Sorry, this is going to be wordy. I've been sick for 2 1/2 weeks. Started with a headache and low grade temp. Progressed to a high temp and abdominal pain. Went to the dr, tests showed liver failure, bilirubin is 6.6, norm is 0.2-1.2, ALK is 2-3x higher than normal as well. My dr took a day off, I didn't get a call back, I got worse, ended up in the ER with a high temp. More tests were run. U/S, CT and MRI all show normal, while I keep getting worse. I'm jaundiced, have pain, itch, limited eating, plus lab results are still bad, showing liver failure. My dr called tonight, he doesn't know what to do, so he's passing me on to a GI dr. The earliest the GI dr can see me in Tuesday afternoon. I start a new job on Monday.
1. Anyone want to take a stab at what's wrong with me? 2. I guess it's okay to wait another week? 3. How do I deal with this in regards to the new job? I really don't think I can go to the dr on my second day.
Post by sillygoosegirl on Oct 21, 2014 21:33:53 GMT -5
*hugs*
I suggest calling around and trying to find a GI doctor who can see you sooner.
If you can't get an appointment sooner, have your doctor write a letter for your new employer so they know you aren't just a lazy hypochondriac. You could maybe offer to start a week later to smooth things over.
How will your insurance change with the new job? Will you have access to different doctors?
I wish I had something more useful to say than any of that...
I suggest calling around and trying to find a GI doctor who can see you sooner.
If you can't get an appointment sooner, have your doctor write a letter for your new employer so they know you aren't just a lazy hypochondriac. You could maybe offer to start a week later to smooth things over.
How will your insurance change with the new job? Will you have access to different doctors?
I wish I had something more useful to say than any of that...
My insurance will be the exact same and will be a seamless transition. The nurse said she called the other area GI dr's, but I can try on my own tomorrow. I will ask for a note, that would be a good start.
Another vote to ask for a later start date. Better to see if you can nip this in the bud now, before you start, than after the fact. Just ask for a week right now, and see if that helps.
Hugs rural. I hope everything turns out all right.
I would consider calling now and see if it would work to leave a little early Tuesday. Just apologize for the timing and say you'd be more than happy to get a note, or if that's particularly bad for training, etc you can try to move.
Take care. I'll cross my fingers they can get you back on the mend quickly.
Post by vanillacourage on Oct 21, 2014 22:33:25 GMT -5
I would call your new boss and explain that you've been in and out of the ER and that rather than start as-scheduled and have interruptions, you'd like to push it back a week to give you time to get in to see a specialist and hopefully start a prescription protocol.
Sorry you're dealing with this and I hope you feel better soon!
I might go to the ER again, you may need to be admitted. Did they check for Hep A and Hep B? No gallstones? I'm not trying to be alarmist, but I am surprised you're not in the hospital, those are concerning symptoms for something that needs to be diagnosed/treated asap.
I hope you feel better soon, definitely ask for a delayed start date, I'm sure you doctor would write a note. I'm sorry, how stressful.
@wandering
I'm negative for all Hep. They tested for A-E. No gallstones, that was an initial thought. I'm surprised I'm not admitted as well. Permanent liver damage scares me.
I am horrified that your doctor took a day off and didn't have you following up with somebody else in the practice when your tests were showing liver failure. WTF. Maybe I shouldn't be and that's normal but...WTMF.
I agree. I switched to someone else in the practice and the response has been much better. I plan to write a formal complaint. I called in twice, leaving messages with the urgent nurse. I heard back 36 hrs later and they said to go to the ER. Luckily I went anyway.
I would go back to the ER and ask for a GI consult. There should be someone on-call who will come down. This sounds serious, good luck getting answers.
Just saw you were negative for the Heps. What is your ALT and AST.?I went into acute liver failure with an AST of 2600 and a bili of 24. I don't want to alarm you but I think you need to be seen by a Hepatolgist who specializes in livers ASAP It could be auto immune and if doesn't get better fast, they may need to do a liver biopsy.
I second the suggestion of going back to the ER, preferably a University hospital or one that has a transplant program. Not even thinking you will need a transplant, only suggesting it since they will have specialists on call.
I would call the new job and ask for your start date to be pushed back a week due to a medical emergency.
If you're still in pain, which it sounds like you are, I'd go to another ER and have your other ER records faxed over so they don't have to start the complete work up again.
Sometimes doctors really can't find an answer as to a medical problem, but in this case it doesn't seem like a full work up was done and you're still in pain. Other than the liver, could be the pancreas or gallbladder and there are other lab values, clinical exam signs and tests (ercp, mrcp, hida scan for example) that can be done for a more complete work up.
I might go to the ER again, you may need to be admitted. Did they check for Hep A and Hep B? No gallstones? I'm not trying to be alarmist, but I am surprised you're not in the hospital, those are concerning symptoms for something that needs to be diagnosed/treated asap.
I hope you feel better soon, definitely ask for a delayed start date, I'm sure you doctor would write a note. I'm sorry, how stressful.
@wandering
I'm negative for all Hep. They tested for A-E. No gallstones, that was an initial thought. I'm surprised I'm not admitted as well. Permanent liver damage scares me.
I am so sorry. I think you have waited long enough. I thought doctors were all about overtreating these days for fear of lawsuits. This sounds like undertreatment. Liver failure? I am sorry that sounds bad.
I would call the new job and ask for your start date to be pushed back a week due to a medical emergency.
If you're still in pain, which it sounds like you are, I'd go to another ER and have your other ER records faxed over so they don't have to start the complete work up again.
Sometimes doctors really can't find an answer as to a medical problem, but in this case it doesn't seem like a full work up was done and you're still in pain. Other than the liver, could be the pancreas or gallbladder and there are other lab values, clinical exam signs and tests (ercp, mrcp, hida scan for example) that can be done for a more complete work up.
Hope you get some answers and feel better soon.
I agree with all of this. I'm not sure where you are but I'd go to a bigger hospital that is more likely to have a specialist on call.
I would push back your start date if at all possible. Hopefully your new job will be understanding. I hope you get some answers soon!
Just saw you were negative for the Heps. What is your ALT and AST.?I went into acute liver failure with an AST of 2600 and a bili of 24. I don't want to alarm you but I think you need to be seen by a Hepatolgist who specializes in livers ASAP It could be auto immune and if doesn't get better fast, they may need to do a liver biopsy.
Feel free to PM me.
AST is at 95, should be 35. ALT is at 150, should be 6-29. So both much higher. I have a call in asking for a referal to a hepatologist. Thank you so much!
I talked to HR at my current job and new job. I can't delay my start. Please don't quote, I'll DD, but I work for a state agency and am moving to another state agency. If I delay my start, there is a break in service, which means I lose my health insurance and have to start over. Neither agency is willing to pay me a week of sick leave, which I understand.
I have a call in to my dr asking for help and I have a call in to several GI dr's looking for a sooner appointment. If all else fails I'll head to KU Med ER and they will have one on staff.