Thank you for your candor & willingness to share your personal experience! Helpful to know ... glad you’re back to baseline. Thank you for this blog 🙏🏻
Hi, I wanted to highlight Carol's comment. My husband's experience in the emergency room led to hospitalization and abdominal surgery - surgery I will always wonder if it was necessary. I so wish we had gone to his doctor first - maybe there were other options. Take care of yourself..
Thanks Janice. That is my purpose on this site. I want to help others understand their options. If you have something that will clearly need admission. Your doctor can always admit you directly. You can bypass the ER which is better for everyone.
Hey Dr. B! I hope you’re on the mend and feeling better soon! “Up yo nose with a rubber hose” is only funny when a comedian says it as a joke! Your point about calling your provider/specialist BEFORE going to the ER is an excellent one! I mostly worked with women who were pregnant during my career, and after 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, the ER wasn’t even an option at BMH. They were sent directly to our Antepartum unit (the ER for pregnant women!)But most patients had no idea that they could call their OB provider to determine if coming to the hospital was necessary. Often as not, the problem was easily remedied by telling their provider what they were experiencing and determining treatment options either on the phone, or by visiting the office.
I recall it was difficult to try to explain it to them once they made the decision to come to the hospital--a scary decision for many. But if their OB did made it clear to them that this was an available option, many of my patients voiced relief at not needing to always resort to heading to the ER/hospital. I wish all providers could advise patients prior to going to the ER when they’re unsure what is going on. Emergencies DO happen, we all know, but we also know that ER’s absolutely are busy, noisy, expensive and not least, scary places to be.
I have had a few bouts with diverticulitis over the years and was fortunate on the first go round, to be able to see my primary care doctor soon after symptoms started. He figured it out in short order during an office visit by examining me and asking questions. He determined that I was able to go home on antibiotics and a liquid diet with instructions to follow up if symptoms worsened or didn’t improve. So when round two happened a few years later, I knew immediately what I needed to do--liquid diet, see provider for dx, and start antibiotics. So I know that this ideology works in practice. I’m sure that I got a lot more education on my condition because of the less fraught setting. It strikes me that telemedicine would perhaps be an excellent way to do this both effectively and efficiently. We shall see what the future brings us. As always, I appreciate your words of wisdom. Take care and be a good patient!😉
Thanks Carol. It is always great to hear from you and your comment is right on target as usual. I appreciate your reinforcing the message and the detail that you provided. I hope we are making a difference.
I did not know that about Presley. Sad. I knew she had died but not about the reason. But then I read or engage in very little MSM since covid began and haven’t read People mag in years. My daughter had weight loss surgery this spring--gastric sleeve. She’s doing ok and very careful on her eating--what there is of it. 😕 I warned her that a friend of mine lost a lot with a more invasive bariatric surgery but eventually gained much back because she ate M&Ms all day and other sweets. I do worry about my daughter (51) I’m suspicious patients do not get the truth about these extremely expensive treatments. The weight was not good for her of course and she needed to lose 100 lbs plus. She was also on a cpap machine. My advice is ignored of course. I have kept weight and good health steady at 75 by low carb clean eating with keto stretch now and then. I’m sorry you have had these times but you are alive and aware! Blessings and thanks for your work and shedding light on medical matters.
Thanks as always Janet. It is great to hear from you. I know of several people who gained weight back after weight loss surgery for exactly the reason you describe. In order to lose weight, you must change what you eat. As you are doing, you must eat real, whole food. Expensive meds and procedures can't work long term because they don't address the root cause. I think there are most related disasters than we hear about. A 30 year old cleck from my practice died within days of having gastric bypass. There are no effective quick fixes for chronic problems.
Thank you for your candor & willingness to share your personal experience! Helpful to know ... glad you’re back to baseline. Thank you for this blog 🙏🏻
Great to hear from you and thanks
Hi, I wanted to highlight Carol's comment. My husband's experience in the emergency room led to hospitalization and abdominal surgery - surgery I will always wonder if it was necessary. I so wish we had gone to his doctor first - maybe there were other options. Take care of yourself..
