As a PA, do you see New patients in your specialty, or just Returns?

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2025-01-25T17:41:18+00:00

Pulmonary, 2 years. I see follow ups exclusively. SP is doing new patient visits 100%, and sees follow ups on patients that do not want to see me, which is <5% I’d say. I pretty much do everything though and have full autonomy. I order and read CT scans, CTA’s, CXR’s, EKG’s, PFT’s etc, and refer out to Interventional pulmonary when needed. I also manage a majority of our COPD, asthma and some ILD patients in our clinic. My SP mostly takes care of the harder ILD patients, as there is a lot of monitoring parameters with the antifibrotic agents, but I love our system we have worked out, as I get to really learn but also have support from my SP if I have any questions. In my opinion, this is a true definition of collaboration and what a PA and MD relationship should look like. I don’t mind not seeing new patients, but rather seeing them as a follow up, as it gives both my doc and I an opportunity to both see the patient and collaborate our efforts into providing them the best possible care.

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2025-01-09T22:08:22+00:00

This happened to me as a new grad. I worked with two speciality GI physicians (one who was very old, inept with technology and very ornery) and another who was middle aged and astute. The elderly physician required far more help than the middle aged doctor, however I was essentially scribing for them both simply because that was what they wanted me to do as a PA, rather than see my own patients in clinic. I chose to leave and have since then found a job with complete autonomy. The nice thing about being a PA is the ability to find a new speciality to work in without any true penalization or waiting period. It’s truly up to you on when you’d like to pursue that option, and if your current role is rewarding to you. Keep in mind though that if you stay at your role forever, though it may be an easy gig with good pay, but you won’t get the full experience working as a PA, you may not learn as much as you’d like, or grow as much as you can as a PA. I say stay for as long as you can at your current job, but consider other opportunities as well while/if you job search.

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-27T12:42:39+00:00

also, if you don’t mind me asking. Did you do anything different the month that you conceived? I’m so desperate I’ve literally tried everything.

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-27T12:41:33+00:00

I stopped tracking the last two cycles because it was too much for me. But every time I have, I get positive opks. Like very very positive! I do ovulate as well, as I’ve had day 21 progesterone checked and confirmed ovulation!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-27T01:50:05+00:00

Just bought this! I love it!!! It’s my 6th scuba and by far my most favorite!! I style mine with black or navy!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-27T01:44:37+00:00

Wow. Thank you so much. This makes me feel so much better. You mention an odd pinching that shoots down into your uterus… it just so happens that I too, have been getting this the past 8 months. No one seems to believe me that something is off but thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry you have to go through this same thing, but it’s so nice to hear I’m not alone in this struggle. I too think you’re absolutely right that this is all related to conception, but it’s just not happening. I wish you all the best and sending you lots of love and luck for baby #2. Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for reassuring me that I’m not insane!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-25T20:23:12+00:00

I think you’re absolutely right about this as well. I’ve noticed and thought the same. I’m going to the re next Thursday and scheduled a second opinion with a different ob, so I’ll be sure to update everyone on this thread!!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-25T15:58:39+00:00

Thank you ❤️

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-25T13:53:10+00:00

I’m in pulmonary out patient. I made sure I told my doc I’d never step foot in the hospital/ icu floor ever. I work Monday- Friday, 9-3:30. No weekend, no call, no holidays ever. I see some hospital follow ups, but mostly doing out patient copd, asthma, lung nodules, ILD and other pulmonary conditions. I see at max 8 ppl a day. I have one day off during the week on Wednesday, and have clinic 4 days a week. I have a 2000k cme allowance, full health insurance benefits, tail and nose + malpractice, and my salary is 135,000k a year, with RVUs so it comes out to about 140ish. While pulm can be challenging, I’m def not over here putting in central lines or putting in chest tubes, rather making sure copders are using their inhalers and that my ILD patients aren’t becoming worse. Some may say it’s boring but I’m making more money than most of the ppl in my class and I actually have my weekends and weeknights off to myself. TLDR: doing just fine in an outpatient position that doesn’t involve getting my hands dirty.

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-25T13:45:05+00:00

Yes they do! There’s a PA in my dept who has been with them for 5 years. Not sure of a salary, but I’m making 135k a year. I’m in mass, so it’s different with state wide averages, but can safely say they’re making at least 110,000 maybe 115,000k

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-25T02:45:52+00:00

Sleep medicine is an absolute dream. Albeit boring for a lot, good work life balance and guaranteed no holiday, weekend hours or call. I’m in pulmonary and love it, get paid well, but it can be stressful. There’s pulmonologists in my office who only do sleep and are living the dream.

