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Dr. appointment today
It seems several of us had a doctor appointment today, but I wanted to post mine later since Jamie's was so important for everyone to see. My appointment was a follow up with my primary doctor, to fill out more FMLA paperwork, to go over medications that the pain doctor has given me and also to talk to him about the simulator that the pain doctor is thinking about putting in. My primary doctor said he has a few patients that have the stimulator but he was very concerned for me that I would get some sort of infection or the leads would break. My primary doctor did ask for a copy of the MRI that my pain doctor took and also asked to send it up to my neurosurgeon just in case. I hadn't thought about giving it to my neurosurgeon at all, but I guess it can't hurt to get a copy. I also told my doctor that the pain management doctor considered me to be a chronic pain patient, and my primary agreed. We talked a few more minutes about disability, he also agreed that there would be a time that I would be on it, but hopefully if this stimulator will help me, it will give me ten to twenty years of life. My primary doctor also said if it doesn't work, to make sure I get it taken out as soon as possible. He stated he didn't need me in the hospital. And then he dropped the bomb. He asked why I hadn't seen the surgeon about my hernia. OOPS, I had nothing to say on that one. He recommended that I get my rear up to see the surgeon to make sure there is nothing else I need to do for my hernia and he signed more paperwork for my job (this is the fourth or fifth paperwork) and I went on my way. Overall it was a great discussion, all my fears from over a month ago have been subsided, I was talking to Sherry earlier about that stupid urgent care doctor who was rude to me, and it seems I've seen each one of my doctors, each one of them know what medication I'm on, and NO one has said one word what the urgent care doctor said. I think whatever happened, it's a closed issue now. I haven't had any problems, just like Tuck had said, just go ahead and ignore it and that's what I intend to do. I intend to continue going to each doctor but not worrying about what they think anymore. I just wanted to wait for awhile to post my day, since Jamie's pain doctor was very important today. Hope everyone is having a less painful night, especially you Jamie!
Designgrl,
I took the time to do some research on hiatal hernias. There are two types of these hernias and (the actual term is esophageal hiatal hernia) Those types are sliding and paraesophageal.
If you have a sliding hernia surgery is only recommended when severe symptoms of reflux persist despite the combination of lifestyle changes and medications, or if the complications such as stricture, chronic bleeding or obstruction develop, surgery may be necessary. The surgeon's goal is to "rebuild" the esophageal sphincter and repair the hernia.
If you have an paraesophageal hiatal hernia it is a more serious condition. Surgery is usually recommended. The primary reason is that the stomach can actually become strangled. And of course I have talked about the seriousness of strangulation in my previous post.
So please see that surgeon and don't forget to request one a consult to another surgeon. Ask what type of hiatal hernia you have and if it is a serious condition. In large facilities with great surgeons it can be done by laparoscopy. I encourage you to to have this done by anyone that is not very skilled. There are surgeons that specialize in hernia repair. The one I recently saw did basically laparoscopic hernia repairs. He was one of the best in our state. That's the type of surgeon I encourage you to seek out.
I hope this information helps! :)
My best to you.
~Tuck
I took the time to do some research on hiatal hernias. There are two types of these hernias and (the actual term is esophageal hiatal hernia) Those types are sliding and paraesophageal.
If you have a sliding hernia surgery is only recommended when severe symptoms of reflux persist despite the combination of lifestyle changes and medications, or if the complications such as stricture, chronic bleeding or obstruction develop, surgery may be necessary. The surgeon's goal is to "rebuild" the esophageal sphincter and repair the hernia.
If you have an paraesophageal hiatal hernia it is a more serious condition. Surgery is usually recommended. The primary reason is that the stomach can actually become strangled. And of course I have talked about the seriousness of strangulation in my previous post.
