How do I find doctor for 2nd opinion?

I am investigating hyst or no hyst for annoying (not health-threatening) fibroid symptoms that haven't gone away with previous alternative treatments. I want to get a second opinion but I read somewhere not to ask your regular obgyn who to get a second opinion from. I like my usual gyn but maybe she's having a blind spot and some alternative treatment is just not occurring to her.

So how do you find a 2nd opinion doctor? I am in a big HMO in the Seattle WA area (naming no names but hystersisters who live around here can probably guess). Should I could ask my regular MD who she recommends? Or if anyone has guessed which HMO I mean and can recommend a gyn on the system, please send me a private message. Or, is it OK to mention the name of the HMO if I don't name any individual doctors?

thanks...

Hi Cookie,

I know what you mean about getting a second opinion. I had to do this too. I did not ask my regular gynie. I first called my insurance company to check the policy on second opinions. It was explained that I did not need a referral and that I could even get a third opinion if I wanted. So you may want to check into this.

I then asked friends who the went to. I fortunately live near Boston where there are so many great doctors. My friends neighbor is a doctor and his wife is a nurse in Boston and gave me the name of a great doctor. I think friends are a good resource. you never know who the know. Also, maybe call your primary care doctor.

I am sooooo glad I did this. My original doctor just wasn't putting in the effort in getting to the bottom of my illness. It turns out that I had a very serious illness that required a hysterectomy ASAP. I had it done that same week. What really gets me is that it wouldn't have taken all that much for my original doctor to look into it a little further. A simple color doppler ultrasound showed the problem clear as day.

I hope this helps!

Good luck!!!!

Hi Cookie,

I just went threw this myself. I did the same thing as Pacmouse, I called my insurance company, asked what the stipulation are, what needed to be done, and a list of other doctors. Then I asked every female that i knew who they used. Plus, my mom works for GP and asked who they refered too and got a great match threw her and my friends

Most of the wondefull Sisters on here have said, get a second opinion and go with your gut feeling

Good Luck and best wishes