cara
Master Chef
that's why I thought they did a complete blood screening...
Edema
- Thread starter texasgirl
- Start date
The friendliest place on the web for anyone that enjoys cooking.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
that's why I thought they did a complete blood screening...
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
I think a better approach would be to call the family doctor and have him contact the ER and get all the blood test, as well as other test, results. He will probably be able to do it more easily, and TG needs to discuss all this with him anyway.
A CBC (complete blood count) is SOP in the ER and should, at a minimum, be one of the tests that were done. If not, contact your doctor and ask him to send you a lab form so you can get the blood testing done before your doctor visit; otherwise, you will probably be given one at that visit, but if he has the results right then, you can make decisions about what to do next without further waiting.
Good luck.
MexicoKaren
Head Chef
Cara, you asked an important question about the peculiar health care system in the US - people in the US are led to believe that it is the best in the world - NOT. Here's the World Health Organization rankings - USA is #37.
The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems
I worked on the policy side of this system my whole career - doctors in the US are currently overwhelmed by paperwork and insurance company rules/restrictions and concerns about liability. And the medical training system is SO paternalistic. They do not like to be questioned. Sounds like your ER doc did a pretty poor job of informing you, and helping you understand what is going on. If they took that much blood, they have got to be checking for more than enzymes. Will they send the results to your primary care doctor?
The World Health Organization's ranking of the world's health systems
I worked on the policy side of this system my whole career - doctors in the US are currently overwhelmed by paperwork and insurance company rules/restrictions and concerns about liability. And the medical training system is SO paternalistic. They do not like to be questioned. Sounds like your ER doc did a pretty poor job of informing you, and helping you understand what is going on. If they took that much blood, they have got to be checking for more than enzymes. Will they send the results to your primary care doctor?
Last edited:
OP
OP
texasgirl
Master Chef
I can go get copies of all the tests next Friday, at least, I should be able to since it' mine, right? I will call tomorrow.
MexicoKaren
Head Chef
Stacy, the state law where I worked (in Oregon) says that medical records are NOT the property of the patient, but the property of the provider (like business records.) But the provider is obligated to provide you a copy (for a fee, if they want to charge you one). Docs are reluctant to provide you with blood test results because they are afraid you won't know how to interpret the results...duh. Why don't they help you do that??? OK, I will climb down off my soap box now..............
OP
OP
texasgirl
Master Chef
I will call tomorrow and see. My sister got hers before from same hospital.
Fisher's Mom
Executive Chef
Stacy, you have a right to copies of your blood and other test results. In Texas, you have paid for them and you have a right to them. You don't own your chart that includes your doctor's notes, but most docs will let you look at them. You should go to your docs office and get copies of every test you have ever had with that doctor. This is just being a pro-active patient. All you have to say to them is that you want to keep copies at home so that in case you have an emergency or need to see a specialist, you will have a folder available for any doc to look at. I have all of my test results and the ones for my kids and I take them any time I have to see a doctor. Lots of people do that - it's not unusual. Also, in the case of blood tests, the lab report will say what your result was and then say what a normal range is for that particular test so you can tell at a glance what tests were out of the normal range.
OP
OP
texasgirl
Master Chef
I'm calling my cardiologist tomorrow and making sure I can get in there. The pain is still here and now my leg is pitting too. I just feel bad all over.
MexicoKaren
Head Chef
Good advice, Terry. Thanks for adding to what I said.
GotGarlic
Chef Extraordinaire
Actually, I think people are told that health care in the U.S. is the best in the world - not the health-care SYSTEM.
That is, if you have good insurance and/or can pay for it. Certainly the entire system needs an overhaul.From my point of view working in a medical school, this is somewhat outdated information. I was in the hospital four times last year and much of my care was provided by residents who were overseen by members of my own doctors' practices. They were perfectly willing to listen to me and address my concerns. I kept a notebook in my room of all doctor visits, what they said, what tests I had, what questions occurred to me after they had left, etc.
The big problem I see is that people don't seem to think they *can* question the doctor. If the doc doesn't like to be questioned, find another one. I know that's usually not possible in the ER - I'm talking about care after the ER.
The best advice I can give in this situation is, if it's at all possible, see doctors who are affiliated with an academic medical center and/or medical school. They are up on all the latest - they have to be, since they're teaching the next generation.
MexicoKaren
Head Chef
Well, GG, here we are off-topic (my fault) and I'll briefly respond by saying that I agree that younger doctors are better at patient communication (I also worked for a medical school/academic health center before I retired 2-1/2 years ago). I understand your distinction between the care and the system, but I am not sure I agree.
Maverick2272
Washing Up
I like my doctor because she doesn't mind being questioned, instead she just either explains it or checks into it first so she knows the information she is giving me is right. It is why I stick with her.
