[Noisebridge-discuss] [Fwd: East Bay Doctor?]

[Al Billings]

Hi everyone,

I sent this to my local coworkers the other day but then I realized that 
people in Noisebridge might have suggestions as well. Of concern is 
doctors that won't take my insurance but I guess I'd rather get 
suggestions that didn't work out that none. So far, none of my coworkers 
have had any outside of Palo Alto.

I've been sick for the last two months with something that it probably 
viral. I'm looking to replace my current primary care doctor (an 
Internist) with a much better one. My current one kind of sucks. I'm 
also looking to find a doctor that specializes in infectious diseases as 
all the ones that I've found so far locally are HIV specialists only.

The illness is why no one has seen me since the end of October. I've 
been lucky that I've been able to telecommute to work for the most part 
(and time off for the holidays). This is also why I missed 25c3, which I 
had plane tickets to attend.

Al

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	East Bay Doctor?
Date: 	Thu, 01 Jan 2009 15:05:05 -0800
From: 	Al Billings <abillings at mozilla.com>


Hi all,

This is a personal note and request. I apologize for the length but I
want to give some details.

As some people are aware, I've been sick with something since the
beginning of November, a couple of weeks after returning from Egypt
(which may or may not be related). I've been able to work for the most
part but I am still not well. When I was initially not feeling well, I
found a doctor through Anthem Blue Cross' directory near my home. This
doctor has worked with me during the course of my illness but has yet to
come up with a real diagnosis other than that it is probably a virus
(but not contagious as my wife has been fine).

I'm very frustrated with my doctor and I haven't had the most confidence
in him. Because of this, I am trying to find another to get another
opinion, or set of eyes, on what is going on with me. My existing doctor
is one of those types that you see for ten or fifteen minutes and who
mostly seems to advise waiting it out and running some tests. After two
months, with the same consistent issues since Thanksgiving, I'd like to
find better answers and maybe an actual diagnosis of what is wrong.

  So, I'm asking if anyone has an excellent doctor to recommend that is
covered by our insurance. I picked one at random and don't like what
I've got. I live on the Berkeley/Oakland border (basically Emeryville)
so I'm trying to find one within a half hour drive or so from my home.
For an excellent doctor, San Francisco is also a possibility as long as
I can get in an out easily. My current doctor is within two miles of me,
so that has been convenient when I've needed to go in (especially on
short notice).

  I'm basically at my wit's end with being sick and feeling like little
progress is being made except for waiting and seeing if I get better. If
anyone could suggest an excellent physician (or even a practice with
multiple ones that is reputable), I'd really like to hear it.

Thank you,
Al