The dreaded doctor's message

[Heather 8]

So I get home from work today, already completely stressed out from work, when waiting for me on our answering machine is a message from the doctor:

"We need to speak to you urgently about one of your test results. Please call back."

So I call back at 5... and no one is there. The office is supposed to be open till 7, but apparently (just to stress me out even more) they closed up shop early and won't be back in till late tomorrow morning.

For those who aren't aware, I am pregnant, and I just had some run-of-the-mill bloodwork done. Hearing the word "urgently" doesn't exactly fill me with much confidence.

More stress. Just what I fucking need right now.

[Death Metal Moe]

Doctors are shitdicks. You probably have low iron or something and they need to give you a suppliment. They get off on this shit.

[Heather 8]

That's what I'm hoping it is (I have been anemic in the past). But again, that fucking "u" word has me worried.

A different doctor pulled the same shit on me a few years ago; she said my CAT scan came back irregular and to contact her immediately. After FINALLY reaching her a week later, it turned out I had an enlarged blood vessel in my head that may cause me headaches. Wow, so I'll have to pop an extra Tylenol, thanks for the fucking concern, doc.

[AngelAmy]

talk about stress, i saw the title for this thread and started freaking out

thanks alot!!!


but seriously. i hope everything is ok. doctors really need to not scare people like that

[thejives]

Totally. This happened to my wife recently.

The nurse called when she was out and I answered. They told me they had results and they needed to speak with her immediately. I asked what was wrong and they said "we can only speak with her about this." And so I'm freaking out. Then she comes home and we're both freaking out.

Then she finally gets a hold of the nurse and "everything came back normal."

Seriously.

I agree with Moe. Shitdicks.

[Tall_James]

Page that motherf'er. Again and again. On the half hour. Make them call you back.

[drjoek]

Doctors are shitdicks. You probably have low iron or something and they need to give you a suppliment. They get off on this shit.

You are anASSHOLE for making such an idiotic statement. It just proves what an uneducated moron you are. I hope you need medical attention some time you fat fuck

As far as the original concern,as stated already,call the doctors pager and you will surely hear from the doctor on call immediately. I hope it is nothing of concern. Pregnancy is tressful enough Good Luck

[Heather 8]

I don't have a pager number. All I have is the answering service, and they won't ring a doctor for test results, they tell me "wait till tomorrow."

And please, no fighting, thanks.

[drjoek]

I don't have a pager number. All I have is the answering service, and they won't ring a doctor for test results, they tell me "wait till tomorrow."

And please, no fighting, thanks.

Did you tell them that you were told it was urgent? Im surprized that if you are pregnant that there isnt someone on call at all hours. I think for your peice of mind I would push the issue. I for one don't mind calling patients with concerns its good business.

[angrymissy]

Hopefully it is nothing! I hate, hate, hate that... I had bloodwork done and got the mythical message as well... and I called back and they said "I'm sorry, only the doctor can discuss that with you" then they told me I had to COME IN to the office to get the results.

I was crapping my pants and it turned out I had a VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY. THANKS.

Hope everything turns out ok, I know you must be flipping out.

[Gvac]

Hang in there Heather and though it's easier said than done, try not to stress out over this.

Here's hoping it's nothing serious and that once you receive the news tomorrow you'll be wondering why they said it was so "urgent."

[Heather 8]

Did you tell them that you were told it was urgent? Im surprized that if you are pregnant that there isnt someone on call at all hours. I think for your peice of mind I would push the issue. I for one don't mind calling patients with concerns its good business.


Unfortunately this office doesn't share your concern. Maybe I'll look for a new doctor after this is settled.

After talking to my mom, I'm starting to lean towards overinflated urgency. She also pointed out that it's more than likely about my anemia, and that the doctor may think I was not aware that I had it, hence the sense of urgency.

Thanks for the support, guys. Hopefully I'll have news tomorrow.

[Death Metal Moe]

You are anASSHOLE for making such an idiotic statement. It just proves what an uneducated moron you are. I hope you need medical attention some time you fat fuck

As far as the original concern,as stated already,call the doctors pager and you will surely hear from the doctor on call immediately. I hope it is nothing of concern. Pregnancy is tressful enough Good Luck

Wow, hit a sore spot dummy?

