Pulmonary Specialist

[susandennis]

Turns out, my doctor is out this week. His nurse took my note to his back up and his back up suggested that I have a consult with their pulmonary department. I wonder if my doctor would have done that. And I toyed with just waiting until he got back to see. His nurse had already sent all my stuff over and set it all up so all I had to do was call and schedule so I did.

When I was first diagnosed, my doctor was hoping my breathing issues were an allergy, maybe to my cats so he sent me to an allergy guy. Both the guy and his staff were condescending and annoying and I refused to go back. Oh and I was not allergic to anything. My doctor never insisted that I go back which was a relief.

I went to a breathing guy who did a really thorough - like 90 minute - exam of my breathing capabilities but that was really as pulmonary as I've gotten and that was 3 or 4 years ago.

I guess it's time to get out of the River of D' Nile and at least investigate possibilities. I don't have to do anything I don't want to. I know my Dr. will understand and back me up. I hate medical anything so much.

Tuesday, March 3. At least I don't dread it as much as I would the dentist.

Which reminds me. I have a Google alert set up for "Susan Dennis". It often returns links about a dentist named Susan Dennis (who does LOTS of volunteer work) in Michigan. Today's alert was an answer to one of the FAQ's on her website.

"I am terrified of going to the dentist. How can you help me?
Our office is designed with your comfort in mind. Our reception area is more like a comfortable living room and our private rooms have large windows with bird feeders looking out toward beautiful wooded views. Dr. Dennis is very understanding and patient with your care because she also shares your fear of the dentist." [italics are mine]

Cracked me up.

Comments

[notdefined.livejournal.com]

Good luck. While you are getting your lungs probed, I'll be getting my wrist slashed. Fun day eh?

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

Poor Dr. Dennis! LOL It's good that there are some of my favourite Phalaenopsis orchids in my dentist's office to distract me from the anxiety.

[tilia-tomentosa.livejournal.com]

So what exactly is that pulmonary specialist going to do to you?

[susandennis]

I haven't the foggiest idea which is why I'm not totally enthused. Maybe he'll tell me there's nothing that can be done until I really need supplemental oxygen or maybe he'll swap out some of my drugs for other ones or maybe he'll tell me that I have to change everything from my eating to whatever in order to breathe better or maybe he'll tell me it's all in my head. Or maybe he'll reach in his pocket and pull out a miracle cure. I'm actually really hoping for that last one but, I honestly have no idea.

[colestainedpage.livejournal.com]

A dentist afraid of the dentist - HA! When my mom was sick with bronchitis at Christmas, I had called her Dr's office to request the Dr send in a scrip of antibiotics. After 4 days I hadn't heard back from the Dr so I called the office back and ended up bringing mom in. Turns out her Dr had the flu. I was amused.

When my mom moved in with us, I took her to see a pulmonary specialist at one of the top hospitals in this area. He was a nice enough guy, but basically told her that if she didn't want a lung transplant or a lung resection, then there was no need for her to see him. She was happy with that bc she hates being pressured into medical stuff she doesn't want.

Then she got bronchitis, and a month or so after she was better from that, she had a flare-up. We took her to a different hospital where she stayed for about 4 days. She practically fell in love with the pulmonary specialist there. He basically monitors her meds, whether or not they're working for her, and helps her be comfortable which is what she wants. She's currently on four medications she takes daily, with a side of albuterol as needed, and she's happy with that.

Just make sure you put your foot down about what you want and don't want - like you said, you don't have to do what you don't want to.

[susandennis]

Great intel. Thank you. And, yep, I will remember. Surgery of any kind would be a total waste of everybody's time. Yikes! Foot Down!

[cienna2000.livejournal.com]

Once upon a time, I was a medical records clerk in a pulmonary office. I can tell you what the doctors I worked for would probably do.

They did not have imagining or laboratory in the office, so we would have patients get a chest x-ray and blood work. When you came to the office, the pulm tech would come get you to take an in office pulmonary function test, then she would have you use an inhaler, wait 20 minutes and retake the test. Patients that were on oxygen would also have to go for a walk through the building with her while wearing a pulse oximeter. After Deb was done, she would put the patient in a room. The doctors would go over the test results, health history, and a thorough exam. If they changed meds, then they would have the patient come back in a few weeks or months for follow up. Most of their patients had a follow up at a minimum of twice a year.

Good luck at your appointment. I hope there are affordable meds that can help you feel better.

[susandennis]

Thank you! Thank you, very much.