Late last December, Don started experiencing severe pain in his leg (thigh) and in his lower back. When it happened that he tried to stand and ended up falling to the floor, barely missing hitting his head on the corner of a marble table top we made a trip to the Sarasota hospital emergency room. He was there for six hours, had an Xray on his back, never actually saw a doctor but was give five days worth of pain medications -- no explanation of what might be causing the pain. A few days later he went to the ER again but was told to go see his doctor and sent home. A doctor visit resulted in five more days of pain medication, no other follow-up. The leg pain is most likely nerve damage from his years of working construction. The lower back and side pain -- related to work history? Shameless bid for pain meds?
When we returned to Vermont, Don went back to his regular doctor. I told him to ask about a kidney stone but he was told, "unlikely since the pain was intermittent." A second time -- he was finally sent for a kidney scan. Back to his PCP, who prescribed Flomax and said she would see him again in a month. Maybe then they would discuss a referral to a urologist if he didn't pass the stone.
The stone is 1.9 cm. CENTIMETERS not millimeters.
Doctor Google lists the symptoms of a kidney stone and Don has been having at least six of them:
Pain around the side, lower back, and or groin. Check
Nausea and vomiting Check
Fever ?
Frequent urge to urinate Check
Blood in urine Check
Painful urination Check
Inbility to find a comfortable position Check
Yesterday Don was in so much pain while he was out working in his storage unit that he once again ended up in the ER at The University Health Center in Burlington (via ambulance). Yes, he was prescribed some pain meds but he also will get an emergency appointment with a urologist. There is no likelihood that a kidney boulder is going to pass naturally.
This doesn't seem like normal medical care.
That is just awful. I am so sorry.
ReplyDelete"normal medical care" is hard to come by these days. The wait time for an appointment is long and the attention is short. I have been fortunate but it could still be a lot better. The problem is that since covid so many medical providers left that now everywhere they are short staffed. It doesn't look good for our future.
ReplyDeleteI hope Dons gets care ad relief soon.
I'm sorry. I have my own stories, too. I am really sorry your husband has to suffer when no one seems to take an interest in solving the problem.
ReplyDeleteHealth care has really become much less considered of possibilities and more of an assembly line process. Sometimes hoofbeats are zebras. I do hope Don's surgery goes well, and his pain is resolved quickly.
ReplyDeleteI hope Don gets successful treatment soon so he can heal and the pain stop.
ReplyDeleteAs you know we've been through medical hell. We have seen great medical care and then care as you described. I hope Don (and you) get relief quickly!!
ReplyDeleteHorrible!!! I hope they can find the true cause of his pain and cure him. It's awful to be in so much pain.
ReplyDeleteWe've had similar experiences. So sorry it's happening to you and Don as well.
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