ct scan results

[chyna]

Does anyone know how long it takes to get results from a limited CT Scan of the face? I had one yesterday and they didn't tell me a thing afterward and when I called my dr's office this morning the receptionist would only tell me that the dr would call me about my blood work (from last week) and the CT scan and tell me if I needed to come in or what. Nothing like getting off the phone and realizing you know as much as you did before.:rolleyes:

I've had a headache for months now and the dr seems to think that maybe the antibiotics for a sinus infection and whatever else they've tried on me just haven't done much for the problem. No you think?!!!!! It is in the sinus area so my guess would be.... sinus problems. And I didn't even have to go to medical school to figure that one out. :)

[Gigi]

That's horrible when you have to wait and wait and wait...and if you have testing done on a Friday--to some it could be a looooooong weekend.

I hope you hear something tomorrow-early- and pray that everything will turn out well.

I have a "closed" MRI one time for my face/ear area. It was terrible-they put a helmet on me and put me in this "thing"--- my tests were because I have terrible earaches/jaw pain- and they had to rule out a tumor....it ended up being TMJ or I call it an EAR MIRGRAINE- ouch!

Let us know....take care.

[RoseMary]

Just saw this post, Tanya. Do let us know when you find out something.

[ChapterTwo]

All I know if that my friend had CT scans done of her finger, and she got the results in a couple days.

I'll tell you one thing that has gotten MUCH better about me as I've gotten older. I have always been shy, but I've learned to be much more persistent!

If I were you, I would call the doctor's office back, and again ask how long it usually takes to get results back from a CT scan, and don't hang up 'til you find out. THEY are serving YOU and you should be able to get a simple answer to a simple question. These people behind the desks don't realize how it is when you are the patient. They're just doing their jobs (sort of!) and forget that the patients are real people.

I really empathize re the headaches...that's my Achilles heel - I often get headaches, although nothing nearly as bad as what you describe.

Quite a few years ago my daughter had constant nasal congestion, no matter what we did - we saw so many different doctors and one ordered a CT scan of her sinuses, and the results were negative, thankfully. And the "joke" was that the symptoms finally went away by themselves. :o

I sure hope you get to the bottom of this soon, Tanya. You want to feel GREAT for the upcoming Spring season!

[Lisa S]

Tanya,

I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. I completely agree with Chapter Two ~ call them back. You have a right to know how long you need to wait for the results if nothing else!

Take care of yourself, my friend.

[Zuzu's Garden]

It may be different for you, but when my little one had CT scans they wouldn't tell us anything immediately after the scans except that another Dr. would be reviewing them and we would be contacted later with the results. So perhaps your Dr. is not the Dr. reviewing them and he is waiting for the other Dr. to call him.

If you haven't heard anything yet, then I think ChapterTwo's advice is great. Call and ask when you can expect the results.

Take care, Tanya.
Zu

[ChapterTwo]

Zuzu...you're most likely right that another doctor will review the scan results. I think the medical folk need to take it into consideration that the patient is concerned about his/her own body. They need to put themselves into the patient's shoes, now and then.

It helps if they can give the patient an idea of how long it will take...a day, a few days, a week? And that info should be given to the patient without him or her having to ask. Ahhhh, to live in a perfect world...::p

[chyna]

You mean info besides where did you park and giving directions on how to get from radiation to the parking lot. :eek: I figure that somebody needs to view the results of the CT and it could take a few days but what I'd really like to know is what came out of the blood test. The grumpy blood sucker just tossed over her shoulder while whisking herself off that it would be in a week. It is soooooo annoying!!!!:mad: I'll give them until noon or so and then call again. I should call my eye dr and see if he still wants to do his test of the eye nerves. Seems like that would be just doing the same thing as the CT but to be honest I'm not exactly sure what/how those work.:o

[ChapterTwo]

I'll give them until noon or so and then call again.

Atta girl! ;)

In my older years of going from a shy gal to someone who doesn't let people push her around so much, I've learned one handy phrase:

That is unacceptable.

Think about it - How can anyone argue or dispute THAT one?

