Problem with urgent care in Oakhurst?

[Dawn]

Has anyone had any problems with our medical care up here? I was just wondering because many times my children were misdiagnosed from the urgent care in Oakhurst. Many times they don't even have a doctor on staff. Most of the time my kids would be seen by a Nurse's practitioner or Physician's assistant.

[TOT]

I'd trust the Assistants/Nurses more than i'd trust the Doctors anyway...

I haven't had any more problems with Urgent Care than i've had with Kaiser... http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/lol420.gif

[Mysteefied]

I had lots of problems with urgent care, I have not been there in about 2 years and WONT go there again unless someone takes me without my consent. I'd rather drive to fresno.

[oakhurstleaf]

Only had to use the Urgent Care once when my son required stitches...got in just before their closing one night (lucky!). The on-duty doctor was very nice and very good.

My experiences at a family practice office in town have been good...always see a nurse practitioner. My only complaint there is the long waits...even with an appointment.

AliceOriginally posted by Dawn:
Has anyone had any problems with our medical care up here? I was just wondering because many times my children were misdiagnosed from the urgent care in Oakhurst. Many times they don't even have a doctor on staff. Most of the time my kids would be seen by a Nurse's practitioner or Physician's assistant.

[beautiful_mess38]

I've never had a problem with Urgent Care and I've been there alot.

Oakhurstleaf, do you go to primarycare?
I was there Friiday for C.J's physical. Appt time 9:30. Getting into a room 10:35. Getting out of there 11:20.

Messy's time priceless

[Dawn]

I agree with ~Myst~ I just don't think I could go back to the urgent care up here anymore.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

i used to go to Urgent care.. have been there twice now since ive moved back to the Mtns.. ive gone there cos i am a community hospital RN.. and figure, hell, its my insurance, my hospital group... il go there.. but the last time i went there.. i had a DEEP cut in my foot .. it had been 12 hours, so they couldnt stitch it, but they refused to give me antibiotics which is standard for cuts etc. There are some excellent RNs up there (some of whom ive worked with in the past)... but heck, im still feeling the pain of the injury to my foot! HUGE lump of scar tissue and i had to take like a week off of work...... growl. No, Im not impressed with Oakhurst Urgent Care. but then, thats the Corporation! Imagine thought if Columbia comes in and takes over... you guys are in for even WORSE care! (and im off for a new job)

[Yosemite Joy]

Urgent Care is okay... they seem to care enough.. my older son and daughter have been there once each. (son bit by a dog in the face (he was fine the cuts were superficial) and daughter was extremely sick) They were very quick with getting them seen, and cared a lot about them (gave them bears and stuff)..

[Raider]

Over the years my family and I have paid quite a few visits there, and they have always gotten us in rather quickly, especially compared to valley emergency rooms. The nurses and doctors there were always very friendly and professional towards us. I give them a big thumbs up! http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/yes.gif

[Nascar8Fan]

I agree with Raider. Everyone from my family has been there once or twice and every time everything went smoothly. They are great with kids, always finish up the appointment with a stuffed animal, it makes them feel better http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/stretch.gif

[Dodie]

I am not familiar with Oakhurst Urgent Care but if you have a family practice physician or internist, there should be someone taking call on the weekends in their place. Most doctors in other areas have these extensions of care. Otherwise, I would make a concerted effort to report the situation to the Madera County Supervisors. They should be the ones overlooking the medical care given in their county.Dodie

[Keith]

I've been to Urgent Care 3 Times in the last year. Once for X-rays and the other two times for blood tests.
The complete feelings I have for all three visits is over-all good, a little wait , but they seem to have what's needed to help us.

[Pop-Rocks]

I went in to urgent care when I had trouble swallowing my nose was pluged up my tongue swelled up and they kept telling me I had strep and they would not listen to Surfus or I. When We tried to tell them I had taken aspirin and about half an hour later I started having all those problems. Then I tried to tell them that I thought I was having a allergic reaction to the aspirin and they did not listen to me they said that I was not having signs of allergic reaction. Then they tested me for strep and it came back negative they finally gave me a shot of benadryl and about half an hour later all the problems went away. Then another time was I cut my thumb open on some metal and we called them because I knew they were going to close and they said to come on in they would wait for us and we said it would take 10 minutes and they said ok but when we got there 10 minutes later and said we were the ones who called and they said that they remembered us and that we were too late. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/sad420.gif

[John @ 3300ft.]

