Dealing with transition- Pediatric to Adult

[lgbionic]

So I posted a thread a couple of months ago because I was struggling with my insurance. I have finally got my GHPP application approved after almost four months of being without any medications, but thanks to Christine from this website I was able to have supply of creon. So I went to my appointment on Monday and my lung function had obviously drop significantly. I agree to be admitted to the hospital. However I am new to this clinic, hospital and adult world. I am currently at the UCSD Thornton hospital in La Jolla,CA and I feel isolated, anxious, and out of place. Every time I was hospitalized at Children's Hospital SD, I felt warmth, cared, loved from the people at the hospital. I understand that I am new, but the change has being so drastic, maybe it was time to stop being spoiled by doctors, nurses and RTs and started to be treated undifferentiated from other patients. I just want to go back in time and have my old doctors, hospital, treatments. Accepting reality is hard, but it's part of life. It's unbelieveable that I'm already 21 years old, just a while ago I was that small cookie-cutter boy. This transition is emotional and the medical staff tell me that many patients here go through that stage. How did you guys feel when you went from pediatrics to an adult clinic/hospital? Am I exaggerating? #cfproblems

-Leo.

 

[kmhbeauty]

Hello, I also go to UCSD Thornton. I use to go to the Children's hospital in San Diego. I like both, but I got hospitalized a little over a year ago and it was my first time staying at Thornton. I really liked it, especially since a couple hospitals by my house are horrible. They took really good care of me, but the food was just down right nasty. I am not picky at all either. I don't really remember making the switch from children's to adult. I remember it being a little awkward going to see a new doctor, but I was ok with it. I am about to send in my GHPP forms and I am guessing they will not approve me, and I will have to go with out insurance for 4 months also. Was this your first time applying? For me, it happens every year, and something always seems to happen after my insurance expires and before the re-approve it. I have to send it out tomorrow, hoping for the best.

 

[triples15]

Hi Leo,

I also struggled with transitioning. In fact, I was unwilling to transition until they literally forced me out the door at age 29. They said the pediatric clinic could no longer see adult patients due to a funding issue. I'm still not sure it wasn't just a line to get all of us adult hangers-on out of their hair! Lol. I reallyl loved my pediatric team and they had treated me for forever so I didn't see a reason to change. I was so stressed and sad when I got the letter that they could no longer see adult patients. Ugh. They were like extended family to me and I actually enjoyed going to clinic appointments because I got to see everyone!. Like you mentioned, I also felt spoiled while at the hospital and like everyone was looking out for me specifically.

With that being said, now that I have been with the adult team for a few years, I feel about the same about them. Maybe not exactly the same feeling, but I feel pretty dang good about them. I think any change in life is stressful, and for us CFers, this is a pretty big change. Let yourself have the emotions you are having, but at the same time work on building a rapport/good relationship with your new doc(s) and CF team. I'm guessing in time everything will fall into place.

Just know that you are NOT exaggerating and a lot of have experienced the same or similar emotions and experiences in regards to transitioning. I'm sorry you are going through it, but it will get better! Hang in there!

Take care,

Autumn 32 w/CF