DH is in the hospital?!!

[Catwoman]

Everything is fine. He is still there. Sitting in a bed. He's seen one doctor in 30 hours.

I'm glad he's feeling fine, but you must both be so frustrated! :grouphug:

[goldberry]

Sorry, what a mess...!

[mominco]

:grouphug:

[SparklyUnicorn]

:grouphug:

[creekland]

Everything is fine. He is still there. Sitting in a bed. He's seen one doctor in 30 hours.

 

Oh Moxie, I so wish I could fix things for you/him - or at least had enough disposable money to pay the bill so you didn't have that worry.  (sigh)

 

Does he feel any better as time has passed?

[Tap]

Everything is fine. He is still there. Sitting in a bed. He's seen one doctor in 30 hours.

ugh. I am glad he is fine!!

 

But, if it is all fine...why are they keeping him? They are usually quick to kick people out in our area, even if they still actually need some level of care.

[Guest]

He's not 100% fine. One doctor says he is probably having an event but they can't do an MRI. Told him to start a daily aspirin. They want to release him but the hospitalist can't until some other doctor signs off and it is night now so...

Such a dumb, expensive system.

[Tap]

He's not 100% fine. One doctor says he is probably having an event but they can't do an MRI. Told him to start a daily aspirin. They want to release him but the hospitalist can't until some other doctor signs off and it is night now so...

Such a dumb, expensive system.

very odd....and yes, expensive.  I hate our healthcare system.   The rich can afford insurance/care.  The poor get medicaid to help with these situations.  Then the majority, get a crap shoot of whatever their employer decides to buy (or buy themselves). Some people have amazing coverage....others have catastrophic plans. It is just wrong on so many levels to have such a wide discrepancy between different plans and coverage.  It isn't like he is deciding whether or not to have a wart removed...he is in the hospital!!! You shouldn't have to worry about the financial aspects of that at the same time as dealing with an illness.

:grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:

Edited September 1, 2017 by Tap

[Catwoman]

He's not 100% fine. One doctor says he is probably having an event but they can't do an MRI. Told him to start a daily aspirin. They want to release him but the hospitalist can't until some other doctor signs off and it is night now so...

Such a dumb, expensive system.

Can't they do another kind of scan? An MRI can't be the only option, can it?

 

What kind of "event" does the doctor think he's having? Is it serious?

 

You must be at your wit's end. :(

[Guest]

Can't they do another kind of scan? An MRI can't be the only option, can it?

 

What kind of "event" does the doctor think he's having? Is it serious?

 

You must be at your wit's end. :(

Again, I'm a terrible wife. He works such long hours, I keep forgetting he is in the hospital and not at work.

 

They've done all kinds of scans. Everything is fine but he is still having the original symptoms (numbness) so they think something is amiss and put him on aspirin. That is all I know.

[Guinevere]

Aspirin hampers the ability of platelets to clot.  Maybe they think he has a blood clot in his leg.  If they did, though, it seems like they would be doing more tests.  

[Catwoman]

Again, I'm a terrible wife. He works such long hours, I keep forgetting he is in the hospital and not at work.

 

They've done all kinds of scans. Everything is fine but he is still having the original symptoms (numbness) so they think something is amiss and put him on aspirin. That is all I know.

So it's basically, "take an aspirin and call me in the morning." :glare:

 

If they think something is wrong, why aren't they trying harder to find out what it is???

 

Obviously I'm not asking you that question, Moxie -- I'm sure that's what you and your dh keep asking each other!

 

The numbness is a scary symptom. I don't understand all of the delays in doing any testing.

 

I'm so sorry you guys are going through this. It's terrible.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Aspirin is one of the first things they tell you to take if you are having any kind of a cardiac event.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Jean in Newcastle]

But- they should have taken blood to check for cardiac enzymes.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Seeking Squirrels]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I hate having to worry about money when it comes to health but it's often a big factor. DH a few months ago was frustrating me. He was saying his stomach ached and he might go to the doctor but he acted fine and I'm like "a tummy ache? really?" So I was quite dismissive when he called from work to say he'd be late because he had an appt after work. "ok, whatever, if you must" and thought there goes co-pay at minimum down the drain. An hour later he called me on his way to the hospital where the doctor had sent him. I joined him there and he was taken into surgery within 20 minutes. He had a severely bleeding ulcer and might not have made it much longer. Wife of the year for me?

