Friggin doctors

[Dorla]

Long read about my doctor problems...

About 2 years ago, I had an "episode" where it felt like someone was sticking a knife into my right side, under my ribs. I went to the doctor for it, and he thought it could be my gall bladder and scheduled an ultrasound... for a week and a half later. I complained at the time but he said that was the best he could do. Well, the pain got worse and worse, and I ended up in the ER because the pain was so bad. The ER doctors wouldn't do anything for me except give me pain meds (which didn't help) and tell me to go to my ultrasound appt. in a few days. After that the pain got better, and I went to the ultrasound, which turned up nothing except for an enlarged bile duct (Hm, did I pass a gallstone?). My doctor did a 180 and then decided my pain was from Pleurisy, which is a LUNG condition. I verbally disagreed with him, since my lungs and breathing weren't affected and I had a frggin' enlarged bile duct, but he insisted and told me to come back if it happened again.

Well, over the next 2 years I never had pain like that, but I did have uncomfortable feelings in my stomach. Kinda like that stuffed feeling after you have Thanksgiving dinner. It would come on fairly suddenly about every 1-2 months, and last for 4-7 days. Everything I read on the internet pointed to my gallbladder. I went to my doctor a couple times, and even after I had told him I was concerned it was still gallbladder problems, he decided it was indigestion combined with heartburn and put me on Prilosec. That did nothing, so I switched doctors since I was fed up.

My new doc... well, she also thought it was indigestion and kept me on Prilosec. It got rid of the heartburn (which I have had since childhood) but did nothing for the "full" feeling. She wasn't convinced it was my gall bladder, since I hadn't had another attack like my first one. Finally, I just relented to the fact that it was just something I'd have to live with... I mean, 2 doctors couldn't figure it out, how could I? However, I did keep mental notes of what I was eating when it would happen, just in case.

So 2 weekends ago, it happened again. This was the 3rd time since I'd been keeping track, and in each case I'd been eating a meal that included red meat. Voila! I felt REALLY crappy last Tuesday so I made an appt... my regular doctor was gone but I was able to see another doc in the office. Instantly the doctor says, "I'm 100% convinced it's your gallbladder... how long has it been going on?" I told him I believed it was 2 years and told him the story. He ordered me an ultrasound and a test called a hidascan, which shows how your gallbladder reacts to fat.

He got the tests back yesterday... the ultrasound came up with nothing, but the hidascan showed my gallbladder is basically not functioning, so it has to be removed. He's scheduled me for a surgery consult for tomorrow and surgery will happen ASAP. Also, because my gallbladder is not functioning, my pancreas has been working overdrive to produce enzymes, so those levels are way up. He said he was unsure if that would cause future problems but he'd keep an eye on it after the surgery.

Now, I know that doctors do the best they can... they're trained to recognize symtoms and find the best solution/treatment. Why the @#%$ didn't they do a hidascan 2 years ago??? Maybe, just maybe, they could have caught this earlier.

Also, get this... I read on the internet today that if you have gallbladder disease, you are NOT supposed to take birth control pills. If this started 2 years ago.. well, I've been taking them for 2 years on a bad gallbladder. My doctor knows I'm on pills and didn't mention anything about it. So, I guess I'll be bringing it up with the surgeon tomorrow.

My parents are pushing me to file a lawsuit after all is said and done. I don't think I want to do that, but I do believe there was some negligence involved here.

I need a nice picture here of someone strangling a doctor to emphasize my point... can't find one on Google, sigh.

[EZ_Evilmagus]

I smell malpractice suit

[EZ_pulid]

I thought your personal icon expressed your emotions rather well. It's pretty weird that he didn't order the scan, as most doctors go overboard now to avoid lawsuits like this.

[Loreleli]

Real damages on go for diminished capacity ( loss of fingers, limbs, abilty to walk,etc. ), check your state law. Pain and suffereing are limited otherwise.

Best of luck.

[EZ_Nyssa Rainwhisper]

Ack! Good luck with the surgeon! Get better soon!

