Rant About My Wrist

hannah · 07-29-2007, 06:52 PM

Ok. I had a slip and fall off my pool decking on July 15th. Due to the pain and the suspicion that my wrist was broken (since it was about as big around as a roll of ground beef) I went to the doctor on Wed. July 18th even though I am but a poor college student without any medical insurance. Due to the swelling, the orthopedist opined that YES it was broke, put me in a splint and said to come back on Friday, the 27th to be put in a cast. I showed up at the doc's office and she sent me over to the hospital for more x-rays. Appointment was at 4 pm. After the x-rays, went back to doctor's office and she said she'd call. I went home figuring that I wouldn't hear anything until Monday at the earliest. She called Saturday and said that my wrist wasn't broken, but to continue in the splint and come back in 2 weeks. My left wrist is still twice the size of my right wrist and there's a protrusion on the right side of it that appears to be a broken bone. What do you all think? Should I go to a different medical facility and get more x-rays and another opinion? It sure feels and looks broken...

Oh and BTW it's Shark Week so don't forget the Discovery Channel...

radman159 · 07-29-2007, 08:29 PM

If you are anywhere near Austin i'd x-ray it for you for free however if the reading from the radiologist said it wasn't broken stay with the splint it's about the same as a cast pm me if you need the x-rays it's what i due . Radman159

roybean · 07-29-2007, 08:51 PM

Hannah, I think another opinion is warranted. However, if it is broken I don't think you'd be able to do much of anything. Broke hurts like a mutha blank, blank, blank!

jlynn · 07-29-2007, 09:29 PM

You forgot to tell them that the radiologist said it was broken in TWO places.

I know you are a starving student, but a 2nd opinion is necessary. You don't want to pay for a semester of school, only to have some sort of preventable problem that keeps you from performing to your peak.

hannah · 07-29-2007, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlynn

You forgot to tell them that the radiologist said it was broken in TWO places.

I know you are a starving student, but a 2nd opinion is necessary. You don't want to pay for a semester of school, only to have some sort of preventable problem that keeps you from performing to your peak.

Yes the original radiologist said it was broken in two places. I am so sick of doctors...my wrist HURTS!! And no, I am no where near Austin...I am no where near Texas...but thanks for the offer...

Pale Rider · 07-29-2007, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannah

...I am no where near Texas...but thanks ...

No, thank you. J/K.

I'm not a doctor, and I have never slept in a Holiday Inn Express, but if it hurts that much and swollen, then something is wrong. Bring your x-rays and get a better opinion.

spinn · 07-29-2007, 11:11 PM

Sorry youre not feeling well Hannah....

I am sure you have thought of this but does your school offer any type of medical care? My college did.

If the second DR tells you it is broken......never mind, this board is litigious enough. I wish DRs had more (any?) accountability.

centex · 07-29-2007, 11:38 PM

FWIW, when I broke my hand a few years ago, it took the MRI to find the fractures. After the MRI, the radiologist went back to the xray and was able to find one of the fractures...

The bones I broke were in that small cluster just in front of the wrist...I still have a chip floating around in there, but there was too much risk associated with surgery to justify attempting it.

Unfortunately, with you having no insurance, it means the MRI may be out of the equation. I seem to recall that it ran me about $1500 just for the MRI...it was early in the year and I had not yet had the deductible hit yet (as infrequently as I go to the doctor, I set it at a $1K deductible). As it was related to a professional sporting endeavor, I was able to get the insurance to ultimately cover a regular radiologist as well as a hand specialist who each ran xrays in addition to the MRI.

neil5623 · 07-30-2007, 12:51 AM

If any doubt, get a second opinion. Years ago, I was catfishing at Toledo Bend Lake. I actually caught one. As I carried it back to the dock, I knew I was holding it wrong, but it was a short trip. Suddenly it flopped, and I experienced the worst pain that I ever experienced (more than the pain that I experienced when DW#1 was in labor). Went to the trusted family dr who said not to worry, if anything is in there it will come out with the body fluids oozing out of the hole in my hand. Next day at the urging of DW#1's psychiatrist, I went to the E.R. where they pulled a 1" fin bone out of my hand. Guess what dr I never visited again. And the catfish got away, too.

Hedwig · 07-30-2007, 01:27 AM

I agree--get a second opinion.

jlynn · 07-30-2007, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hannah

She called Saturday and said that my wrist wasn't broken, but to continue in the splint and come back in 2 weeks.

Did she give any reason why it is still hurting so much?

Quote:

and get more x-rays and another opinion?

I don't think you need to get more X-rays. Go get copies of all the x-rays taken so far - then, maybe, you won't need to pay for more, just the consultation.

Now mind you, doctors don't like to give them out. I did the above with jlynn jr. once. The office staff told me I had to bring them back. I informed them, I bought and paid for them, and if I chose to wallpaper her room with them I would do so. By the way - first doctor (specialist) charged me $300 to mis-diagnose her.

jlynn · 07-30-2007, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex

FWIW, when I broke my hand a few years ago, it took the MRI to find the fractures. After the MRI, the radiologist went back to the xray and was able to find one of the fractures...

I personally would have found this disturbing. If he went back to the xrays and said oh yeah, there it is, then he needs more training. MRI's are CYAs alot of times. Master Jlynn is having surgery in a couple of days. His doctor offered up an MRI (I have high deductible insurance), but he flat out told me that MRI's are not fool-proof, and again the quality is effected by the talent of the radiologist performing the scan. I opted not to have one, as he will be scoping his ankle, and if there is something else there (doubtful), he will see it and fix it then. IMHO its just another $1500 or so for nothing.

stargazer0725 · 07-30-2007, 12:22 PM

Oh Hannah, I'm so sorry to hear about your wrist! I've been uninsured in the past and have worried about the same type of situatiion (expending more money for a second opinion).

I know it might seem like a waste of money if they verify the first opinion, but look at it as money spent on peace of mind. Good luck (and try and get your good hand on some better pain meds if you can - too much pain hinders healing)!

hannah · 07-30-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spinn

Sorry youre not feeling well Hannah....

I am sure you have thought of this but does your school offer any type of medical care? My college did.

I never looked into it. We are looking into AARP right now as DH is 50. Anyone know anything about their health insurance?

hannah · 07-30-2007, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by centex

FWIW, when I broke my hand a few years ago, it took the MRI to find the fractures. After the MRI, the radiologist went back to the xray and was able to find one of the fractures...

The bones I broke were in that small cluster just in front of the wrist...I still have a chip floating around in there, but there was too much risk associated with surgery to justify attempting it.

Unfortunately, with you having no insurance, it means the MRI may be out of the equation. I seem to recall that it ran me about $1500 just for the MRI...it was early in the year and I had not yet had the deductible hit yet (as infrequently as I go to the doctor, I set it at a $1K deductible). As it was related to a professional sporting endeavor, I was able to get the insurance to ultimately cover a regular radiologist as well as a hand specialist who each ran xrays in addition to the MRI.

Yes, well, that's what the orthopod wants me to do is to get an MRI. I checked into the cost and it will be around $1500 and I simply can't do it right now unless one of my cases settle ASAP. I guess I will just gut it out.

hannah · 07-30-2007, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stargazer0725

Oh Hannah, I'm so sorry to hear about your wrist! I've been uninsured in the past and have worried about the same type of situatiion (expending more money for a second opinion).

I know it might seem like a waste of money if they verify the first opinion, but look at it as money spent on peace of mind. Good luck (and try and get your good hand on some better pain meds if you can - too much pain hinders healing)!

Yeah, Cobra was going to be $2790 per month...just couldn't do it and DH is self employed.