[Catwoman]

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. I hate having to worry about money when it comes to health but it's often a big factor. DH a few months ago was frustrating me. He was saying his stomach ached and he might go to the doctor but he acted fine and I'm like "a tummy ache? really?" So I was quite dismissive when he called from work to say he'd be late because he had an appt after work. "ok, whatever, if you must" and thought there goes co-pay at minimum down the drain. An hour later he called me on his way to the hospital where the doctor had sent him. I joined him there and he was taken into surgery within 20 minutes. He had a severely bleeding ulcer and might not have made it much longer. Wife of the year for me?

Well, in your defense, you had no idea that anything was seriously wrong. You were probably thinking he had eaten something that didn't agree with him! It would have been different if he had been complaining about having terrible pain and you told him to suck it up and deal with it, but it sounds like he never told you he was having any serious trouble until the last minute.

 

He must have a very high pain tolerance! I'm so glad he's okay!

Edited September 1, 2017 by Catwoman

[Melissa in Australia]

Hugs

[DawnM]

Oh gosh, I am so sorry.

[Splash]

I'm sorry.  I hope he's okay.

 

This spring my daughter had a $1900 period.  ER, lots of tests only to have her period start and she's fine.  That is one month after her $1800 migraine.

 

Fun times.

 

ETA:  those amounts were my portion out of pocket.  We met out deductible in January.

 

 

 

Edited September 1, 2017 by Splash

[Guest]

The current theory, based on symptoms only, is that he had a small stroke. They put him on Lipitor which is hilarious and stupid because DH has spent many hours st the Lipid Clinic for dangerously low cholesterol.

He's on his way home and I'm going medieval on his ass. He quit working out years ago and eats restaurant food daily. Since my nagging didn't work, maybe thousands of dollars in medical bills will get him moving. Yes, I'm pissed.

[Guest]

Well at least they weren't keeping him for nothing?

 

I hope this motivates him to make some lifestyle changes. Hugs to you

[Selkie]

Wow, I'm glad he went to the ER and that he's okay! I hope he has a quick recovery.

[El...]

Wow!  Yep, lots of salads!  I'm glad he's ok.

[catz]

I really don't understand why they don't run more tests to confirm?  I would be super irritated.

 

I hope he has a quick recovery!  :grouphug:

[Guinevere]

They did tests to confirm the cholesterol is now raised?

 

Is the numbness gone?

 

I know you are frustrated, but I really think he needs a second opinion.

[Spryte]

I'm glad he's on the way home, and hope there are no more problems for him.

 

Maybe a second opinion at some point?

[ocelotmom]

I badly broke my arm this week, requiring surgery. My primary thought, even before the pain meds, was how much it would cost. Especially after they decided to Care Flight me to another hospital. I do have insurance, but we haven't touched our deductible up until now, and I know a lot is bound to be out of network or otherwise not covered.

 

It shouldn't be this way, people.

[MEmama]

How terrifying! I'm so glad he went in, but it does seem strange he/you don't have more information. What kind of follow up is next?

[unsinkable]

I'm sorry you guys are going thru this, Moxie.

[creekland]

I badly broke my arm this week, requiring surgery. My primary thought, even before the pain meds, was how much it would cost. Especially after they decided to Care Flight me to another hospital. I do have insurance, but we haven't touched our deductible up until now, and I know a lot is bound to be out of network or otherwise not covered.

 

It shouldn't be this way, people.

 

Yuck!  Sorry to hear about your arm.  It sounds painful and a bit of a life disruption.   :grouphug:

 

I still say those who have medical issues to worry about should NOT have to worry about cost.  Period.

[creekland]

The current theory, based on symptoms only, is that he had a small stroke. They put him on Lipitor which is hilarious and stupid because DH has spent many hours st the Lipid Clinic for dangerously low cholesterol.

He's on his way home and I'm going medieval on his ass. He quit working out years ago and eats restaurant food daily. Since my nagging didn't work, maybe thousands of dollars in medical bills will get him moving. Yes, I'm pissed.

 

I hope you didn't.  The poor dude is probably already stressed out as it is and more certainly isn't going to change anything or help.  'Tis best to vent on here and just work with him on changes offering a reminder now and then if needed to change his diet and lifestyle.  He'll get reminded every time a bill comes in too...

 

AND... I wouldn't want my hubby chancing his life by not going in if he had developed a numbness on one side.  I know I can say that knowing costs are covered, but if it's a choice of cost or hubby, I want my hubby, not a funeral (those are also costly, but costs aside... I want my hubby here).