So which is the closest hospital to Oakhurst after hours for emergency?
Clovis?

[Mibrew]

Howdy John,

Fresno....

[Michelle]

Well I had to take my kids there to get checked from the Bus deal. But they one time told me i broke my foot and when i went to another doctor who was ready to cast my foot he looked at the x-ray and he said who told you you broke your foot i said the doctor at Oakhurst Urgent Care, he said well that doctor needs to go back to school because your foot isn't broken.
my son had a fever one time to high that when we my husband took him in it was 9:05 and that was when they just started closing at 9:00, they wouldn't take him.. Oh was i mad..............
they suck and some of the girls upfront are rude too.. they show no feeling in there... but what do you do when you do need URGENT CARE?????

[BichonLover]

I'm in awe there is no 24-hour facility in Oakhurst.

What do you all do when you're going to have a baby outside of the business hours of the hospital? http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/confused2.gif

Am I thinking about this wrong, and there's not even really a hospital there?

[Surfus]

They will not take you if you are in active labor.

[BichonLover]

So I'm going to take it there are a lot of babies being born at home then?

[oakhurstleaf]

Whaddya mean? They just say "Go on. Get outta here." I could see if the woman has some time left to make it to a hospital, they may send her on her way. But if she is about to produce a baby...in the "pushing phase", well, somebody help this woman! Call the paramedics, at least! They wouldn't send her home, I'm sure. Obviously, she's seeking help and not prepared to birth on her own or at home.

Alice

Originally posted by Surfus:
They will not take you if you are in active labor.

[beautiful_mess38]

maybe we should send this thread to urgent care and they will straighten up. I can't beleave they would turn someone away. thats wrong. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/shout.gif

[TOT]

Some of the front desk people are nicer and better at their jobs then others.

I do, however think that anyone working at a doctor's office should be able to spell exacerbation. That one still cracks me up. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/lol420.gif

[Surfus]

The staff will keep you but call for a Trasport to the valley.
My step Father cut off the end of his finger with a table saw. My mother Picked up the tip of the finger and brought him and the finger to "If Urgent your get SOME care" and they said they could not help him so she drove him down to the valley.


Originally posted by oakhurstleaf:
Whaddya mean? They just say "Go on. Get outta here." I could see if the woman has some time left to make it to a hospital, they may send her on her way. But if she is about to produce a baby...in the "pushing phase", well, somebody help this woman! Call the paramedics, at least! They wouldn't send her home, I'm sure. Obviously, she's seeking help and not prepared to birth on her own or at home.

Alice

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Surfus:
They will not take you if you are in active labor. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Surfus]

Originally posted by beautiful_mess38:
maybe we should send this thread to urgent care and they will straighten up. I can't beleave they would turn someone away. thats wrong. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/shout.gif

Community Hospitals has them underfunded.
A few years ago they were going to shut it down but Some Local fundraising and support to keep it open helped keep it here.

[Yosemite Joy]

A couple of months ago Keith talked to a Sierra Ambulance Paramedic.. he claimed to have had 27 women give birth with him playing "midwife" in his ambulance.

[CatdaBrat]

The last few times I had to go to Urgent Care to be treated for a tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) problem, everyone there was efficient and friendly. However, several years ago, I got an episode of tach and I managed to drive myself from North Fork to Oakhurst. (I didn't know back then that I should not have been driving, as some people pass out from tach.)

When I got to Urgent Care, somebody at the reception desk told me that I didn't have the right kind of insurance and I was going to have to go to Fresno. I explained that I was by myself, and the whole time I was trying very hard to catch my breath, as when I get tach my heart rate goes up to 200 bpm. Usually, the treatment involves a chemical cardioversion that actually stops my heart, and then if all goes as planned, it restarts in a normal rhythm.

Still, they said there was nothing they could do so I might as well just go. The doctors and nurses in the back never even knew I had come in. So, at the realization that I had made the trip for nothing and was in tears and scared, I went back home and just waited a long time for my heart to kick back to a normal sinus rhythm. I didn't know how dangerous that could be.

When my primary care doctor found out about it all hell broke loose, because in a case of cardiac emergency (among others), a patient is supposed to be treated and then the insurance stuff can be worked out later. Most insurance plans, as far as I know, allow for emergency treatment no matter where you are.

