I find this, when I see doctors, Ron. I don’t have much of a medical history and look relatively healthy, so they just kinda dismiss any concern. Thankfully your symptoms showed up!
I have VA as primary health, although I could alter that and get a local doctor who could farm me out to specialists.
VA does what it can with its resources here. There is a large hospital in Augusta medical district (Georgia) and the VA owns and operates a large campus of specialty buildings near the Masters golf course (unrelated, of course).
But its user base is huge, and its access to doctors is often at odds with the availability of them, although many of their doctors also work at major civilian hospitals in the city.
When they cannot get you in to see a specialist within a certain number of months, you get referred to their Community Care office which locates specialty services nearby and sets you up for a year or two of care.
I have been going to my allergist for two years, but my "term" with them ended in February. They sent me a letter, I sent it to my primary and requested a renewal. It should have happened quickly, but went into limbo.
I saw my primary care physician last Tuesday. He saw me at one of my lowest points, as well, and we both concluded that my blood pressure was too low as were my blood sugars. He altered my meds for that, and that has worked well, but he also heeded my comments about my sinuses. Since I was totally blocked during my visit, he could "hear" my sinuses.
I received a letter Thursday morning, informing me that a new term had been set up with my allergist. A phone call from them established an availailbility for an appointment yesterday morning.
All in all, a VERY productive week despite feeling like crap for much of it.