[ktgrok]

Did the do an ultrasound of his carotid?

[Guest]

It sounds like the doctors are just throwing something vague out there.

[Catwoman]

I hope you didn't. The poor dude is probably already stressed out as it is and more certainly isn't going to change anything or help. 'Tis best to vent on here and just work with him on changes offering a reminder now and then if needed to change his diet and lifestyle. He'll get reminded every time a bill comes in too...

 

AND... I wouldn't want my hubby chancing his life by not going in if he had developed a numbness on one side. I know I can say that knowing costs are covered, but if it's a choice of cost or hubby, I want my hubby, not a funeral (those are also costly, but costs aside... I want my hubby here).

I agree.

 

Moxie, please try to focus on being thankful that this was apparently a minor stroke. Your dh is still alive and has the opportunity to make some changes and get healthy again. Not everyone gets that chance. Your dh could have died. I'm sure he realizes that and is worried about it, whether or not he's telling anyone about it. Getting angry with him isn't going to help; he's probably angry enough with himself, so I hope you will be kind and supportive and help him get through what must have been an awful and frightening shock for both of you.

 

I'm praying for you guys. :grouphug:

[Guest]

Did the do an ultrasound of his carotid?

Yes. The hospitalist saw a bulge which is why he had to stay last night. The neurologist this morning saw nothing.

 

Neither one of us think he had a stroke. My bigger concern is that he has something wrong with his back (which he does) that isn't getting any attention.

[goldberry]

I'm glad he's home but agree this all sounds really weird. Does he have a good GP?

[itsheresomewhere]

Yes. The hospitalist saw a bulge which is why he had to stay last night. The neurologist this morning saw nothing.

 

Neither one of us think he had a stroke. My bigger concern is that he has something wrong with his back (which he does) that isn't getting any attention.

 

 

I totally understand this right now.  I am dealing with doctors focusing on the wrong thing. 

 

For a funny on scans- DH only has one lung and if you read his chart or listened to his history,  you would know this.  A few months ago, he had a follow up chest x-ray.  The radiologist was freaking out that his lung was gone on the x-ray.  Insisting he get an immediate cat scan and go to the emergency room to find out why his lung was not showing up on the x-ray.  I can not tell you how long it took me to explain to them that the lung was known to be missing since it was removed.  

 

Maybe see if you can get him into a spine specialist.  

[Guest]

I'm glad he's home but agree this all sounds really weird. Does he have a good GP?

That is why we are in this mess! His PCP died a few years ago and DH has never gotten a new one. When he gets sick, he goes to the Minute Clinic or Urgent Care. None of those people can handle what we thought was (and what might still be) a pinched nerve so they sent him to the ER.

Me-I'm not going to the ER unless there is a bone or a baby sticking out of me!! Me--no way would I sit in a hospital for 2 days without seeing a freaking doctor.

DH and I have different approaches to medicine and it has always been an issue.

[Lanny]

I agree.

 

Moxie, please try to focus on being thankful that this was apparently a minor stroke. Your dh is still alive and has the opportunity to make some changes and get healthy again. Not everyone gets that chance. Your dh could have died. I'm sure he realizes that and is worried about it, whether or not he's telling anyone about it. Getting angry with him isn't going to help; he's probably angry enough with himself, so I hope you will be kind and supportive and help him get through what must have been an awful and frightening shock for both of you.

 

I'm praying for you guys. :grouphug:

 

+1   God and the doctors and nurses who took care of him have given him a 2nd life.

[Guest]

+1 God and the doctors and nurses who took care of him have given him a 2nd life.

He was never in danger of dying. They did nothing for him but run tests and make guesses. Literally, no treatment.

Edited September 1, 2017 by Moxie

[creekland]

He was never in danger of dying. They did nothing for him but run tests and make guesses. Literally, no treatment.

 

You might know this now in hindsight, but how did you know it going in?  His whole side going numb - just one side - seems pretty worthwhile to be checked out to me.

 

Hubby went to the ER once because he blacked out in our horse pasture and had no memory of it - he just woke up on the ground nauseous and dizzy.  He called me at work asking what to do and I told him to have our neighbor take him in to be checked out.  She did.  Nothing ended up being wrong and our best guess is a larger pony ran into him knocking him to the ground and knocking him out in the process.  He still doesn't remember anything about it except waking up.

