how long does it usually take to get into a dr?

Hey everyone. I had chronic Itp as a child from '94 to '96. I am 24 almost 25 now.
Last week I got the flu and unfortunately was admitted into the hospital Monday with a platelet count of 4 thousand. The whole time I was in the hospital my hema didn't come into talk to me, but was trying to discharge me the same day I went in. While I was in the er they started me on Prednisone through and iv with a platelet transfusion. I got extremely sick from the transfusion (shortness of breath, severe rash, and dizziness) and ended up having to beg the er doc not to send me home because I didn't feel comfortable leaving in that condition.
I was admitted at 6pm Monday. At 10 pm they did a cbc and my count came back at 34 thousand (woohoo) but by 4 am Tuesday morning they were already down to 26 thousand. Tuesday afternoon my nurse came in with discharge papers and a RX of Prednisone, 60 mg a day, and she told me that my hema dr's office would be calling me Wednesday to get me in by Thursday. I asked for another cbc before I left just so I would have an idea of were my platelets were. They came out to 16 Thousand.
I am not allowed to go back to work until I see my Doctor (this came from my work and the hospital) I have called my Doctor's office twice today and all I am being told is " We are accepting quite a few new patients including yourself and we will get back to you once we fit you in."

Now, I am terrified and it seems like I am getting put on the back burner. I don't know if this is the actual case, but this is how I feel. Is it normal for Doctor's offices to take this long? Is it normal for your Doctor to not come see you in the hospital? Please any answers will help. Thank you

Hi Brittany, I have the same problem with Doctors. It usually takes me about one month to see my GP. I have asked him a number of times to see a hemo but he thinks that itp is not serious enough to see one. I am always thinking that I should change doctors but he has all my records and it all seems to hard.
I can understand your frustration as this is stopping you returning to work, maybe some of the long term people here can help us out with how they have handled this.

Milly, Thank you for replying. I hope your situation with your Doctor gets better!!! I live in a small town. We had to travel to San Antonio when I was a child to get treatment. It is nice to have a Doctor in the same town, but not if you can't get in. I mentioned to my mom about going to find a Doctor in San Antonio, but she doesn't want me to do that. It is extremely frustrating!!!

Yeah Brittany, same small town thing going on here makes it really hard, feel so alone sometimes. I hope things improve for you. Maybe the San Antanio option is a good one!!!!!!!!

Hi Brittany - it depends on the doctor and the situation. I've had some doctors that got me in quick and some that took a few months. I never really thought it was necessary to actually see my hemo though as long as we were managing the ITP with treatments and monitoring counts. It's too bad they won't release you for work. What do you do?

About 6mths or so ago, I was in the same position your in now, not being able to get in to see your GP when you need to. I sometimes had to wait a week or (that might not be long for some people), but when your unwell and are too sick to go to work and need a medical certificate to take to work to prove u were unwell, a week or two is no good. I ended up changing doctors and the doctor i see now i can usually get in to see him the same day or at the very least the next day, so u may want to consider looking into other doctors in the area and ask for recomendations and see how long the wait usually is at other places.

Sandi,
This will be my first time to see her. I'm just scared and would like to know what exactly the Prednisone is suppose to do and see if I could possibly get something for the anxiety it gives me. I hope I can get in today or tomorrow. I just started this job and it seems like I've missed more days than I've actually been there. Thank you for your response. I really appreciate it.
Angel, I am hoping I won't have to look for another one. It would be nice to see the one that is in town instead of driving an hour. But I will definitely be looking into other places. Thank you for the advice!

well i think you have to see another hematologist britanny,specially the day that you were admitted in the hosp,youre having a count of 4k,ofcourse as a doctor it is his,her responsibility to see his patient,and explain what medicines youre going to take and whats for?what are the side effects of that medcnes right?i think hes too irresponsible,hopefully youll find better soon,goodluck to you,

I am going to call in about 30 minutes and see if they have gotten me in yet. My gums started bleeding this morning when I was brushing my teeth and when I blew my nose there was blood in the kleenex. If they don't get me in by today then I am going to try and find another doctor. Thank you all for your answers!

om my,hope everything will be ok soon,just keep on praying,nothing is impossible to him,i will pray for you britany,

I just got off the phone with my Dr's office! I will have a cbc tomorrow morning and as long as my platelets are at a good number I will be able to return to work! Thank you all for your replies! I am very thankful for this site and the support of others in similar situations!

That's great! I thought you'd been on Prednisone before...guess not. It is supposed to raise platelet counts, if a person responds.

Good luck - I hope your counts are up.

Thank you Sandi! I'll let ya'll know what my count is! I hope I get back to work!

Count was 34K! I get to go back to work on Monday and will have a cbc done weekly. Hopefully they will get up and stay up!

Good for you! Glad to hear it.