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Seeing a Dermatologist

Eggplant WizardEggplant Wizard Little Rock, ARRegistered User regular
edited June 2010 in Help / Advice Forum
I want to see a dermatologist, not for any particular concern except a family history of skin cancers and the fact that I haven't been screened in a while. I called a nearby dermatology clinic, and the next available appointment is two months away. Is that normal? Should I call around to other dermatologist's offices to see if there's something sooner? I realize that this isn't urgent care, but two months seems like an awfully long time.

Hello
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Posts

  • ChanusChanus Harbinger of the Spicy Rooster Apocalypse The Flames of a Thousand Collapsed StarsRegistered User, Moderator mod
    edited June 2010
    From my understanding and experience, that is fairly normal, especially if you're just going to get checked out.

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  • Grid SystemGrid System Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Call around if you want, but two months is definitely not a long time to wait for a nonspecific checkup without a referral.

    Grid System on
  • FantasmaFantasma Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Do you have any clear lesions on your skin?, or are you just worried?

    If there is nothing wrong on your skin, and you are not putting yourself in risky situations such as exposure to Ultra Violet light for too long, maybe you could just wait.

    Fantasma on
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  • NamrokNamrok Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Maybe it depends on your area, but I've never had to wait 2 months to see a doctor. Any doctor. Why I saw a dermatologist not long ago for eczema, and I was able to go the next morning. Even when I get a physical at my GP, it takes less than a week. Definitely call around and try to find a better appointment if you can. No harm in trying, right?

    Namrok on
  • TalkaTalka Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    I've always been able to book (non-specific) dermatology appointments with two weeks' notice. You could probably try another dermatologist's office if you're eager to get this finished.

    Talka on
  • DjeetDjeet Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    When I needed to go to the dermatologist (sans referral) in October I was being offered new patient 1st appointments at 6-8 weeks out. I lucked out and called an office just after someone cancelled and was able to slide into their spot. You might could setup an appointment for 1st available at your preferred office and call back occasionally to see if there are any cancellations, or let them know to call you in case there are any cancellations.

    Djeet on
  • Eggplant WizardEggplant Wizard Little Rock, ARRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Thanks for the advice. I'll see if I can find something sooner, but I guess I just have to deal with it otherwise. I don't have anything on my skin that meets the criteria for potential cancers as I understand them; certainly not melanoma anyway. I do have fair skin, a history of UV exposure in my younger years, freckles, moles, and other weird shit. I don't want to mess around with it.

    Eggplant Wizard on
    Hello
  • Judge-ZJudge-Z Teacher, for Great Justice Upstate NYRegistered User regular
    edited June 2010
    Yeah. Two months is VERY normal for new patients around here. Once you're part of the practice, the wait should shorten if you have an emergency. For yearly skin cancer screenings, they should automatically schedule your next visit like the dentist does. That reminds me - gotta call my dermatologist. Somehow fell out of the habit of going every year after missing my last appointment.

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  • DoobhDoobh She/Her, Ace Pan/Bisexual 8-) What's up, bootlickers?Registered User regular
    edited June 2010
    am I the only who thought he was seeing ad Dermatologist, and was self-conscious about potential skin conditions?


    but, yeah: two months sounds pretty normal, I lucked out in high school and managed to get my acne taken care of early when a new skin doc opened up shop in town

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Penny Arcade Forums› Help / Advice Forum