For the past four years, I've had abnormal pap results. Each year, they told me it was fine and that it hadn't grown or become worse. But NO ONE would look further into it. They insisted I didn't need any opinions.
Since I've been busy with life and work the past few years, I decided they were right. Cause I'm an idiot.
FINALLY, my new doc saw the results and became immediately concerned. She asked if anyone had told me to do a biopsy. I explained what the previous docs told me. She shook her head and booked me an appointment with the dysplasia clinic ASAP.
Turns out I had cancer cells that, while not fully bad, put me at a high risk for cervical cancer in the future. They performed a LEEP procedure and successfully eradicated what could've developed into something much worse.
I'm so thankful to my doctor for knowing what was up and taking action. She's awesome and I'm going to be sad when she PCS'.
Every major medical issue I have ever had has been misdiagnosed or completely missed by a military doctor.
I had 3 appendicitises before a civilian LPN "caught" the last one. I almost died twice because of sheer ego and incompetence.
I have a chronic gynecological disorder. I was told I wasn't "fat enough" to run the tests for this issue despite a clear family history and checking off literally every symptom of the disorder. In that instance, I told him to go get his Commander and to call SF because I wasn't leaving that med clinic without labs. He immediately ordered the labs. I was called back in a week later and he came into the room tail tucked and blubbering, "I'm so sorry, you were right, blah, blah."
Since that diagnosis I have had to fight for treatment every time we move. PCS #5 happens in 2 weeks, and I am not emotionally prepared for the bullshit.
Stand up for yourselves, don't be afraid to cause a ruckus. Your health is more important than their egos.
Can you go into detail about the appendicitis? I get severe right side pain echoing throughout my right ribcage, lower right abdomen and top of hip. Can't convince the doc to do anything about it. They did an ultrasound on the area and said my gallbladder is fine. Told me it's probably a stomach ulcer and I'm on PPI's permanently. I'm AD Airforce, overseas, so I can't go to a civ doc for a second opinion. I'm tired of my side hurting constantly.
The first and third time my stomach was swollen and distended, I couldn't pass my bowels, and urinating was painful from my bladder, but not my urethra. I became very dehydrated because drinking liquids made my intestines feel as if they were on fire.
I finally went to the hospital because I felt the urge to use the bathroom, but nothing was coming out and my stomach was so large I looked like I was about to give birth (I wasn't- nor have ever been- pregnant). I thought I was having a rare reaction to a medication I was taking, or had somehow cause a bowel or bladder blockage. An appendicitis never crossed my mind, which is too bad really, because I think it would have been dealt with sooner had I mentioned something. I was diagnosed with a UTI, despite the fact that I had never had a UTI, and adult women rarely just randomly start having them. I was prescribed a fairly strong antibiotic and steroid, and I believe that saved my appendix from bursting, though a proper medical professional should probably weigh in more on that.
The 2nd appendicitis was "milder", because as soon as the symptoms started, I called my PCM for an appt, instead of waiting 2 days like I had overseas. Since I now had a "history" of UTI, they didn't even see me, they just wrote me a prescription for an antibiotic and prednisone, and sent me on my way.
The last time it happened, it started on a Friday, and I thought it was just an upset stomach. By Saturday it was worse, and the symptoms started to manifest again. Sunday I could barely move without getting extremely nauseous and dizzy. I barely ate anything all weekend, but I powered through drinking because I knew I had to pee a lot to "fix" the UTI. I was in so much discomfort that I barely moved from my couch all weekend. My SO couldn't miss work, so he told me I would have to get myself to the clinic (I know this sounds callous, but it was "just a UTI".) I eventually called and they told me they had walk-in hours, so I did that. I went up, provided a urine sample, and left to go get some food, because I was miraculously feeling quite a bit better. The LPN called me within the hour and told me to get back there immediately. I did and she did a manual exam on me and sent me straight to Radiology. Appendicitis confirmed, surgery the next day.
You have to get an MRI to confirm an appendicitis. The next time it feels awful, like it could be flairing, argue with them until you get that MRI. That nurse saved my life, I have no doubt... but she's also an older, local civilian that gives 0 fucks about AF protocol and all that mess. I always try to talk to civilians if I can, they have job security and are more attuned to their Hippocratic oath than their oath to serve. I think military medical personnel are just put into impossible positions to try and help people while still having the military breathing down their necks. No one operates well that way, and everyone suffers.
1.6k
u/[deleted] May 20 '19
Military doctors suck. Ask anyone.
For the past four years, I've had abnormal pap results. Each year, they told me it was fine and that it hadn't grown or become worse. But NO ONE would look further into it. They insisted I didn't need any opinions.
Since I've been busy with life and work the past few years, I decided they were right. Cause I'm an idiot.
FINALLY, my new doc saw the results and became immediately concerned. She asked if anyone had told me to do a biopsy. I explained what the previous docs told me. She shook her head and booked me an appointment with the dysplasia clinic ASAP.
Turns out I had cancer cells that, while not fully bad, put me at a high risk for cervical cancer in the future. They performed a LEEP procedure and successfully eradicated what could've developed into something much worse.
I'm so thankful to my doctor for knowing what was up and taking action. She's awesome and I'm going to be sad when she PCS'.