On November 3, I went to the doctor. Today, November 8, I returned.
Last Sunday, November 3:
I was given 5 Levaquin tablets and four doses of cough medicine. Thursday, I took my last dose. Today, I felt worse, more pain in sinuses, tighter chest, cough was less productive. Sooo, I went to the doctor tonight about 7 pm.
Friday, November 8:
The nurse questioned my return. She commented that the medicine and couple of shots should have helped me to get much better. When I told her I only got Levaquin, she said, "No shot, nothing else?" as she flipped through my two pieces of my record. "I don't know why he did not give you a shot. I thought he was."
My chest still hurts. My throat is sore. My voice is hoarse, My ears hurt and ring sometimes. I get dizzy.
So, the doctor came in the room where she put me. He had this attitude that did not set well with me. However, he is not "my" doctor, so he can ridicule me all he wants. Finally, I looked at him and said, "I have lived in this body all my life. I know when I am ill. I know how much my temperature has to rise before I feel it." Finally, I just turned my head and looked into the corner near him.
I did not want to act like the crazy bitch I could feel in my head. I think he was trying to affect a bedside manner. He failed except for the smiling part.
So, I got a shot and a prescription for doxycycline.
I was told that the Levaquin is the strongest antibiotic there is. Then, why am I taking it for this problem. I am screaming in my head, "What happens when I am much more ill and this no longer works for me?" But, I looked calm. Okay, that look is dumbstruck, numb.
Another thing, after telling me I should have had a shot along with Levaquin, I was told that the Levaquin will stay in my body and work for another ten days to make better. ??? So. I am supposed to keep getting worse and then I will get better in ten days?
It seemed the people getting upset because I am still running a fever which they poo-pooed, because I am getting worse, are just trying to conceal the fact someone should have given me a shot of antibiotics last Sunday.
Am I supposed to get worse so I can wait to get better? No, I did not ask that. I might need their good will one of these days. Yep, have to ignore their talking down to me. But, I refuse to smile.
Oh, the doctor suggested taking Mucinex DM and could not figure out why I never take DM. I do take generic Mucines (guaifenesin). I told him that I do not take cough medicine if I am not coughing, that I take single use meds. I also told him that I want to cough and have a productive cough since I was not coughing nonstop. He did highly approve of using Vick on the soles of my feet at night for cough that keeps me awake.
I just hope this is my last time in 2013 that I need antibiotics.
Thanks for listening. Yes, I will listen to your rants in the comments.
How dare you not get better, Linda, when the god ... I mean doc ... clearly deemed it to be so last week! Some doctors give me such a pain, right *there*.
ReplyDeleteSue,
DeleteThe funny thing is, I have the same pain right "there." Yah, if I had waited, I would have been so much worse.
Reeeally. A pain right *there*, you say? Why, we must be suffering from the exact same malady.
DeleteSue,
DeleteLOL
Oh, so sorry you're still so ill. Hopefully after this visit, things will get better.
ReplyDeleteI've been fortunate to not need a doctor all year. I always end up WORSE afterwards. So now I just avoid people as much as possible during cold/flu season. You should see Sue RUN in the opposite direction when I hear someone cough or sneeze-LOL!
Sue,
DeleteI could not run, but my blood pressure went up to dangerous level as I sat there while a child with Strep Throat ran around touching every surface and getting closer and closer to me.
And, I NEVER use a public pen. This is only the second time, I think, that I have had a sinus infection that required a doctor.
Thanks. I need better.
Linda, I'm so sorry you had this experience. I used to work in the medical industry but make no excuses for them. The problem is that it is as I said, an industry. It's purpose is to make money, not help folks. When I went into nursing, I wanted to help folks. But the industry won't let you, in fact it kills that in you. I had to get out. Sad but true, and that fact is only getting worse. I sincerely hope you are better soon!
ReplyDeleteLeigh,
DeleteThanks for confirming what we all have thought. I will the good medical professionals would not leave us. There was one nurse there who went so far beyond what she had to do and was so sympathetic.
I believe that it's the nurses who humanize the whole system and make it livable for patients and their families.
Deletetake a clove of garlic mince it let sit for 10 mins and take with honey or syrup over it . Make sure you eat something with it. 3-4 times a day. Also try a sauna. Try this its wonderful
ReplyDeletehttp://thedeliberateagrarian.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-to-make-enjoy-peppermint-zing-sinus.html
Get Better Amber(KY)
I have garlic. I have honey. Thanks!
DeleteObviously you are making up your symptoms to get more medicine. They are prescribing you narcotics, right? You wonder how condescending people like that make it through medical school. Feel better.
ReplyDeleteND,
DeleteYes, I just pretend I am ill so I can get more antibiotics. I need my fix. He did not like me knowing or thinking!
Funny thing is that even though I am in severe pain from my back, I never ask for pain medication. Yet, I have people in my face, telling me the doctor will NOT give me any pain meds. My response--Did I ASK you for pain meds?
Hiss and spit. Doctors might be intelligent, they are highly trained - and too many of them have the empathy of lint and less manners. Somedays I would like the power to (temporarily) give them a dose of whatever has brought me into their clutches. They might then learn to listen and take their patients seriously.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling much better soon. This has been going on for way too long.
