Please help, anyone! Need med advice asap!

[sugar]

Hi there everyone...
Well, what a difference a few days can make! I saw Dr. Evans in Greensboro on this past Monday, presented him all my records from previous uros, gyns, primary docs, he then does an exam and installation, and says I definitely have IC and let's treat it aggressively.
So, a small miracle happened yesterday. His office called to say they had a small schedule opening for a bladder hydro and could I come in today for it?!? I said "Sure!" So hubby and I hop in the truck for a 4hr ride to Greesboro, and he did the procedure this morning. I saw him before the surgery...that's the last I've seen or heard from him!!!!!!
He spoke briefly to my husband afterwards, and showed him photos and says I now DON'T have IC. That was about it. The discharge nurses gave me prescriptions for Lorecet, Pyridium Plus, and Levaquin. I asked the nurses if I take these meds in addition to the stuff I'm already prescribed by him (Fentanyl patches, effexor, elmiron, hydroxyzine), and they had no idea...said someone would call from Evans' office this afternoon to follow up. Dr Evans had left the hospital then and was not reachable.
Well, guess what....no phone call from anyone, no message, and he had my home number and two cell #'s on file!!!!!!! No discharge instructions from anyone, nothing!!! I'm pretty upset, mainly because it still hurts so much (took me over an hour to stop crying after I woke up due to the pain), and because I had expected more from him and his staff, given his reputation!! I'm not trying to insult him, but I feel like since he didnt think it was IC, now I'm not worthy of his time, care, or attention. Maybe he was busy?...maybe an emergency developed?....But I thought it was standard protocol for any doctor to check in on their patient after a procedure of this sort, or at least leave clear instructions on what to do and what specific meds to take and not take. I'm due for a dose of Hydroyzine and Elmiron this evening, and supposed to apply a new fentanyl patch tomorrow am (although I've read precautions of mixing anything sedative with the fentanyl)...I tried to contact the after hours/on call doc from his office, and the operator refused to contact anyone, stating it wasnt a medical emergency and I should call the office tomorrow. Yes, one night without meds won't be a big deal, but I'm still pretty disappointed. It could be a potentially dangerous situation! Anyone have any suggestions what to take or what to do? Has this happened to anyone else?
Any thoughts are appreciated!
Thanks!
Annette

[dancemomof2]

Wow it looks like you may be able to call the pharnacy for contra indications. Then call your Dr and find out what to take of the old meds. That just wasn't right of them to leav you hanging

[Katrina]

Similar things have happened to others. It is why I don't consider the hydrodistention the main diagnostic tool of IC. I believe the main diagnostic tool is illiminating other things and your symptoms. Unfortunatly in this area not all docs agree and Dr Evans may be one who leans on IC having to show up in hydro...I don't know.

In the are of the colon if there is inflammation it is called Inflammatory bowel Disease (crohns or colitis)if there isn't inflammation but still irritation it is called IBS (or both since IBD usually causes IBS) Right now for the bladder both an inflammed and irritated bladder are called IC....maybe someday there will be a difference but not yet. On this subject....I am quite certain there is plenty of problems not visible by the eye. When my IBD is in remission my ibs will flare right before I am about to have IBD again. I will get retested....they won't see any inflammation but will biopsy to be sure...they won't see any inflammation in the biopsy either...but give me meds for the symptoms...and a few months later....I am getting tested again and the inflammation is there. This has happened more than once. Dr. Evans is a very good doctor....and maybe will treat you as if you have IC I don't know. Have you ever had a potassium sensitivity test? Does the diet help you?

Now just on the meds....I don't know them all well enough. I really think the doctor should be answering and if I were you I wouldn't change a thing until he did.
Pyridium pluss is three drugs in itself. (one anti spasmodic and one anticonvulsant along with pyridium) These are a lot of meds.

I certainly hope you get the answer you need but I agree, this is a potentially dangerous situation and I don't know if those meds are safe to take together.

Lorecet, fentanyl, and Levaquin I don't know much about at all.

Wish I could help you more:grouphug:

[ICNDonna]

I am not a physician and can't give you medical advice, but what I would do is to call my pharmacist and ask if there are any conflicts if you were to take all of the ordered medications. If there are none, then I would take them this evening at least. The patch that you are supposed to change tomorrow morning could probably wait until you are able to reach your doctor.

