How should someone handle a Primary Care Doctor who doesn't do anything for your health needs?

2020-03-05T13:24:04-05:00

So recently I went in to get my heart looked at, along with a recent development of chest pains and sleep problems (waking up 4-5 times every night with either shortness of breath or chest pain). When I told him everything that's going on he said that there was nothing wrong with me and to take Motrin. My blood pressure through the roof 24/7 and I'm only 20 years old. How should I go about handling this situation without being a total douchebag?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 1:25 PM

2020-03-05T13:25:58-05:00

Ask your PCM for a referral to a cardiologist.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 1:27 PM

2020-03-05T13:27:30-05:00

You should be able to change your PCM in your tricareonline.com profile under the "Actions" menu. Or, make an appointment online and just choose a different provider.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 2:06 PM

2020-03-05T14:06:59-05:00

You are always entitled to a second opinion. As for your blood pressure, if you are smoking, dipping, or drinking, any PCM is going to automatically attribute your high blood pressure to that. Second most likely answer is that you are stressed.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 5:10 PM

2020-03-05T17:10:54-05:00

Speak to a patient advocate at the clinic. They are specifically there to speak on your behalf to help you out when you are not getting the answers you feel you should.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 5 at 2020 5:12 PM

2020-03-05T17:12:55-05:00

Chest pain deserves:
1. EKG
2. troponins
3. echocardiogram,
...at the MINIMUM **** WITHOUT EXCEPTION ****.
When you are having chest pain go to the ER. They will rule out things that will kill you then you can decide what to do after the work up you get there.
Your age is even more reason to have it thoroughly checked out.
Anxiety/stress won't make you drop dead of an acute coronary syndrome. A sudden cardiac arrest due to an unsuspected/undiagnosed early onset arrhythmia will. Find a provider that will look at your symptoms, regardless of your age.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 5 at 2020 5:44 PM

2020-03-05T17:44:59-05:00

Ask for a second opinion. Go see a patient advocate at the MTF. Write it all down. Include your COC so they can advocate for you.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Mar 5 at 2020 5:47 PM

2020-03-05T17:47:46-05:00

What was your BP?

Response by SPC Richard Zacke made Mar 8 at 2020 3:37 PM

2020-03-08T15:37:29-04:00

SPC Private RallyPoint Member I've been out of the Army for a long time so I don't know how things work. If you were my son calling asking what to do I'd tell you to go to the ER. It may be some kind of stress related situation but at 20 y/o you better make damn sure that it's not a cardiac problem. Good luck.