And as for your eye doctor, Chyna, why not call him and ask if and how the eye nerve test would differ from the CT scan. And don't let him get off the phone 'til he explains it well. This is your body and you have a right to know what's going on.

I'm really not as bold as this sounds, but I get annoyed when the medical industry (yes, INDUSTRY) gives people a hard time. My friend had surgery on her finger and the doctor totally botched it! He gave her a zillion prescriptions and sent her for rounds and rounds of rehab with the result that the finger is worse than before the surgery (she had trigger finger). So now she goes back for yet another surgery (this time, a two step procedure).

[Lisa S]

Dan and I had only been married for about a month. He had a gig in Seattle. Right before the performance, he decided to eat an apple and cut it with his band mates pocket knife. He wasn't used to sharp knives and sliced through his finger, cutting most of the tendons.

He had surgery in Seattle with instructions to get to our doctor immediately if he felt a "pinging" sensation in his hand. This would indicate that the tendons had sprung loose again. Being a piano and trumpet player for a living, his hands were his livelihood.

The next week, he had a gig on Orcas Island. Orcas didn't have any emergency medical facilities at the time. Of course, this is where he'd feel that dreaded pinging sensation. We had to wait until the performance was finished and then race back to Portland.

Our "doctor" at Kaiser didn't even unwrap his bandages and told him to come back on Wednesday for his regular appointment. We argued, but this megalomaniac insisted that we didn't know what we were talking about.

We went home, but Dan was unsettled. He said he could just feel that his tendons had come loose. We decided to seek medical attention outside of Kaiser and went to another hospital. Needless to say, Dan was in surgery 15 minutes later. The surgeon said that if we had waited much longer, the damage would have been irreparable.

Long story to illustrate my point: Doctors are human. My doctor friend said to me the other day... "Why do you think they call it the "art" of medicine?". You know your body the best. If something is wrong, ask politely. Then demand, demand, demand.

[ChapterTwo]

You know your body the best. If something is wrong, ask politely. Then demand, demand, demand.


VERY well said!

Gosh, I'm sorry for all your husband (and you!) went through. And when you really NEED your hands in your profession, as he does, I can't imagine how worried you both were. I hope everything's fine now, Lisa...

[Lisa S]

Oh yeah... it's a distant memory. Actually 18 years ago! It was very scary at the time. We were so young and inexperienced. It was a good lesson to learn before parenthood. I swear, I'm a mother bear these days.

[chyna]

Oh Mama Bear gets in the docs faces alot with her dd! :o

My peditrician tried to tell me that Lizzie doesn't have asthma because he's never heard her wheeze. Could that be because I can't get in to see you when she is sick?! Same went for the frequent ear infections and being on antibiotics for months on end. I said enough already and just made the appt with an ENT myself and sure enough while she didn't need ear tubes she did need her tonsils and adenoids removed. teh kid has been health as a horse since. Before we were taking her in constantly for this or that and now, well I don't remember the last time I took her in to the dr because she is sick.

I've learned that if you think something is wrong and you can't get the dr to address it, take matters into your own hands. We went to the allergist because Lizzie was on yet another round of inhaler and prednisone. I asked my boss about the meds she was on and he kept asking does she have asthma? Does she have allergies? Well by golly she does and the pedi never even suspected or suggested we take her to someone to have her tested. Whle there I got tested too, though I pretty much already had my suspicions on what I was allergic too. The soy and peanuts was an unhappy realization though.:(

I made the call and still no return call. :mad: Hopefully he calls me before I leave to go home. he's got less than 2 hours. I'm not having much luck with my phone contacts today. Lizzie's teacher was gone today, my dr was at lunch or not available and I can't even tell you how many vendors I've hit a brick wall on. Good thing it is Friday!:p

[ChapterTwo]

Oh yeah... it's a distant memory. Actually 18 years ago! It was very scary at the time.

Wow...but I bet in some ways, it doesn't feel that long ago, Lisa. I'm glad that's well behind you.



Chyna - Sorry you're not having a good day with your contacts. I find that Fridays are often 'that way'.

Interesting about how the doc never suspected allergies...around here, they're ALWAYS pushing for kids to go to allergists!

