Medical question...

Not at all a stupid question -- but one born of our times.  It all depends on your health plan.  If you have a health plan where you need a referral then you have to go to a regular doctor first to be referred. 

Otherwise if you think it's joint related you go to a specialist first.  They'll likely require x-rays. 

 I'd talk to whoever administrates your health plan first -- they'll tell you and no, it's not a stupid question.

It's a HMO and I have a "PCP" so I guess I have to see her first?  The insurance sent me a letter saying she changed practices (after the fact, lol) and that I could go to her new practice and keep her as my PCP, or have to file all the paperwork for a new PCP.  I am keeping her b/c my mom is too, plus I need to get in within the next 3 months b/c my prescription refill is up.  I was thinking if I have to see her about my wrist I'd wait a little longer, closer to when I usually get a physical and a new prescription, but I this thing with my wrist is really getting on my nerves.  I'd like to be able to hold my puppy and walk my dogs!

So annoying, things were easier when I was a student and just walked in to the school clinic!

Yep - you need to go to your PCP first.  I had something similar once - came and went for about a year.  Sometimes it hurt so bad that I couldn't even close a car door (any pressure would kill!).  I finally went to see my primary care doctor (family doctor) when I just couldn't take it anymore.  He gave me some 600 mg motrin - told me to take it for a week or so and if it still hurt to come back and we went set me up with a specialist.  Well, after a week it never hurt again.  I still don't know what the deal was but it never came back.

Some say HMO doc's are leary about sending you to a specialist; however, mine never is - he's sent whenever he taught it was necessary.

can you see a chiropractor? That's where I went for my knee.

erica1989

can you see a chiropractor? That's where I went for my knee.

Doubt I could ever afford it!  Plus if it's broken or whatever, I need to know before people start bending me all over.  I'm assuming I need x-rays, just don't know where to start.  When DH broke his hand we went straight to the ER, but this happened over two weeks ago...

 Go to your doctor.  Have them take xrays first and then go from there.  You may have a hairline fracture so getting xrays will help to tell you that.

Called the Dr., first had to get added in the system, then had to find the office where my Dr. now works.  I'm going Monday afternoon for a "med review" b/c I just got the last refill for my prescription, which means I don't have enough to last until my physical.  I asked to have a physical but they are insistent about not doing it "early".  If the wrist is still a problem on Monday I'll ask her about it then. 

FWIW -- any reputable chiro would tell you to have an x-ray first and they wouldn't 'bend' it in any event.  But a pinched nerve in your spine can make you hurt in some truly weird places. 

See -- I told you Lies -- NOT a dumb question at all.  In fact, it's one most of us wind up pondering OFTEN in this wonderful world of health care!

Even if your wrist dosn't hurt when you go to the doctors, you are best to mention it. They should hopefully request x-rays which are a good way to find any breaks/fractures etc... If you don't mention it now then when it starts acting up again you're just going to have to make another appointment and pay another copay. From working in the medical field with insurance companies, I suggest getting it all taken care of now!