A bit of a warning, medical

[Patrick]

I wasn't going to say anything. I'll keep it as short as possible.

About 1.5 yrs ago I starting having problems swallowing. Thru out this time 3 hospitals, 6 doctors, cameras, scopes, blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, supposedly came up with nothing. Finally it was decided I needed to talk to a shrink. Thats when I said enough.

I came home early and went to a well respected large hospital in a big town near here. I was there less than 1 hour and they knew what was wrong. Its now become inoperable. Its in the hands of the 10 person review board.

Moral of the story, I guess. If you think there is something wrong, there probably is. My suggestion is to go to a good hospital that has people that have actually studied medicine.

I think once this thing is being fixed I'm going to start on a mission to get the incompetent folks involved fired and licenses revoked.

This is just a heads up, information only.

[wingrider02]

Which state were you in for the other 3 hospitals?

[Hook#3287]

Man, sorry to hear this.

I read this looking for your usual punch line.

Hope things work out.

[Valkorado]

Prayers sent from Western Colorado.

[MacDragon]

Sue the hell out of them.  Prayers your way.

[Alpha Dog]

So sorry Patrick.  Did not say what it was and that is ok.  You are so correct, listen to the body, like your bike if something seems amiss it almost certainly is.  Do pray this straightens itself out.

[Oss]

Inoperable doesnt have to mean hopeless

We are praying for you here in Ossining my friend

[..]

I wasn't going to say anything. I'll keep it as short as possible.

About 1.5 yrs ago I starting having problems swallowing. Thru out this time 3 hospitals, 6 doctors, cameras, scopes, blood tests, CT scans, x-rays, supposedly came up with nothing. Finally it was decided I needed to talk to a shrink. Thats when I said enough.

I came home early and went to a well respected large hospital in a big town near here. I was there less than 1 hour and they knew what was wrong. Its now become inoperable. Its in the hands of the 10 person review board.

Moral of the story, I guess. If you think there is something wrong, there probably is. My suggestion is to go to a good hospital that has people that have actually studied medicine.

I think once this thing is being fixed I'm going to start on a mission to get the incompetent folks involved fired and licenses revoked.

This is just a heads up, information only.

What is the review board for?

[Patrick]

2 hospitals in NY and 1 in Florida. The final [ 4th, 7th doctor ] one is back in NY.

Its caused by a virus found in non-smokers. Never heard of such a thing.

The review board is to try and determine the course of treatment.

[signart]

Seen this happen too many times. Praying you win your health back, and get a hansom compensation. No excuse with the technology at the doctors disposal.
Heal, man.

[Challenger]

I feel for you and kind of know what you are going through. Two different Doctors were treating my wife for breathing problems for over two years. Said it was just asthma. Finally found a different Dr. and she was placed on a heart transplant list immediately.  "Cardiomyopathy"  Left ventrical is dead. Now 4 years later and a three lead implanted cardioverter defibrillator she is doing fine. I also was going to per-sue actions against the Dr. and the Clinic, But realized it wasn't worth the hassle and am just happy to spend time with my wife. All hope is not lost, Hope they figure out a good course of action for you. Hang in there and prayers from IL.   

[baldo]

Patrick, I am truly sorry to read this. Not so much a praying kind of guy, but my best thoughts are out for you. I hope the board comes up with a great course of treatment that WORKS!

I need you around to bounce my ideas off of.  

[Patrick]

Patrick, I am truly sorry to read this. Not so much a praying kind of guy, but my best thoughts are out for you. I hope the board comes up with a great course of treatment that WORKS!

I need you around to bounce my ideas off of.  

Gee, and I just thought you came here to harass me about my ideas !   

[Patrick]

I appreciate all the responses fellas. Thanks.

I just wanted to encourage folks to pursue things with the right people if they 'know' something is wrong and not dick around and waste time with incompetents.

