My mind is so busy these days. I'm full of questions and I hope beyond hope, I don't wear you all out. :)
I've been on leave (short-term disability) from my job since May. I started having pain in my left side in February and it became chronic. My doctors put me thru a ration of tests (HIDA scan, gall bladder tests, CT scans, bloodwork) and they decided to remove my gall bladder as it wasn't working anyway. After that, I went through an EGD and colonoscopy. All normal. Then I started thinking...can any of this be related to my Chiari. I've gone literally years without complications from my Chiari but I had noticed that my headaches were back. The ringing in my ears never went away and now seems to be even worse; numbness, tingling and prickly feelings in my left side (arm, leg, foot). I decided to gather up my medical records so I contacted my neurosurgeon's office and got my records from them. When going through my records, I see things mentioned like "Schmorl's nodes", "endplate deformities", "Scheuermann disease" and "thoracic dextroscoliosis". Unless I was strung out on some really strong pain meds, I don't remember my doctor EVER mentioning any of these things to me. These records are from 2004, so we are now talking 8 years ago. Had I known these things were present, I could have done something to make sure it didn't progress.
Are doctors required to share this information with their patient? I swear, I don't remember him ever saying anything about these things; some of which I'm still researching.
Yes, I agree. It may be overwhelming but yes we do need to know. I have had a Cine MRI and I've had decompression done back in 2005. I suppose I need to go see a neuro but since I've not been followed by one, I don't know where I'll begin. My family doctor has been a pain to deal with but will see what I can find out.
Thank you for responding. Sometimes, even if there are no answers, it just helps having others who understand things. :)
The NS I had in 2005 is now strictly doing pediatrics. :( I'm trying to get my family doctor to help figure out where to go. Sometimes it just seems hopeless.
Well something very similair happened with my son. Although my doctor told me that he didn't have mennigitis in the hospital I found out later he had chemical mennigitis later through a letter to his pedi.
I had my Gallbladder out in OCT 2011, I've had terrible stomach problems for yrs..The problem that I keep facing with the Dr's is taking new symptoms seriously? I had a car accident in 2004 and then Surgery in 2006...That surgery couldn't have gone worse. I have been disabled ever sense and every time I go to the PCP they blame it on issues from the Surgery or meds.
In 2008 I was so sick I thought I wasn't going to make it, it took 5 trips to the ER before a Dr finally caught I had Pancreatitis.. So fast forward to 2011 again after months of stomach pain and I went from 120lbs to104 lbs in a 6 week period, they finally started running tests and found out my gallbladder was a problem. I was scheduled for surgery the following Monday! Friday came and it was worse and couldn't take the pain anymore..
Finally they admitted me but here's the kicker...The Surgeon had plans with family and refused to come in over the weekend ?? REALLY
After I was released I too gathered all my records and started seeking specialist's in Denver! It turns out that the Gallbladder was compromised in 2008 when I was treated for my Pancreatitis.. Also found out I had an Ulcer, Diverticulitis, a node on my right lung and fluid around my heart?
The question isn't "What Should Dr's Release" but "What do they legally have to release'". The answer is... legally they don't have to release anything to the patient that will have a negative affect on the patient. I worked for a major insurer in appeals until I could no longer work , due to CM post op symptoms. I read medical records daily. You would be amazed at what Dr's actually write about patients. They actually have guidelines on what they can give out but basically it is up to their sole discretion. Sad but true....
Tracy, you're very right! Legally, I needed to know what they are required to release. I've actually contacted an attorney (here in Kentucky) and he has stated that I definitely need to speak with someone soon due to the statue of limitation. I don't know if anything can be done but it seems to me that if tests are done that show debilitating issues, such as scoliosis and degenerative diseases, that should be something that a doctor should have to release. However, that is just my personal opinion. I appreciate your post. What we WANT to know and what a doctor is legally required to release, doesn't always happen to be the same thing.
Dlm, I agree. I think you're info was definitely worth passing along to you! Bless your heart! I am so sorry to hear that you've suffered for so many years! I do understand the frustration as well as the pain that goes along with it. The key is definitely finding a doctor who will take the time to be thorough and not stop until they can give an answer. It's not always that simple but I sure hope that things level out for you! Tonia
I hope you get the answers you need and in the meantime feel better. I do understand my symptoms have been gone for over 10 years now and are starting to come back. I am going to have to go through this same process.
Oh Amy, I'm so sorry to hear that! I'm right there with you though. I understand where you are and it's not a place either of us want to be! :( I'm here if I can do anything to help!