JeffN's Excellent New Doc Adventure

[jeffn]

Yes I know already have a new doc thread BUT things turned better today so it deserves a new thread. This will be longish too.

First some back story about the first new doc I saw a couple of weeks ago. It went reasonably well but I was not blown away. He wanted to do a series of tests which is fine, I didn't think I needed some but he is the doctor right. He wanted me to do a pulmonary function test, one of the tests I don't think I need. Brief back story required here too. Our local hospital a few years ago made a deal to merge or cooperate or something with Mass. General in Boston. I do not view it a positive but anyway that is where we are. The point here is they do all the test scheduling etc. usually in a Boston Hospital to increase their bottom line IMO. So I hear from a Boston hospital that wants to schedule an appointment. To do this I have to; take a day off from work, buy boat tickets to get to cape cod and get myself the 90 miles to Boston to sit in a plexiglass box and breathe funny for 30 minutes then back. No not doing that - gentleman at the hospital understands and agrees puts my appointment on hold. I went to the Doc office and inquired about a venue someplace closer. Nope Mass General does all the scheduling nothing we can do. Off on a new search. Went to by the old office that my previous doc worked out of and asked if they knew where he went to set up a new practice - again nope. I had asked back when if the doctor still in that office was taking any new patients and at that time was told no. I just was not getting anywhere fast. Anyway rolled the dice and asked again about new patients and the woman I was speaking with said "sure we can take you" NICE! Went for my appointment today and I really found a good doc. Was there about an hour lots of good back and forth and great questions on the doctors part, seems interested in knowing about AP and is fine with mino. Had all my history as it was their computer because they had my old docs notes and such. Went through my history - how I came to AP - really wonderful. Scheduled to have an Echo, blood work and Endoscopy etc. the latter to check my GAVE which has not been back thankfully.

Glad my search is over at least for a while. Sometimes it works I guess.

[jeffn]

Went in for an echo today, no results yet - soon probably. Will go in for bloodwork on Friday.

[christel]

I haven't been around here much at all recently (obviously!), so I'm just catching up now... Jeff, your perseverance is to be commended! I guess there's not much choice sometimes, but still! Did you get all the results yet? How about a return visit to go over results? Either way, I hope you stay on this right track for the foreseeable future!

C.

[jeffn]

Thanks Christel - I Go in for my next appointment in October. Doc called about the echo results but have not heard back on the blood work. Doc stated the echo report said I had a heart valve that was thicker on the right side or whatever side is not pulmonary side. That could be a sign of hypertension but my blood pressure is fine. While going over the results on the phone it turns out that the valve has always measured what it was this time on all my previous echos so not sure why when it was read this time it came back as being thicker than before when it isn't. Guess I will get more info when I go in next time. Feeling fine at any rate and wondering where my summer went.

[jeffn]

I get scoped, stomach and the "other one" on Nov. 14, be happy when that is done.

[jeffn]

Went in for my check up today. Blood work results were good with no major issues. Kidney and liver numbers were fine, always a concern for those of us on meds. SED rate is 5 happy with that I think my lowest was 3 and seem to remember a high of mid 40s so 5 is fine. All in all things appear to be good. Really liking the new doc! Had an EKG for my upcoming scoping, redid one blood test and then went back after 4 for a flu shot. A lot of health stuff for one day.

Has anyone had the shingles shot? They want me to have one but not sure as of yet. Opinions welcome and appreciated.

[christel]

I’ll beat you to the scope, Jeff! I saw my gi guy the other day and we scheduled my EGD for November 1st. It’s been two years since the last one, so that’s how often he likes to check in there. My reflux has been a bit worse, so the timing to take a look is good.

I’m glad you are liking your new doc. I’m probably going to be making a few changes in my medical team. I’d like to find some a bit closer to home and easier to get to. Some things have to be simplified in my life...

I’m not sure about that shingles vaccine. My rheumatologist says it’s fine to get. I had shingles a few years ago, but it was a pretty mild case. Not sure what that means in the grand scheme. I haven’t gotten the flu shot in a few years either. (That is a bit against the grain and usually not the default the medical community likes to hear.). I am comfortable with my decision.

Cold weather is making its way to us the next few days. We’ve been pretty lucky to have been spared the seasonal chilly weather so far, so I guess it is time!

C🎃

[jeffn]

Hope everything went well today Christel. Yeah I had shingles close to 20 years ago, not pleasant. Still not sure about the shot yet. Getting a pneumonia shot tomorrow, not sure about that either but new doc thinks it is a good idea so off I go. Getting cold here too I guess it is that time and yes the warm has been nice. How far do you have to go now to see your Docs?

[christel]

I’m not getting the notifications I used to for new comments, so sorry for the delay in my response.

Oh yeah, I’ve been a bit/lot under the weather since my EGD. The actual test went fine, but the few days following were pretty awful. My gi tract promptly shut down again. Pain pain pain. I saw my PMD today and spoke to my gi dr., who thinks my colon ‘may have hit the wall’, like my esophagus. Now what I do I do not know, but I’m sure it k isn’t good.

Since there is a definite lack of good physicians for my needs, I may just stick with where I’m going for now. It is 75 miles from door to door, but a hard drive on freeways that are usually under construction at some point. We’ll see.

I was asked at least 4 times if I’m wanted the flu shot today...

Super cold in the next few days. Goodbye fall.

C.

[jeffn]

That is not good news Christel. Let me know what they come up with for that new challenge. I go in for mine on Tuesday, can hardly wait. Still not sure about the shingles shot they want me to get. Hope you feel better soon.

[jeffn]

Went in for my procedure today. I have had just three of these things and each time the prep has been different. This one was odd and I felt terrible this morning. Felt like I had the flu and a bit of nausea, after I settled in at the hospital that all passed but it was all quite odd. Everything went off without a hitch, everyone was efficient and nice. The doc is the same doc who did my last one, ten years ago, that was an emergency because of my watermelon stomach issues and he had reviewed all my records etc. and asked good questions. The upshot of all this is that my lower end looks fine - no polyps at all - so all is good there. My GAVE is fine no sign of bleeding in my stomach, like I figured but nice to have someone that knows confirm it. Probably the best news is that there is no damage to my esophagus from reflux and no sign of Barrett's esophagus. He said I should continue to take my Prilosec as the downside of the drug is not as bad as not taking it. Risk vs. reward I suppose. Said to see him again in ten years. If still around I will.

Christel I hope you have seen some progress with your GI problems and are in less pain.

[christel]

Good news for you, Jeff! Now the countdown to the next ones in ten years begins!

I’m doing quite a bit better, thankfully. I spoke to my gi doctor today to give him an update on how I was feeling. He wants me to continue to use the new medication for a while, and then wean down to every other day if I am ok. I guess this is my new normal, to coin a phrase. It doesn’t matter if I don’t like it.

Keep on keeping on.

C.