Firing my Doctor.....to switch medications

[vaguesbleues]

This is more a rant (with a lesson at the end).  I've been wanting to switch medications for over a year now.  I've been on Atripla for over 5 years, and I've had continual issues ever since I started it.  Hallucinations, extremely vivid dreams, difficulty concentrating, you name it.  My partner has also been pushing me to switch as he's sick of being awakened when I'm mid-dream screaming about someone standing in the doorway, or there being a big bug crawling on the wall...only to realize I'm still dreaming. 

Anyways, I had asked my former doctor to help me switch.  He was totally on board & sent in the new prescription for Genvoya.  However, my insurance needed him to fill out a preauthorization form for them to cover the new med as it's not one of the three preferred HIV regimens (Atripla, Complera, or Triumeq).  They went round and round, and after weeks of phone calls, begging and pleading with the doctor office to deal with it and get the preauthorization form filled out fully and completely, I just plain gave up.

Now, I've had issues with this office previously.  There is no way to reach anyone directly, but you are forced to leave a voicemail which is rarely returned.  I would have to call multiple times to get my test results, or to reschedule an appointment if I needed to do so.  Basically, the communication is a royal pain in the a*&.  I love the doctor, but the way the office is run was getting on my nerves.  Also, even thought it was an infectious disease office, they wouldn't do the full STI screen, but would only test for HIV and syphilis. So I decided to switch doctors.  (BTW....I tried several times to get in touch with this old doctor to have my medical records sent to the new doctor, and my old office never did respond, even after multiple attempts...grrr). 

I'm **SO** glad I switched.  The new doctor was very attentive, and they even have an online portal where I can see my results right away, send a message to the doctor's office, and even reschedule my appointment myself!  In addition, he was able to work with my insurance and get the new Genvoya prescription approved and filled within only 2 days. 

So what is the moral of the story?  If you are finding that your doctor isn't working for you, then SWITCH.  Yes, you should always advocate for yourself, but remember, your doctor is working for you.  You shouldn't have to beg, plead, and grovel to get them to do their jobs.  If you are finding that they are unwilling or unable to work for you, then fire them and find a doctor who will work with you. 

In the meantime, I'm using up the rest of my buffer of Atripla and will switch to Genvoya in a few months once I've used up the Atripla I have left.  Hopefully, the switch helps get rid of these crazy dreams!

[Ptrk3]

Thanks for sharing your story of self-empowerment.  Good for you!  Working with a doctor is a partnership and if the partnership begins to fail, one should always feel free to move on.  Good luck with your transition to Genvoya!