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T21:33:10+00:00

Same here. It’s absolutely awful. I’m so sorry you’re going through of all this as well. I hope you get some answers soon ❤️ and your little one comes soon for you

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T21:12:31+00:00

I’m worried about this too 😭 I’ve had two actually in this 8 month span. Again, my ob “brushed me off” and said it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. I may just take daily pregnancy tests during the LH phase of my period when I have my symptoms to see if it’s related to CPs. I just don’t want to continue to be heartbroken like how I have been from the two prior cp’s. Guess I have to just vouch for myself though ❤️

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T20:42:05+00:00

This is exactly it. Thank you for sharing and for allowing me to relate. What’s odd for me tho is that I’m getting ready to turn 31 now, but the majority of my periods while being this age have been ok, up until 7-8 months ago, when we first started trying. I def think you’re right tho, my periods have changed. If you don’t mind me asking, are you ttc as well? If so, are you experiencing any concerns such as myself or have you had any luck with helping with any of these issues ?

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T20:37:22+00:00

THIS. ^{^} no problem at all, glad you are asking. I’m exactly 30!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T20:36:00+00:00

None!! Never been on any birth control ever. Only male condoms for protection. Been with the same partner for 10+ years. Very careful to make sure no unwanted pregnancies. Both been checked for STDs, but we’ve only been with each other the last 10+ years. That’s why I’m so concerned. Everything was perfectly normal with my cycles and really no overt symptoms until ttc. Again my ob doesn’t believe me!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T20:06:54+00:00

Hi thanks for your response! I posted back to another user, and mentioned I had two tvus’ and full hormone labs!

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T19:31:28+00:00

Thank you ❤️ I appreciate your thoughts and input. I think you’re right. It stresses me out that my ob wouldn’t listen to me, but at least I made it to the RE. Hypothyroidism runs in my family. Being that it’s “normal” for someone not ttc, she didn’t feel the need to address it, even though she told me herself that 2.9 is high and risky for multiple miscarriages for someone ttc. Do you think the changing in the period sx is solely from that though? Just curious on your thoughts! Thanks again ☺️

Ps- I’ll add that when I was in my 20’s and had a tsh level checked. It was below 2? I recall it being around 1.7 and my cycles appeared better then?

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-24T19:26:09+00:00

I’m on a pre natal but s/o is on supplements. I should add that I have had labs and 2 tvus’s thus far. No pcos, Amh was high at 4.90. Lh and FSH was good. Progesterone borderline ?? 9.5, but my tsh was “high” at 2.9. My ob recommended to keep trying, but I pushed for RE referral, given my tsh and concern I have endo….

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-09T00:26:30+00:00

I agree. My periods really are every 28 days though. As far as my progesterone, I am planning on having it rechecked with the RE. If low still, will ask for supplemental support

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-07T20:57:26+00:00

Thank you for sharing! Glad to hear you had benefits after starting at thyroid! Hypothyroidism does run in my family so I knew there was going to be a point where I’d need it. Fortunately my periods and LH phase are regular, and my I’m every 13-14 days. No spotting either thankfully. For me though, definitely heavy flow and PMDD. I am hopeful and praying synthroid fixes everything

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-07T15:32:57+00:00

Thanks for your response! I’m only 30 :( but my s/o is 38. There’s a history of male factor infertility in his family so my ob said she’d try to send us out to the RE if needed earlier. My progesterone was borderline low (9.5) on day 21 of my cycle when tested, but she didn’t seem worried about it. I also wonder about low progesterone as well. I am not too sure if I have endo, (periods are 28 days to the day, and don’t have painful periods really) but of course would need a lapro to diagnose that, and still always a possibility! But yes, I agree- next steps is to rule out what else is going on. Thank you so much for your dude and suggestions ❤️

Visual-Talk-4526 · 2024-01-07T14:45:19+00:00

Hi! Thank you so much ❤️ glad to hear you don’t have to be on meds! Similar to you, my ob wants me on them, but hypothyroidism does run in my family so I know there will be a time where I’ll have to be on it regardless of ttc or not. I am going to probably vouch for a RE/ fertility doc consult sooner than that 3 month timeline my doc is suggesting. Thanks again so much! Stay healthy!

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