[Lisa S]

18 years ago doesn't seem long ago in every way. Darn it!

[ChapterTwo]

18 years ago doesn't seem long ago in every way. Darn it!

HaHa! Isn't THAT the truth??!! :rolleyes:

[Breezy]

Tanya - I certainly hope it all turns out well for you - in the meantime we are all thinking of you and waiting to hear your news. Best wishes

[chyna]

I finally pinned the guy down and he starts giving me somebody else's results! I think he was getting ready to tell me that I had ulcers or pregnant until he realized he had the wrong person.:rolleyes: My confidence with him is just so high right now. Anyway the CT scan shows a clear sinus cavities so he says I don't have sinusitis. He is suggesting allergies. Umm yeah I thought we already knew I have allergies, he mentioned doing a Rocky Mountain panel to see what I'm allergic and I asked if maybe I shouldn't get a new allergist since mine just retired. he didn't sound too thrilled with that idea but tough noogies. This is the guy who wanted me to get rid of every pet we have before I was ever tested.

Anyway he wants me to take this migraine meds 4X a day and see how that works. Ummm, I don't have migraines and I can really only do 3X a day. And he said not to take any allergy meds. Oh kaaaaaayyyy. :confused: And his nurse is supposed to call me with the blood results but still nothing. and he has no idea where the results are. good times, good times. :rolleyes:

[CohenCottage]

Umm, sounds like it might be time for a 2nd opinion!!

[ChapterTwo]

I finally pinned the guy down and he starts giving me somebody else's results! good times, good times. :rolleyes:

It sounds like it's time to find a new doc, Chyna! What a moron...

I love the way he said to TRY the migraine medicine. What's he going to do, let you "try" ever medicine known to man and see what works?

How exasperating...
Anyway, glad your sinuses are clear...:rolleyes:

[Lisa S]

I don't know about the migraine meds your doctor prescribed, but mine is $28 A PILL! That's after the amount my insurance pays. Craziness. Needless to say, I've never filled the prescription. I'm waiting for the day my head feels like it's going to explode.

Yes, I think you need a new doctor.

[chyna]

Got his nurse since she was supposed to call me with the results of the blood test. She couldn't find my charts!!! Anyhow she called me back and my levels are all normal except there is one that indicates an inflamation. Again HUH?!!!! :rolleyes: And she told me that my CT was pretty normal, didn't even bother asking what pretty normal is supposed to mean. Told her that the migraine meds aren't doing a thing (except I'm close to dead to the world when I sleep) and she is going to tell the dr. You do that Pam, knock yourself out. No really knock yourself out and the doc too.:mad:

I made an appt with one of the allergists my old allergist suggested and we'll see how this goes. This guy used to work in pediatrics so that will be good for my dd. My allergist retired so we were at loose ends.:(

So the drama continues. :eek:

[CohenCottage]

I was having bad, bad allergy problems despite having had shots and taking Allegra, Zyrtec, AND Flonase. My primary care physician suggested that I try Singular (it's marketed for asthma but is also a killer allergy med), and it really is wonderful. Now I'm down to one allergy med with Flonase occasionally during fall.

[Lisa S]

Everyone reacts to medication differently, but we had some real trouble with my daughter and Singular. She just wasn't herself. She was getting angry over nothing and crying a lot. She's usually the personification of happy go lucky, so I knew something was seriously wrong. I got on the Internet and read about loads of parents having the same problem with Singular. I took her off of it and she was fine 24 hours later. Now we use over the counter allergy stuff and it works just fine for her.

Me on the other hand... nothing works, so I take nothing. Lots of warm washcloths on my eyes and calamine lotion on my skin.

[chyna]

I think I was on Singulair a year ago and for some reason my allergist took me off. The purple disc thing is a big no way for me, gives me a sore throat and again the dr took me off of it. I've done the nose spray thing and there is really only one that does me any good, the others give me a headache. Zyrtek has started to do that too except it is a really nasty migraine so I'm saying no thanks there. and it worked just fine this summer, go figure!