[Dragynphyre]

You should definitely at least consult with a malpractice lawyer...that first doctor sounds like he could have a case against him, the second one maybe... <span style="color:olive;font-size:x-small;"><center>(Back In Black)<br> <b>Delissandra Splitshadow - Veteran Deceiver of the Circle of Unseen Hands</b><br>Grandmaster Poisoner (250), Master Potter (191), Grandmaster Lush (200)</a>
<span style="color:orange;"><br><br>Cause I'm back on the track<br>
And I'm beatin' the flack<br>
Nobody's gonna get me on another rap </span></center></span>

[EZ_Jayan Thornfoot]

Yeah doesnt sound like Pleurisy, I was diagnosed with this last month its mainly a tightness off the chest/shortness of breath almost feels as if someone placed a 100 lb weight on your chest. Only lasted bout a week but sucked none the less.


Good to see you stuck to your guns, bad to see the doctors not recognizing the issue.

An a journal is a great way figure out why you suffer as you do. I had the worst acid reflux years ago beofer acid reflux was even a term. I finally figured out by keeping a journal it was citiric acid which was the main cause and try to cut that from my diet where i could.

Edit: Sig rules... Please pay attention to the edits, and adhere to the Safehouse rules.. Edited by: Aidden at: 11/5/03 1:16 pm

[EZ_Krystalea]

Oh my goodness!! Thank you so much. I, too, am having the same problems right now. Been in the ER twice for such severe pain, several gall bladder ultrasounds, even a test on my stomach for ulser, nothing except enlarged bile ducts. And i wasnt given prolosec, but they gave me prescription pepcid. All in all they tied it into post-pregancy changes and acid reflux.

I am gonna print this out and call my doctor. Thank you very much. Hopefully this will help lead them in the right direction.

Krystalea DreamwalkerMithaniel Marr's Knight of the 58th LevelProud officer of Holy MightThe Seventh Hammer

History becomes legend. Legend becomes myth. Do you believe in the myth?

[Dorla]

Wow, I'm glad I may have helped someone. That makes me happier than anything.

Tell them to do a hidascan... it involves them injecting you with a radioactive substance which "lights" up your gallbladder... they take pictures, give you something fatty to drink (I had a big glass of whole milk), you wait a while and then they take more pictures.

Good luck! Send me a message when you hear something.

Edit: Oh, I had forgotten I had an upper GI also, which I think is the ulcer test you may have had.... that was one of the crappiest tests I've ever had. Mine turned up zilch also. Edited by: DorlaStincfinger at: 11/5/03 7:28 pm

[EZ_Daton Everon]

Unrelated but yet another reason why doctors suck...

Let me preface this with this. I spent the last half of September and most of October in Las Vegas away from my family.

On to the story. My 6 month old started having trouble breathing and a raspiness (sp?) in her lungs about 2 weeks after I left for Vegas. My wife thought it must have been a symptom of the cold we all had before I left, and decided to wait it out. (of course she kept the cold medicines up on the kids)

So Monday I take the babies (the 6 month old and 20 month old) to the doc. He listens to her breathing and says, lemme guess, one of you smoke. I promptly told him yes I smoke, but my wife does not and I do not smoke anywhere near the house/car/kids. I know some of you won't actually believe this, but I actually wash my hands and face before even coming near the babies after I smoke. (Long story short, another doc warned me before we had our first child that smoking can really increase chances of SIDS in babies.)

So anyway, I tell this doc all about it, and about how I haven't even been home to smoke near the kids. Yet he insisted on that being the cause.

I gotta believe there is some other root cause than just the good ole doctor blanket statement of "Oh someone smokes, that is the problem."

He never even asked about any other potential causes.

And I gotta wonder why all the ads on the talk radio for tort reform and limiting liability on malpractice suits are supposed to make me feel bad for doctors.

----------------
Just remember: when you go to court, you are trusting your fate to
twelve people that weren't smart enough to get out of jury duty!

[EZ_Krystalea]

You know i have to add on that comment about the smoking. I smoke as well, and ANYTIME, either of my boys get sick, thats the first thing the doc says (especially if I have to take them to the immediate care clinic). Ear infections, common cold, heck, one doctor even told my oldest childs allergies to medication was due to smoking because it broke down his immune system when he was a baby.

I think that is the catch all excuse. But I would definately get a second opinion. A little one having breathing problems may also signify an allergy to a family pet or a perfume of some sort. But I know they can not do allergy testing till they are one.

