Dermatologist Question

[Ataylor]

If I call 10 Dermatologist', 9 of which either haven't heard of my condition or don't deal with it, and then I finally speak to the secretary of a Dr. which claims that he does in fact deal with such a condition, how can I ensure that he has dealt with it and is quite aware of everything surrounding such a condition?

 

The secretary kept telling me how he's the "best" and that I "won't be disappointed". lol She tells me that a consultation would cost me $425.00 and that he will fill me in as to what the condition might be, following the check up. Now, and as I told the secretary, I wasn't completely canceling out the idea of him actually being a reputable doctor that deals with this specific (yet rare) condition, but how do I know he isn't ignorant to it? I'd surely have an idea after I pay the fee, but I'd like to know before.

 

I asked her if I can speak to him over the phone, and she said that I'd have to speak with him in person - but of course I'd have to pay the $425.00 fee. Sounds a bit dodgy to me.

 

Is there any way to find out if he really has dealt with TTA? Any ideas/suggestions/comments?

 

p.s. He doesn't accept insurance from what I understand, also, is that common for Dermatologist'?

[Ataylor]

If I call 10 Dermatologist', 9 of which either haven't heard of my condition or don't deal with it, and then I finally speak to the secretary of a Dr. which claims that he does in fact deal with such a condition, how can I ensure that he has dealt with it and is quite aware of everything surrounding such a condition?

 

The secretary kept telling me how he's the "best" and that I "won't be disappointed". lol She tells me that a consultation would cost me $425.00 and that he will fill me in as to what the condition might be, following the check up. Now, and as I told the secretary, I wasn't completely canceling out the idea of him actually being a reputable doctor that deals with this specific (yet rare) condition, but how do I know he isn't ignorant to it? I'd surely have an idea after I pay the fee, but I'd like to know before.

 

I asked her if I can speak to him over the phone, and she said that I'd have to speak with him in person - but of course I'd have to pay the $425.00 fee. Sounds a bit dodgy to me.

 

Is there any way to find out if he really has dealt with TTA? Any ideas/suggestions/comments?

 

p.s. He doesn't accept insurance from what I understand, also, is that common for Dermatologist'?

[laughter's medicine]

This Dermatologist along with his secretary (not a nurse?!?!) sounds and smells very "FISHY"! I would personally not see him and go back to my doctor for a confirmation of my diagnosis and ask for a recommendation from him for a real specialist.

[Robert_]

My knee-jerk reaction would be the same as Laughter's Medicine. I would be inclined to go back to my family doctor and have him/her help me in a search for a reputable specialist.

 

Good luck!

 

-Robert

[Ataylor]

Uhhh...yea'! The thing with that is that I don't have a "family" doctor. I was first made aware of what my condition might be VIA this website - I think it might have been Dr. Wolf that gave me abbreviation and meaning behind TTA. I read up on what he had said it was and it seems to be exactly that - but I haven't had it checked yet, so I'm not completely sure whether it really is Temporal Triangular Alopecia or not.

 

I've been calling and asking around and most of the Dermatologist' either refer me to other places or have not heard of this condition, the only one that claimed to have dealt with those with such a condition sounded like a car salesman.

 

So that's pretty much why I need help figuring out how to differentiate the "good" from the "not-so-good". Are Dermatologist' bound by law to disclose any information in regards to how many patients they've actually diagnosed with such a condition? If not, then I don't understand how one would go about weeding out the reputable Dermatologist' from the, "Hey, look at me! I just bought my PHD for 13USD at a local garage sale", guy.

 

Any ideas? All advice is welcome.

[laughter's medicine]

Now is a probably a good time in your life to find a "Family Doctor" seeing your 25 and not getting any younger. Try and call a reputable local clinic that charges the standard rate of an office visit (which shouldn't be $400 dollars unless there are multitude of tests run) and takes insurance. When you call to make an appointment tell them your problem and they should point you in the direction of the most qualified physician to help you out to find the proper diagnosis. Try not telling them what you think it is, but what your symptoms are. Also, a bigger city is usually better equipped then you're local small town clinic, but this is not always the case. These are just my personnel opinions (I am not a doctor) and what I would do, Good luck!