Trying to find answers led me to make a trip of 60 miles to go to AFC. They have a new receptionist that is a witch. She was talking so disrespectful to me. I raised my voice a bit and she turned victim and said she did not have to take this. And, she left. She had brought something to me and was explaining one part of the sign in I filled out on a pad or something.
I am lucky enough to have gotten a very nice and efficient nurse practitioner. She was puzzled as to why I was there and not in a cardiologist office. Why did I not go to the cardiologist? Why did my family doctor not take care of this? You came from Birmingham to here?
"Can you wiggle your toes a little?" This when I complain about not being able to walk for exercise and having swollen legs and feet. Family doctor I chose.
"I am not the help center for the universe!" From a cardiologist when I asked which specialist to see about the extreme swelling in my legs and feet and large swollen middle. Tommy heard him yell this!
"It is your size that makes you feet swell so." from doctor when I said I need to get the swelling down somehow.
"You just have lipedema." From nastiest nurse practitioner I have seen. "So, what do I do?" "Lose weight." ???
The nurse practitioner from AFC wants me to see an internalist. I called back and the nasty receptionist gave me grief. But, the wonderful nurse named Pam, came to the phone and helped me. When I was there and complained about her actions, no one defended her. However, glances were exchanged. So, maybe she won't be there next time I go.
I knew I could get help at AFC. I was not disappointed with the quality of care. Other patients were having trouble with the receptionist, too.
I have been going to doctors in three major health centers. This is not out in the boondocks where they ship in sunshine. I have never changed doctors lightly!
While in Cullman, I went to bank, staggered in and got my business done. And, we had Chicken Salad Chick. We both had a scoop and soup. We brought drinks from home. Me--loaded baked potato soup and Classic Carol scoop of chicken salad. Tommy--loaded baked potato soup and Fruity Fran scoop. I wanted to have this once a month, but he said every three months. Now, I have to wait until October to go there again unless I can think of a good reason. Hey, my birthday is in September. That sounds like a great reason to dine there again.
Have you ever had such a bad run of doctors? I show up, submit to tests, and still get nothing done. Well, something is done, but this latest serious predicament may not see me live through it. Am I just an old lady not worth helping or saving?
You are worth helping and saving! Please don’t let that receptionist make you feel that way.
ReplyDeleteLymphedema is what I have and it stinks. My doctor is referring me to a lymphedema clinic here and I’m hoping they can help me. I hope you can find something similar to help you too.
Belinda,
DeleteI think so, too. Thanks! Oh, she made me furious and will not stand in my way.
When I asked if I had lymphedema, the doctor said, NO. I wonder if he could tell when I told him about the swelling. He was not curious about my leg and foot.
My mum has lots of stuff going on medically and has been treated extremely well and I have been surprised because I think sometimes they do just think it's an old person who hasn't got long to live.
ReplyDeleteI knew a lady in her 90s who went to hospital when her legs were so swollen the skin started lifting and she was sent home without any real help.
I hope somebody pays attention soon. Don't be afraid to get stern (I know you're not)
kylie,
DeleteI am glad your mother is getting help. Old people deserve to live, too.
Poor lady. Who is helping her, I wonder, speaking up for her?
Even with questioning and almost begging, doctors can just walk out. There are always another doctor, but I get very discouraged.
I know you do not like me to comment here but this is exactly why I left the medical establishment and went alternative twelve years ago. I got answers and real help without judgement.
ReplyDeleteLana,
DeleteI do not mind if you comment. How? If I do not answer, I may be in the ER. Or dead!
I just found your blog. I am almost 80 years old and wonder if you are taking a statin for cholesterol control. I recently had a bladder infection and was temporarily taken off my statin medication while I was taking the antibiotic. The pain and swelling in my legs immediately improved to the point where I will not be taking it anymore. It was a dramatic, and I mean DRAMATIC, difference. Something to ask your doctor maybe.
ReplyDeleteDucky,
DeleteI cannot take statins because of the pain in muscles and everything else. I was given an injection that i have not yet started. Thanks for mentioning this, though. Any other ideas are welcomed...lol.
Are you on a high blood pressure pill? Some BP pills are diuretics that reduce excess water in your system, which helps bring your blood pressure down. If you are on a BP pill, I would ask a doctor about switching to a diuretic form of the med. If not, I would ask about a diuretic anyway. Has your kidney functioning been tested lately? It should be.