So please see that surgeon and don't forget to request one a consult to another surgeon. Ask what type of hiatal hernia you have and if it is a serious condition. In large facilities with great surgeons it can be done by laparoscopy. I encourage you to to have this done by anyone that is not very skilled. There are surgeons that specialize in hernia repair. The one I recently saw did basically laparoscopic hernia repairs. He was one of the best in our state. That's the type of surgeon I encourage you to seek out.
I hope this information helps! :)
My best to you.
~Tuck
Actually, I don't know for sure if this was considered surgery but my Dad had his Hiatal Hernia STRETCHED back in June 1972 and spent 2 or 3 days in the hospital, don't remember for sure. The ONLY reason that I remember the date is because he was in on his B'day June 16th and that ALSO happened to be Father's Day also. Ronnie, my first husband, had the kids make a HUGE banner (as kids were NOT allowed in a hospital back then) and they stood outside in the Hospital Gardens and held it so that he could see it from his 5th floor room. We had 5 or 6 family members from different patients come and see Daddy and wish him a Happy B'day as his Room Number was also on it!!
Anyway, that stretching lasted him more than 15 years adn he was COMPLETELY free of choking at dinner time!!
Anyway, that stretching lasted him more than 15 years adn he was COMPLETELY free of choking at dinner time!!
Hiatal hernias are one of the rare ones that usually don't case strangulation. Thank goodness for that. I have one also.
No surgeries for me right now. I was told I had to have surgery for my GERD and hernia about 12 years ago. I declined as the surgeon has no idea what he was getting into and probably would have killed me!!
At any rate I am glad that I did as now they are performing GERD surgeries with absolutely no cutting, no scope, nothing. It is all done through the oral opening. I don't know if that is true for a hiatal hernia. I rather doubt it but I can research it.
See the surgeon just to be safe. Better done now before it presents an issue. You do not have to see the same surgeon. everyone should be comfortable with their surgeon or physician. You should feel perfectly comfortable telling your PCP that you would prefer another surgeon, no explanations required!
Peace,
~Tuck
No surgeries for me right now. I was told I had to have surgery for my GERD and hernia about 12 years ago. I declined as the surgeon has no idea what he was getting into and probably would have killed me!!
At any rate I am glad that I did as now they are performing GERD surgeries with absolutely no cutting, no scope, nothing. It is all done through the oral opening. I don't know if that is true for a hiatal hernia. I rather doubt it but I can research it.
See the surgeon just to be safe. Better done now before it presents an issue. You do not have to see the same surgeon. everyone should be comfortable with their surgeon or physician. You should feel perfectly comfortable telling your PCP that you would prefer another surgeon, no explanations required!
Peace,
~Tuck
Sweetie,
Ask for a DIFFERENT surgeon. Tell your EXACTLY how you feel about her!!
You don't have to see someone that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Ask for a DIFFERENT surgeon. Tell your EXACTLY how you feel about her!!
You don't have to see someone that makes you feel uncomfortable.
Hi Tuck,
I have a hiatal hernia, so I think it's up far. I was just looking at the photos and it looks like blisters in my esophogus. It's pretty disgusting. I'm taking medication to coat my stomach now and have had very little problem now but my doctor really wants me to see the surgeon again. I thought the surgeon was mean and really don't want to see her again, plus I feel ok, so I've just tried to not go. But, it sounds as though I'm going to get to see her after all. I can't let my primary doctor down, especially after all that he's done for me.
I have a hiatal hernia, so I think it's up far. I was just looking at the photos and it looks like blisters in my esophogus. It's pretty disgusting. I'm taking medication to coat my stomach now and have had very little problem now but my doctor really wants me to see the surgeon again. I thought the surgeon was mean and really don't want to see her again, plus I feel ok, so I've just tried to not go. But, it sounds as though I'm going to get to see her after all. I can't let my primary doctor down, especially after all that he's done for me.
I 3rd that lol sorry. Like i said in my post before that you are vey important to all of us. I have talked to you on the phone many times and you are a very special friend.
