Tapering with PMR, Osteoporosis, Gall Bladder (new) and upcoming Cataract Surgery (second eye)

[Missus835]

I feel like crap. I don't feel I should be tapering anything at this point. Was just in hospital for 3 days end of April. Gall bladder is shot. I've done something to my back, but since GP can not find xray results from May 10th (eye roll) or blood work from May 14, I'm not sure what's going on with my back or my hemoglobin (also had a diverticular bleed two days after I was discharged). I'm extremely tired and somewhat shakey. GP wants me to continue with taper from 11 mg. I was going to follow DLs 5 week taper plan, but think I should stay where I am, maybe even go up by 5 mg. until after second cataract surgery this Thursday. I could deal with the back pain were it not for the front pain and gall bladder nausea. 😆Also it would be good to know if it's another compression fracture or a very angry set of back muscles. Thoughts on this mess?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Well given that mix, I'd have thought the LAST thing you should be doing is trying to taper, not least because of Sick Day Rules for illness and surgery suggest MORE pred in that situation not less.

[Missus835 in reply to PMRpro]

It's not on my "to do" list Pro.

[HeronNS]

Why doesn't the doctor ask for the results to be sent? They could face-savingly claim that they haven't received them (they were only days ago, so quite credible). It's way past time for patients to have access to their own test results. 🤗

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

Hi Heron. Just had this discussion with my daughter and also the person who registered me the other day. I made sure they had GPs name spelled correctly and also her physician's number. This is not the first time she has been unable to find results.. She couldn't remember the requisition for the bloodwork. It was a very ill-prepared consult. Anyway, I'll try another route on Tuesday. I have a consult coming up with the Osteo Specialist. Hopefully she can find something. Thanks for your reply. How are you doing now?

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

Unbelievable. My d-i-l has same probs with her GP but thinks the issue is with the assistant, secretary, whatever that position is.

I guess I find out on Tuesday if they'll need to do surgery, but feeling better. Thanks for asking.

Hope your current adventures lead to good outcomes and your GP gets her act together!

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

I was thinking the assistant and did try to call her to see if she could locate the reports. Couldn't get through. Hoping for no surgery for you dear. 🌷

[MizDiana]

Gall Bladder issues can really mess you up. I was having all sorts of fatigue and problems some years ago, before I found out I had gall bladder problems. Felt like a new person after having it removed (laproscopic surgery isn't that bad). Consider that some of what your feeling may not be lack of steroids or PMR (I'm not saying you should continue to taper or not), but may be gall bladder issues.

[Missus835 in reply to MizDiana]

Thanks! Pretty sure it's going to be removed. Appointment with surgeon is June 12. I was hoping to get thru Summer without surgery, but not looking that way. Yes, I'm thinking it's the mostly the gall bladder making me tired out. I'm glad your surgery went well. All the best!

[Blearyeyed]

I wish I'd been on steroids when I had my gall bladder issues. So glad when it was removed.I certainly wouldn't have wanted to struggle to get off pain medication while it was inflamed.

Surely you can ring for access to your x-ray and blood results to the centre you had them in.

Your doctor needs a kick in the bum.

Hope you get things sorted soon, hugs , Bee

[Missus835 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Not here in Nova Scotia. I was told they're working on our getting access to our records. In some futuristic world. I'm sticking at 11 mg until things settle. Thanks Bee.

[Blearyeyed in reply to Missus835]

I wasn't thinking that you could just access them on the internet, I'm in rural Wales and our surgery isn't up to date on patient access either.I mean if you ring the centre you got the test at , tell them your health number and day / time you had the appointment, and the name of the doctor whom ordered them, and ask them to find it on the computer at their end .

When they've found them request for them to send another copy through to your doctor and if possible in a file emailed to you.

Realistically, it's what you GP should have got his receptionist doing after big apologies when they couldn't find your results , but we all know how rubbish they are at taking responsibility and making amends so it might be quicker to ring yourself.

[Missus835 in reply to Blearyeyed]

Yes I'm going the long route if I don't get the answers

[readingbooks in reply to Missus835]

and yet here ,next door to you, in Ontario I have access to all my reports, records, test results, blood work etc and have had for several years. So what are they up to I wonder ? Very annoying for you .

Sorry, I goofed. This was meant for Heron NS !

[Missus835 in reply to readingbooks]

That's ok she lives not far from me in NS and we bothnhave the same complaint. Lol

[NCStateLine]

It’s interesting reading about records - In the US it’s actually very good. I get blood tests at the Rheumy every month and they are on line in less than 24 hours and you can see graphs of trends for all tests. The issue is that different doctors are on different systems so my GP doesn’t see any of these tests. Clearly in can be done and things are moving towards system consolidation.

[Missus835 in reply to NCStateLine]

Can't wait for this to be implemented on Canada.

[Wizards in reply to Missus835]

I'm in Canada and I got bloodwork done monthly and not just inflammation levels a full panel. Results within 1-2 days depending on the tests.

Each province is a bit different.

I had online access to all.

[Missus835 in reply to Wizards]

Yes I'm sure the results are there that same night, but issue is my GP can never find them. Lol

[MiniSpec]

Perhaps your GP could do with an eyesight test?

[pink123floyd]

I ask for a copy of all my appoinment letters with the results that get sent to my doctor ,saves time sitting on the phone ringing the surgery for my results.

[Missus835 in reply to pink123floyd]

Sounds good, but they won't do it here in Nova Scotia.

[pink123floyd in reply to Missus835]

Does your surgery have a app called Patience Access or Nhs apps its another way to access your results.Take care.x

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to pink123floyd]

Missus835 is in Nova Scotia - in Canada. The NHS apps doesn't cover there!

[pink123floyd in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks, she replied and let me know thank you for letting me know tho

[Karenjaninaz]

My gastro told me not to delay the gallbladder removal, when I was in no mood for another surgery, having had a major scoliosis revision 2-year before. There was a danger of gallbladder pancreatitis ending me up in the ICU as an emergency. I was 62 at the time.

By the way, back pain can be referred pain from the gallbladder.

[Missus835 in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Oh. Thanks for the info. Not planning on delaying any longer than the medicare system makes me.

[HeronNS in reply to Missus835]

waittimes.novascotia.ca/pro...

Talked with someone in ortho waiting room yesterday who went out of metro for ankle surgery a couple of years ago, much faster. Wonder if system would transport you there and back if you were prepared to do this?

And why is it twice as long in Dartmouth than Halifax, I thought we were all one system?

[Missus835 in reply to HeronNS]

The transportation part, I doubt, as I was offered out of town consult in Bridgewater at 8 AM. This would have meant going the night before and staying in a motel. I turned it down. The admin said it could be years before I got another consult. The VG called me the following week. Why is Dartmouth slower? No idea.