EC,
DeleteMay I use that first sentence? The doctor yesterday acItively and deliberately ridiculed me. This started with minor symptoms the beginning of October--way too long. I agree about giving them a dose of hurt.
Thanks. I am timing all my meds to get them all in without them interfering with the action of the last one. The congestion in my head and chest is overwhelming. Hope this shot and last med work wonders. Thanks.
Feel free to use 'Hiss and spit'. It has become a mantra of mine, and I am happy to share it. I also wish painful hemmorhoids on many doctors. Unpleasant and undignified but not life-threatening.
DeleteThanks...lol. How about wishing shingles on doctors. Or, "I hope you live to be 150 and see everything you love grow old, wither and die."
DeleteI'm so sorry for you. I spent more than 20 years telling doctors I had a headache nearly everyday. They always said, Just take xyz and you'll be fine. I was never fine. Finally, I was so depressed that a doctor gave me an antidepressant. The headaches went away. It was like magic. No one had ever asked if I might be depressed or told me that depression can cause headaches.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Janie,
DeleteIt seems having a headache everyday would be depressing!
After about 30 years of complaining of pain and then saying it seemed like gall bladder problems, finally I have a doctor who is going to take care of whatever it is.
You would think both of us would have had at least one doctor who would have looked past obvious things.
I'm STILL working on getting your blog on MY blog, but my email is still unauthenticated, or whatever.
ReplyDeleteOne time I will go to the doctor and get a shot, and antibiotics. Six months later, I'll get nothing. Other times I'll get prednisone and a shot, etc..... You honestly have to know ahead of time WHAT TO ASK FOR. and even then, sometimes they'll say "otay" and other times they'll say "WHO'S the doctor? You or me?"
You can send me emails but your email is unauthenticated? Well, I thought I was on your blog roll at one time.
DeleteI was hoping for a shot last time, but he never mentioned it. He probably just forgot!!! I hate it when they get all smartass. When I say (if I remember) to give me 10 days of antibiotics, I get attitude like that.
I hate that you had to go in twice too. I mean, it's no skin off their tush that they didn't get it right the first time and now you have to pay for a second visit -- even if it's just the co-pay. I hope you feel better!
ReplyDeleteAlex,
DeleteThe doctors get paid twice. And, I started get worse. Good for them; bad for me. Thanks. Today, I am throwing up the antibiotic.
Years ago, I caught a cold the day after Thanksgiving. It wouldn't let go. I'd have better days, but would soon have days of feeling rotten return.
ReplyDeleteAround the second week of January, I told a gate guard at an industrial facility how the cold just wouldn't go away. Her recommendation? "Eat a large mustard green leaf raw."
At that time, I'd have put dice in my underwear and performed cartwheels if I thought it would get rid of the misery. I tried the prescribed remedy, which was dreadful; mustard greens are not tasty raw and pungent.
It worked. My head started clearing the next day and I was soon on the way to healing completely.
Jess,
DeleteI have gotten ill and had it hang on forever, too. Okay, I am game and desperate. Thanks for the advice and warning about the taste. Now, to go get mustard.
Linda: I can sympathize about doctors. The anemia I have had since April came back with a venegance last month. Spent a week in the hospital (blood count was down to 5.4 upon admission). Long week later I had a diagnosis - stage 1 endrometerial cancer. Radiologists don't consider me a radiology patient and the surgeons don't consider me a surgical patient. Am now waiting to find out if I will be temporarily moving 250 miles from home to have radiation or going 150 miles from home for surgery. Got to love the medical profession.
ReplyDeleteseyrey,
DeleteI am so sorry for the diagnosis. Does anemia go along with Endometrial cancer? Do you live far from treatment facilities? I hope they make up their minds!
I have to have a D&C soon to see what is going on. My doctor insists! He is making me nervous.
Keep in touch.
The local radiologist doesn't want to do the radiation so to do the radiation could involve going 250 miles; there is supposed to be a surgeon 150 miles away who would be willing do the surgery but I haven't heard from him yet. The anemia was actually a symptom of the cancer and the cancer was diagnosed as a result of a D&C. The good news is that in my case with surgery there is a 100% cure rate/with radiation it is 80%.
DeleteDespite the lack of treatment plan knowing what the problem is can be freeing and does give you a chance to make plans and see what is important.
I kept getting asked in the hospital how I felt about the diagnosis and I told them that I was expecting something along those lines and Stage 1 is a pretty good stage to catch cancer at.
seyrey,
DeleteI hope the physician gets in touch with you soon. What kind of surgery? I am going to have a D&C soon. Now,?
Oh, I agree that knowing the problem would be a relief.
The doctor is doing my D&C to determine if there is cancer. I have had no anemia, just a bit of bleeding that is sort common for me after menopause.
Where do you live? I am just wondering where that you live that you are so far from the treatment you need. I clicked on your name and got nothing. I thought you had a blog, but I remember from looking before that you do not. Thanks for explaining.
I live on the Oregon Coast. The major hospitals are in Eugene and Portland. I have another condition that makes some surgeons nervous of doing the surgery.
DeleteLinda: Hope you are feeling better. Did hear from the radiologist today. Tomorrow I start radiation and next week the doctor who was in charge of my care in the hospital will talk to the surgeons about me again. It looks like everyone may just get their way. No long term radiation but surgery in my future - complete hysterectomy which isn't a problem for me as I don't plan on having children at this stage of life.
Delete