Jamie
Jamie
Tuck is SOOO right. I read too quickly over your post when I answered it or I would ALSO have corrected it to let you know that YOU are JUST as important as ANYONE on here!! PLEASE don't EVER feel that someone is more important than you!!
Again, I'm VERY thankful that you have such a WONDERFUL Dr. too!!
(((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
Again, I'm VERY thankful that you have such a WONDERFUL Dr. too!!
(((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
Hello Our Dear Designgrl,
Before I tell you how happy I am that your appointment went well I want to address what you have said about the importance of your post over someone else's.
No one on this forum is more important than another. No one's pain, appointments, sorrow, problems or whatever should be seen as ranked in importance. Everyone is equal. We are all on this journal through chronic pain together.
I cannot tell you that my pain or problems are more important or even greater than yours and vise versa. We all feel pain differently and we all react to pain and the problems it presents differently. Not anyone feeling or reaction is right or wrong. It's just us.
You are important and so was your appointment.
It sounds like you have an excellent physician. How wonderful that he takes the time to talk with you and more importantly listen. Indeed all your physician sound like they have your best interest at heart. I also agree that an implant should be your last choice. My PCP and I discussed the pros and cons of several implants. We agreed that at this time the cons out weight the pros. In my opinion that is how you have to measure decisions. Does the benefit out weight the risk? Only you and your physician can make those choices.
I think we discussed those third party insurance administrators before. After your post I received a letter as did my pharmacy and my physician from the insurance carrier. This one accused me of NOT taking my (non-opiate) medications. Little did they know or even bother to find out that my physician no longer prescribes the medication they were so concerned about. That's how accurate they are. Anyone with any knowledge of how they operate (as the Urgent Care Provider should have been) should put these letters in their proper perspective. The Urgent Care Provider that you consulted was showing his ignorance or trying to play God for the Day!!
I don't know where you hernia is, if you told me I apologize that I have forgotten. Some hernias are more prone to cause strangulation of the intestine than others. These must be treated promptly. Once strangulation occurs you have less than six hours before necrosis (death of tissue) begins and that is an urgent, life threatening condition. It will be a medical emergency. So please consult a surgeon asap.
Thank you so much for the update. I appreciate you keeping us informed. You are very important and we value your input to our community.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Before I tell you how happy I am that your appointment went well I want to address what you have said about the importance of your post over someone else's.
No one on this forum is more important than another. No one's pain, appointments, sorrow, problems or whatever should be seen as ranked in importance. Everyone is equal. We are all on this journal through chronic pain together.
I cannot tell you that my pain or problems are more important or even greater than yours and vise versa. We all feel pain differently and we all react to pain and the problems it presents differently. Not anyone feeling or reaction is right or wrong. It's just us.
You are important and so was your appointment.
It sounds like you have an excellent physician. How wonderful that he takes the time to talk with you and more importantly listen. Indeed all your physician sound like they have your best interest at heart. I also agree that an implant should be your last choice. My PCP and I discussed the pros and cons of several implants. We agreed that at this time the cons out weight the pros. In my opinion that is how you have to measure decisions. Does the benefit out weight the risk? Only you and your physician can make those choices.
I think we discussed those third party insurance administrators before. After your post I received a letter as did my pharmacy and my physician from the insurance carrier. This one accused me of NOT taking my (non-opiate) medications. Little did they know or even bother to find out that my physician no longer prescribes the medication they were so concerned about. That's how accurate they are. Anyone with any knowledge of how they operate (as the Urgent Care Provider should have been) should put these letters in their proper perspective. The Urgent Care Provider that you consulted was showing his ignorance or trying to play God for the Day!!
I don't know where you hernia is, if you told me I apologize that I have forgotten. Some hernias are more prone to cause strangulation of the intestine than others. These must be treated promptly. Once strangulation occurs you have less than six hours before necrosis (death of tissue) begins and that is an urgent, life threatening condition. It will be a medical emergency. So please consult a surgeon asap.