[Master Blaster]

It cannot be stressed enough, Podunk hospitals will kill you.  Also if your condition is serious, your family doctor that you love and trust will kill you.  Research, and go to the expert in the field that covers what you have.  I have mentored folks that have the same rare cancer that I have and they say I love and trust my doctor, I want to hang around here and love my grandchildren, and guess what, they are dead.  I flew Air Rescue for 4 years, and can tell you that many patients we picked up from Podunk hospitals sat on them as long as possible to milk as much money as they could, and would only ship them out to keep their death count low.  I am a two time cancer survivor, first was prostate in 04, then in the fall of 07 was diagnosed with Mesothelioma in the abdomen.  I am alive now because I didn't settle for what the locals advised.

[baldo]

Patrick, I am truly sorry to read this. Not so much a praying kind of guy, but my best thoughts are out for you. I hope the board comes up with a great course of treatment that WORKS!

I need you around to bounce my ideas off of.  

Gee, and I just thought you came here to harass me about my ideas !   

I'm taking the day off....

[John Schmidt]

Hey Patrick, sorry to hear of the analysis. I echo the wishes of the others, here's hoping the board finds an effective approach for treatment. Hang in there bud.

Reminds me of something my dad went through with his cancer many years ago. His regular primary dr. wanted to do a biopsy on a tumor growing on the back of his left shoulder but dad had his misgivings about that. So, he went to see a regular cancer dr. that took one look and told him no way should he allow a biopsy. If done and the tumor happened to be encapsulated, a biopsy would rupture it and possibly cause it to spread. That dr. sent him to Mayo in Rochester, MN where it was removed all in one piece. Left him with a little less strength on the left side....but alive. He died at age 93, many years later.

[cookiedough]

HOpe the review board gets you figured out on next course of action without wasting tons of your time and money.

I know a guy in his 30's and otherwise in good shape, but gets major headaches enough so he cannot function working a job.  He's been to 'specialists' and NO explained reason on why he still gets major headaches.  Very frustrating am sure.

Yah,   I hate going to drs. as much as the next and probably tons more,  since you know 110% something is wrong and then you waste your time off work (for me unpaid) and several 100's of dollars in medical bills,  as well as the 'specialists' finding NOTHING like it is normal or something which just ticks me off.  Thus,  is the main reason I don't go see a dr. unless on close to on my death bed.  

One last year example was my right hand/arm goes numb and get a tingling feeling pretty bad in my right fingers, enough so that I cannot lift my right arm above my head for very long and even wash my hair without my right arm feeling heavy.  Went to main dr. did nothing but charge me (money),  referred me to neuro-specialists did a basic nerve test with jolts to my neck and arm (cost me an unheard of 600+ bucks for 20 minute test on a laptop) and found nothing but 'maybe' guessing pinch nerves in my neck was his guess is all.  remedy:  physical therapy B.S. or chiropractor.  I chose chiropractor and after 2 treatments out of my pocket was good enough to tolerate it but as usual, the chiropractor wanted me to keep coming back once a month.   Some 1 grand later out of my pocket since high deductible have to be met first,  I probably could have just rode it out (done chiropractor myself) and saved 1 grand.   My feeling is insurance is ONLY good for MAJOR medical bills like surgery, etc.  

[Bonzo]

We may feel helpless,  but we are never hopeless.  Have faith and good doctors. I am a cancer survivor and the father of a cancer survivor. 12 years on. 

[Jersey mike]

Patrick, I'm sorry to hear of your situation, I truly hope everything works out for the best.

As for medical incompetence I understand where you're coming from, we've had our share, most notably concerning our youngest when she was about 2.

She got a present for her birthday with a bunch of small plastic balls. Well the balls were scattered around the living room floor and my son and her were running around laughing and giggling...having fun.

She stepped on a ball and hurt herself. After a couple hours my wife took her to the hospital. They X rayed the ankle and the knee and the doctor determined it was her knee because when examining her he rotated the leg while pressing on the tibia. My wife requested that they X-ray the entire leg just to be sure it was the knee and the doctor get offended and sarcastic with her and refused to X-ray the entire leg and discharged her. To cover their butts the discharge paper read to follow up with an orthopedic if there was any other problems.

