I see no reason to test for stuff I can't be cured of anyway, things just get too complicated.
They woke me up at 1 AM Sunday, gonna haul me down for a scan to see If I had a clot in a lung. I refused. Asked them what they would do if they found a clot, they said use Heparin to dissolve it. I asked them why we couldn't just do that and spare the 1000 dollar scan. Later that day a nurse came in and gave me a shot of Heparin.
I've got insurance but it's at the point where my copay for meds is almost full retail, all my coverage has gone to tests.
They did cancel a few prescriptions I was on, I suspect part of my problem this time was collateral damage from all the pills.
I'm sorry I couldn't see those EMTs hauling me through the woods out to where they left the ambulance, if a gator had crossed the trail they would still be running.
You are still in my prayers my FRiend.
I like you attitude.
I have been taking care of sick family member for many years. I hate hospitals.
Hope life is settling back down for you. Tell your daughter thanks for keeping us informed.
-Dave
The CTA chest to rule out PE is expensive, but in the long run probably would have saved you money, or your life. If done and it showed a clot, you would be on heparin or lovenox (sq) in the hospital and before discharge started on coumadin and continue on that for at least 6 months. Eventually your clot would have dissolved and your life saved. If no clot, no anticoagulants, which saves you the possibility of gastric bleeding, need for further testing (endoscopy, etc...), more admissions, receiving blood, etc.... I’m a RN at a major Central Florida Hospital. I have personally coded a patient (not mine) that was a post op colon resection. He got up to use the restroom and collapsed on the floor. We worked on him for close to an hour. He was in his early 50’s, married (wife in room) and had children. An autopsey was later done and cause of death was Pulmonary Embolim. That was 15 years ago. Nowdays, it is standard to start most post op surgical patients on a chemical blood thinner (heparin, lovenox, arixtra, etc...) post op day 1. We admit patients with no history at all of clots who come in with DVT’s (legs) or that have migrated to the lungs (PE). If a PE is suspected, a CTA chest or VQ scan is ordered, along with dopplers of the legs (that’s where they usually start, then break off and travel to the lungs). Treatment is usually to place on heparin sq or iv, lovenox, or arixtra (usually given for patient with heparin induced thrombocytopenia). Take the test is my advice. Your doctors can then plan your treatment accordingly. What state\hospital were you in? Phil