Some Messages I Previously Sent to Physicians/Practitioners/Assistants (Emory Healthcare MyChart)

1. Is there an alternative medicine to the Pantoprazole Sodium you prescribed me for the acid reflux? Because that one is not covered by my insurance provider.

2. I met a woman named Dr. Yvonne Beckford of Sleep Better Atlanta, LLC at my place of employment. She’s been a doctor for 40+ years and her team specializes in helping people with sleep apnea like me. Would your office give me authorization to visit her for a second opinion?

3. Can I receive a referral to return to Dermatology Associates of Georgia on Clairmont Rd in Decatur, or to visit another dermatology clinic you recommend, in regard to that nasal redness I mentioned? They gave me two topical creams to treat the issue; one was effective and one was not effective. Unfortunately, insurance does not pay for the effective one. However, they mentioned a more long-term solution involving laser therapy. And I’d love to see them, or someone else who can do that, to further discuss that option.

Good evening, I finally had the hip surgery today. And I started experiencing (and I still am experiencing) numbness/tingling (“pins and needles”) in my left hand. This is the same hand in which the intravenous needle was inserted. I suspect a nerve may have mistakenly been penetrated. The last time I had an acute injury like that a phlebotomist placed the needle just below my right arm during what should have been a routine blood test and I instantly felt an intense and painful shocking sensation from my elbow to my fingers. And although that severe pain and those frequent shocks gradually decreased and the symptoms eventually subsided entirely, they lasted for 3-4 months. I suppose that’s how long the nerve damage took to heal. With that said, I’m wondering what I should do if this abnormal condition continues tomorrow. Should I call your clinical office or will someone from your office call me?

As we discussed during my post-op visit at MSK yesterday, Emory’s radiology department called me to schedule the MRI of my sacrum. I scheduled the scan for Monday, May 20th at Emory University Orthopedics & Spine Hospital. The scheduler also mentioned there was a slot available on June 20th at the facility in North Decatur. Anyway, I recall you mentioning the recency of the hip arthroscopy will present some abnormalities with imaging and may potentially skew the results of the MRI. So would you like me to keep the appointment I scheduled for May 20th or would you prefer I postpone the MRI to a later date? I trust your judgment more than mine and I’m not sure when the optimal time for an effective scan is. Thanks.

Good afternoon. The imaging is still pending pre-approval/certification from my insurance provider, Anthem BCBS. I called Anthem and a representative told me to contact your office and provide you this phone number: (***)***-****. She said, as the referring physician’s office, you all can call that number and request an expedited review process to more quickly acquire approval. That way I can keep my appointment on Monday, May 20th. If this can’t be done, please call me at (***)***-**** to let me know. Because I must cancel 24 hours before my appointment time to avoid the risk of a cancellation fee. And since the MRI is scheduled on a Monday, I think I would need to call their office tomorrow to cancel/reschedule. I also left a voicemail at (***)***-**** describing this situation. Thank you.

Good morning. I recently finished with that MRI and I wanted to let you know it was excruciatingly painful (particularly in my left leg, groin, and glute). I was struggling immensely to stay still and remain relaxed. I was also sweating profusely. I figured the scan was safe, even after surgery, because you performed it and approved it. The technician seemed to believe the position in which I was lying was likely causing the pain. But I am lying on my back in the same position now and I feel no pain. I did let him know I might have metallic objects around the hip joint because of the operation, but I told him I wasn’t sure. He placed some apparatus over my groin/pelvis and thought it was okay to proceed anyway. Fortunately I am in no pain now, but I want to know if I should be concerned. Is this a fairly common experience for patients in my condition?

I added my medical insurance (BlueCross & Blue Shield) information to the portal when I first submitted my order by taking photos of the front and back of my insurance card. However, the cost of my copays for the telemedicine visit and the testing still appear to be the same as the cost for those paying without insurance. Why is that?

I asked Pamela if she could incorporate some shoulder exercises into our weekly physical therapy sessions. But she said she won’t do anything like that without an evaluation and that I would need separate appointments each week for the treatment of my hip and my shoulder. She recommended I visit 1968 Hawks Lane. So I went next door to the Emory Sports Medicine Complex to schedule PT for my shoulder; the soonest available appointment I could secure is scheduled for June 18th.

