yeah JDprecious, find out if your cf docs up there would push for a ct scan with contrast for me please.
So catch this crap: After agreeing to do the antibiotics (both oral and IV) for two weeks, I told them I *REALLY* want to get a ct scan with contrast to get a better view of what is going on with my lungs. I told them that while it could very well just be a bad lingering infection, there is also a chance it could be something structurally bad, like a weakened blood vessel, or who knows what else. I talked to his main assistant, then another one, then the main CF lung transplant nurse. All three of them told me he is sticking with his decision of going with the antibiotics first, and then if I still have a problem, then going further with a scan/etc whatever.
I look at that as more of a reactive decision, vs a proactive decision. I troubleshoot PC's all the time, and while a problem may seem like it is more than likely one thing causing it, like "I bet it's a virus", there could be many other things that could be causing the PC problem. You don't just scan for a virus and then don't look for the other possible culprits. She told me the doc believes in doing a less invasive approach first, then progress further.
Well that would be fine, if I was just all out asking for him to give me a lobectomy with no proof of anything. But a CT scan!??! I wouldn't call that invasive. Then she told me he has concerns about the stress on my kidneys with the CT scan dye, and the antibiotics at the same time. I talked to all people logically and kept my temper. She also told me (and here is the clincher) that he (the doc) feels I am questioning his abilities of being a doctor, and his experience. He basically turned this into an ego issue in my opinion. Instead of seeing the logic of saying "Ya know, it could very possibly be something else, why not just give him the ct scan with contrast while he is here to get his midline in...That way we can either confirm or remove some possible concerns, and have a proper baseline on the state of his lungs to compare with in the future"...Make sense yes? I thought so. Apparently he doesn't.
Finally she told me that he told her that if I didn't agree with his decision, I could have the contact information for another CF specialist in Orlando (the next closest CF location, but I don't think they have an official CF center like Tampa does). Basically he was saying "If you don't like what I want to do, go F yourself and go elsewhere". I have been with this doctor for a long time, and we have always been cool with each other, and then he pulls this?
Here is what I was thinking of doing since he is being an ass: Get the midline and do the IV and oral antibiotics for the 2 weeks. Either get the CT scan with contrast during that time from my primary care physician, or get it right after the IV's if there is concern for my kidneys (my kidneys are fine btw, no problems there, had recent blood work done etc). And then take those films to either the guy in orlando, or another aggressive specialist in gainesville or wherever and have them look at it. I'm so pissed he is acting this way. He gave absolutely no slack regarding something that seems to be a no brainer, and would sooth my concerns.
If anyone else goes to the tampa clinic, please speak up and let me know if you have had similar problems there/with him.
So catch this crap: After agreeing to do the antibiotics (both oral and IV) for two weeks, I told them I *REALLY* want to get a ct scan with contrast to get a better view of what is going on with my lungs. I told them that while it could very well just be a bad lingering infection, there is also a chance it could be something structurally bad, like a weakened blood vessel, or who knows what else. I talked to his main assistant, then another one, then the main CF lung transplant nurse. All three of them told me he is sticking with his decision of going with the antibiotics first, and then if I still have a problem, then going further with a scan/etc whatever.
I look at that as more of a reactive decision, vs a proactive decision. I troubleshoot PC's all the time, and while a problem may seem like it is more than likely one thing causing it, like "I bet it's a virus", there could be many other things that could be causing the PC problem. You don't just scan for a virus and then don't look for the other possible culprits. She told me the doc believes in doing a less invasive approach first, then progress further.
Well that would be fine, if I was just all out asking for him to give me a lobectomy with no proof of anything. But a CT scan!??! I wouldn't call that invasive. Then she told me he has concerns about the stress on my kidneys with the CT scan dye, and the antibiotics at the same time. I talked to all people logically and kept my temper. She also told me (and here is the clincher) that he (the doc) feels I am questioning his abilities of being a doctor, and his experience. He basically turned this into an ego issue in my opinion. Instead of seeing the logic of saying "Ya know, it could very possibly be something else, why not just give him the ct scan with contrast while he is here to get his midline in...That way we can either confirm or remove some possible concerns, and have a proper baseline on the state of his lungs to compare with in the future"...Make sense yes? I thought so. Apparently he doesn't.
Finally she told me that he told her that if I didn't agree with his decision, I could have the contact information for another CF specialist in Orlando (the next closest CF location, but I don't think they have an official CF center like Tampa does). Basically he was saying "If you don't like what I want to do, go F yourself and go elsewhere". I have been with this doctor for a long time, and we have always been cool with each other, and then he pulls this?
Here is what I was thinking of doing since he is being an ass: Get the midline and do the IV and oral antibiotics for the 2 weeks. Either get the CT scan with contrast during that time from my primary care physician, or get it right after the IV's if there is concern for my kidneys (my kidneys are fine btw, no problems there, had recent blood work done etc). And then take those films to either the guy in orlando, or another aggressive specialist in gainesville or wherever and have them look at it. I'm so pissed he is acting this way. He gave absolutely no slack regarding something that seems to be a no brainer, and would sooth my concerns.
If anyone else goes to the tampa clinic, please speak up and let me know if you have had similar problems there/with him.