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What questions should I be asking consultants?

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  • 19-10-2012 12:45pm
    #1
    2rkehij30qtza5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,476 ✭✭✭


    Mods - Let me just start by saying that I am not looking for a diagnosis from this thread!

    I just want to mention my symptoms in the hope that some people might reply and give me some questions I could ask consultants in the quest to actually find out what's wrong with me? I basically want the consultants to check me for various things but I've no idea what to ask them to check.

    I have been struggling for over a year with basically what I thought were permanent infections. I have always had chronic asthma and I'm on a lot of medication and attend a respiratory consultant for that.

    So over a year ago I got three bad chest infections back to back. I was on antibiotics for 6 weeks, strong doses.

    Then I got pregnant while on the antibiotics and I had a torturous pregnancy and was in and out of hospital and on IV antibiotics and oral antibiotics in strong doses for the whole 9 months.

    Baby was born 2 months ago (healthy thank God-miricle given I was on antibiotics for the full 9 months without a break at all!). I came off the antibiotics as directed by the chest specialist only for me to get a bad chest infection again...que another week of augmention then back to 1g erythromycin per day again for a number of weeks.

    So a couple of weeks back the chest specialist brought me into the hospital and did MRI on my sinus and bronchoscopy. MRI was totally clear and there were air pockets in my lungs but nothing too serious.

    TWO DAYS after these tests I got sick AGAIN!!!! Same old ding dong...same thing I have been battling for a year...
    Starts with itchy irritated nose, which within hours starts producing thick green mucus tinged with blood. Then hours Kate I start coughing...thick green sputum from my chest...not my throat (although mucus accumulates there too and I keep having to clear my throat). Within 12 hours of the onset of all this my voice is gone. Meanwhile, my eyes may or may not be itching like crazy in the inner corners. I feel like there is a haze or fog in my head, I feel spaced out. Sometimes I get a low grade temperature and sometimes I don't. Once I get an antibiotic (usually Augmentin or Zithromax) it will shift all of this but can take up to 4-7 days to begin feeling better. I might still cough up green/yellow thick muck for uo to 10 days. Then I might get a week or so respite and wham!...sickness back again. This has gone on for over a year. The chest specialist has now said that it's out of his hands. EVEN THOUGH I GOT THE ALL-CLEAR TWO days before the last episode based on seemingly clear MRI scans and a bronchoscopy. Strange indeed.

    So my GP says she is now going to refer me to an immunologist.

    Let me reiterate, especially to the mods of this forum, I'm not looking for a diagnosis here. I'm just looking for what type of questions I should be asking to ensure they test me properly and figure out what this thing that's wrecking my life is!!!

    Thanks


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    #2
    Dizzyblonde
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Politics Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators, Regional East Moderators Posts: 12,110 CMod ✭✭✭✭Dizzyblonde


    I don't think anyone can tell you what questions to ask, and the specialist will know what to ask you. He'll also have test results and the referral letter.

    It's a very good idea to make a list between now and the appointment. Jot down all the questions you want to ask, symptoms you want to mention and points you want to make. There's nothing worse than coming out having forgotten something important.


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    #3
    2rkehij30qtza5
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,476 ✭✭✭2rkehij30qtza5


    Dizzyblonde wrote: »
    I don't think anyone can tell you what questions to ask, and the specialist will know what to ask you. He'll also have test results and the referral letter.

    It's a very good idea to make a list between now and the appointment. Jot down all the questions you want to ask, symptoms you want to mention and points you want to make. There's nothing worse than coming out having forgotten something important.

    True. I'm trying to keep a diary and write down everything I want him to test for. I'm just not sure what should be tested for-there are so many diseases I'm afraid he will miss a test for something as I don't want this to continue. It's severely hampering my life to the point that I have no life anymore.


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