Thank you so much for the update. I appreciate you keeping us informed. You are very important and we value your input to our community.
Take Care,
~Tuck
Like I said earlier, I'm SOOO glad that your appointment went so well.
So my Dear, WHEN is your appointment with your Surgeon????? PLEASE don't let this go just in case there is something that needs to be done!!
(((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
So my Dear, WHEN is your appointment with your Surgeon????? PLEASE don't let this go just in case there is something that needs to be done!!
(((HUGS!!)))....Mama Sherry
I can't believe it either. It is a shame people do that. That is the reason why the drs have to check everyone.
I agree with the nurse about what happen. And I don't blame you for not wanting to go back I know I wouldn't either. She sounded very nice, and if it was me and I really needed to go there I would call first and see if she is there or another nurse and just kindly ask what dr is on duty that way if you have to be seen you won't be seen by him. just a thought cause it sounds like a great place and that dr really messed it up for you.
Have a great night hun
Jamie
I agree with the nurse about what happen. And I don't blame you for not wanting to go back I know I wouldn't either. She sounded very nice, and if it was me and I really needed to go there I would call first and see if she is there or another nurse and just kindly ask what dr is on duty that way if you have to be seen you won't be seen by him. just a thought cause it sounds like a great place and that dr really messed it up for you.
Have a great night hun
Jamie
No the doctor did not show me the letter Jamie, and when the insurance company and I called the Urgent care and spoke to the nurse manager, she was very shocked, but acted shocked to hear what we were telling her. She made the comment that I was WELCOME at any time at their urgent care to be treated for anything that I needed and that the doctor should not have said ANYTHING to me regarding the note, so I'm not even sure if it was there. She said it comes from a third party administrator (not the DEA, or insurance, etc) so I'm sure it was something like you said that he had printed and saw that a month earlier I had my normal medications that were given to me (that was the time where I was off vicodin and only trying the tramadol before my eye problem started) but anyway, I still will not go to him again, if he's still even employed there. It's a shame, I liked them because they were ER doctors that decided to open an urgent care facility so I thought I was getting great care from these doctors because of that. Well as you can see, it was strange. And like I said, the weirdest thing was the fact that he wrote me a script for vicodin, like you said, if there was a problem, I would have never received anything from him.
Wow, I definitely would not set myself on fire and take 30 percocets in three days. I can't take percocet at all, I'm allergic to the meds, but I can't believe people take their meds like that! Crazy.
Wow, I definitely would not set myself on fire and take 30 percocets in three days. I can't take percocet at all, I'm allergic to the meds, but I can't believe people take their meds like that! Crazy.
The ER dr also had that print out of my meds so I think any dr can get it, I think ER and urgant cares are the ones that gets most of the drug seekers so they can get the print outs. I know I read in the paper one night that a guy came into my local ER and told them he was having alot of pain and they got that print out and saw that he got like 30 percs from another dr like 3 days before, so they called the cops on him and he was taken to jail for it. Another thing I saw on one of those jail shows is one guy was on fire and they took him to the ER and the jail told the ER he caught his self on fire and they asked him why in the world he would do such a thing and he said for pain meds.
You are not one of these people, you was a person in alot of pain (believe me I know about tooth pain) and that dr had no right to do that to you, I don't even think he got a letter from anyone. I think he said that just to scare you for some reason and the reason I have no clue, but he should of never done it. I was wondering if you asked him to show you that letter if he would of? Or did you see it? If there was EVEN a letter I dont think he would of gave you the pain meds.
I did throw up again so I am going to a half a pill in the morning to see how it works with the nausea meds again. I need this med to work!
Hang in there hun
Jamie
You are not one of these people, you was a person in alot of pain (believe me I know about tooth pain) and that dr had no right to do that to you, I don't even think he got a letter from anyone. I think he said that just to scare you for some reason and the reason I have no clue, but he should of never done it. I was wondering if you asked him to show you that letter if he would of? Or did you see it? If there was EVEN a letter I dont think he would of gave you the pain meds.
