at what point do you reach out to your doctor?

[Tobra]

LOTS of pediatricians have two waiting rooms, one for the sick kids, one for the routine visit kids.

Originally Posted by sc_rufctr

"at what point do you reach out to your doctor?" = Pain!

Freakin' dudes always do this. Women call when they don't like how it looks. Guys call when they can't walk

I misspoke regarding not doing a blood test for DVT.

D dimer test is looking at protein in your blood associated with blood clots. That one tells you if you have a clot, venous doppler tells you where you have a clot. I guess the former is what an internist would get, the latter what a surgeon would get.

[wildthing]

You guys have a doctor you can reach out to?

I have never had a PCP...

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by stevej37

Ahh..the old 'Dutch Oven'

"Covered Wagon".

The worst is when it's someone ELSE that is being stubborn. I can't make someone else go see a doctor, but choking them out and dragging unconscious into the ER has crossed my mind a few times.

[PorscheGAL]

For minor things: some CVS pharmacies have a what they call a Minute Clinic. You can register online and it will contact you when it is time for you to show up.

Our local Urgent Care place does the same thing. You register online, tell them how long it will take for you to get there and they text you when they are ready for you to show up. The only wait is if you need to fill out paperwork.

For you that don't want to wait in a waiting room, you may want to check if this is an option near you.

[jcommin]

I will be 70 this year and I have more aches and pains than normal. I have hand cramping that has just gets worse every year. After some tests and (2) MRIs, I have carpal tunnel and arthritis in my left hand/arm. I have ankle pain in my left leg and after x-ray and an MRI, that is arthritic too.

The good new is I'm aging appropriately and the bad news is I'm aging appropriately.

[Gretch]

Originally Posted by jcommin

i will be 70 this year and i have more aches and pains than normal. I have hand cramping that has just gets worse every year. After some tests and (2) mris, i have carpal tunnel and arthritis in my left hand/arm. I have ankle pain in my left leg and after x-ray and an mri, that is arthritic too.

The good new is i'm aging appropriately and the bad news is i'm aging appropriately.

best post of the thread /\/\

[NY65912]

I had 2 DVTs in my right leg in the middle of August. I had been to my Vascular Surgeon a week before to discuss taking care of my varicose veins and the Doppler scans were clear. I started having leg discomfort which seemed to mimic pain from my varicose veins the week before being diagnosed. Mind you, I had just come off of a Lovenox injection everyday for the past 10 weeks which was post 3 level ACDF surgery.

I awoke with real pain in my leg inside the thigh above the knee and just below my crotch. I went to work and about 10 am called my doc. He said come right in,. We did another Doppler and found 2 DVTs. Boy was I surprised!

I was immediately put back on Lovenox. I saw a hematologist and he prescribed Xarelto and in a week everything was clear. I did not tolerate Xarelto well, muscle pain, and was switched to Eliquis.

I came off of Eliquis the beginning of Feb and am now on 2 - 81mg aspirin for life.

Believe me, I KNEW there was something wrong and called the doc right away. The DVTs were very painful, I could hardly walk.

I say, call if you have a hunch or feeling something is not right.

[gchappel]

I absolutely agree that we should reach out to our doctors if we are having symptoms.
The real issue I see here is a patient has leg pain. They think, gee that might be dvt.
There are probably 10,000 reasons for leg pain, but dvt came out of the blue.
Instead of having an actual physical exam that may help with the diagnosis, it sounds like a blood test was ordered over the phone. If it was d dimer, that has a 25-60% false positive rate. If positive that would lead to other tests. This random testing because I think I might have this or that is costing the country Billions.
Go and actually see a professional. We make fun of people trying to fix their own cars and ordering parts on line. Why should we support doing the same thing with our bodies?
Gary

[Rikao4]

about those Dr. in Box's places
it's a gamble as to the skill level...
recent visit...'you have a bad cold..'.
laying in the ER a few hrs later in septic shock..
had she not insisted we go..
and waited few more hrs...
I wouldn't be typing this..

Rika

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by Rikao4

about those Dr. in Box's places
it's a gamble as to the skill level...
recent visit...'you have a bad cold..'.
laying in the ER a few hrs later in septic shock..
had she not insisted we go..
and waited few more hrs...
I wouldn't be typing this..

Rika

That is true of most every profession.

Match fact. 50% of doctors graduated in the bottom half of the class. (Same for lawyers) Same for Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, or any other medial practitioner. Some fools even go to see the chiropractor for everything. They are not going to help your DVT, or high blood pressure.

[sammyg2]

My last check-up was close to 10 years ago and the wife was bugging me about it, so two weeks ago I went to see the doc.
Two days later, the nice paramedics gave me a ride with to the ER.

See what happens?
I was fine until I went to the doctor.

[VincentVega]

This is sort of comforting, at least knowing I'm the only one. Sure doesnt help the issue(s) though.

Tweaked my back ~2 weeks ago. Pain, stiff, right leg a bit slow to respond. Ice, heat, stretch, a few pills to take the edge off and I'm ok now. Except my right leff is tingly below my knee. Still functions but jut not right. How long do I deal with this, assuming it will just go away? We arent the smartest of creatures sometimes.

[speeder]

Originally Posted by rusnak

"Covered Wagon".

The worst is when it's someone ELSE that is being stubborn. I can't make someone else go see a doctor, but choking them out and dragging unconscious into the ER has crossed my mind a few times.

ER doc: “Well, they were fine until somehow the oxygen flow to their brain got cut-off.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

Tweaked my back ~2 weeks ago. Pain, stiff, right leg a bit slow to respond. Ice, heat, stretch, a few pills to take the edge off and I'm ok now. Except my right leff is tingly below my knee. Still functions but jut not right. How long do I deal with this, assuming it will just go away? We arent the smartest of creatures sometimes.

I would deal with it and assume it will go away, but I would be wrong.

I had back pain that was really cramping my lifestyle. After 8 or 9 months I finally went to a doctor who diagnosed it as arthritis and sciatica. The doc sent me to a spine specialist, who recommend physical therapy. It worked out great. I wish I had gone to him sooner.

[Crowbob]

Hoo boy. I'd definitely go to the ER stat if I had ankle pain in my leg!

[Mothy]

My wife is a Veterinarian. When she says go to the doctor, I listen to her advice.

I also listen to my body - its amazing how many times I have thought 'that doesn't look/feel right' and been glad I followed through.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Gretch

best post of the thread /\/\

You're like the old fart on the "Muppet Show". I'm sure you think that we are all so much better off having been enlightened by your chimed in chaff. Can't wait for the next one to force it's way past your amyloid beta plaque; we should be so lucky.

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by VincentVega

This is sort of comforting, at least knowing I'm the only one. Sure doesnt help the issue(s) though.

Tweaked my back ~2 weeks ago. Pain, stiff, right leg a bit slow to respond. Ice, heat, stretch, a few pills to take the edge off and I'm ok now. Except my right leff is tingly below my knee. Still functions but jut not right. How long do I deal with this, assuming it will just go away? We arent the smartest of creatures sometimes.

If Tobra tells you to go, go.

[cassisrot]

I’m a firm believer in 911. If you need help that’s the quickest way to get it and keep y’all alive til you get to emergency. Why f around when you could die while scratching around. Call 911!!!