Get over yourself.

[AngelAmy]

stop this right now.

this is a serious forum.


there will be no fighting in this thread.

[mendyweiss]

stop this right now.

this is a serious forum.


there will be no fighting in this thread.
Thank You

[FUNKMAN]

Congrats on being pregnant and hope it's nothing serious! Try to stay calm for the baby's and your sake...

[jetdog]

From my past experiences with the medical community (no offense to anyone intended), this sounds like "office worker" melodrama. My wife and I have had secretaries scare the shit out of us for no reason, several times, other than they feellike they know what is best for us and know what the "physician/whatever specialist" is thinking. We have arrived at the Dr.'s office only to find out that it was routine/needless bullshit.
I think any Dr. worth his/her credentials would never impart such a warning and not follow it up immediately.
Best.

[topless_mike]

first, heather, congrats!!
guess section 8 will have to have an "injury" soon and take some time off to "heal" with you guys...

2nd- the blood test thing could be that you have a certain blood type, and since your hubby has another, that this requires you to get a series of 2 shots. i cant remember what its called, but basically your blood type and the babies arent compatible. my wife had it as well.

like i tell others... never go to the dr with a positive or negative attitude. just go (or call) and let them give you good news or bad news. its just much easier that way.

[zentraed]

If the doctor said, "We have your test results, and there's nothing serious. Call me when you can so we can discuss the results," I think a lot of people would never bother with the follow-up. If you scare them, everybody gets closure.

[Heather 8]

The office was supposed to be open at 9.

40 minutes later, I'm still getting the "office is currently closed" message.

Answering service still refuses to help.

Their satellite office can't help because my records are at the main office... which is STILL FUCKING CLOSED.

Sorry, drjoek, but these docs so totally STINK.

[drjoek]

Yeah that stinks.
Hope all is well though
When they finally open I would firmly but politely tell them how annoyed I was with this type of awful "bedside manner", they need to know it in no uncertain terms. The firmly and politely only so they know your not some hysterical pregnant lady but rather a good patient whom they have treated like shit. Good Luck my dear

[King Hippos Bandaid]

The office was supposed to be open at 9.

40 minutes later, I'm still getting the "office is currently closed" message.

Answering service still refuses to help.

Their satellite office can't help because my records are at the main office... which is STILL FUCKING CLOSED.

Sorry, drjoek, but these docs so totally STINK.

I have 8 reasons why that doctor could suffer

oh wait no funny

I would continue to nag and make the phone service annoyed, so they just get the doctor and end this

[Heather 8]

Oh, it gets better.

I finally reach the office, 45 minutes after they were supposed to open:

"Oh, we're sorry, the only person who can give you the results won't be in till this afternoon."

WHAT THE MOTHERFUCK HAPPENED TO "URGENTLY?!!"

My boss, who was completely sympathetic, sent me home for the day so I wouldn't have to deal with this at the office.

[JackStraw]

I'm sending you good vibes Heather. Fuck doctors.

[mendyweiss]

I think most Docs are OK, just that some are social imbeciles

[Heather 8]

Well, there is at least one good doctor in the facility who cares.

She overheard about the problems I had trying to get in touch with someone, and took it upon herself to call me directly. So, yay her!

Long story short, I am a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Now my husband needs to be tested to see if he is a carrier as well. If he's not, nothing to worry about; if he is, there's a one in four chance the baby will develop cystic fibrosis. Prenatal testing can be done to determine the baby's chances of developing the disease.

So, for now, I'm just going to relax, de-stress, and wait for 8's results.

Thanks again for the support, guys.

[nate1000]

Ok, you got me hooked- Update?

Edit- nevermind.


Good news!(kinda). Glad it wasn't more serious.

[drjoek]

Thank God someone cares over there
Good Luck
Here is a little info on CF
Not meant to scare only help

Testing for Cystic Fibrosis

How can you know for sure if you or your child has cystic fibrosis? If someone in your family has the disease, could you pass it down to your children?