Good afternoon. I have a few questions the woman who fit me for the walking boot was unable to answer, and she directed me to ask you all here.

1. You would like for me to discontinue cycling immediately, correct? I am asking because I have been biking every day for weeks in preparation for an eventual return to running after my hip surgery in late April. I know the exercise is not a weight-bearing one, but I imagine the physical activity still places stress on the soft tissue surrounding the tibia. So my guess is I should stop cycling to reduce that stress/inflammation and promote the healing process.

2. If the answer to the previous question is yes, is there any other form of exercise you suggest I do in the meantime? Or is it recommended that I temporarily abstain entirely from physical activity? I am okay with resting; I just want to confirm the instructions. Likewise, if I am to cease cycling for now, when may I return to it? I am curious about swimming too.

3. I am currently attending physical therapy sessions each week as a form of post-operative treatment following my hip surgery. And some of the exercises I do are weight-bearing. Should I continue with a modified version of physical therapy for my hip to avoid further injuring my tibia? Or should I pause physical therapy altogether? And after two weeks of using crutches and six weeks of using the boot, assuming my body progresses in the healing process, should I begin physical therapy for my lower leg?

Okay, thank you for responding. Because I was uncertain, I have not biked since using the crutches and the boot. But I am still confused whether I am authorized to cycle and I am looking for some clarification. Because online sources I’ve found provide conflicting information. Some of them recognize cycling as weight-bearing and some of them consider cycling to be a non-weight-bearing exercise. The reason I am asking is because I was biking nearly every day until Friday. And I do not currently have access to a swimming pool. So I am wondering if I should wait two weeks, six weeks, or longer to resume cycling. Or if I can do so right away with adjustments to intensity/duration of the exercise. I intend to understand/follow your orders and maintain my fitness to whatever extent you permit. I am just looking for clarification. Thanks again.

Good afternoon. Yesterday a piece from the bottom of one of my crutches broke after regular use. So I just left a voicemail on the clinical line you provided me earlier. Because I’m wondering if you are able to repair or replace the crutch(es). I will be visiting Emory Sports Medicine Complex at 1968 Hawks Ln tomorrow for physical therapy anyway. If you can, please let me know. I can also contact Dr. Whitfield’s office; they are the ones who initially ordered the crutches for me following my hip surgery. I am leaving a message here too, in case someone sees this before hearing the voicemail. Thanks.

Good afternoon, Dr. Cabanas. I have developed a rash under both of my armpits and it has been pretty itchy. I’ve attached a photo of each armpit so you can see the condition. Would you provide me a referral to see a physician who specializes in dermatology about this situation as well as the chronic rosacea on my nose that I previously discussed with you in office? I have visited the Dermatology Associates of Georgia on Clairmont Rd (about these particular issues) several times in the past. However, I’d be happy to go anywhere you might recommend that is part of Emory’s network of dermatologists. Thank you.

I completed the prescribed amount of weeks of physical therapy with Kenny at Emory Sports Medicine Complex. It has also been a while since I received the corticosteroid injection into my labrum. Neither have appeared to be provide any significant or lasting relief. I was instructed to follow up with you and I’m wondering what steps we will take next (and whether that will include any imaging). Would you like me to schedule a visit with you in person? If so, I am happy to do that.

Good afternoon. Yes, I followed the protocol provided by Dr. Mason to wean me off the boot to a tee. But it doesn’t appear the condition has noticeably improved after using the crutches/boot. Dr. Mason had initially mentioned to me that a follow-up bone scan or MRI would be conducted after my time in the boot to re-evaluate my tibia. But he later told me in the office that would not be necessary, provided that I am progressing as planned. But I am uncertain of the extent of my progress as I have still not participated in any of my usual exercises (biking and running) because I am unsure whether I am advised to do so. And if I am permitted, I don’t know how I should approach returning to my exercise routine (I’m guessing he would recommend a gradual return to weight-bearing activity). By the way, I am scheduled to have my initial physical therapy appointment for this issue on Wednesday, September 18th (that is the soonest date I was able to obtain at the clinic).