topic Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact in Wellness

Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

LilacTree — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:18:08 GMT

I've been trying to get a message to my GP (who's been on vacation for weeks). I finally got to talk to her assistant yesterday. My issue is she still has "hypertension" listed on my chart as one of my ailments. I no longer have hypertension, as the only reason I was getting high blood pressure readings were because I was on ibuprofen every day for RA pain. Long term use of ibuprofen has the side effect of HBP.

Two doctors, a gastro doc and this GP both put me on medication for HBP without thinking of taking me off ibuprofen. I had to find out myself by researching. Once I stopped taking ibuprofen, my BP went back to normal and slightly low, as our family has always has had. I advised my GP of this fact and she simply shrugged it off and said to stop taking the blood pressure med (which I had already done).

However, I noted that "hypertension" is still listed on my chart as one of my health issues. I want it taken off as I do not have it. The assistant told me I will have to go to court to have it taken off. That once diagnosed with something, it has to stay on one's chart whether it is valid or not.

I am seeing my gastro doc at the end of the month as I am overdue for an endoscopy that he would not perform when he took my BP two years ago and gave me the first scrip of BP med. Obviously he is going to see that still listed on my chart. I am not sure what he will do even if he takes my BP at that visit and finds it normal.

Have any of you ever heard of this? Having to go to court to have an invalid diagnosis removed from your chart?

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

151949 — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:20:11 GMT

First of all - high blood pressure is not a side effect of ibuprofen. It can cause renal failure, which would then result in high BP but there would be worse things like your labs would show a high BUN and Creatnine first.

Second , you are making a mountain out of a molehill.Just mention to the GI doctor and he can write that it has been resolved.

I am certain one of the worst things to ever happen to doctors has been the "patient portals" where people who don't have a clue what they are reading get on there and then are calling the docs offices over & over to get things changed or because they don't understand what they are reading. Is this the reason you urgently had to discuss something with your doctor in another post? Do you honestly think this is urgent?

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

cowboy sam — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:36:32 GMT

I hope that is also not the reason.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

granddi — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 18:54:11 GMT

Oh I agree this is important. We are approaching a medical records system in which many docs will be particiapting in our care and this permanent records must be up to date and accurate. Wait until you can talk to PCP but be firm about your record being up to date.

My PCP put a diagnosis on my chart. After seeing a specialist the suspected diagnosis was not confirmed but it is still on my record. So frustrating.

On another note, for those of you that have a PCP that use patient portals be sure and go on and read your clinic notes. I was surprised that casual talk I said made it to my permanent chart. Some notes I think were taken out of context and misreprsented. Not real critical stuff but none the less interesting.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

LilacTree — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:06:02 GMT

@granddi wrote:
Oh I agree this is important. We are approaching a medical records system in which many docs will be particiapting in our care and this permanent records must be up to date and accurate. Wait until you can talk to PCP but be firm about your record being up to date.

My PCP put a diagnosis on my chart. After seeing a specialist the suspected diagnosis was not confirmed but it is still on my record. So frustrating.

On another note, for those of you that have a PCP that use patient portals be sure and go on and read your clinic notes. I was surprised that casual talk I said made it to my permanent chart. Some notes I think were taken out of context and misreprsented. Not real critical stuff but none the less interesting.

Unfortunately I have a stomach condition for which I've been having endoscopies every six months for five years. I am way overdue. My appointment is at the end of the month to see the gastro doc, and then an appointment should be made for the endo. So it is important that this issue be straightened out.

Thank you for your agreement that our medical records must be accurate. There are times when patients are unable to voice the existence of inaccuracies.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

HisElk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:32:00 GMT

I found this website about the effects of IB. Hope it helps.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/medications-cause

IMO, medical issues that are not correct should be removed from our records and one should not have to take it to court for removal. That's ludicrous when the physician has the capability to remove it. I have had the same issue with something myself and it seems to take "an act of congress" to have it removed.

I am very careful how much IB I take because of the side effects.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

LilacTree — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 20:55:24 GMT

@HisElk wrote:
I found this website about the effects of IB. Hope it helps.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/medications-cause

IMO, medical issues that are not correct should be removed from our records and one should not have to take it to court for removal. That's ludicrous when the physician has the capability to remove it. I have had the same issue with something myself and it seems to take "an act of congress" to have it removed.

I am very careful how much IB I take because of the side effects.

I take no painkillers anymore, HisElk. And never IB anymore or any other kind of OTC painkiller (or prescription either, for that matter). Rarely I will take an Aleve when I get one of my nighttime headaches.

Thanks for the article, I will read it now. I did a lot of google searching also and they all said long term ibuprofen use will cause and/or aggravate HBP, which I already knew because I had done it before.