There are several ways to help answer these important questions.

Genetic Carrier Testing — More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene. This test can help detect carriers, who could pass CF onto their children. To have cystic fibrosis, a child must inherit one copy of the defective CF gene from each parent
Each time two carriers of the CF gene have a child, the chances are:

25% the child will have CF;
50% the child will carry the CF gene but not have CF; and
25% the child will not carry the gene and not have CF.

[Heather 8]

That's the same information I've been reading, drjoek.

And the doctor that spoke to me sounded upbeat (unlike the doom and gloom message I got yesterday), so I'm not going to worry unless something shows up in the additional testing.

[topless_mike]

so I'm not going to worry unless something shows up in the additional testing.

thats right. everything is ok until they tell you otherwise.

you were a carrier, and you seem to be ok.

[Death Metal Moe]

Well that's important but no urgent, like someone's going to die THIS INSTANT IF YOU DON'T GET BACK TO ME!!!! AAAAAAAAA!!!!

And that's what I was talking about because I've seen my family and friends go through this, it's not an isolated incident. Something is found in a test and you're told that "You need to contact me as soon as possible" but they hold such fucking horrible hours that you can't get back to them and no one can talk to you about it. It's a very unprofessional way to do it but everyone does it. If they really cared, they'd take 10 minutes out of their fucking night to make a couple important calls. But no, they just leave a meanacing message and you have to fight to get back in touch with them.

Fuckin' awful.

[topless_mike]

if i was a dr, i would have noon to midnight hours. same goes for a dentist. i know what its like to be inconvienced by somebody's hours.

[RhinoinMN]

We had a very troubleing experience with my wife's latest pregnancy, but I won't get into it as it is irrelevant to Heather8's situation.

We have the luxury to go to the Mayo Clinic (close to home) and they give you a phone number and a PIN number. Whenever you have tests they call you and say that you have a message waiting for you. When you call the number you get a recording and it prompts you to enter your PIN. You then listen to your test results or any other information that a doctor needed to relay. I wish more hospitals would use this. It could eliminate alot of stress.

[JPMNICK]

We had a very troubleing experience with my wife's latest pregnancy, but I won't get into it as it is irrelevant to Heather8's situation.

We have the luxury to go to the Mayo Clinic (close to home) and they give you a phone number and a PIN number. Whenever you have tests they call you and say that you have a message waiting for you. When you call the number you get a recording and it prompts you to enter your PIN. You then listen to your test results or any other information that a doctor needed to relay. I wish more hospitals would use this. It could eliminate alot of stress.

wow that sounds like a great idea, and it helps you keep from taking off a day from work just to find out you do not have enough iron in your blood, something that can easily be said over the phone

[Heather 8]

Just wanted to give a quick, final update.

Tonight, after a month of waiting, we learned that 8 tested negative as a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of our baby having CF.

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.

[Gvac]

Just wanted to give a quick, final update.

Tonight, after a month of waiting, we learned that 8 tested negative as a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of our baby having CF.

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.

AWESOME news! I'm sure that's a huge weight off the shoulders of you and the proud papa to be.

All the best to you both.

[Hottub]

Excellent news. Heather. I am relieved. As I am sure we all are.

[Ritalin]

That's great.

[Chip196]

Hooray for Good News!!!

[drusilla]

great news! i'm glad that things seem to be going well for you guys. i'm sorry drs can be such butt-heads. i hope my boyfriend doesn't become as bad as a lot of other drs are. luckily people will only be going to see him to find out if they have an inoperable brain tumor or not. :wacko:

[Tall_James]

That's wonderful news! I hope you have a healthy baby who sleeps through the night.

[Fallon]

Awesome news. Hopefully, in 20 years your kid might be kicking Aurora Rose's ass.

[FUNKMAN]

Congrats and the Best Of Health and Happiness!

[Leticia]

hey!
Congratulations!!!

And I'm happy to hear that everything turned out ok. :)

[EliSnow]

Glad to hear everything was alright.

[topless_mike]

Just wanted to give a quick, final update.