So my daughter suffered all through the rest of the evening, all through the night and the next morning we got a referral from her pediatrician for an pediatric orthopedic and we were told to bring her right in.

The doctor was 45 minutes away, we were in the waiting room for 10 minutes and the deco saw her for 30 seconds and said " that child has a broken leg", five minutes later we were looking at the broken tibia on an X-ray which was inches below the knee. Within 20 minutes they had a cast on her and we weren't in the car 10 minutes and she was fast asleep...finally after being up all night.

Then doctor explained to us this was the most common type of break that can happen to a child her age, it happens quite frequently.

When I got home I called the hospital and demanded to talk to the chief of staff and I ripped into him regarding the ER doctor that examined her and told him what the Ped/Orth Dr told us. Hours later I got a
return call from Chief of Staff and he told us that the ER Dr was going to have to go up to the hospitals review board and Gina's case was going to be used as an example of how to handle future cases for leg injuries in children. So I guess there was a little to be thankful for and maybe some good came out of it.

Be well,

Mike

[art]

Sorry to hear about your health problems and do hope it works out for you after all I do want to see more of your funny posts. Good luck Art.

[Jopson]

Sorry to hear this Patrick. I hope you get it all figured out. Prayers from SoDak!

[Firefighter]

I broke my fibula (small bone in leg) 7 weeks ago. Posted it here, dodged a dog and crashed. This was a Sunday and if I go to the emergency room my insurance charges me 500 copay, 1000 deductible so on Monday I went to my doctor, she sent me out for xrays, then back to the doctor where I was told I needed a specialist. Doctor made the appointment for following Thursday another town, OK.

Thursday went to the specialist, filled out forms, when they saw "motorcycle accident" I was informed they don't do vehicle accidents! I told them it has been over 4 days I need help, was advised sorry, thats it. Called my doctor, I was bent by now, they tried to find another specialist, but could not. They advised me to go to the emergency room.

Went to the hospital, explainsd everything and filled out forms and waited several hours, then the doctor saw me and said I need a specialists and they couldn't help. I told him the situation and he said they couldn't help. I said aren't I in a hospital?

I was going out the door and a nurse gave me a phone number to their on call specialist. Went out to the car and called them and they could see me Monday (8 days now). I told that specialist on Monday that the bike fell on me as I was working on it!

Not sure where to go next time, and yes I am fighting the hospital as they are charging me for a phone number.

[..]

But, but,  but our illustrious leader fixed all this 

[Jess from VA]

I don't waste my time with or pay ER's or GPs to send me to any specialist.  I use my insurance book (PPO) (or online listings) to find one (then google any reviews of him/her), and if he/she passes, I make my own appointment.

I'm no doc, but have been able to correctly choose which specialist I need (neurologist, dermatologist, urologist, orthopedic surgeon) with my own witch doctor calculations.

There are millions of doctors in my overpopulated urban area.  I don't know what you folks out in the country are supposed to do. (amputate?)


And Patrick, I hope you get the treatment you need.  

[Firefighter]

Thought you needed a referral for a specialist, next time I will try myself, thanks.

[Willow]

Thought you needed a referral for a specialist, next time I will try myself, thanks.

That will depend entirely upon the rules of your medical insurance policy.

[Daddie O]

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Patrick.

[RainMaker]

Prayers being raised from Arlington.  Inoperable does not mean incurable.  And nothing is incurable to Him.

[bigguy]

I don't waste my time with or pay ER's or GPs to send me to any specialist.  I use my insurance book (PPO) (or online listings) to find one (then google any reviews of him/her), and if he/she passes, I make my own appointment.

I'm no doc, but have been able to correctly choose which specialist I need (neurologist, dermatologist, urologist, orthopedic surgeon) with my own witch doctor calculations.

There are millions of doctors in my overpopulated urban area.  I don't know what you folks out in the country are supposed to do. (amputate?)