The nurse called me back yesterday after talking to the doctor and he did a prescription for hydocordone. come on folks, really?! I'm not filling it, I believe I've had it before and it does nothing for me. Extra strength Tylenol however does wonders. Go figure.:confused:

[ChapterTwo]

\ Extra strength Tylenol however does wonders. Go figure.:confused:

Whatever WORKS, Chyna! I just saw a bit of a segment on TV the other day, remarking that there are a lot of people with winter allergies the other day. But, of course, they said to see your allergist, blah, blah.

I really do understand how frustrating this is, not to be able to get to the bottom of it. When my daughter was younger and she had so many problems with congestion, we went to the pediatrician, allergist, eye doctor, had a ct scan, etc., etc. Finally, it cleared up on its own!

One simple thing I've been doing (recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil as well as others) is to use a simple saline solution (water/salt) nose spray every day. There are no drugs/chemicals, and it supposedly does wonders to keep the nasal passages/sinuses clear, by bathing them with the salt water. You can buy it over-the-counter, very inexpensively, in the pharmacy or supermarket.

[Lynzee]

How frustrating this whole thing must be for you, Chyna! Personally, I'd be tearing my hair out by now. Hope they are able to get to the bottom of it and you're feeling much better soon.

[chyna]

I was kinda relieved that the ct scan didn't show any blockage, I'd never hear the end that I inhaled too much wood dust from sanding the garage. :eek::o Though at least then I woud have known what is going on.

Got my GDX done at my eye dr and the right eye is still showing some questionable results so I have to go back in a few months and take the other test again to see if I really am starting to get glaucoma. I'm trying to not get too worried about that right now, no point in getting worked up when it could be from my sinus' adding pressure to that eye. That happens to be the side I have the most congestion too. :confused: I'll bring that up to the allergist when I see him next week. There goes our savings on dr bills. :(

[ChapterTwo]

no point in getting worked up when it could be from my sinus' adding pressure to that eye. (


Exactly! One day at a time...

[Breezy]

Chyna ~ did you at some point get a shot of Kenalog or any cortisone? The reason I'm asking is I too have probs with sinuses and the Dr gave me a shot. The first couple times it was ok but after a while I started getting a headache that lasted several months directly related to that shot. If you've had a Kenalog shot try looking up Kenalog online and see what you find. The Dr knew nothing about it causing headaches so I did my own investigating online and got the answers to the headache question. I know how draining a daily headache can be and I'm sorry you're going thru that. Best wishes

[chyna]

I don't remember any shots but who knows if there wasn't cortisone in my nose spray or some other meds. I'm still filling out the questionairre for the allergist. There is alot of info he wants or needs! :eek: And alot of it I don't know how long it has been going on. Some of it is from birth!:o

[Rory Bremner]

I had a scan a few weeks ago due to a kidney stone (Ouch!!!!). I received the results 3 days after.

[shabbychick]

Yikes! I hope they're all cleared up now!

[Rory Bremner]

Yeah, I hope so too. I really don't know who to believe, so many people have told me "more on the way, it's only the beginning", others "she'll be ok mate", but I've never experienced pain like that before. I did some blood tests at the same time and my uric acid count tested quite high. I think it maybe due to a lack of fluid intake and too many strenuous activities.

[shabbychick]

I guess that means you should spend more time sitting out in the yard drinking lemonade. :) Cut out all that strenuous, dehydrating activity!

[Rory Bremner]

Would never get away with it Shabby ....:)

[vintage girl]

Kidney stones are worse than giving birth!!! Actually Shabby is absolutely correct. You should definately be drinking lemonade. When I had my kidney stones, my urologist told me to drink a glass of lemonade a day to keep further stones from forming. Everyone I know always gets a reoccurance, but I have been great so far. And of course lemonade tastes better when you are drinking it on a sunny day in a lounge chair;):)

[Rory Bremner]

Cheers Vintage Girl, enjoying a glass now.:p

[chyna]

Took my hospital/clinic almost 6mo to finally do something about my kidney stone. I'm about as impressed as they come. :( I have since learned that taking massive quantities of vitamin D makes your stones form quickly and large. Damned if you do and damned if you don't eh?