Tonight, after a month of waiting, we learned that 8 tested negative as a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of our baby having CF.

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.

:thumbup:

[Justice4all]

Just wanted to give a quick, final update.

Tonight, after a month of waiting, we learned that 8 tested negative as a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of our baby having CF.

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.


H that is wonderful news. Congradulations!

And I know how you feel about those doctors offices. It is not the doctor per-se that is the problem, but alot of times it is the underpaid staff who could give two shits about your needs.

I had the flu 2 weeks ago and got swabbed to see if I might have Strep Throat. They took for ME to harras THEM a week later to get my results. Cultures should only take 48 hours max.
Thank god I did not have anything serious, if I had and they took their time...it wold have gotten worse.
I spoke to the doctor directly and complained.

[Jujubees2]

FANTANSTIC! :thumbup:

[zathrus]

Heather 8
I'm in the same boat. A couple of months ago, I took the "big blood test" (to look for things that could cause birth defects). I never had any problem when I was pregnant with my son. So, when I got home and had one of those messages. "please call the office as soon as possible and ask for Blah." i called the office at 4:45 and they had already put the over night service on. I was freaking out. Luckily, my drs have a pager and I had the number. So i paged the dr. Left a message that basically said, this is not a labor emergency, but I got this message and am totally freaking out. he called the office and found out that it was in regards to the blood work that I had recently had done. had the results faxed to his house and then called me and had no idea from the test results that they sent him, why the called me. But everything that he had was fine and to call the office in the morning. Poor Furie, I must have drove the poor guy nuts all night. the next morning after waiting 35 minutes for them to take the night service off. And a few other things to completely drive me nuts. The big problem was that my iron count was a little low and they wanted me to have another blood test done. I so hate drs. Glad to hear that everything is going well for you. Do you know what you're having?

[Heather 8]

Do you know what you're having?

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.

.

[JerseyRich]

.

Or a Redhead.

[badmonkey]

Glad to hear it's all ok. We had a similar issue with my wife. The "This is the doctor's office. PANIC NOW FUCKERZ!!!" voicemail came and it turned out they wanted her to come in for a hardcore bloodsugar test to see if she had Gestational Diabetes (sp). It was and it was easily controlled with diet for both pregnancies and not a big deal.

It's usually the office staff that leaves these messages and their "phoneside manner" could use some sensitivity training.

[MadMatt]

I am so glad to hear that things will be OK. Things like that are never fun to have hanging over your head.

It's amazing how many new things you tend to/have to worry about when having kids! It's been 3 years since we had Ana and it still amazes me.

[sr71blackbird]

I am very glad everything worked out so well Heather! All the best!!

I also have had major problems dealing with Dr's and the people that work in their offices. Its actually at the point that I am avoiding going to doctors because Id rather be sick than deal with their bullshit. Drjoek, no offense, but I think from the response to this thread it is obvious that most people have negative experiences with doctors. It is not a minority!

I even once was so frustrated with the receptionist that had me on on hold so long, that I put the phone down and drove over to the doctors office and she was sitting there playing solitaire.
I have called dozens of times saying I am very ill and they say the doctor has no openings for over a month. When I tell the doctor, she looks at me and says it is not true, so they are obviously keeping the doctor in the dark! I think the receptionist is trying to limit her work load and pushing patients off.

Again, I am very glad for you Heather!

[drjoek]

Just wanted to give a quick, final update.

Tonight, after a month of waiting, we learned that 8 tested negative as a carrier for cystic fibrosis. Therefore, there is virtually no chance of our baby having CF.

Next week, hopefully, we'll be finding out if we're having a son or a daughter.

Great news Congrats:clap:

[Ithaqua]

I had some heart tests done and called the doctor for the results. The nurse said "Oh we need to see you here right away." I freaked out my car was broke down so I had to get a ride from my mom. I get there waiting in fear of every heartbeat. I get the the Drs office and he says.............. You have one of the healthyist hearts I have seen this month no problems keep up the good work.
So sometimes they freak you out for no reason. Best of luck to you
Ithaqua:smile: