Why do I suddenly feel the need to go to my "safe place"? I get to see a neurologist tomorrow morning. I've seen the CT scan and there ain't nothing there to find and I know why all sounds seem to echo around me! lmbo
Well, went to the VA today for followup with Neurologist. After a battery of tests, confirmed nonhemmorigal stroke. Other tests show that the arteries going to the right side of my heart have enough blockage to cause problems there. Couldn't get me in for the echo cardiogram or the MRI today. Will then be followed up with cardiologist. Just hope we can get this all sorted out before the next deer season.
Do you have insurance and cardio guys outside the VA? I'm afraid if I relied on the VA for my first line of defense I'd be dead. It cost me nearly $600 a month, but I gladly pay for private insurance that cover cardio and a what I call normal snotty nose doctor. I use the VA for free meds and backup. Takes too damn long to get an appointment and some things they just won't do. I've been fighting some A Fib stuff for months. I spent 5 days in the hospital in Nov. Hell, I wouldn't have gotten an appointment with VA until I died. Then I would have gotten $500 and a gun salute. LOL AND... all my concerns are classified as "Service Connected"
unfortunately, I do not have the funds to pay for outside insurance and only have what the military gave me when I retired. Tricare standard is the worst excuse for insurance out there.
That's too bad and way to sad. It would seem they could do better but I know how it is. I do find the personnel at the 2 VA places I currently visit are compassionate and helpfull if you maintain a pleasant and appreciative attitude. The forced reduction in "COST" I feel has lead to trying to cut cost and reduce services and care. They've been jumping through hoops trying to keep my sugar low. They say I'm "Pre diabetic". My 90 day levels say I AM diabetic.... but they don't want to admit that because of my agent orange exposure. The day they say I'm dabetic... they have to take me to 100 percent disability because of agent orange. I'm not trying to get it and haven't put in for it. They gave me 50 percent disability several years ago and I wasn't asking for anything. But if I'm sick... I want to beable to see a doctor now or tomorrow. I can't do that with the VA unless I drive to Syracuse and go to the Emergency Room. I can call my local snotty nose doctor and get in the same day. I can call one of my 2 cardio guys and see a doctor today or at the latest tomorrow. VA is great in some respects but truly lacking in others.
My "general care" doctor is an idiot (and so is his nurse). I had a sharp pain in my throat that was paralyzing my vocal chords for a few seconds each time it hit. I called his nurse for an appt and went in. They did 2 pulminary tests and chest x-rays! Then, the "dr" told me that I did not have COPD. I said "great, but that's not what I'm here for." He looked and my chart and replied, "Well that's what you told the nurse!" I went and got her and she said "throat pain is one of the symptoms of COPD." I laughed and said "on what planet is that?" It's scarey when the patient knows more than the DR and the nurse. However, the neurologist I saw yesterday and the Dr that treated my broken ankle 2 years ago, both were good.
