Wish me luck with my new Pulmonologist

[SjoDry]

Todays the day. Finally.. I can't even tell you how crazy my medical life has been. After seeing a pulmonologist 3 times (who absolutely took my inability to tolerate a new c-pap..very personally) and wrongly went down a Reflux rabbit hole..I made a choice to get a new doc.

When one stays in tachycardia at all times when walking , are having chest pain between 5-8 pain level every day and are coughing up white frothy sputum with blood (since Dec 22) three times a week..and the pulmonologist is only worried about re-checking your sleep apnea at the end of June..it's time for a change.

I was able to get an enhanced cat-scan last week, that showed no new changes. What? I thought cat scans would show everything. I had Bronchiectasis as a kid and thought it might be that again. Also, in the 2013-16 time period, a mediastinal nodule was seen on my scan. I kept asking about it until someone told me it was meaningless and everyone gets them. 😳Anyway, I thought that an enhanced cat scan would pick up on any of those type things.

At my 2nd appointment with the old Pulmonologist, she told me at my 2nd Appt. that I likely had Pulmonary Hypertension based on a scan that showed an enlarged pulmonary artery and because of my untreated sleep apnea since 2016. She explained that the RHC was the only definitive test to determine. When I went back to see her on March 3, I fully expected to hear her tell me that I needed a cat-scan or a RHC (right heart catheter). Ya'll this is maddening. There are days when my chest hurts so bad that I think Steve may find me dead on the floor when he comes home.

I don't know what the heck has happened since Covid to medical care. But I should not be in the situation I have been in, trying to choose between an expensive trip to the ER or a test that I cannot have for over a month!

So you will understand the frustration of my most recent blog post.
The Last Diagnosis.com

Fingers crossed that this afternoon's appointment goes well.

Take care.
SjoDry

[araminta]

Your symptoms sound horrible, Sjodry.   I do hope your appointment went well.

[SjoDry]

Thank you. I liked the doc. He told me that the cat scan showed Bronchiectasis and he does think I have Pulmonary Hypertension. He said that he may still need to go into my lung, but wants to treat me with antibiotics first to see if the bleeding stops. The doc ordered a sputum sample. I was given a referral for a dental sleep doctor to see if I can handle a dental device. At least I feel like I was given some definitive info and that helps.

Take care.
SjoDry

[araminta]

It sounds like you made the right decision to change your pulmonologist.   I'm very glad things went well,and I agree it makes a big difference when we are kept informed about what is going on with our treatment.   It's not nice hanging around for weeks wondering what, if anything, is being done.   I hope things become clearer soon, and that you will receive the appropriate treatment.