  When I came to, my ID Dr. introduced herself and she has been my primary care physician ever since. 

good luck.

robert

[Strayboy74]

Thanks for your help.  I went to Kaiser, and was administered to by a very humpy doctor (http://www.permanente.net/homepage/doctor/jackquatannens/) who was very kind to me.  he even called me on his day off to see that I didn't forget my meds (which I did forget because the nurses forgot to tell me to pick it up).

His bedside manner was quite pleasing, and I felt like I could trust him.   yay!  thanks for your help everyone.

-joe

[Robert]

Humpy?  YOu got that right.  Looks like he's ready for a game of rugby.     Sounds like a great guy.  Like I said, I've nothing but good things to say about Kaiser.

By the way, what meds are you on?

robert

[Strayboy74]

I've just had a sore throat.  we did some cultures, and I got some shots for a couple of things that are too terrible to talk about (thank god) and then I went home.  Anyway...  to answer your question, I'm not on meds, though they drew for my t cells and my viral load.

We'll see.

I did however get put on androgel before I left my last doctor which made me excetpionally tired and suicidal.  I stopped that REAL QUICK. 

hope you're doin' well.  let me know if you make it to the city.

-joe