 

But if something had been wrong...

 

I guess I just prefer to be thankful nothing was wrong rather than not having it checked out and guessing the wrong way.

 

I'll admit I'm different for myself and probably take chances most folks wouldn't, but I'm glad he didn't.  I want him around as healthy as possible.  It's worth paying for if needed.

 

Now if he goes in for a stubbed toe or a papercut I'd feel differently, but numbness on one side?  I'll admit I'm siding with him.

[ktgrok]

Also, most people hurt their back i the lower back area, which would not cause numbness in the arms. Only the legs. 

[MEmama]

When we were moving from eastern Canada back to the US, DH slipped on the UHaul ramp and gashed his leg. When we took him to the ER (of course it was at night), they were concerned only with his blood pressure, ignored the enormous gaping wound on his leg and sent us to a different hospital some many miles away. He's basically in shock, mind you, and I'm driving all over the freaking province looking for this other hospital because the other one "doesn't handle cardiac issues"--that we didn't go in for. When we finally get there he's eventually treated for his blood pressure--it's still the only thing they were concerned with. We left confused and angry, and the next day he had to drive the UHaul to our new home, deal with customs and immigration etc etc.

 

The day after we got here it was clear his leg was infected, and so began his long journey with MRSA thanks to not getting his wound properly tended to. BUT the attention given to his blood pressure paid off and shone light on other underlying issues we didn't know we're going on.

 

All to say...at the time, we thought the doctors stupid and incompetent for focusing on a problem that didn't exist (I mean duh his blood pressure is high--he's severely injured!), when in fact it later turned out to be a pretty big deal. In that case yes, they should have dealt with his wound and why they didn't is a freaking mystery, but between that experience and his pancreatitis, I've come to accept that doctors in general know a mighty lot, and I sure am grateful to them.

 

Moxie, I know it can be frustrating in the moment and it sounds like your DH didn't get much care. But a suspected STROKE? He needs to follow up--find him a GP!!!--and get a second opinion. I KNOW it's expensive and I passionately hate that's a current reality, but a diagnosis like that isn't something to mess with.

 

Thinking of you and hoping you get resolution sooner than later. :grouphug:

[Lanny]

He was never in danger of dying. They did nothing for him but run tests and make guesses. Literally, no treatment.

 

From your posts in this thread, you sound like someone with impeccable medical training and expertise.   Are you sure about that?   Any decent M.D. with a patient who is in the E.R. will keep them in the E.R., or check them into a room, until they are sure they are not in danger. 

 

I almost died  5 years ago.  2 problems I'd known I had, for years, but did not know could be fatal. When it was happening, I didn't realize how close to death I was.  I am extremely thankful for the doctors and nurses who took care of me and that my wife was there with me and not criticizing my doctors or me. I pray for them and their families, every day.

 

If you love your DH, try to help him recover from this, and try to help him improve his health, so he will be around for you and your DC.

 

If you read that Mayo Clinic page about Numbness you will see how many different things can cause Numbness. I think if I was an M.D., diagnosis would be the hardest part in a situation like that, where one symptom has many possible causes.   

[Catwoman]

From your posts in this thread, you sound like someone with impeccable medical training and expertise. Are you sure about that? Any decent M.D. with a patient who is in the E.R. will keep them in the E.R., or check them into a room, until they are sure they are not in danger.

 

I almost died 5 years ago. 2 problems I'd known I had, for years, but did not know could be fatal. When it was happening, I didn't realize how close to death I was. I am extremely thankful for the doctors and nurses who took care of me and that my wife was there with me and not criticizing my doctors or me. I pray for them and their families, every day.

 

If you love your DH, try to help him recover from this, and try to help him improve his health, so he will be around for you and your DC.

 

If you read that Mayo Clinic page about Numbness you will see how many different things can cause Numbness. I think if I was an M.D., diagnosis would be the hardest part in a situation like that, where one symptom has many possible causes.

Wow, Lanny -- how scary for you and your family!!! Thank goodness you got the medical care you needed!

[Catwoman]

He was never in danger of dying. They did nothing for him but run tests and make guesses. Literally, no treatment.

The thing is, they didn't know right away that he wasn't in danger of dying. What if they had sent him home and he'd had a massive stroke? I can understand why they didn't want to take that chance.

 

As it is, I would take this very seriously and do whatever it takes to ensure that your dh doesn't have another episode like this. If there was ever a time to go see a specialist, this is that time.

