CaliforniaCook
10-01-2011, 02:17 PM
A few members asked about my foot. Frankly, I don't really know what the problem is. I'm frustrated & don't have any clear answers. I rarely get sick, & don't have a GP. Everyone specializes.
About 2 years ago my foot swelled up (below the ankle) so badly, I couldn't get a shoe on, bend my ankle & was in pain. Went to the ER. They did an ultrasound (no x-rays), & called in scripts for antibiotics & Ibuprofin (sp). They never gave me a diagnosis. I did try to find out what the problem was, but only got a huge bill - no answers.
Fast forward to about ten days ago. My big toe (same foot) swelled up & was inflamed/red, & tremendously painful. I looked on the internet for a foot doc in my area. Found one close by who was a foot doctor/surgeon, & her credentials sounded pretty good. I made an appointment & arranged for transportation. She examined my foot, & told me "I'm sorry, I can't help you. Here's a list of surgeons/foot docs. You need to go to a surgeon ASAP." I said I didn't understand. You're a foot doctor & surgeon, why can't you help me, please. I asked if she could take an x-ray. She did, & said everything was fine. She called in a script for antibiotics, told me to soak my feet. I did, & the skin around my toe came off & the toe hurt even more. Now, I'm going into panic mode.
My friend, who has the same insurance, did a search, found a few docs & I made an appointment, again. I filled out the forms. When I saw him he asked if I smoked & how much. He loudly insisted You must stop NOW, & it's expensive. He loudly, again, asked why do I wear nail polish. Don't I know it's putting paint on my feet. He kept on & on, asking for phone #s of doc's I have seen. He wanted ro remove the nail. I asked several times if there was another alternative. His staff did take x-rays. They didn't turn out, & he had them take x-rays again. I heard him say something about an abscess (in another room), & again, talking to the x-ray (not me) abscess and something about the bone.
He removed the nail, & told me to soak my foot, use neosporin, & put a bandaide on it. When I got home I was in pain. Couldn't walk. Made a few calls & found I could have an in-home nurse change the bandages & clean the wound - provided the Doc approved same. I don't want to go back to this guy. I've had some in-home help.
I just don't understand why the problem wasn't found & corrected previously. Not sure what to do next. Thanks for listening.
About 2 years ago my foot swelled up (below the ankle) so badly, I couldn't get a shoe on, bend my ankle & was in pain. Went to the ER. They did an ultrasound (no x-rays), & called in scripts for antibiotics & Ibuprofin (sp). They never gave me a diagnosis. I did try to find out what the problem was, but only got a huge bill - no answers.
Fast forward to about ten days ago. My big toe (same foot) swelled up & was inflamed/red, & tremendously painful. I looked on the internet for a foot doc in my area. Found one close by who was a foot doctor/surgeon, & her credentials sounded pretty good. I made an appointment & arranged for transportation. She examined my foot, & told me "I'm sorry, I can't help you. Here's a list of surgeons/foot docs. You need to go to a surgeon ASAP." I said I didn't understand. You're a foot doctor & surgeon, why can't you help me, please. I asked if she could take an x-ray. She did, & said everything was fine. She called in a script for antibiotics, told me to soak my feet. I did, & the skin around my toe came off & the toe hurt even more. Now, I'm going into panic mode.
My friend, who has the same insurance, did a search, found a few docs & I made an appointment, again. I filled out the forms. When I saw him he asked if I smoked & how much. He loudly insisted You must stop NOW, & it's expensive. He loudly, again, asked why do I wear nail polish. Don't I know it's putting paint on my feet. He kept on & on, asking for phone #s of doc's I have seen. He wanted ro remove the nail. I asked several times if there was another alternative. His staff did take x-rays. They didn't turn out, & he had them take x-rays again. I heard him say something about an abscess (in another room), & again, talking to the x-ray (not me) abscess and something about the bone.
He removed the nail, & told me to soak my foot, use neosporin, & put a bandaide on it. When I got home I was in pain. Couldn't walk. Made a few calls & found I could have an in-home nurse change the bandages & clean the wound - provided the Doc approved same. I don't want to go back to this guy. I've had some in-home help.
I just don't understand why the problem wasn't found & corrected previously. Not sure what to do next. Thanks for listening.