Results: Medical Mayhem (Part 3 of 4)
Published on 04/21/2024
In this series I am sharing 4 very personal bad experiences I had, not to elicit sympathy, but to encourage you to advocate for yourself when under a doctor's care.
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
After experiencing eclampsia, which caused a threatening increase of protein in my urine and a stillbirth, I was sent to a nephrologist because the lingering presence of protein was concerning to my PCP. After I had a kidney biopsy, I was informed that I had chronic glomerulonephritis, an irreversible and progressive disease characterized by reduced filtration and greater retention of toxins - possibly leading to kidney failure. Have you heard of it?
Yes, I have it.
5%
96 votes
Yes, I know someone who has/had it.
5%
99 votes
Yes, I have heard of it.
14%
297 votes
Unsure
8%
161 votes
No
55%
1149 votes
N/A
14%
298 votes
2.
2.
The most upsetting part of getting the diagnosis was being told that it would not be safe for me to carry a baby. Have you ever been told that you should not become pregnant to safeguard your health?
No, I'm a male.
19%
399 votes
No, and I'm a female.
49%
1019 votes
Yes
5%
97 votes
N/A
28%
585 votes
3.
3.
About 5 years later, I got a shocking phone call from the hospital. In the process of examining files, they determined that I never had chronic glomerulonephritis. The pathologist who made the determination had not reviewed my medical history, and had not credited the massive presence of protein to my having had eclampsia. Are you surprised that the hospital revealed this error? (Please choose all that apply.)
I'm surprised they discovered the error years later!
43%
901 votes
I'm surprised the contact info was still correct.
14%
299 votes
No, they were sharing good news.
9%
189 votes
No, it was the right thing to do.
20%
413 votes
Yes, they could have been concerned about a law suit.
19%
408 votes
Yes, they could have been worried about it damaging the hospital's reputation.
12%
261 votes
N/A
27%
566 votes
4.
4.
Medicine evolves. Now, decades later, doctors know it can take TWO YEARS for the protein in urine caused by eclampsia to resolve. A doctor in 2024 would not recommend invasive tests looking for underlying renal disease only a few months later. Would that knowledge add to your frustration about having had an unnecessary biopsy and getting a misdiagnosis from the results?
Yes, all the pain, concern, and disappointment could have been avoided.
41%
861 votes
No, all's well that ends well.
8%
159 votes
No, it's pointless to apply today's knowledge to something that happened decades ago.
12%
256 votes
No, hindsight is 20/20.
7%
156 votes
N/A
32%
668 votes
COMMENTS
