Monday, May 18, 2009

I Was RIGHT!!



I have posted before about my allergies since moving to Las Cruces. Well, I finally went to the allergist and got some wonderful medications that make me feel better. I can breathe!!!!

Another symptom I had been having was a constant cough (that had been hanging around for about 2 months!) and green phlegm and a REALLY tight chest, along with shortness of breath. Not a pretty sight.

I told the doctor about the nurse AND doctor about this and I was told I did NOT have an infection because my lungs sounded clear. I was sent home on my way with the instruction to call back in a week if things had not improved.

Well, the week went by and my allergy symptoms were gone, but the cough and green junk and tight chest and shortness of breath were all still there. I spoke to the nurse, told her what was going on and I was put on hold while she spoke to the doctor. She gets back on and says that the doctor thinks it is bronchitis and that I should follow up with my primary care doctor.

OK.... now I am mad.

The remainder of the conversation was VERY strained...

ME: I was in YOUR office a week ago with these symptoms and NOTHING had been done
HER: Well the doctor said your lungs were clear, you need to see your primary care doctor we are slammed here.
ME: He is booked out for weeks, can't you call in some antibiotics for me?
HER: No, not without being seen.
ME: Can I get in YOUR office tomorrow?
HER: No, your doctor is out until Monday. You could always go to Urgent Care
ME: {{silence}}
HER: Hold on


The moral to this story: If you feel something is not right with your body and a doctor dismisses it, (I am not talking about hypochondriacs) keep pushing until someone takes you seriously. You are the only one in charge of your health care.


Needless to say, I got in the next day, and they waived my copay. Turns out I DID have bronchitis and I got my drugs so now I am feeling MUCH better.

5 comments:

Doug & April said...

I'm the same way. If I know something is wrong, they need to figure it out and FIX it. Oh, and even worse - when you've worked in a doctor's office like we have, you know how it works and what they are saying to you. I'm glad you are feeling better!

Kristina P. said...

Doctors can be insane! Glad you're feeling better.

Nonna said...

I am so glad your allergies are under control !

Last time I had bronchitis, my DR. gave me a nebulizer treatment with medicine in it right there in the office ( she wasn't my regular primary care then, but she is now )

I was there for almost 1 hour being monitored the whole time while she was seeing other patients and then she told me I was so sick that it had affected the oxygen intake into my bloodstream, which can be very dangerous and she sent me home with a bagful of meds.

I feel very lucky to have such a great DR. !

wendy said...

That's the kind of thing that makes you really really mad. Soemtimes people just dont' LISTEN!!

Matsby said...

I'm pretty sure that's Don Knotts coughing in that picture.

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