Donna

[ihurttoo]

I am sorry you have had such a disappointing day. First off, I want to say that I have never been contacted by any dr after any procedure, (this one included). So I dont think it is necessarily protocol for drs to do so. Yes, it would be nice, but I dont think they deem it necessary. As for the meds, I would call your local 24 hour pharmacy, and ask to speak to the pharmacist, and ask him if it is okay to take those meds together, if you have any doubts. As for the IC question, I do not think that this test alone can decide whether or not you have it. I have IC, but my cysto with Hydodistention was okay. However when I had laproscopic surgery, it showed that I had severe endometriosis and pelvic adhesions that had grown thru the lining of the bladder, and therefore, my IC is as a result of that damage. So there are no cut and dried rules here. Lots of people are d/xed based on symptoms alone. Some have freq and urg, and pain. Still others only have one of those symptoms. So there are certainly no hard and fast rules here. If you do not already have a follow up appt with him, I would call tomorrow and schedule one to talk to him about what he is thinking now, and how he wants to procede. I would also ask him if he knows another good uro who you can see to get a 2nd opinion. (If you feel weird asking for you, just tell him that your husband or mom or whoever wont get off your back until you get one.) No competent dr should make you feel bad about asking to have a 2nd opinion. Most are actually relieved that you asked, so that they can have another set of eyes too! I wish you the best of luck. I hope things work out for you and you feel better soon. Sincerely, Amy

[Dixiefireball]

i was going to say the same thing on calling your pharmacy they should be able to tell you what is safe to take together.
he should had your chart with him when he wrote out your RX's and the hosp should had gave you better directions to follow and should also had made you a follow up appt.

I've only heard good things about about this Dr. I'm sure he treats other uro problems than just ICERS with problems. his staff when you called should had been able to give you more information to help you also knowing you was post op. when you go back for our follow up appt. i would make sure he know what happen at the hosp and how his own staff did you.

I understand people have off days, but to have that many people to have a off day well that is questionable.
The person who put you a sleep should of be taking care of your post op pain when you woke up and made sure your pain was under control before you left. that part is on the hosp. that wouldn't be on the Dr. Unless N.C does their patients diff. on who orders pain control after a patients is waking up from surgery.
Now its totally up to the Dr. on what they send you home on. He should had your charts in front of him and knew what you had at home before he wrote you any more RX's. Those RN's should had orders on how to tell you how to take your medicine. You have a right to be upset! if the hosp. is anything like they are here in S.C you should be getting a call to rate how the hosp. treated you. I would file a complaint!
Please call the Drug store and ask them question on how to take your medicine if your Drug store isn't open i would call one that is and tell them you just had surgery and your Drug store you used is already closed you are in pain and wanted to know if this and that taken together is safe etc. to get your pain under control. Please let us know how things goes. we are here for you hon. Oh b.t.w. they are two good IC Dr's here in Spartanburg S.C. if your up for the drive and if you was taking elimron before your surgery it could had covered up the fact you have IC I've heard my say that plus i run the IC support group for those in S.C. and some from my group has told me the uro has told them that also. just a thought since you where dx with IC in the pass.
sending you hugs and prayers to feel better soon.
Rhonda

[Harriet]

I too have had the same experience. Very unerving,especially since MY




I too have had the same experience. Very unerving, given the fact that MY VET's office always calls the day after a treatment or med is given!!!

[jeanababy]

Annette,
I was called too to see if I wanted to come in Thursday for my hydro but I had to decline (mine is scheduled for the 25th). Dr. E has done two hydros for me and I have never seen him afterward--he always talks to my husband and I think that is standard for him. When the scheduling nurse schedules the hydro she always makes a followup appointment at the same time. I don't know if you had been scheduled for a hydro at a later date like me--if so a followup should have been scheduled. The Lorecet, pyridium plus and levaquin are his standard drugs after hydros. Like the others said, you could check with your pharmacist regarding the drugs. I travel 3 1/2 hours each way too so when he does my hydros he leaves a catheter in that I take out the next day so I don't have to deal with the bathroom issue on the ride home (we always drive up the night before and spend the night). I think having the catheter in for a day cuts down on the burning when you do go to the bathroom after the procedure. I know you are disappointed in him right now but try not to be. He is seeing so many new IC patients that other doctors shove off on him (because they don't want to deal with it) that he is swamped. He has to either practice like he does now or close the door to new patients. He's the only doctor I've seen that knew what he was talking about regarding IC and seems to try to do the best he can with a disease that has no cure.
Jean