K
kyma3
Guest
Thought I might go ahead and start a new thread. I would have reported last night but I just wasn't in the mood. I got at the doctor's office at 11:30 ( appt. was for 11:40) and they put me back in the room at 12:00 and I didn't see the PA until 1:30. Needless to say I was already discouraged.
I will try and condense this report if I can. The PA I saw is the same one that I had always seen before my back surgery and have for at least 3 years. When she came in she immediately ask what the problem was and she got on her computer (heaven forbid they use actual paper charts any more). I started telling her about the bladder problem and the back pain that I have been having and also the swelling in my ankles and legs. During all this time I mention several times about "the surgery". I had already given her the CD for the MRI and the written report that was done at my family physician's center. I explained to her that my whole left side is a problem. At one time I stood up and she asked what I was doing and I told her that I was having severe pain at that particular time and I wanted to show her exactly how the pain traveled from my groin down to my ankle.
Now she starts the actual exam and my left side does not cooperate at all and she said "When did this all start????" She couldn't even get a reflex in my left knee and when I try and raise my left leg it shakes and I do not have any strength at all in that leg and my right leg is normal. I told her I thought I was getting better after the surgery but then when I had the major bladder problem over the Labor Day weekend everything has gotten worse. She then has me do the walk which I can't do and she seems to be very concerned. We then sit down and she asked me if I had read the MRI report and what I thought about it. I told her I really didn't understand the comment about Post surgical changes and she said that she didn't see anything wrong with the report. I said " Well, Pam, (another PA) had called me and stated that it showed a bulge at the L5/S1 and I needed to get into their office." She just shrugged her shoulder like well so!!! She kept looking at more pages in the computer and then said "Oh NO". I asked why she said that and she said "You had surgery this year!!!!" She said that does make this report bad. I thought I could strangle her. How did she not know my history before coming in to exam me???? I was so frustrated. She then proceeded to tell me that a MRI is not to be done until a YEAR has past from the surgery and now the only thing to do is a myelogram. I told her that my family physician's office called their office to ask what they wanted done since they could not see me during the Labor Day weekend. I don't know where the communication failed but I am so upset.
She never mentioned anything about the bladder problems and said that neurological problems do not cause swelling. She said you definitely have something going on but nothing they can do until the myelogram is done. I told her if the bladder problem is not coming from my spine then I need to see a Urologist but I feel like it is coming from the spine since I have the urge to urinate when I stand up but then when I sit down I don't have the urge anymore.
I am so MAD and don't know what to do at this point. I know it is hard to get another doctor to take over after you have had surgery by someone else. I actually like my doctor but you always see the PA's and not the doctor unless surgery is scheduled or it is the first follow up after surgery. Is everyone else done like this or do you actually see the surgeon? My sister told me not to make any rash decisions at this time because I am so upset so I will take a few days and try to figure out what is best. I am thinking about going to my family physician and talk to him and maybe he can call and talk to the surgeon.
Well this was longer then I wanted but it is still condensed down. Thanks for all of your support and I know you probably think why isn't she doing this or that but I am confused because the doctor is highly skilled and recommended by many but it is just getting through to him.
I will keep you all informed and thanks for being here for me.
Linda:angel:
I will try and condense this report if I can. The PA I saw is the same one that I had always seen before my back surgery and have for at least 3 years. When she came in she immediately ask what the problem was and she got on her computer (heaven forbid they use actual paper charts any more). I started telling her about the bladder problem and the back pain that I have been having and also the swelling in my ankles and legs. During all this time I mention several times about "the surgery". I had already given her the CD for the MRI and the written report that was done at my family physician's center. I explained to her that my whole left side is a problem. At one time I stood up and she asked what I was doing and I told her that I was having severe pain at that particular time and I wanted to show her exactly how the pain traveled from my groin down to my ankle.
Now she starts the actual exam and my left side does not cooperate at all and she said "When did this all start????" She couldn't even get a reflex in my left knee and when I try and raise my left leg it shakes and I do not have any strength at all in that leg and my right leg is normal. I told her I thought I was getting better after the surgery but then when I had the major bladder problem over the Labor Day weekend everything has gotten worse. She then has me do the walk which I can't do and she seems to be very concerned. We then sit down and she asked me if I had read the MRI report and what I thought about it. I told her I really didn't understand the comment about Post surgical changes and she said that she didn't see anything wrong with the report. I said " Well, Pam, (another PA) had called me and stated that it showed a bulge at the L5/S1 and I needed to get into their office." She just shrugged her shoulder like well so!!! She kept looking at more pages in the computer and then said "Oh NO". I asked why she said that and she said "You had surgery this year!!!!" She said that does make this report bad. I thought I could strangle her. How did she not know my history before coming in to exam me???? I was so frustrated. She then proceeded to tell me that a MRI is not to be done until a YEAR has past from the surgery and now the only thing to do is a myelogram. I told her that my family physician's office called their office to ask what they wanted done since they could not see me during the Labor Day weekend. I don't know where the communication failed but I am so upset.
She never mentioned anything about the bladder problems and said that neurological problems do not cause swelling. She said you definitely have something going on but nothing they can do until the myelogram is done. I told her if the bladder problem is not coming from my spine then I need to see a Urologist but I feel like it is coming from the spine since I have the urge to urinate when I stand up but then when I sit down I don't have the urge anymore.
I am so MAD and don't know what to do at this point. I know it is hard to get another doctor to take over after you have had surgery by someone else. I actually like my doctor but you always see the PA's and not the doctor unless surgery is scheduled or it is the first follow up after surgery. Is everyone else done like this or do you actually see the surgeon? My sister told me not to make any rash decisions at this time because I am so upset so I will take a few days and try to figure out what is best. I am thinking about going to my family physician and talk to him and maybe he can call and talk to the surgeon.
Well this was longer then I wanted but it is still condensed down. Thanks for all of your support and I know you probably think why isn't she doing this or that but I am confused because the doctor is highly skilled and recommended by many but it is just getting through to him.
I will keep you all informed and thanks for being here for me.
Linda:angel:
M
but I am so glad that you do get such personal attention. tmv you also described a problem that I have with my bladder also. What is really strange is yesterday my bladder was not as bad and today the leg swelling is better. How come I can see the connection but they can't? We are suppose to go on vacation next week for four days but I am not sure if I am going to feel up to it. My sciatic is really acting up. Well everyone take care and when I decide what I am going to do I will let everyone know.