So, two weeks ago I developed a pain behind my left knee the day after I played golf in a ong time. The pain got worse. I thought I was developing a blood clot. I had a deep vein blood clot in my right leg 3 years ago so I figured the same was happening with my left leg. I went to the ER which is where my Internist had sent me for the other leg. The diagnostic protocol is to conduct a deep vein ultrasound. The ER physicians assistant ordered one. The tech who performed the test was in a hurry and did not do a thorough job with the ultrasound. I'd had them before and knew what to expect. When I reported back to the ER I was told the results were negative for deep vein thrombosis and that I probably had a knee injury from playing golf and should see an orthopedic specialist. I was happy with that yet concerned that the diagnosis may have been based on a faulty ultrasound. I was given a script for pain and inflammation. My condition worsened. I couldn't walk any longer. So this morning I went to a vascular specialist and was seen by a nurse practitioner. She said she had looked at my history, my charts from my previous episode of DVT, and said she concurred with the previous diagnosis so I should see an orthopedic specialist. My body was telling me this was not correct. I asked if we could do another ultrasound. She said sure but it was highly unlikely it would be different. So we did a new ultrasound . This time the tech was very thorough. I knew something was up when she began questionong me about the identity of the tech at the hospital who had done the ultrasound a few days before. After the results were examined by the nurse practitioner, she walked into the the examining room I was in with a stunned look on her face and began to apologize to me. I definetly have deep vein thrombosis for which I will have to inject myself with blood thinners for the next few days to dissolve. I could have been wondering around for weeks on a gimp leg getting inappropriate treatment had I not been persistent in requesting another ultrasound.

Here is your take away from my story: trust your instincts and DO NOT rely on anyone's diagnosis until you are satisfied it is correct.

BTW I have Obamacare and it's paying wonderfully.

Doctors are just like everyone else. Some smart and some leave you thinking "wtf".

Never once did a doctor see me in the ER or the vascular specialist group. In the ER it was a PA and at the vascular specialist group it was a nurses assistant. They were both excellent. We need more like that. The fault with my diagnostic workup lies with the ultrasound tech.

Shortness of breath back in Feb went to Dr did ultrasound Mar 2 to middle of April in sciu. 4 surgery later lost a kidney had main artery rebuilt and part of lower intestines removed and I just thought I was old and out of shape yes it was cancer I smoked for 30 Plus years so it's my fault.

Glad you guys are still with us. Got to eat right and exercise. It's not to late, I'm living proof you can turn it around. It's not to late tell you're checking out the daisys from the root end, then it's too late!

Duck Hearse: damn it man, I'm gonna give you a free pass from now on. Glad to see you're still alive. Lookslike you and I could benefit from losing quite a few pounds. I'm at 271 right now. I was 198 when I graduated from high school. my equilibrium weight is 275 which means I cal eat what and how much I want and stay at that weight but it's not healthy. I'd like to drop to 225 at which weight I could probably do some serious damage to Cajun Outlaw. I'm seriously contemplating declaring publicly on the forum to lose 50 lbs before regular duck season. You want to join me? This blood clot thing I have now concerns me enough to make the commitment.

Since my accident last week I have some serious issues with the EMS personnel and the ER. However I'm happy to be alive.

Dean...i hope u live long enough and develop enough balls one day to man up and try it....without a lawsuit.
i dont care if we both in wheelchairs. I will never wish anything bad when it comes to your health
but rest assured, i still think that you are a sorry piece of fukkin shit.
Get well soon asshole.