Plus facts are facts. When I stopped taking it, my BP went back to normal.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

HisElk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:13:57 GMT

@LilacTree wrote:

@HisElk wrote:
I found this website about the effects of IB. Hope it helps.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/medications-cause

IMO, medical issues that are not correct should be removed from our records and one should not have to take it to court for removal. That's ludicrous when the physician has the capability to remove it. I have had the same issue with something myself and it seems to take "an act of congress" to have it removed.

I am very careful how much IB I take because of the side effects.
I take no painkillers anymore, HisElk. And never IB anymore or any other kind of OTC painkiller (or prescription either, for that matter). Rarely I will take an Aleve when I get one of my nighttime headaches.

Thanks for the article, I will read it now. I did a lot of google searching also and they all said long term ibuprofen use will cause and/or aggravate HBP, which I already knew because I had done it before.

Plus facts are facts. When I stopped taking it, my BP went back to normal.

Hey Lilac Tree, glad you saw my post. Rarely do I take any unless I really need them.

As far as the article, it's pretty clear and there are also many other sites I found by googling.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

surfk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:27:04 GMT

You're likely a person who, for whatever reasons, should probably only take an acetaminophen (Tylenol). Just don't O.D. on it - too easy to do with Tylenol.

Many doctors already tend to direct patients to use Tylenol as ibuprobens (Advil, etc) can aggravate blood pressure levels.

And you may be sensitive to ibuprofens or may have been taking more than you might have even realized.

Realistically, no one should be taking any of these over-the-counter drugs day in and day out for years. Often if pain gets to be that bad or chronic, a good doctor might turn to some other, more effective medication.

You're probably prone to hypertension. It might be why you were diagonsed with such. Is something to which you are probably easily susceptible (and not just at that visit when it was written up).

Millions of American suffer various degrees of hypertension. Its actually maybe a GOOD thing it was diagonsed as most people walk around not even knowing they have it till they have major problems.

And even if you don't have hypertenion other than when using certain meds, it might be good to keep the record of such meds having such an effect on you on file.

You would not want it removed...to then have some problem later on in which everyone wonders why that diagnosis had never previously been detected.

Its all about your HEALTH in the end. Don't worry so much about past doctors visits which were documenting something in order to be "better safe than sorry".

If you're worried about insurances, most don't use that as points against you so long as its being treated or its proven to have been truly, lastingly resolved. Its when a person doesn't know or isn't being treated (even keeping an eye out for it is treated in a sense) that sends up the red flag to most insurances.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

LilacTree — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:21:26 GMT

Thanks surfk, good information. Insurance isn't an issue with me, I'm old and on Medicare.

@surfk wrote:
You're likely a person who, for whatever reasons, should probably only take an acetaminophen (Tylenol). Just don't O.D. on it - too easy to do with Tylenol.

Many doctors already tend to direct patients to use Tylenol as ibuprobins (Advil, etc) can aggravate blood pressure levels.

And you may be sensitive to ibuprofens or may have been taking more than you might have even realized.

Realistically, no one should be taking any of these over-the-counter drugs day in and day out for years. Often if pain gets to be that bad or chronic, a good doctor might turn to some other, more effective medication.

You're probably prone to hypertension. It might be why you were diagonsed with such. Is something to which you are probably easily susceptible (and not just at that visit when it was written up).

Millions of American suffer various degrees of hypertension. Its actually maybe a GOOD thing it was diagonsed as most people walk around not even knowing they have it till they have major problems.

And even if you don't have hypertenion other than when using certain meds, it might be good to keep the record of such meds having such an effect on you on file.

You would not want it removed...to then have some problem later on in which everyone wonders why that diagnosis had never previously been detected.

Its all about your HEALTH in the end. Don't worry so much about past doctors visits which were documenting something in order to be "better safe than sorry".

If you're worried about insurances, most don't use that as points against you so long as its being treated or its proven to have been truly, lastingly resolved. Its when a person doesn't know or isn't being treated (even keeping an eye out for it is treated in a sense) that sends up the red flag to most insurances.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

LilacTree — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:22:44 GMT

@HisElk wrote:
@LilacTree wrote:

@HisElk wrote:
I found this website about the effects of IB. Hope it helps.

http://www.webmd.com/hypertension-high-blood-pressure/guide/medications-cause

IMO, medical issues that are not correct should be removed from our records and one should not have to take it to court for removal. That's ludicrous when the physician has the capability to remove it. I have had the same issue with something myself and it seems to take "an act of congress" to have it removed.

I am very careful how much IB I take because of the side effects.
I take no painkillers anymore, HisElk. And never IB anymore or any other kind of OTC painkiller (or prescription either, for that matter). Rarely I will take an Aleve when I get one of my nighttime headaches.

Thanks for the article, I will read it now. I did a lot of google searching also and they all said long term ibuprofen use will cause and/or aggravate HBP, which I already knew because I had done it before.

Plus facts are facts. When I stopped taking it, my BP went back to normal.
Hey Lilac Tree, glad you saw my post. Rarely do I take any unless I really need them.

