Please let me offload...

[uker]

Don't know what s going on.  Last couple of weeks have been really ill, haven't really recovered since chest infection and severe neutropaenia.  Started to shake a lot, specially in the mornings, and sweating like nothing before - wet bed, wet hair. Stopped taking the Salagen cause I know that does make me sweat a bit, but to no avail. Eyes really painful. Completely hyperactive.  Then started to feel really unwell with it, really out of it.
So, finally went to see GP yesterday- only got to see him after husband pleaded on phone for appointment.  Could barely stand up, and was being sick every now and then, but I have never asked for a home visit, and can't bring myself to do it.
Doc was very kind and got straight to business.  Full urgent blood tests, chest x-ray.  Upped my prednisolone to 30 mg daily, antibiotics.  So far, so good.  I then went to the clinic queue for blood test - which he had marked URGENT.  Po faced lady tells me that it will be an hour to an hour and a half wait.  So I wait, plastic bag in hand in case I am sick, sweating and embarrased sitting in a room with about 40 people in it.  2hours later I see people coming in after me going in for their tests.  I go back to the lady and ask where I am on the list and she looks on her pc and says I am not on it.  Did I book in?  Who with?  I explain HER.  So she puts me on the system again. I ask if I will be at the top, and she says no and there are 11 people in front of me.  At this point my husband appears wondering where on earth I am and I just lose it. Burst into to tears, demand my test form back and rush out.
So, I find a private hospital that offers blood tests - yes I know I will have to pay for it but don't care any more. Am greeted like a person.  Nurse appears within 3 minutes, blood test done.  Will be faxed to doc first thing this morning. Phew.
I phone doc this afternoon to see if test has arrived.  Receptionist says I don't know.  I say will you check please and she says well I can't really because it could be on anybody's desk and "I am about to leave for the afternoon". 
I have just phoned hospital lab, who say they cannot give me results over he phone - of course I could be anybody, so I do understand, but they will post them first-class to me on the address they have on their system.  Hopefully I will get them tomorrow morning. Then at least I can phone my lovely rheumy who will tell me what to do next.
And my husband sees oncologist on Tuesday to find out if cancer is still in remission, so all prayers gratefully received.......

[Scottietottie]

Hi Uker

Wow! I'm sorry you're feeling so awful. The treatment at the clinic sounds absolutely outrageous. When you feel a little better you should write to the clinic manager about that and complain.

I hope the tests show something up that can be dealt with soon. Overactive thyroid comes to mind but I'm no medic so that's probably nonsense.
I hope you get your results really soon and see the doc to make sense of them.

I also hope your husband gets good news when he sees the oncologist.

((((( Uker )))))

Keep us posted! Take care - Scottie 

[Pooh]

First off Uker, we have missed you.  Second - WOW! I totally understand why you haven't been on board for a while. 

The treatment you received at your clinic sounds like a certain person at my lab clinic that I haven't wanted to smack upside her head numerous times.  She is the rudest person I have EVER met.  I told her one time, her attitude needed adjustment.  She just glared at me, finished my registration and yelled "NEXT".  But you know the next time I went she was a lot nicer. 

I hope the results of your tests show where the doctor can treat you.  {{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}} Uke.  please take care and let us know how you make out. 

I pray hubby gets an excellent report and is still in remission.  Isn't that a lovely word "REMISSION". 

Hugs & God Bless,
Pooh

[irish]

uker, I am so sorry that you are feeling so rotten. You really are having a tough time of it. Hope the blood work is done soon. Also, hope that the lab sends the blood work to your doc.

When you talk with your doc you need to tell him what happened at the lab. Also, I would report them to the clinic or hospital as this is really lack of responsibilty. I I have had similar things happen to me but not when I have been so ill. What these people are thinking of that they "lose" a patient is beyond me.

Please let us know how you are doing and keep us informed on your hubby's health also. Irish

[wen.uk]

Hi UKer

It stinks when things like that happen - then they have the front to look at you like it's your fault!!!  I hope you get your results through soon and I pray that everything works out well with your husband too.  Sending you both a cyber hug.

Wen x

[Patze]

Hi Urker,

Wow, you sure need some giant

(((((((((( HHHUUUUUGGGGGGSSSSSS ))))))))))

Please hang in there and keep us updated on you and hubby (I'll keep y'all in my thoughts and prayers!).


Patze

[uker]

Thanks all, as ever, every single reply helps.  Have discovered that 30mg prednisolone is making me somewhat
overactive (but I think in a good way) and it has eased the sweating no end.  Only problem was in bed last night I started (a) writing my letter of complaint to clinic manager (b) working out what food I need for Christmas (c) looking at my sleeping husband thinking through all the options etc.  So, got up and wrote a list or three.  Then picked out the most lightweight book I could find on the shelves and read for a couple of hours.  But, the pain everywhere was nowhere near as bad as it has been.  Trouble is, it reminds you what life used to be like.
Will keep you posted as my week progresses.
Hugs to all of you too.

[Scottietottie]

Hi - I'm glad the pred is making you feel a bit better. When will you get the blood test results back and explained?

Take care - Scottie 

[uker]

Hi Scottie, well hospital lab put them in post yesterday so should at least have my copy by Monday morning - Christmas post allowing of course - so I will at least be able to see anything obvious and ring rheumy as she has Monday morning clinic and is always very good about phoning me.  I am also due to go back to GP for follow up so I just have to face walking into the surgery again.  Feels like a bit of a mountain at the moment.
Have had a bit of a dip this afternoon and feeling pretty rough again.  Glands in either side of neck are also very swollen, although I thought if it was thyroid it would be in the middle of neck.  Who knows.
I will let you know.

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

Hope your package arrives prompt on Monday. Sorry you're having a 'dip'. You're right - the thyroid is in the middle of the neck. It doesn't always show though - even when it goes wrong.
Hopefully you'll get some answers next week. Sorry your glands are so swollen. Rest up if you can.

Take care - Scottie 

[salsen]

I am glad to hear you are feeling somewhat better.  I will keep both you and your husband in my prayers for good news at the beginning of this week.

Possibly you can call your insurance company and discuss with them the MAJOR problems you had at the clinic and how badly they mishandled your case.  Would they consider paying something on the blood work if they know the problems you had.  At the very least your doctor and the head of the clinic should become aware of the poor performance of their work staff.  Dealing with this type of problem when you are feeling so badly is the pits. 

Take care of yourself.  I'll keep good thoughts for you and hubby!

[beverley]

Uker hope you get your results promptly after all that messing about to get your test done.  I am thinking of you and your husband and keeping my fingers crossed for good news.
Beverley

[uker]

Well blood tests in this morning, and for those of you who these mean anything to, only meaningful results were:
White Blood Count  11.8  (H)
Neutrophils             8.35 (H)
Monocytes              1.49 (H)
Basophils                0.11 (H)
Chloride                    95 (L)
TSH                       0.778
Have spoken to rheumy this morning who is sending me for CT scan on Wednesday to exclude Lymphoma, and
will then see her to discuss what next.
Does this thing just go on and on and on.........

[Scottietottie]

Hi 

I'm not good on blood results but the TSH looks OK to me. (It's thyroid related) It's at the low end of the range, but OK.  Hopefully somebody else will explain the others!!

I can see they are all high except the one that's low but I just don't know what they mean! 

Take care - Scottie 

[uker]

Hi Scottie, the only one I can really figure out is the Low Chloride and I think this is just because I
have been sweating so much.   Hopefully all will become clear in the next few days.  Just want
a normal Christmas really.