| What Do We Do??? |
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A recent bout with a UTI got me to thinking......Are we as MS patients expected to know what to do all the time? I have had MS symptoms for a few weeks consisting of, weakness, difficulty with bladder control, vision problems. These symptoms ran the whole gambit of MS symptoms out of control. Call after call to my neuro,
asking what is going on. Let's wait a few days was about the best answer I
received. I started to feel much worse, took my temperature, and low and
behold a temp of 102°. Finally, I felt a sense of relief, there was a reason
for this problem, an infection. Judging from past history, it was probably a UTI infection. A quick call to my neuro, and bam, dead end. "You have to call your GP, we don't give out meds for UTI's". Speed Dial the GP. Their response, a very rehearsed "The doctor cannot prescribe medication without seeing the patient." "Well, I would like to make an appointment".
"Sorry we are at the end of our day". "OK, so what do I do now?" As the nurse so kindly informed me, she could call in an order for a urine culture. Within 3 days they will have the results, and I could come in and see the doctor at that time. In my calmest voice, I informed her that a high temperature was
not good for my MS and I needed immediate action, as Advil was not lowering
my temperature. Again, she insisted this was the best she could do. So I
sat there for a while, thinking, wondering, was that really the best she
could do?
I speed dialed the Neuro again, talked to the nurse clinician. Her advice, which
was the only advice I really received. "Go to the ER right away. Knowing I
would pretty much lose the rest of my day in the Er makes me get uptight
and not want to go. But in this case, I couldn't have gotten there faster.
I wanted to feel better. The temp was taking it's toll and walking was much
more difficult as each hour passed. After a 3 hour wait, just to get in the
ER, I finally got to see a doctor! WooHoo! I felt like I had finally made headway!
After a number of urine and blood tests, I was informed I had Pyelonephritis,
a fancy term for a kidney infection. This was pretty serious because
they were contemplating admitting me, much to my dismay. A very high white
blood count, and urine that was definitely infected caused them and myself
alarm. I was given Cipro and told to go home and rest, but if I get worse, I
should come back immediately. And follow up tomorrow with my GP.
The next day in my GP's office, he looks at the form I showed him from the
hospital. His eyes bug out of his head and he repeats that term meaning
kidney infection. Amazed that I was not admitted to the hospital. He tells
me I should have called him a long time ago, before the infection got so bad.
Which would have been a smart thing to do, had I known I had an infection? I
have limited sensation, so there is no burning. I did not run a temp until
the day I called. So, how was I supposed to know what was wrong?
MS symptoms are worsening, you call your Neuro. You have a the flu, you call
your GP. That's what I always thought. But when you have a chronic disease
such as MS, that could be an actual exacerbation, or merely a pseudo
exacerbation due to infection. How do you, the patient know for sure? We
would like to think we know our bodies, but with a disease such as this, we
know nothing. Each day brings something new. We as MS patients are
expected to manage these symptoms, as well as diagnose ourselves??? On my
next visit to both Doctors I plan on setting up some type of game plan to
find out what they expect of me as a patient. I'm willing to comply with
anything they want. I just wanted to be treated fairly, and attended to with
respect. I feel a GP who has a patient with MS, should become more familiar
with MS if they agree to take that patient on in their practice. I have a
great relationship with my Neuro and the Nurse Clinician. And thank them for
having the smarts to tell me to go to the ER. A kidney infection can be very
serious if not treated. And our MS can become much worse with infection. So
the main theme behind this essay is....
DOCS LET'S GET THE COMMUNICATION GOING!
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| -Copyright 2002-2003 Michelle Tapia . |
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