 

I hope you're right and it's a back issue, but I wouldn't take any chances on being wrong -- it could literally be a life or death mistake if you're thinking back problem and it was really a stroke. His numbness could definitely have been a stroke symptom, and it makes sense that the doctors at the hospital were worried.

 

I know you have lousy insurance and I think it's terrible that you should have to even think for a moment about money at a time like this, but it sounds like you're in a situation where your dh may have a serious health problem and his life is the most important thing right now. Medical bills are awful, but having your husband alive and well with you and your children is priceless.

 

Okay, that last part sounded like a bad Hallmark card, but you know what I mean, right? :grouphug:

Edited September 2, 2017 by Catwoman

[Reefgazer]

They are being very cautious because even though it is not likely he had a major stroke, it is possible, and if they were negligent they would be sued for that by most people and you could have a dead husband.  That said, you and DH have the right to refuse medical care after talking to the doctors about cost and the nitty gritty, and then making an informed decision about what level of care to accept.  My prayers are with you and your DH, and I hope he is OK and recovers quickly.

Here's where I really sound like a bad wife. When I took DH to the ortho urgent care when he threw his back out, he walked in, was cracking jokes, etc. For sure he was in pain. But the woman asked him his pain level and he said 10. Really?? He's seen me give birth 5 times. I've been in so much pain that I was pretty sure death was coming for me and I never once said I was at a 10. So, we approach pain differently.
He could have gone to ortho urgent care tomorrow. In 14 hours. But no. Here we are, probably paying thousands and thousands to be monitored for nothing in this luxury hotel. Kinda pissed.

 

Edited September 2, 2017 by reefgazer

[Lanny]

Wow, Lanny -- how scary for you and your family!!! Thank goodness you got the medical care you needed!

 

Amen.   Life is a very fragile thing. In my case, the solution was simple, and non-invasive,  but the 2 issues, combined, almost killed me, which came as a huge surprise to me...  Something I can avoid now at low cost and maintain a normal life.   Each day one wakes up in the morning it is a Gift from God. Another day...

[Lanny]

The OP wrote they did not provide any treatment to her DH, but they put an I.V. into him, for a reason, and they put a Heart Monitor on him for a reason.    That seems to be treatment to me.

 

 In the E.R., the Physicians receive Lab Results much faster than a regular doctor who has his/her office in the same hospital would receive them. In the E.R., the results might be received in an hour or 2, for a regular thing, it might take a day or 2.  My number #1 doctor (when we had the PPO) explained that to me years ago.  I was in the hospital, he was there, I wanted to see him, but he explained that it was better under the circumstances for me to go to the E.R., where they would resolve the issue much faster than he could, because they would quickly get results of tests they submitted to the Lab.  At that time, I wasn't too happy about that, but afterwards, I knew he was correct and that he was being conservative. Yes, he could have seen me, but it would not have been helpful to my medical condition to wait for the Lab results and then go back to see him for another appointment, a few days later.  

 

My experience over the years, having had I.V.s stuck in me in the E.R. several times when I had issues with bad food or some kind of illness, is that if they stick an I.V. into you, you are probably going to recover and be fine.

 

In the E.R. they deal with all kinds of patients. Some of them come in with a Massive Heart Attack. Some come in after a horrible accident. Some, go in as I did a few times, with Food Poisoning or some other Minor issue.  The E.R. Physicians work on a Priority system, with the critical patients first and the others later, and they want all of them to leave the E.R.  alive.

 

On one of my visits to the E.R., I think about 15 years ago, an Uncle of one of the Physicians on duty came in while I was there and he died in the E.R. She had to keep working. 

[Guest]

Agreeing that in the moment, the doctors have to assume something could be massively wrong before they can rule out massively wrong. My BIl left work one day because he felt sick to his stomach. He was driving nearby the hospital and his arm was tingly, so he went in. He was having a heart attack! But he didn't know it; he followed some instinct about going in.

 

I think when you have that thought of, "maybe I need to go to the ER," heed it.

 

My sister thought she had the flu. Actually, though, she had a kidney infection that was going septic. My dad had the thought in the middle of the night, "I think she needs to go to the ER." But it was too late. She died.

 

I think, if someone has that thought of, "maybe this needs checking out," you go to the ER. I know paying for it is no small worry, and I wish that wasn't true in this otherwise prosperous country, but you just can't mess around if you think the hospital is where you need to be.