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Re: 16 weeks pregnant with twins, hypertension, numbness on left side of body
From: Nikki (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Tue, 2 Nov 1999 01:04:39 -0600 (CST)
I am not a doctor, but I am an experienced patient and what you describe
is not good healthcare. It certainly sounds as if you might have
something more serious going on here. Maybe not, but with twins and
hypertension, and it still being so early, I should think the doc would
be more concerned. What is the harm of seeing a neurologist, anyway?
And I should think that anything which makes you fall down would be of
special concern.
I had a friend who complained of migraines for years and always went to
the same doctor, who gave her antidepressants and painkillers, but never
listened to her enough to order a head CT. SHe was never satisfied with
his care, but never switched doctors, either. She died of three
inoperable brain tumours a few months ago.
This is not to say that you will have the same problem, but doctors need
to listen to YOU. YOU know better than they when something out of the
orsinary is going on with your body. Make sure they listen.
At Tue, 2 Nov 1999, Jody wrote:
>
>Well, I am 16 weeks along now with twins and my blood pressure has been
>tolerably well controlled with 500 mg of Aldamet 3 times a day. Even on
>that, it's been averaging about 148/100 at my office visits. I have
>also been suffering from severe migraines 3-5 times a week.
>
>On Wednesday afternoon, I began to experience numbness and tingling in
>my left arm, hand, leg and foot. I also started to fall when I would
>step on my left foot. It just gave out at random. I went in to the
>hospital and they kept me for 2 days and were unable to determine
>exactly what was going on. They did an MRI and said it did not appear
>to be a TIA or early MS, but I did experience optic neuritis during my
>last pregnancy and they did not completely rule out early MS. The
>tentative diagnosis I was given was complex migraines.
>
>I have continued to experience all of the symptoms so I went to see my
>PCP today and he wished to refer me to a neurologist. However, when he
>called my OB's office to get a referral, she asked to speak with me and
>told me that she does not feel I need to see a neurologist. According
>to her, my symptoms do not fit any neurological disorders and they seem
>to be stemming from stress or unhappiness at home. Bearing in mind,
>that I have seen this woman three times in the office for under 30
>minutes total, I was appalled by what she said. Especially since just
>this morning, she told me to call a neurologist and refused to see me
>herself. Her final advice was that I go to a local army hospital and
>"talk to someone" there who might make me feel better.
>
>I feel my medical problems have been completely ignored and am seriously
>concerned about the quality of my care. My PCP was also surprised by
>her diagnosis and he has known me for 7 years. I'm not sure what
>exactly to do in this case and could use some advice, especially from a
>doctor.
>
>Thank you.
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