A Cautionary Tale – Navigating Covid Protocol For Best Results
Posted on Sunday, August 9th, 2020
First, a warning – this article contains TMI.
Next, a note – I am somewhat of a prude when it comes to discussing bathroom health issues. With that in mind, please see the last symptom on the current Covid CDC list below.
1. Fever or chills
2. Cough
3. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
4. Fatigue
5. Muscle or body aches
6. Headache
7. New loss of taste or smell
8. Sore throat
9. Congestion or runny nose
10. Nausea or vomiting
11. Diarrhea
Now to my cautionary tale.
You know how it is. First it’s ‘something I ate’, then it ‘must be a bug going around’, and then it disappears. This time it didn’t. So after a couple weeks of wondering what the heck was going on, I finally decided to call my doctor to make an appointment.
When the appointment desk asked for the reason, I told her (11) and I was swiftly re-routed to the Covid Hotline Nurse. When I spoke with the nurse, she decided I would need a Covid test before I could see my doctor. Fortunately, there were tests being conducted at a location about 20 minutes away and they could see me that day. Unfortunately, the results would not be available for 4 to 7 days. I got my results in 4 days (negative), called the clinic, and set up an appointment to see my doctor.
ONE FULL WEEK after my Covid test, I had an appointment.
My doctor was outraged.
Requiring the results of a Covid test before a patient can be seen is dangerous. A delay in diagnosis and treatment can lead to a less than desirable outcome.
The worst of my symptoms were gone by the time I was able to see my doctor. A diagnosis could only be made anecdotally. (Yes, again, TMI.) My doctor surmised I suffered from e.coli or salmonella poisoning which, again, left untreated can be very dangerous. She also surmised that my immune system was healthy enough to fight it off. (She hospitalized a woman about my age who had identical symptoms and wasn’t able to fight it off by herself.) I also knew enough to eat the BRAT diet (banana, rice, applesauce, toast) and drink Propel (electrolyte) by the gallons.
And so, yes, my doctor was outraged.
What if I hadn’t been able to fight it off? That extra week I went without care could have resulted in a very different ending.
The good news is I tested negative for Covid, and my immune system was strong enough to fight off some serious bacteria invasion without treatment.
The bad news is I needed to see my doctor pronto and was not allowed.
My doctor said that the appointment desk SHOULD HAVE told me that I had an option. If I felt I needed to see the doctor without a delay, they would have me come in and use a different entrance and be routed directly to my doctor’s office.
This is the problem with all these protocols now in place. Everyone seems to be operating out of a different playbook. If the clinic staff and doctors don’t even agree on which protocol to use, how are we supposed to get proper medical care?
My takeaway is this:
ALWAYS question everything.
Why do I need a Covid test before I see my doctor? Aren’t they geared-up for these situations? Should I be delaying treatment?
Going forward.
My doctor informed me that if I call the clinic again, and my symptom is on the Covid CDC list, ask to speak to her. The appointment desk and a Covid Hotline Nurse should not be determining if and when I can see my doctor.
This is just another reminder that we all have to be our own ADVOCATE.
Question, question, question.
We were brought up to believe professionals have models of efficacy firmly in place; all we have to do is show up.
I am here to remind you that this is not the case. Perhaps that is one of the lessons I learned from our Covid world.
Please stay safe, stay sane, and if you’re unsure of a situation, pause and ask yourself; “Is this best for me?”
Until we meet again, I remain affectionately yours,
Patti
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“A Cautionary Tale – Navigating Covid Protocol For Best Results”
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Categorized as Aging Well: Diet Health Fitness Menopause, Personal Observations
I am glad you are ok and recovering from your “not covid” troubles! Here it is winter and no one is game to get a sniffle or cough from cold air in the lungs or you will get marched off for a dreaded covid test! It is ridiculous as other things can definitely be overlooked that could be very dangerous. So glad you have a good doctor there and hope you have recovered well.
Kaye in Australia (living in the dreaded state of Victoria 😖)
Nice to hear from you again.
Scary.. and glad you’re ok!
Oh my gosh, I’m so happy to see you! What a delight to discover I’m still subscribed and you’re still blogging!
So very glad you are okay. And I can so relate. Had covid-y symptoms for months and it made my monthly doctor visits very difficult. It turned out to be a really bad tooth/gum infection. Finally had two teeth pulled and feeling better.
Really glad to “bump into you online” today, Patti! 🙂