No one ever has said that to us
@GardenGerty (169447)
United States
September 21, 2021 7:35pm CST
Okay, so I went with hubby to a new doctor today. He was as puzzled as we were by the "lab report" hubby got locally that had actually been sent out of town.
He told us that the regular doctor was concerned because Bob's Creatinine levels were elevated, slightly. And have been for about a year and a half. We had been told about the creatinine before.
He also says that Bob has "heart failure" according to his medical records. I suspected as much, but two different cardiologists have treated Bob and never outright said those two words "heart failure". He says that may be the reason there is not enough blood flow to the kidneys. The new doctor also said that Doctors often "dance around" and avoid saying that something is heart failure.
Dr. Reed, the new doctor, says that once it is put in your medical records it is always there, but that there may be improvement. (I doubt it. We see the cardiologist for new tests in October.)
Why can't they just all speak plain English? We have been told his output is such and such a percentage, but that means nothing to us. Dr. Reed says that kind of language actually means heart failure.
So from today, Bob got new lab work, both blood and urine. He will have a sonogram with Dr. Reed when they make that appointment. I think I need to ask for a VA consult to help with the cost.
22 people like this
20 responses
@spiderdust (14756)
• San Jose, California
22 Sep 21
I've noticed that a lot of doctors seem to be reluctant to diagnose conditions, like asthma or heart failure. I think it's because once it is there, it counts as a pre-existing condition. Instead, they do the dance that you mentioned, and say "asthma-like symptoms", etc.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
That is possible. He does not have symptoms like swelling,in the legs etc. though and has never had stents. We see the cardiologist next month.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
This doctor did not find the reported symptoms to be consistent with that, though.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
24 Sep 21
@rakski More likely they over reported.
1 person likes this
@rakski (156260)
• Philippines
23 Sep 21
@GardenGerty because the other doctors might not reported that?
1 person likes this
@ElusiveButterfly (45941)
• United States
22 Sep 21
They should never give you a song and dance when it comes to your healthcare. I am glad the new doctor is telling you like it is.
Praying for a positive outcome for your husband. Big hugs to you lady.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
Thank you. Not sure what will come of it or how it would change anything.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
No, no t TriCare. We do ask for specialists to be covered as VA consult.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
24 Sep 21
@rebelann I am glad they are being cared for.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (97957)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Sep 21
I wish you both the very best and I will put Bob in my prayers,
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
The doctor that likely said this is no longer my husband's cardiologist.We will see the other one in October.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
22 Sep 21
Sounds like progress. Hope Dr Reed finds a way to make things "better" if not "cured".
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
He will do a sonogram of his kidneys sometime soon.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (51811)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
23 Sep 21
@GardenGerty The sooner the better.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (208801)
• United States
23 Sep 21
They probably don't want to be overly negative. Sometimes really watching your salt and your diet helps a great deal. A former roomie here had it, and he was able to substantially improve his condition.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
We were already scheduled for next month's cardiologist appointments. I am sure we will hear more.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
22 Sep 21
Even my doctor would not say it is 'heart failure' Patients could panic.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
Or patients could make good choices.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17239)
• China
23 Sep 21
Doctors always understate the patients' condition to their faces,lest they should be weighed down with cares.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
iam sure that could be one aspect, but he also does not have certain symptoms that would be consistent with heart failure.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86604)
• United States
22 Sep 21
Oh, those wacky doctors. 
When I went to the ER last month, thinking I might have kidney stones, they came in and said, “No stones, your urine and blood work’s fine.” What they DIDN’T tell me is that I had a urinary tract infection. (And I guess their rationale is why should they tell me about it because that’s not why I was there! 
)
I’ve reached the point where I dread going to doctors, especially at the VA, because I never see the same one twice. My “civilian” primary care doctor is great. It seems like everybody’s gone nuts. And yes, I realize they’re overworked BOC (because of covid), but sheesh……
When I went to the ER last month, thinking I might have kidney stones, they came in and said, “No stones, your urine and blood work’s fine.” What they DIDN’T tell me is that I had a urinary tract infection. (And I guess their rationale is why should they tell me about it because that’s not why I was there! )
I’ve reached the point where I dread going to doctors, especially at the VA, because I never see the same one twice. My “civilian” primary care doctor is great. It seems like everybody’s gone nuts. And yes, I realize they’re overworked BOC (because of covid), but sheesh……1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
VA ER? or civilian? We have been happy with our VA experience so far.It is the others that seem to be difficult. But do not get how your urine could be fine if you have an infection. When the local walk in said hubby had a bladder infection and gve him meds, when it wa sent off to a different lab they sent a really weird report, and this nephrologist thought the report was strange as well as we did.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (86604)
• United States
23 Sep 21
@GardenGerty — it was the VA hospital who pulled that off. It’s not the first snafu I’ve had there, either. As far as what I actually showed up for they were on the ball, but they just casually forgot to mention the UTI in their haste to spread the good news of no kidney stones. 
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
I hope your husband's tests go well.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
24 Sep 21
@LadyDuck It has helped that Bob is drinking Ensure + twice daily. That is an extra 700 calories per day.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (502208)
• Italy
23 Sep 21
@GardenGerty Thank you, I hope too, he is so skinny now and no one knows why he is losing so much weight.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130150)
• Israel
22 Sep 21
@GardenGerty
The new doctor sounds very good. I hope you get the VA consult for help financially.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
I hope to shed some light on some things.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
Thank you. We have had wrong information in medical records before.
1 person likes this
@CarolDM (203396)
• Nashville, Tennessee
23 Sep 21
@GardenGerty No excuse for that.
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (91299)
• United States
22 Sep 21
Because they are highly educated with no common sense the lot of them Heather.
I am happy to know that the one doc spoke plain English but so sorry for Bobs health.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
Well he has seen two cardiologists, as well as three primaries since his stroke, oh, and at least one hospitalist. One of them could have said it and the others not agreed.We will talk straight with the current cardiologist.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
We are still not entirely sure what the records state is what is really going on. We have seen a plethora of health care workers since 2017. This doctor says that if even one said that for any reason, it is permanently there.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
What he explained is what it said, but what it says is not totally consistent with what he sees.
@wolfgirl569 (135643)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Sep 21
Its good to find a doctor that will talk to you.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (169447)
• United States
23 Sep 21
We actually were not looking for another doctor, but the civilian primary thinks there is something wrong with the kidneys. Dr. Reed was consult to discuss that.
1 person likes this