Good luck to you. Sick littles one's is a difficult thing for a parent to accept. Krystalea DreamwalkerMithaniel Marr's Knight of the 58th LevelProud officer of Holy MightThe Seventh Hammer

I know its not much, but it's my first!

[EZ_Cadili]

Hi,

I only just recently started reading the Safehouse and hadn't yet registered but after reading your post Dorla I just had to register so I could post a reply.

I read your post and then re-read it a couple more times. Your situation sounds like exactly what I have been going through for the past 2-3 years, except my doctor decided it was acid reflux and put me on Losec (I think that was the name; I quit taking them because they weren't helping at all). I also finally gave up, thinking it was just something I will have to learn to put up with.

I too think I will be printing off a copy of to take to my yearly check-up next week.

Thank you!

[EZ_Urusai]

Wow, with so many people having the same problem just on the safehouse youd think it would be more common diagnosis for the symptoms. Whats up with the docs?

I wont doubt that docs are quick to blame smoking but .. not to get on a no-smoking rant .. you do know what all is in the smoke dont you?

Oh, my dad smokes, so does my grandma. Had ever since I was a kid. Its affects on me: no real medical side affects but I seem to be pratically immune to Tear Gas (Realized this in basic training), and I can breath semi-well in smoke filled rooms where others choke.

[EZ_TribalGeek]

To the smokeing thing. My dad one of my aunts and my grandma have always smoked even around me and my bros as kids. I had asthma could that have caused it. Maybe but I dont think so. The only adverse effect I got from it is that I was able to pick up smokeing way to easily. I am pretty much immune to smoke filled rooms and can stand right by a fire in the smoke and be fine. me and bro both smoke and we have a three year old sister. We do not smoke around her. She is fine. American by birth.
Southerner by the grace of God.

[EZ_Urusai]

Thought I think part of it is brand. He used to smoke Marbolros (however, the red packs) and my grandma always smoked Lucky Strike. Now he smokes this generic brand and I find it impossible to breathe with that smoke in my face. So ive become apt at knowing where smoke flows and being at the 'hole in the cloud' so to speak.

I hear asthema is mostly caused from being around smokers but I defer to my previous comment on how docs blame it for everything first. Yes the stuff is a killer but there are other causes for medical problems than just second hand smoke.


... On a side note. Does anybody else love the smell of Pipe Tobacco before its actually on fire but then dosnt like it if it is burning?

[EZ_Salyvan]

... just tell the doctor that no one smokes and force them to actually come up with something else... Salyvan Ticklefingers and Gaenaria - A dangerous toy. This toy is being made for the extreme priority the good looks. The little part which suffocates when the sharp part which gets hurt is swallowed is contained generously. Only the person who can take responsibility by itself is to play.

[Jeters]

btw, I think its genetically affected...I know my mom had her gallbladder removed for the same reasons and I display the same symptoms and could have the same thing down the line....so check your family first!

[Dorla]

It is genetic, yes.... but neither my mother or father have had gallbladder problems. The only grandparent alive is my father's mother, and she had some slight problems many years ago but never had it removed.

I had my surgery consult yesterday... they are yoinking it on November 21st. It would be sooner, but the surgeon is attending a conference Monday-Thursday of that week... sigh.

I did ask 2 questions that you other folks that are having problems may find interesting. He said that the test that caught my problems (hidascan) was not widely used 2 years ago, which could be why my doctor at the time didn't ask for one. He said only about 10% of his surgeries involve a patient that doesn't have gallstones, but that number is increasing slowly due to doctors using the hidascan more often. He has heard MANY cases like mine, where the problems were assumed to be indigestion, but continued and were later found to be gallbladder related.

Also, he confirmed that a side effect of birth control pills is gallbladder disease. I can't help but think this was my cause, as I've been on them for 8-9 years now. I had to laugh because I asked if I should continue to take them, and he said, "Well, you won't have a gall bladder, so it's not like they'll affect that anymore."

So I continue my soup and yogurt regimen for 2 more weeks... maybe I'll lose a few pounds and get a extra benefit from all this.

[EZ_Dulben apBliadd]

Just try being a diabetic - you want to see excuses flowing from the Doctors mouths....

Doc: Hi, what seems to be the issue today?
Me: Well, I have a fever of 106 and there's the red pimple like things forming all over my body.
Doc: Well, your blood sugar is a little high, obviously your not taking care of yourself...
Me: Ummm....what does that have to do with my fever?
Doc: Oh, well you've developed a neuropathy. Give it a couple of days and you'll be fine.