And Robert, I hope you get the treatment you need.   

Many specialists only accept referrals from a GP.

[Patrick]

I'm going to make an appointment with Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Its #2 in the country and they take walk-ins.
As far as I'm concerned right now, I've waited too long for biopsy results and Petscan scheduling even from the hospital that finally found the problem.

[Master Blaster]

I'm going to make an appointment with Roswell Park Cancer Institute.  Its #2 in the country and they take walk-ins.
As far as I'm concerned right now, I've waited too long for biopsy results and Petscan scheduling even from the hospital that finally found the problem.

Good decision, can't beat the leaders in the field for not just knowledge and experience, but also for the latest treatmet breakthroughs and Clinical Trials.  I have been on a Clinical Trial at M D Anderson in Houston for almost six years.  It has kept the Cancer static, and even reduced the tumors about 46 percent.  Two pills a day is keeping me sucking air.  There are side effects, but nothing I can't deal with, and it is a pain in the ass to have to go to Houston every 28 days, every second trip involves a CT scan, so the hotel bills do add up. God Bless, and good luck, hoping your outcome will be stellar.

[cookiedough]

I don't waste my time with or pay ER's or GPs to send me to any specialist.  I use my insurance book (PPO) (or online listings) to find one (then google any reviews of him/her), and if he/she passes, I make my own appointment.

I'm no doc, but have been able to correctly choose which specialist I need (neurologist, dermatologist, urologist, orthopedic surgeon) with my own witch doctor calculations.

There are millions of doctors in my overpopulated urban area.  I don't know what you folks out in the country are supposed to do. (amputate?)


And Robert, I hope you get the treatment you need.   

Many specialists only accept referrals from a GP.

Agree, is totally bogus and B.S..  You KNOW what you NEED but my insurance pisses me off have to go see regular dr. at say 300 dollar billing (OUT of my pocket since high deductible) for 5-10 minutes tops just to tell me go see a 'specialist'.  That pisses me off since all they want is MORE money.

I also would for that one person fight and NEVER pay 'just' for giving out a phone number to call.  They tried that B.S. on me and billed me for a separate office visit yet another 300 bucks out of my pocket for 30 seconds of information is all.

Don't even get me started if going in for a routine physical exam mentioning anything but the normal stuff such as stating my 'ear' sometimes is hard to hear out of can you take a look in there to see if excessive ear wax or my eyeball gets red sometimes more than usual.  There goes another 'office visit' charge.  Scam artists all of them!!!

The drs. get me so upset that I don't go anymore unless I am on my death bed. 

[Hooter]

I get it Patrick. I've had the same issue for a long time. Dense foods are the worst. I've had all kinds of test and they find nothing. Between that, kidney stones and prostate issues I've had more fingers in me than a house ball in a bowling alley. Don't ignore things that just don't go away. If you are pro-active I think you feel better longer. Everyone always thinks the worst but like I tell my kids: "don't ride the horse until there is a saddle on it". If you get my drift. It will be fine, sounds like you NOW have right people on it.

[solo1]

You're doing the right thing.

I've had a lot of experience with doctors, some good, some bad.  As a caregiver for my wife for two years. I've seen stupid doctors wanting to do stupid things.

The best defense is to learn all you can so that YOU can make a smart decision and don't let doctors do it for you .

I wish you the best.

[Patrick]

Thanks for all the responses.

[Robert]

You know Patrick the suggestion about the shrink may not be a bad idea LOL  Just kidding but the only one that has a personal interest in you is yourself. There are many good Dr s and nurses but being proactive about your own health can save you alot of grief.

I will pray for you and your healing.

[Firefighter]

We all know our on bodys better than anyone else and you have to listen to what the body tells you. I battle with keeping a positive attitude in regards to my health sometimes, but if I can create a positive disposition about myself, that is more than half the battle.

Rootin for you from across the Gulf, please stay on top of the health issues, you are doing it for yourself, family and us. Firefighter