ReplyDeleteThere are compression sleeves you can wear to reduce swelling in the legs and feet--swelling which has nothing to do with lymphedema. Here are some:
https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gear/g39137922/best-leg-compression-sleeves/
It seems to be that using these while in your recliner will certainly help bring down the swelling. Also, since you can't walk much, they have the extra advantage of preventing blood clots.
If a physician prescribes it, you should be able to get insurance to pay for it, or at least most of the cost.
PS Although I am sure you know about these things, a reminder never hurts:
ReplyDelete1) Raise your legs ABOVE your heart level. Just sitting in the recliner with your legs up is not enough--they have to be above your heart level.
It's actually easier to elevate the legs above the heart when lying in bed! So you should also elevate your legs with a pillow under your calves whenever in bed, sleeping or napping. Try it and see if you don't see an improvement.
2) Keep your potassium up. You love your bananas, so that's a good thing.
3) Watch your sodium. Your Chicken Salad Chick salad and soup yesterday gave you 1230 mg of sodium--nearly your daily allotment in one meal.
4) Watch your sugar and carbs. Both will make you retain water.
5) Drink water. No need to drown yourself, but at least 64 oz. so you experience "bathroom cardio" ie., needing to urinate more frequently as a result. Nearly clear is the color goal.
You have always been your own advocate but it seems like you are going to have to push your doctors even harder. I would agree that as we age, our issues are sometimes shrugged off rather than actively addressed. So keep reading up and asking doctors questions.
Ask them how you can actively address your issues. Tell them, "Yes, I am reducing my carb intake to lower my weight, but meanwhile, what can I do to help manage this in my home?" And, "Is there some sort of therapy or therapeutic device you can prescribe for me?"
Are you on Medicaid/Medicare?
Medicare/Medicaid
DeleteBP med even though I do not have high bp, diuretic, bananas, cannot lie on back, plenty of water, did not eat pickle at CSC, drank water all day. If I eat one high carb item or high sodium, I watch everything extra closely the rest of the day.
ReplyDeleteI ordered one of the wedge pillows that has to sit and expand like the mattresses in the box. It never inflated but money refunded. I tried to buy the leg compression stockings at a med specialty store. However, they refused to help me until I had prescription from doctor. I could pick them out myself. So, they walked away! I was warned against getting the wrong size.
Would you believe that six doctor visits resulted in no measuring! So, the np yesterday did. When I asked for a recommendation for a doctor by calling back to the cardiologist, the quote from nurse after she called me back after consulting doctor, "We don't do doctor recommendations here." !!!
One time, I asked a doctor a question about my big toe. He turned his back, walked away to other side of room and said that was not his specialty. I retorted, "Well, I supposed you had seen a toe before." He shrugged that off.
NOW, Tommy goes to every visit. I asked him if I antagonize the doctor or say the wrong thing. He said I did not. Now, he hears the interactions. He hears me practically beg for help.
The podiatrist only trims nails and will not offer when I ask for an opinion on how to solve foot and toe problems.
Lose weight or walk more are the only solutions I am offered except for an occasional pill.
I am so sorry the medical community is failing you so badly, Linda. I can't believe they aren't helping you, won't refer you, and just shrug off your problems as weight issues. I'm glad you have Tommy come to the appointments with you. A doctor that won't even look at a toe? A podiatrist that won't advise about foot problems and will only cut toenails? Cripes, I can do that and it didn't take 8 years of med school, either! Maybe Lana is right--maybe the alternative/holistic medical community could help. Or maybe a gerontologist? I don't know--I am struggling for ideas. I wish I could help more.
ReplyDeleteSue,
ReplyDeleteThe referrals I have gotten don't get back to me. Or, when they first contact me, I could not understand the name or telephone number because the person who calls me is sloppy. I am sure this person has no experience or degree. Another facility cannot get it all together for an evaluation for a wheelchair! It has been over three months. Yes, the doctor who would not look at my toe was a jerk. I emphasized I did not need him to touch or examine, just look and give me an opinion--like might I lose a toe.
Our neurologist can be rough, I've butted heads with him more than once. When Hubby went in and he mentioned Hubby's weight and thyroid I pointed out that the blood work results I handed him personally said the thyroid was NORMAL. I also pointed out he has lost an average of 2 lbs. a month for the past YEAR and that's also on the records I HANDED him. I suggested he stop a minute and READ what I gave him. If I hadn't been there, Hubby would have just walked out. We did tell our primary who made a personal (how he worded it) to the Neurologist.
ReplyDeleteChef,
DeleteThat sounds like one doctor I had. He knew all about me without asking or looking at records. Tommy hears it all and never says a word! I told him today he could jump in anytime he wanted, heard anything wrong. So, maybe he will.