Shortly after this visit to my doctor, I was admitted to an emergency room. I took 9 liters of fluids intravenously and still couldn't pee. Turns out I had the chicken pox’s at age 35. Fortunately my Pastors wife called my wife when I had gotten home from the doctors...she informed us that all of the School kids had gotten Chicken Pox - I just happened to be on Nursery Room duty that Sunday.

Another time, my doctor tried to blame a pain I was having in my foot on a "Diabetic Neuropathy"...not seeming to give a hoot that I had dropped a 75lbs pipe on my foot (resulting in several broken bones).

Now when my Doc says "Diabetic Neuropathy", I say - you mean you don't have a clue and really don't want to bother finding out.
Gravedigger? When you dig my grave, could you make it shallow so that I can feel the rain?
~ Dave Matthews ~

[Dorla]

Going in for surgery tomorrow morning... w00t. Have lost 10 pounds so far which is a nice benefit. On the other hand, I have the biggest steak craving ever. I found out that my stomach likes ramen and Campbells's Cream of Broccoli Soup-To-Go, so I've been living off that the past 2 weeks... not so bad.

I went in for my pre-op tests yesterday to make sure all my info's ready to do for surgery... I had a EKG, Chest X-ray, blood and urine tests, and a breast exam. One of these things is not like the other..... and both the doctor and nurse told me it was mandatory. I'm stumped as to why that is.

[EZ_Swipey]

Remember to write "Remove gallbladder ONLY" on your forehead before they put you under

[EZ_Jassy of Povar]

Didn't you know that your Boobies are connected internally to your Gall Bladder?

[EZ_lenweni]

Now lawyers have to go to school for 8 years(pass) and then pass a bar exam before practicing. Do doctors have a similar exam?

[Dragynphyre]

yes, most states have certification exams you must pass to become licensed in that state, with mandatory continuing education credits being required to maintain that license.

I know that chiropractors and pharmacists in NJ must also pass the state board exams.

[Meddik]

In some states, you don't have to go to law school, so long as you can pass the bar. Its exceedingly uncommon, but it does happen.

[EZ_Gyorg]

Doctors have to pass certification exams in their specific field (family practice, emergancy medicine, neurology, etc, etc) I think every 5 years to be board certified. I think they also have to pass general certifications to practice in a state. most hospitals though won't hire someone who isn't board certified, and now, I guess, you have to have residency in the specific specialty you are taking to be allowed to take the boards.

[Dorla]

I'm home and hepped up on Demerol, whee. Gallbladder is gone.. they found adhesions and scary tissue inside of it which explains why it wasn't working. Probably from the gallstone I passed 2 years ago (the one the 1st doctor didn't believe I had).

It was my first surgery and I wasn't sure what to expect, but it went pretty well. Took the nurse 3 tries to get my IV in, which wasn't fun, but it wasn't their fault (I was pretty dehydrated). Also after surgery I couldn't manage my nausea and it took a few medications to get it under control. But today I feel pretty good... kinda like I did 1000 situps. Probably be out of work a week while I rest up.

Back to bed... just wanted to check in.

[EZ_Milinea]

heh
I'm just catching up on stuff cause I had my gallbladder out on the 10th. Incidentally NONE of my tests showed anything, I just had alotta non specific pain and felt crappy all the time, but thankfully my docs used the looks like a duck method of diagnosis, it sounded like a gallbladder, walked like a gallbladder, talked like a gallbladder, so it must be a gallbladder.

Dorla, that's exactly how I felt after I had mine out, don't worry it gets better every day and you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll feel back to normal

Mili

[Kroe]

Heya Dorla, was this your regular primary care physician? And did they refer you to a Gastroenterologist like they should have? ERCP's are my specialty and I can't imagine ANY of my doctors (even the incompetent ones) not least considering an ERCP and likely removal of the Gall bladder.

Glad you made it through surgery ok, hope you get over the aftereffects soon mate.

[Dragynphyre]

Speak of the GI tract or anything relating to it, and you'll be sure that Kroe will see it as a shiny object, hehe.

I still smell lawsuit against doctor #1 for negligence if you want to pursue it Dorla.