I did throw up again so I am going to a half a pill in the morning to see how it works with the nausea meds again. I need this med to work!
Hang in there hun
Jamie
Thanks all for your concern. My concern is pretty valid, Jamie, Sara, Melissa and a few others knew that I came on this board right after I found out that I was in the hospital with a hernia and a bleeding ulcer. I was very sick and had to take some time off. To Flower and dontundertand, the letter we are talking about is I went to an urgent care because I had an absessed tooth (on a sunday night) I had been to the same urgent care twice and he made a comment that he got a letter from my insurance carrier (which I later called my insurance company and they denied it, and also my prescription coverage) and he said I'd seen a lot of doctors. It's true I do have a staff of like eight doctors now that I see on a regular basis, endocrinologist, urologist, dentist, psychitrist, obgyn, and he just made the comment, and then he prescribed me an antibiotic and vicodin. I was worried for a very long time about him saying that until I saw my rheumatologist, my pain doctor twice, my dentist and endodontist, and also my primary doctor twice and not one mention of ANY type of letter or anything from any of my normal doctors. I know Jamie had said that her pain doctor was able to get a list of prescriptions that she was on and I'm thinking that was what the urgent care doctor did. United healthcare and I called the urgent care and they were telling us how it didn't mean anything and that I could come back ANYTIME for treatment, (forget that) and Tuck and everyone had to calm me down for the longest time. I had already pretty much put it to rest, and then today when I sat down once again and talked with my primary doctor and my file was right on the counter, I know there was nothing in my file that looked strange. It ***** when people don't want to take care of you. Why don't they just tell you they don't feel like seeing you as a patient. So, anyway that's the short story.
Jamie,
I hope you've stopped throwing up now that you've taken the nausea med, like I said it shoud be kicking in and making you fall asleep. Sorry your husband isn't more on board with this.
Jamie,
I hope you've stopped throwing up now that you've taken the nausea med, like I said it shoud be kicking in and making you fall asleep. Sorry your husband isn't more on board with this.
I am so glad you got so many good doctors, they are all watching out for you and don't worry about that letter, I think you are still holding on to that worry, just blow it off forever. No one else has said anything about it. I think your urant care dr was being rude just like my ER dr was.
I agree to go see that other dr about your hernia just to make sure your ok, we don't want anything to happen to you cause you mean so much to use on this board.
It does worry me about how your PCP feels about this simulator but you do got a group of drs that are watching you very close so if anything happens then they will be right on top of it. I am hoping and praying if you do get it that it will help you alot. that is really what you need and i know you want this to work.
I am thinking of you (between bathroom visits)
Jamie
I agree to go see that other dr about your hernia just to make sure your ok, we don't want anything to happen to you cause you mean so much to use on this board.
It does worry me about how your PCP feels about this simulator but you do got a group of drs that are watching you very close so if anything happens then they will be right on top of it. I am hoping and praying if you do get it that it will help you alot. that is really what you need and i know you want this to work.
I am thinking of you (between bathroom visits)
Jamie
That's great! I love it when the whole medical team you have is on board! And I certainly agree you should ignore the rude ones and move on. Like so many other have and many others will be I've heard it all too. The important ones support you and want the best for you. Isnt it wonderful to find caring doctors? Congratulations!
I think you are right to ignore what that urgent care doc said .It sounds to me like he was just being an a s s .It seems like your appt went great .It is so good to have a Dr who really cares and takes the time with you.I don't know anything about the stimulators but I hope it works great for you .Ten or twenty more years is awesome.I will fuss at ya too .Get your rear to see that surgeon ! LoL! Seriously tho I am glad this appt took away all the fear you were having .It's a shame that urgent care Dr put you through that .You are exactly right in not worrying what they think anymore .There is no point in you worrying yourself like you have been .I am really happy that it went so good for you today .Take care Melissa
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