As far as the article, it's pretty clear and there are also many other sites I found by googling.

Me too.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

Alajane — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:58:20 GMT

I understand the OP's concern and agree with it. Several years ago my DH had been very sick for an extended period. He and I share the same PCP, so at my regular appointment I shared some concerns about my DHD with the doctor and was so concerned about his illness I started crying. The doctor told me he thought I was depressed and prescribed an antidepressant. I took it for 2 months and decided I didn't need it, so with the doctor's okay I weaned off of it.

I was being referred to a surgeon about 3 years later so the doctor gave me a copy of my office visit with all the blood work etc., and I noticed the first thing on the medical history was "depression." I argued with him about it but he said once diagnosed, any issue stays on your chart!

I especially didn't like having that on my chart since I don't think it was ever an issue anyway!

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

Q4u — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:18:54 GMT

I just came back from my yearly appointment with my doctor. She asked me if I was still taking a heart medication.... I answered No because I don't have a heart condition.

A year ago I had radiating pains across my shoulders, up my neck and down my arms to my elbows while having lunch with my husband. We immediately thought heart attack and went to the ER. We were there all day and into the night. No signs of a heart attack. Next day I had a stress test and again, everything looked healthy. What was it? A pinched nerve in my neck from a serious fall I had in 2010~!!

But the heart issue, tests and medication is on my permanent record along with whatever notations she made at this visit. I don't mind because I really think it ~should~ be on my records. I had an episode that clearly could have been heart related, had tests, was given medication and all that was on my record, but the resolution (pinched nerve) was also on the record.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

surfk — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:30:23 GMT

@Q4u wrote:
I just came back from my yearly appointment with my doctor. She asked me if I was still taking a heart medication.... I answered No because I don't have a heart condition.

A year ago I had radiating pains across my shoulders, up my neck and down my arms to my elbows while having lunch with my husband. We immediately thought heart attack and went to the ER. We were there all day and into the night. No signs of a heart attack. Next day I had a stress test and again, everything looked healthy. What was it? A pinched nerve in my neck from a serious fall I had in 2010~!!

But the heart issue, tests and medication is on my permanent record along with whatever notations she made at this visit. I don't mind because I really think it ~should~ be on my records. I had an episode that clearly could have been heart related, had tests, was given medication and all that was on my record, but the resolution (pinched nerve) was also on the record.

In its own way, its not too dissimilar to a student's grades in school.

If they were receiving all C's and D's one term but then "turned around" or got tutoring - only to then become a National Merit Scholar the next term, doesn't mean that the year of C's and D's didn't occur. It actually is what happened at THAT point in one's life or education.

And like grades, health can change, too, year to year. But no year is the ultimate profile of one's educational or health HISTORY.

Again, its not unlike even when counting multiple marriages. You can be on Husband No. 6...but he IS Husband No. 6 because...there were 5 before him. lol

Its one's life history. Even if one goes to a judge to blot out the previous marriages...they DID still happen.

If one wants the marriages to have never EXISTED, well, then you'd have to...ask the Pope. lol

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

HerRoyaLioness — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 22:31:29 GMT

You cannot alter a medical record.

You CAN have the provider make a note that a certain problem is resolved and you are off medication for it or it is better, whatever the truth may be. Also why you were on the medication is important. They can do an addendum if necessary. Sometimes you are only seeing a part of the whole note or series of notes.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

granddi — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 23:36:15 GMT

I don't think anyone is suggesting that medical records be altered but we are saying they should be acurate as to current conditions,current medications and past history.

I was given metroprol for "rapid pulse rate" I have never had hypertension. Now I go to the pharmacist for the behind the counter cold med and the tech says "you cannot take this bc you have HBP. I said I do not have HBP and she is just not going to take my word for knowing my health. Someone said that patients should not be reading health records bc we don't know what we are reading. I disagree.

Now I go in for a little out pt procedure and the intake nurse says why to you take metroprol and I said rapid pulse rate. She records IRREGULAR heart rate. Now this is on my records!!!!

Medical records are also legal documents and all parties should and must do everything possible to make them complete and accurate. Inaccurate medical records can cause harm to patients.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

151949 — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:23:56 GMT

There is nothing wrong with discussing the record with your doctor when you go there and ask him to correct it, but to call him up saying you have something urgent to discuss and this is what it is- good heavens. Far from an urgent need to talk to him about this.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

Maysie — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 00:25:42 GMT

Indeed, Ibuprofen is a medication that can elevate BP. I am a nurse.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

HisElk — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 01:28:46 GMT

@Auntiemay wrote:
Indeed, Ibuprofen is a medication that can elevate BP. I am a nurse.

Thank you. There was some misinformation posted earlier in the thread about this. That is why I gave the site proving that it can.

I appreciate your post.

Re: Your medical records (chart) . . . surprising fact

adoreqvc — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 09:14:15 GMT

Good information posted......Thanks.