I have questioned just about every doctor I have been under the care of, and so far none of them seem to mind being questioned, having to explain things, or even offering me the opportunity for a second opinion. The exception is the ER doctors, they certainly do not like being questioned, especially by the nurses. That attitude has even led to a couple of dangerous situations for me when I was in the ER for chest pains.
The biggest problem I see with doctors today is that they are simply overwhelmed between numbers of patients and insurance headaches, I don't think it is fair I blame that on them. But that is the case where I am at, and the coverage I have. I don't get to see my cardiologist for three months, every other cardiologist and heart surgeon I have talked to says that is too long and inadequate follow up and care. I could blame the doctor, or I could realize that he is overwhelmed and therefore choose to go to another cardiologist that is not so overwhelmed with no hard feelings about having to do so.
Where you are in the country also seems to effect the quality of care and access to good doctors, so peoples experiences can vary wildly for great to ok to poor. So Karen may have a bad experience in a teaching hospital but GG could have great experiences in a teaching hospital. And so on and so forth...
I have questioned just about every doctor I have been under the care of, and so far none of them seem to mind being questioned, having to explain things, or even offering me the opportunity for a second opinion. The exception is the ER doctors, they certainly do not like being questioned, especially by the nurses. That attitude has even led to a couple of dangerous situations for me when I was in the ER for chest pains.
The biggest problem I see with doctors today is that they are simply overwhelmed between numbers of patients and insurance headaches, I don't think it is fair I blame that on them. But that is the case where I am at, and the coverage I have. I don't get to see my cardiologist for three months, every other cardiologist and heart surgeon I have talked to says that is too long and inadequate follow up and care. I could blame the doctor, or I could realize that he is overwhelmed and therefore choose to go to another cardiologist that is not so overwhelmed with no hard feelings about having to do so.
Where you are in the country also seems to effect the quality of care and access to good doctors, so peoples experiences can vary wildly for great to ok to poor. So Karen may have a bad experience in a teaching hospital but GG could have great experiences in a teaching hospital. And so on and so forth...
Essiebunny
Senior Cook
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2006
- Messages
- 473
If you are carrying that much water, make an appointment with a cardiologist as soon as possible. You will be evaluated and put on the proper meds to help your problem. If you wait, it will probably become more of a problem.
OP
OP
texasgirl
Master Chef
The "sub" cardiologist told me it was okay 7 weeks ago. But, I am going to call my regular one tomorrow. I'm on heart meds already, but, he changed them and that could account for the pain, but, the edema was going on before, prompting the visit in the first place.
simplicity
Sous Chef
texasgirl, I've stayed out of this thread because I know little about edema. I am reading the posts. I am concerned.
All the best!
All the best!
LT72884
Head Chef
Ok, way off topic, but, I'm tired of looking online and getting nowhere.
The last couple of months, I have had Edema. Substitute Cardiologist looked at my leg and said it was nothing. here's the thing, I can put my finger to it and leave a hollow for about 5 minutes or longer. I don't have ankles, I have cankles!! They are getting painful to walk on. Doesn't matter if I sit or walk all day, it's the same. I changed my shoes, the same. I don't eat salt and I drink water all day. Plus, I "glisten"a bit at work, since, the dept is in the shop. I have trouble sleeping more and more from cramps. I feel bloated all the time now, everyday. My clothes are not fitting and the almost overnight weight gain is ticking me off
I've already gotten a Thyroid slide done, so, it's not that.
Does anyone have any proven home remedies for this??
go see a kidney doctor. check kidneys and heart.
David Cottrell
Head Chef
Once again dear lady, Get thee hince to a good internist who has no fear of ordering a complete blood work up and in directing you to appropriate specialists as needed. None of us are qualified to offer medical advice and that includes me! The gist of everything said is as LT just said, qualified specialists but start with your personal physician. If that person is unconcerned about these situations then please quickly find another. !
LT72884
Head Chef
yeqah i called momma and she said to see doctors asap for kidneys and heart. Momma has her medical degree. 27 years of XP with ICU and what not.
OP
OP
texasgirl
Master Chef
I am going to Cardio, mine, on friday morning. I will tell him what all is going on and the nurse was going to have all the tests that were done saturday brought up too. He's a good doc too. He listens and is slow and takes his time with you. Not hey how ya doin, good good, see you next time. lol. I am wondering on the kidney thing. Today I started having a really sharp pain, enough to stop me in my tracks for about 15 seconds. It has only happened about 3 times today and it just comes and then goes, like nothing. But, I know, I will be talking to dr about all of it. He may send me to someone or tell me to go to regular doctor, but, I want my meds changed anyways and my swelling looked at. It did finally go down, just to come back up by yesterday, lol.
cara
Master Chef
Stacy, that don't sound good.... please take care of you!!
