She turned me into a newt, but I got better
June 14, 2010 2:10 PM Subscribe
Should I go to my followup medical visit if my condition is gone?
YANMD etc.
I went to the hospital for a massively and strangely swollen foot last month. No cause, no pain, but hugely swollen and just the one.
They checked for blood clots, renal failure, etc. I spent the day in the emergency room until the doctor ascertained that whatever it was, it wasn't immediately dangerous, and then he referred me to the hospital's outpatient clinic for followup.
The outpatient clinic is very busy and the first date they could give me was June 18th, almost a month later. The thing is, the swelling in my foot finally went down after three weeks, as quietly as it went up.
This clinic is, as mentioned, really busy. And there's nothing to look at now. I don't want to waste their time if there's nothing to look at, but my doctor was very insistent that I see them for followup.
So I'm not sure - should I free up a slot for someone in greater need, or go anyhow and risk wasting their time?
YANMD etc.
I went to the hospital for a massively and strangely swollen foot last month. No cause, no pain, but hugely swollen and just the one.
They checked for blood clots, renal failure, etc. I spent the day in the emergency room until the doctor ascertained that whatever it was, it wasn't immediately dangerous, and then he referred me to the hospital's outpatient clinic for followup.
The outpatient clinic is very busy and the first date they could give me was June 18th, almost a month later. The thing is, the swelling in my foot finally went down after three weeks, as quietly as it went up.
This clinic is, as mentioned, really busy. And there's nothing to look at now. I don't want to waste their time if there's nothing to look at, but my doctor was very insistent that I see them for followup.
So I'm not sure - should I free up a slot for someone in greater need, or go anyhow and risk wasting their time?
Best answer: And there's nothing to look at now.
Are you a doctor? If the answer is "no," then your opinion is not particularly valid here. On the other hand, the doctor who insisted on a follow up, and who is keenly aware of the business of the clinic, is a doctor. And his opinion is valid.
If it is nothing, then they'll send you home lickety-split and you don't have to worry about taking up a "slot." Otherwise, well, you'll be damn glad you went.
posted by griphus at 2:18 PM on June 14, 2010
Are you a doctor? If the answer is "no," then your opinion is not particularly valid here. On the other hand, the doctor who insisted on a follow up, and who is keenly aware of the business of the clinic, is a doctor. And his opinion is valid.
If it is nothing, then they'll send you home lickety-split and you don't have to worry about taking up a "slot." Otherwise, well, you'll be damn glad you went.
posted by griphus at 2:18 PM on June 14, 2010
Best answer: I've skipped many follow-up appointments when it's been a case of something that was diagnosed + prescribed treatment + all better = no need for follow-up appointment.
But in your case, the problem was never identified at the first appointment, so yes, definitely go to the clinic. You might feel foolish since the swelling is gone, but the swelling is just a symptom and the doctor will look at other things to try to identify the actual condition. Keep the appointment.
posted by Eicats at 2:28 PM on June 14, 2010
But in your case, the problem was never identified at the first appointment, so yes, definitely go to the clinic. You might feel foolish since the swelling is gone, but the swelling is just a symptom and the doctor will look at other things to try to identify the actual condition. Keep the appointment.
posted by Eicats at 2:28 PM on June 14, 2010
lol, I just read your inside title! Perfect! But you know- you might still be a newt. As I said above, the underlying cause of the swelling could still be there and should be identified.
posted by Eicats at 2:30 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by Eicats at 2:30 PM on June 14, 2010
Yes, go. For their peace of mind and information if not yours.
posted by bearwife at 2:32 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by bearwife at 2:32 PM on June 14, 2010
Best answer: Your profile says you're in Canada; some provinces have a health line you can call where they'll put you in touch with a nurse who can tell you based on your symptoms if you need to go in or not. In BC it's 811. I've used it and it was excellent.
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:36 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by PercussivePaul at 2:36 PM on June 14, 2010
Response by poster: Thanks guys 'n' gals.
I guess I'm just a bit unnerved from the initial day of tests - while my doctors (the one who sent me to emergency and the one who treated me there) were very straightforward and concerned, I was getting some "WTF? For THIS?" from a few of the support staff (nurses etc. and the woman I made the appointment with at the clinic) and it's kind of got me on edge about going back with even less to show.
On the other hand, I took a good second look at the foot and it is actually still swollen, just much less so - so there's some newt to bring back with me.
Thanks for the bolstering!
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 2:51 PM on June 14, 2010
I guess I'm just a bit unnerved from the initial day of tests - while my doctors (the one who sent me to emergency and the one who treated me there) were very straightforward and concerned, I was getting some "WTF? For THIS?" from a few of the support staff (nurses etc. and the woman I made the appointment with at the clinic) and it's kind of got me on edge about going back with even less to show.
On the other hand, I took a good second look at the foot and it is actually still swollen, just much less so - so there's some newt to bring back with me.
Thanks for the bolstering!
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 2:51 PM on June 14, 2010
When I have things like this come up, I call the office and say I have a question about my appointment and they let me speak to a nurse. They've always been helpful and informative about any aspect of my visit I might have a question about. On preview, I see the nurses you were dealing with have been less than professional, so it might not work for you this time, but it's a good thing to keep in mind for the future.
posted by frobozz at 3:23 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by frobozz at 3:23 PM on June 14, 2010
Nthing "just call the office." 9 times out of 10 my doctor's told me not to bother, but there's always the 10th time's situation, and I prefer the MD to figure out which is the 10th time and which isn't.
posted by small_ruminant at 4:16 PM on June 14, 2010
posted by small_ruminant at 4:16 PM on June 14, 2010
Followup. Wouldn't surprise me a bit if something's wrong with the circulation in that extremity. Which is something you definitely want to know about. If nothing else, go so you can rule this out.
posted by trondant at 12:34 AM on June 15, 2010
posted by trondant at 12:34 AM on June 15, 2010
Response by poster: Just saying thanks again. I went, the doctor was very thorough and very kind (and an award to his assistant for the most adorable intern ever). I'm having my thyroid and a few other things checked... I'm glad I went back.
It's made me aware of just how different the care is at my usual clinic, where the doctors begrudge every second you take from them and are much more likely to be dismissive of anything not "sick enough". Nice to see another face of the medical profession!
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 9:06 AM on June 22, 2010
It's made me aware of just how different the care is at my usual clinic, where the doctors begrudge every second you take from them and are much more likely to be dismissive of anything not "sick enough". Nice to see another face of the medical profession!
posted by L'Estrange Fruit at 9:06 AM on June 22, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by corey flood at 2:12 PM on June 14, 2010