Calling all docs/nurses - quick question

[episodic]

Tuesday, I was fine.

Wed, I could barely get out of bed. As long as I'm not standing/trying to stand/walk - I feel fine. I figured I was tired/stressed whatever. I made it through the day barely, and went home and slept 10 hours.

Next day, even worse.

Friday - even worse.

Here I am now. I am shuffling like an 80 year old man. I have to grip the handrails and go down them one step at a time on the stairs at my job. My legs do not want to lock at the knee as I swing my legs forward, I can't control descent on inclines well, and I am having an awful time getting in and out of my car.

On Tuesday, I had none of these problems and could clear the stairs up/down in mere seconds.

Called my doc today (who of course is out of town next week/starting now) and all he did was have the nurse check my blood pressure and order lab work that I can't even have done till Monday.

They had me on a blood pressure (water pill) - told me to stop taking that for now. Thing is I stopped taking it on Wed, theorizing that may be it. I told them that and they just shrugged. You know it is Friday - and everyone wants to go home.

So what the heck could this be?

It is sad, I can barely get in and out of my house. I use to run and jump off the porch - just days ago, now I go down gripping the handrail in pain.


I haven't had a big workout / done anything different, etc. ..

It feels like I've just got done with a 5 hour run for my life. . .


I'm just wondering what you think I should do, it'll be a week I guess before I can see 'my doc'. . .

I'm a little worried (or maybe alot). . .

 

[UnatcoAgent]

What I would -not- do is to start looking for advice online / googling things.

Try and take it easy, if you can, until you can see your doctor. If things get worse, go to the emerg if you need it, otherwise keep a journal of what's going on day to day. Take some sick days from work.

 

[jdjbuffalo]

Sounds like your doctor isn't that good...

I would get to the hospital. If you can go to a non-ER place, like a Doc-in-the-box, you might be able to save some money (assuming they can figure out what's wrong with you). Otherwise, I would just go to the ER.

The way you've described it, it sounds like you won't be around next week when your doctor finally gets around to seeing you...

 

[ShawnD1]

The basic questions are how high is your blood pressure (one of the machines at London Drugs will tell you) and how high is your blood sugar.

I find it very difficult to walk if I have low blood sugar. If you have a blood glucose meter lying around, you could always test that. Incredibly low blood pressure can also cause a hell of a lot of problems. People with low blood pressure are the ones who feint all the time and get numb hands and feet.

 

[episodic]

The basic questions are how high is your blood pressure (one of the machines at London Drugs will tell you) and how high is your blood sugar.

I find it very difficult to walk if I have low blood sugar. If you have a blood glucose meter lying around, you could always test that. Incredibly low blood pressure can also cause a hell of a lot of problems. People with low blood pressure are the ones who feint all the time and get numb hands and feet.

140/68

I had labwork 2 weeks ago that was 100% normal for everything. I've never tested high for sugar or low for that matter.

 

[Numenorean]

You're probably going to die.

 

[ranmaniac]

Have a baconator.

 

[lxskllr]

Sounds like your doctor isn't that good...

I would get to the hospital. If you can go to a non-ER place, like a Doc-in-the-box, you might be able to save some money (assuming they can figure out what's wrong with you). Otherwise, I would just go to the ER.

The way you've described it, it sounds like you won't be around next week when your doctor finally gets around to seeing you...

I have no idea, but ^^^this sounds like good advice to me. Go to a Patient First, or whatever you have in your area. You need to get checked out before your doctor gets back.

 

[Crusty]

With those symptoms I don't think I would wait until monday.

 

[Fern]

With those symptoms I don't think I would wait until monday.

Agreed.

Go get some help. I suggest you not be alone either, whether at your house or in the car. Let somone drive you to the Dr or ER.

Fern

 

[JohnCU]

could it be some sort of autoimmune disease flare up?

 

[Matthiasa]

Hospital now.

 

[zinfamous]

This problem won't be solved until eits contributes.

 

[Murloc]

you have no other doctor that could visit you?

 

[ShawnD1]

This problem won't be solved until eits contributes.

Is he the one who dropped out of regular med school in favor of chiropractic and voodoo magic? I might be thinking of the wrong person.

 

[episodic]

you have no other doctor that could visit you?

Switzerland must be nice BTW here in the states, doctors only visit you if you are A. Super Rich or B. in the hospital (even then only for a couple of minutes if you are lucky)

I 'could' go to the Emergency room - where I could get charged a 'crap load' of money - even though I have insurance - only to be brushed off there, too (maybe).

I'm still deciding. I'm probably going to see how it goes tomorrow morning as I remember an emergency room is a sucky place to be on a Friday night. I figure I'll get see quicker if I go early am one day.

Basically, no though. I could wait till Monday and go to another doctor who will likely (at least around here) put me on a waiting list as he is not accepting patients right now.

As far as the drive in docs go - there are not any - anywhere around here. I know what you are talking about they just don't exist here.

 

[h8red]

sounds like mono?
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000591.htm

 

[episodic]

What ever it was/is - last night I got mad about something (house related) - and I sat down. Almost 'suddenly' I felt better. Other than some residual soreness now, my legs are totally back. Just ran down some stairs to prove it to myself. So it left as suddenly as it came. I hope it stays gone whatever it is. I feel crazy now though

 

[lxskllr]

Well that's weird as shit. Could a blood clot cause something like that?

 

[Pliablemoose]

Im thinking an electrolyte imbalance sounds, particularly with the water pill, hypokalemia makes sense, but you need to F/U with the labwork they drew, should tell you more...

 

[Gibsons]

Any fever, cough, sore throat? Sounds like you're getting better in any case though.

 

[episodic]

Any fever, cough, sore throat? Sounds like you're getting better in any case though.

None of that really.

Yea, I'm thinking I'll go ahead with the lab on Monday. Anyway, I guess I'm going to take a walk.

About the water pill, I've been taking a mutlivitamin and potassium supplements everyday - as well as a baby aspirin.

 

[Pliablemoose]

None of that really.

Yea, I'm thinking I'll go ahead with the lab on Monday. Anyway, I guess I'm going to take a walk.

About the water pill, I've been taking a mutlivitamin and potassium supplements everyday - as well as a baby aspirin.

Then Id have to go with lupus, sorry man....

 

[The Sauce]

If you are a US healthcare provider of any sort and you respond to a thread like this, I would just like to say that you are a fool. Giving medical advice over the internet places you at incredible risk that would not be covered by your malpractice policy. Think twice and use common sense, please.

 

[Pliablemoose]

If you are a US healthcare provider of any sort and you respond to a thread like this, I would just like to say that you are a fool. Giving medical advice over the internet places you at incredible risk that would not be covered by your malpractice policy. Think twice and use common sense, please.

Yep, definitely Lupus, and perhaps subclinical smallpox.

I had a patient yesterday that has a hepatic abscess caused by TB...