Remember that arm I told you about?

[beelikej]

Since my arm didn't seem to get any better, or was at least following the "two steps forward, one step back" path of healing, I decided to make another appointment with my doctor. My own GP doesn't work on Mondays, which I think was a good thing, because her replacement gave me a lot more attention than I got one and a half week ago. She prodded and poked my arm and ASKED me what I could and couldn't do and where it hurt, instead of just glancing at my arm and writing a note for x-rays.
She did also end up sending me to radiology, but besides that she gave me an alternative plan of action in case nothing turned up on the photos.
My mom (who was again a trooper today) drove me to the hospital where x-rays were made. After waiting for a while I was called back in for one more photo for which my arm had to be twisted in an impossible position (there was a lot of cursing involved, yes). I have to be grateful for that though, because now they did find my arm WAS broken! The radius -that big bone that turns when you twist your wrist- is damaged at the top (the elbow side).
I was sent to the Emergency Room, where I thought I would get a cast, but after an hour another doctor showed up, who only confirmed the diagnoses and then told me there was nothing they could do about it. But I could get a pressure bandage if I wanted. Ehm, yes please? Exit doctor. Fortunately the casting/bandage guy was a lot more helpful: he bandaged my arm and told me how to do that myself.
Now that the right part of my arm is supported I feel much better. The movement is still limited but the pain is much more bearable.

I did manage to ask the doctor to show me on the x-ray where the problem was and she showed me an exercise to get my elbow moving again, but I'm very disappointed in the so called professionals that handled my case these past few days. Not to mention about the messy organisation of all the services involved.

I'm exhausted.

Comments

[hey-its-michael.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you finally learned what the problem was! At least now you know there was a reason for the pain.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

It's a relief to know there really was something causing the pain. Even while the bandage was being put on I could tell that was the place where I needed support:)

[rabidfan.livejournal.com]

::sighs::

Sometimes doctors give medicine a bad name.

I'm so glad you've found someone to take you seriously...and willing to keep looking until the problem was found. A broken bone isn't the happy outcome I wished for you but at least you are now on the road to recovery.

Maybe the switch in GPs should be a permanent one???

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

The replacement GP was a doctor in training who's working at the same clinic. I changed GPs once and it's really not worth the hassle for as little as I (relatively) need to visit one.

But the lack of attention for the patient by the well paid professionals through this whole ordeal was really appalling and I'm glad at least the interns and doctors in training were eager enough to give me a thorough examination. Thanks to all of them we figured out the problem. \o/

[geminigalaxy.livejournal.com]

Sorry to hear it's broken after all. Hopefully, now you'll be able to tend to it without resorting to more 'professional' help.

[beelikej.livejournal.com]

Yes, that was a bit of a shock after the initial diagnosis. But I'm happy that it's now at least obvious what caused the pain and distress. I'm already feeling so much better just with the right support on my arm:)