Doctors!!!!

I have had some annoying health issues that have been lasting more than a year and may finally have found a doctor who is listening to me.
Here' the short version of what is going on. Last year got a cockatiel. Within a month began to cough severely and had sinus problems. Went to a general practioner/allergy doctor who did a scratch test and told me I was allergic to the bird, dogs, dust mites. Told me to get rid of the bird, dogs, and tear out the carpetingand put me on antibiotics because I had sinusitis. Got rid of the bird, kept the dogs(sorry that is just NOT an option) and can't tear out carpeting because I rent the house we live in. He was not happy and continually harped on that every time I saw him. Did a chest rad, saw scarring. I was a heavy smoker who had chronic bronchitis in the past and 1 episode of pnuemonia a long time ago. He said "yeah that could do it, or you could have cancer" That's it, no follow rad, no pulmonary work up, no bloodwork, nothing. Instead I'm told that I need to start allergy shots and we'll start next time. Oh and here's an inhaler for asthma. I told him I didn't feel that we have covered all avenues to assume to just do allergy shots. I got quite some attitude about that and he said "if you want to get better, just do what I say". To which I said, good bye and never saw him again.
Doc #2 was a ENT specialist who confirmed sinusitis, did a ct scan of my sinuses and said I had polyps in my sinuses. Put me on more of the same antibiotics(despite the fact I told him I was sick as a dog on it and probably shouldn't take it again). He said if I had another attack to we would need to drain them. Completely ignores that I'm having coughing attacks once daily where I'm coughing so bad that I make myself sick.
Now around January I stop coughing and back to normal. Enter September and guess what? I'm coughing again!!! Bad!!! Go back to the ENT guy and tell him what is going on and expect to talk about surgery. Instead I'm told that what I have is minor and not worth surgery. So I'm placed on more antibiotics. Now mind you, I now have to alert doctors that I have an allergy to augmenten because no one listened to me and kept putting me on the stuff saying that I was exaggerating and I wind up in the hospital because of that. So he puts me on a different antibiotic and it did nothing. I was set to go back and tell him this, but then I got bit at work and had to go on different antibiotics for that. Figured I'd see how I respond to that and then see the doctor and let him know. Worked great for the hand, nothing for the cough.
I finally decided to go to a third doctor yesterday and may finally have some answers. After I told him the above story he couldn't believe it. He thinks that I have seasonal allergies an asthma but that no one did anything to get it under control. I am now on 2 asthma meds, one long lasting and another for quick acting, steroids, a med that treats both asthma and allergies for long term use and Claritin. He also ordered a slew of bloodwork to which i'm going today for. He says I should be breathing better by Friday and if I'm not that we know to go a different route. Within one night of taking the meds and following the protocol (one med I take every 4-6 hours for the next four days) I am starting to notice some improvement. I'm still coughing, but it's not as bad and I didn't have a coughing attack last night for the first time in a month!! He couldn't believe that i was just continually placed on antibiotics and never had the issues addressed.
You have no idea how happy I am to be able to wake up today and not cough right away. I hope to God this one works out. I just don't know why I got so poo-pooed by the other ones considering I work with animals and am aware of alot of what they talk about and do. Just keep your fingers crossed for me.

I'm glad you finally found a doctor who would listen to you. Unfortunately, that has become so rare. They get paid the same whether they take the time to listen to you and give you proper treatment or they write a script for you and send you on out so they can rush the next patient in and do the same.

for athsma Advair is EXCELLENT, so if the claritin and anything else dosnt work well ask your new doc about that.

Im so sorry you had to go through a JERK one to end up finding one that could help you out! Keep him! good doc's are rare!

It's been 24 hours since I started the meds and i notice I'm feeling alot better. Tried to get the bloodwork done today, but they couldn't find a vein and I'm not one prone to repeated stabbings. Plus I hadn't eaten in 16 hours and was starting to get nauseous and light headed. I'm going back tomorrow for try #2 and hopefully it will be better.

There is a reason why they say doctors are practicing.

Originally Posted by techgirl

It's been 24 hours since I started the meds and i notice I'm feeling alot better. Tried to get the bloodwork done today, but they couldn't find a vein and I'm not one prone to repeated stabbings. Plus I hadn't eaten in 16 hours and was starting to get nauseous and light headed. I'm going back tomorrow for try #2 and hopefully it will be better.

Spend the rest of the day today and tomorrow before the appointment drinking as much water as you can stomach. Hydration is key for people with poor veins. They will have a much easier time getting the vein if your hydrated.

I'm a hard stick and the nurses cuss up a storm trying to find a vein on me. Last time I had blood work done it took 2 failed sticks in my left arm, 3 failed sticks in my right arm, 1 failed stick in the top of my left hand, and finally a successful stick on the top of my right hand to get the blood. 7 times I had to get stabbed by that needle. My arms were black and blue for a couple weeks after that assult.

Originally Posted by Rebel Dragons

Spend the rest of the day today and tomorrow before the appointment drinking as much water as you can stomach. Hydration is key for people with poor veins. They will have a much easier time getting the vein if your hydrated.

I'm a hard stick and the nurses cuss up a storm trying to find a vein on me. Last time I had blood work done it took 2 failed sticks in my left arm, 3 failed sticks in my right arm, 1 failed stick in the top of my left hand, and finally a successful stick on the top of my right hand to get the blood. 7 times I had to get stabbed by that needle. My arms were black and blue for a couple weeks after that assult.

I would except that it has to be a fasting sample. So after midnight tonight I can't take anything by mouth including water until they draw my blood. I am drinking as much as I can now to try and hydrate myself for try number 2. Even the doctor on tonight noticed a difference in my breathing and coughing and can't believe it. I hope I stay this way.

You beat me to it Mike. Hydration is so important even if you have "good" veins.

Originally Posted by Rebel Dragons

Spend the rest of the day today and tomorrow before the appointment drinking as much water as you can stomach. Hydration is key for people with poor veins. They will have a much easier time getting the vein if your hydrated.

I'm a hard stick and the nurses cuss up a storm trying to find a vein on me. Last time I had blood work done it took 2 failed sticks in my left arm, 3 failed sticks in my right arm, 1 failed stick in the top of my left hand, and finally a successful stick on the top of my right hand to get the blood. 7 times I had to get stabbed by that needle. My arms were black and blue for a couple weeks after that assult.

BLECH, thats totally going to make me pass out. i HATE needles. ( i know but i can get a tattoo right?) *gets all squeamishy* ew ew ew ew ew!

Well the good news is that I got my blood drawn on the first stick today!!! they had to go into my hand to do it but they got it!!! I went to the one by my MIL's house since it was closer. they even said that my veins were crappy. Now just got to wait and see what it says.