Re: Bad health care

Reba055 · ‎06-23-2014

@Lipstickdiva I feel for you. I wonder if the hiatal hernias don't cause more problems than they think they do. The only other thing that came back for me was severe lactose intolerance. Lactose is a filler in many drugs so that's been a challenge to try to work around. I might try Dexilent. It's the only one I haven't. I'm beginning to think the Protonix I'm on is adding to my woes. I'll have to check though. Many of the PPIs have lactose in them. Seriously? You'd think they could at least make the drugs for stomach problems without lactose.

Keep me posted. Hope you feel better! It sucks I know. Mine gets a little better at times and then is back with a vengeance, lol.

I had my heart checked out too and it was fine.

MomCat · ‎09-12-2010

Unfortunately, this is the world we live in now with health care. I've been watching our facilities get stretched beyond their efficiency. It's become a hassle and you are so right about having to be persistent. I've helped others to get issues resolved, and I always wonder what will I do if I'm too sick to do it for myself? I hate all this. I used to have great health care, and I know I won't ever see that again. I'm disgusted with it.

sfnative · ‎03-10-2010

@Vivian

Though I haven't read any of he replies, the big question here is WHO told you in your gastroeterologist's office that they couldn't see you until February? Chances are it's someone low on the poll.

You need to get through to your gastro doc, now. Write a letter to him/her, hand sign and date it and HAND CARRY IT TO YOUR GASTRO'S OFFICE. On the front of the envelope also write URGENT INFORMATION and PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL, TO BE DELIVERED TO DR. SMITH.

BEFORE you write the letter, make sure you call the ER you visited and get the name of the physician who diagnosed you during your time there, so that it can be included in your letter. I'd also mention that the Dr.'s staff did not comply with the orders of the ER physician: they just tossed your under a train.

Be matter of fact, not letting emotion take over the letter. Hope you feel better soon.

I wish you the best of luck.

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

Follow up: It's Sunday and I think I am a little better. I have spoken to or seen 5 different doctors: ER , family doctor, two different doctors on call (one of whom was fantastic (explaining everything). And then the real shocker...the gastroenterologist called me. He had finally read all my miserable test results, added an additional antibiotic, and said I'd see him Tuesday.

What a week this has been. Getting so sick on a holiday is a challenge. My husband had to drive 68 miles to the nearest pharmacy that was open on Christmas Day, but my handy iPad found it and off he went after the doctor called it in. I think that med may help me turn the corner. I will ever know how I got this. Nobody can figure it out but there it is. I just want to get well.

Snoopp · ‎02-02-2015

Feel better Vivian. You might want to consider taking VSL probiotic if you are on any antibiotic. I know some doctors recommend this. Check with your MD first, of course, or the nurse.

debcakes · ‎03-11-2010

Hope you are feeling better, Vivian, and that you get the appointments you need in a timely fashion.

Believe it or not, we have a physician shortage in the US. I always have to call months ahead for an appointment. Unlike you, I live in a very heavily populated area. I must have thousands of doctors within a 30 min drive of home, but they are all busy, booked and overworked.

Urge your children to go to Medical School.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

You live in an underserved area, that means that specialists are few and far between. They don't want to practice in rural or low population areas because there aren't enough patients to make it profitable for them. If it's just a case of gastroenteritis, you don't need to see a specialist, your primrary care doc can handle that. So, start with your primrary cared doc, let him exam and assess you and order whatever lab work he feels you need. It could be a food allergy, a virus, an infection. It might resolve and they never figure out what caused it. At any rate, if you primrary care doc can;t get a handle on your illness; he will refer you to a specialist and and since a doctor is referring you, you won't have to wait 2 months. Probably just one month. You won't get an immediate appointment with a gi specialist because you aren't critically ill. If you are getting nourishment and drinking water and using the bathroom; you aren't critical. If you still have symptoms, you definitely have to find the cause and be treated but you can wait a reasonable amount of time for an appointment. Generally speaking, self referrals to specialists in underserved areas are difficult. Also....you should have made that February apppointment....just in case yoru pcp won't refer you to the specialist....you would already have an appointment.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Vivian Florimond wrote:
Follow up: It's Sunday and I think I am a little better. I have spoken to or seen 5 different doctors: ER , family doctor, two different doctors on call (one of whom was fantastic (explaining everything). And then the real shocker...the gastroenterologist called me. He had finally read all my miserable test results, added an additional antibiotic, and said I'd see him Tuesday.

What a week this has been. Getting so sick on a holiday is a challenge. My husband had to drive 68 miles to the nearest pharmacy that was open on Christmas Day, but my handy iPad found it and off he went after the doctor called it in. I think that med may help me turn the corner. I will ever know how I got this. Nobody can figure it out but there it is. I just want to get well.

Vivian, I am following this and just awaiting any results I am happy you are documenting everything. May you have a speedy recovery. I know what a long journey and I hope for you, it is one that ends very soon with a great outcome. Wishing you the best and hoping you keep us posted.

LTT1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Vivian

I looked up your past posts b/c I was curious as to the series of events leading up to your diagnosis.

I have my reasons, but first of all, it might help in the future get you in faster by mentioning your "brushes with C-diff and MRSA diagnosis." Both are dire. (Can be) No MD wants the liability of overlooking either of these. USE THEM!

My DD continues to be non-assertive with her asthma condition and her children's allergies. I wish I could think of something to help her get results.

If I may ask, what symptoms did you have? Was it excruitiating GI distress?

Thank heavens you "know doctors" in the medical field who called for reports and films... Maybe saving your life.

We live in a heavily populated area and it is rather impossible to see a doctor especially a highly qualified one, unless the appt is scheduled months in advance. IMO, they are not busy, they are disgruntled. To increase profit for hours spent, they would rather see a patient twice (or more).

A GI in a highly rated practice missed a major lymphoma tumor in my DSisterIL during a colonoscopy -- too hurried to f/u with a CT scan and/or at least feel for LARGE abdominal lump. I wish she would have been INSISTENT before it was too late.

~Have a Kind Heart, Fierce Mind, Brave Spirit~

Vivian · ‎03-11-2010

Lovestoteach, I just saw your post. First, I'm happy to report that I have recovered. Exactly three weeks ago, however, I was in the ER in excrutiaing pain. I told my husband it felt worse than labor. I don't want to be too graphic but the intestinal irritation, the doctor later explained, caused some terrifying bleeding. I had thyroid cancer in 2008 and the ER doc first thought I had a recurrence of the C-diff infection that I had gotten at the hospital where the surgery was performed. Ironically, I had NOT been on antibiotic therapy after that surgery, the usual cause of C-diff. I got the infection because of unsanitary conditions at that hospital, which I have avoided ever since.

I was pretty sure that this time it wasn't C-diff. It felt much worse but I was shocked when the MRSA diagnosis came in. All my doctors were too. I have an appointment with my ENT next month, the doctor who did my sinus surgeries and my thyroid cancer surgery. I had plenty to time to think about this thing and I want to talk to my ENT about a theory I have.

MRSA colonies live, more than any other place, in the nose. Having had countless sinus infections in my life, I could be one of the 40% of the population who has those bugs in my nose. In fact, I recall that just a few days before I got sick, a part of my nose felt really sore inside. I remember putting some Neosporin on a q-tip, trying to clear up whatever was going on up there. It did get better but now I'm wondering whether I sniffled and swallowed what could have been MRSA bacteria, that it entered my digestive tract that way. It sure sounds far-fetched but who knows?