Thanks Janice. That is my purpose on this site. I want to help others understand their options. If you have something that will clearly need admission. Your doctor can always admit you directly. You can bypass the ER which is better for everyone.
Hi, I sure wish I had known that six years ago. Our experience in the ER was horrible. It's information I suspect many people don't realize.
Prayers for a speedy recovery Dr B.
Thanks Donna. I am already back at baseline.
Hey Dr. B! I hope you’re on the mend and feeling better soon! “Up yo nose with a rubber hose” is only funny when a comedian says it as a joke! Your point about calling your provider/specialist BEFORE going to the ER is an excellent one! I mostly worked with women who were pregnant during my career, and after 18-20 weeks of pregnancy, the ER wasn’t even an option at BMH. They were sent directly to our Antepartum unit (the ER for pregnant women!)But most patients had no idea that they could call their OB provider to determine if coming to the hospital was necessary. Often as not, the problem was easily remedied by telling their provider what they were experiencing and determining treatment options either on the phone, or by visiting the office.
I recall it was difficult to try to explain it to them once they made the decision to come to the hospital--a scary decision for many. But if their OB did made it clear to them that this was an available option, many of my patients voiced relief at not needing to always resort to heading to the ER/hospital. I wish all providers could advise patients prior to going to the ER when they’re unsure what is going on. Emergencies DO happen, we all know, but we also know that ER’s absolutely are busy, noisy, expensive and not least, scary places to be.
I have had a few bouts with diverticulitis over the years and was fortunate on the first go round, to be able to see my primary care doctor soon after symptoms started. He figured it out in short order during an office visit by examining me and asking questions. He determined that I was able to go home on antibiotics and a liquid diet with instructions to follow up if symptoms worsened or didn’t improve. So when round two happened a few years later, I knew immediately what I needed to do--liquid diet, see provider for dx, and start antibiotics. So I know that this ideology works in practice. I’m sure that I got a lot more education on my condition because of the less fraught setting. It strikes me that telemedicine would perhaps be an excellent way to do this both effectively and efficiently. We shall see what the future brings us. As always, I appreciate your words of wisdom. Take care and be a good patient!😉
Thanks Carol. It is always great to hear from you and your comment is right on target as usual. I appreciate your reinforcing the message and the detail that you provided. I hope we are making a difference.
We are happy to do whatever to help out. We appreciate you guys as well.
Im so sorry you have been so sick. Feel better soon and if you guys need anything at all let me know.
Thanks and we always appreciate all that you and Mark do to make life better.
Hope you feel better, Bill!
Great to hear from you, Annette! Once these things pass, I am good to go. I am headed out to walk now.
I did not know that about Presley. Sad. I knew she had died but not about the reason. But then I read or engage in very little MSM since covid began and haven’t read People mag in years. My daughter had weight loss surgery this spring--gastric sleeve. She’s doing ok and very careful on her eating--what there is of it. 😕 I warned her that a friend of mine lost a lot with a more invasive bariatric surgery but eventually gained much back because she ate M&Ms all day and other sweets. I do worry about my daughter (51) I’m suspicious patients do not get the truth about these extremely expensive treatments. The weight was not good for her of course and she needed to lose 100 lbs plus. She was also on a cpap machine. My advice is ignored of course. I have kept weight and good health steady at 75 by low carb clean eating with keto stretch now and then. I’m sorry you have had these times but you are alive and aware! Blessings and thanks for your work and shedding light on medical matters.
Thanks as always Janet. It is great to hear from you. I know of several people who gained weight back after weight loss surgery for exactly the reason you describe. In order to lose weight, you must change what you eat. As you are doing, you must eat real, whole food. Expensive meds and procedures can't work long term because they don't address the root cause. I think there are most related disasters than we hear about. A 30 year old cleck from my practice died within days of having gastric bypass. There are no effective quick fixes for chronic problems.
Exactly. 🙏🏻 your current flare up heals FAST and complete. I’m going out for my almost daily walk now. Peace.
I hope you are home and feeling better! Thank you for sharing this experience; I agree with your advice.
That means a lot to me. Thanks. I am back to baseline.