It really does depend on whether or not you manage to get past the people up front. But like I said, the last couple of times I went I had nothing to complain about and a lot to be grateful for.

Now I am told that if there isn't anyone to drive me, to call an ambulance. I take meds now, but if it ever happens again, I pray it isn't between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. It used to be open 24 hours, if I remember right, but it was not cost effective.

[Surfus]

Everyone with a cardiac problem or you feels bad or dizzy you should call for an ambulance.
Every family up here needs to buy a Membership for Sierra Ambulance.
For $40 dollars a year per household, a family can purchase an Ambulance Membership. It covers the cost of ambulance transport from within Sierra's service area to any area hospital in Madera, Fresno or Mariposa County. It is immediately renewable.
http://www.sierraambulance.org/services.html

I have been on many calls when I was an EMT/paid call firefighter when the Person is saying “Sorry to drag you out of bedâ€�. When we check them out their Heart Rate is like 150 and or Sky high BP. DON’T BE AFRAID to call 911!

This is what the service is for and most Paid call firefighters don’t mind going to a Medical aids. Med aids were the part I miss the most helping my neighbors out. It makes them feel better when they see a familiar face.

You never know what is wrong with you until someone with the correct tools checks you out.

My Dad Dropped Dead at 3 AM from a massive heart attack at the age of 57. He had some “heart Burnâ€� that nigh after he got home from the Gym. He was healthy and worked out 5 days a week for many years. He went to a certain NPT for Dizzy spells when he was working out heavy about a year before and she never ran and cardiac test. She told him his equal Librium was off and to take some Dramamine.
It turned out he had 80 -90 % blocked arteries.

My mother was at our store getting ready to leave for a 10 day cruise. I came back to the store from being out in the field and one of my venders was there at the store He told me my Mom was not doing very good. She was Very disoriented and had a head ache. She was fine a few hours before. I checked it out and put her on O2 (had a small kit in my truck) but no change after about 10 minutes. I call 911 and the ambulance came in about 5 minutes. The Paramedic and EMT where friends of mine so that helped. We loaded her up and took her to Fresno. She had a few cranial aneurisms that they found when they did angiogram but when she came out of the Procedure one ruptured and bled out. She died 8 days latter at 54

I tell you this to Stress that if you don’t feel normal PLEASE GET SOME HELP ASAP and our emergency services are here to help.

And if you are able body you local fire station would love your help. You don’t have to go to every call just the ones you can. You don’t have to be a firefighter you can just go to medical aids. You only have to go to meetings about once a week or less for training.

[BichonLover]

That's great to know and have.

I read the info on it and wasn't clear if the $40 was for one transport per year or for multiple, if necessary.

[Surfus]

Originally posted by BichonLover:
That's great to know and have.

I read the info on it and wasn't clear if the $40 was for one transport per year or for multiple, if necessary.
ONE FREE TRIP PER YEAR
but you can renue. They do bill your insurance if you have it.

[Californee Girl]

I had a really bad experience with Urgent Care years ago.

I cant really go into great detail because its very personal, but basically what happened was I called the emergency room ahead of time & they told me that nothing was wrong with me & not to come in.

When I did eventually come in anyway the nurse was mad at me for disobeying her. She gave me a huge attitude and did nothing but add to my miseries the whole time I was there. She guilt tripped me over taking time & attention from patients who "really needed them" (there were no other patients in there), she harassed me over everything that came out of my mouth, and she kept arguing that there was nothing wrong with me. The attitude got worse when the doctor confirmed that there was indeed something wrong with me and hed never seen anything quite like it.

No, I wasnt having heart failure or giving birth, but I was in agonizing pain. I wouldnt run to the emergency room in the middle of the night if I didnt think it was necessary. And who is she to diagnose me over the phone.

Aside from that and some blotched X-Rays that we had taken last week Ive had great experiences with Urgent Care.

A few years after that episode I tore my toe half off and had to have it sewn back on in the middle of the night. The nurses were very nice this time, and the doctor was so professional and funny at the same time. I never felt a bit of pain despite my hanging toe. Theres not even a scar he stitched me so well!

[TOT]

Originally posted by Californee Girl:
And who is she to diagnose me over the phone.


If it ever happens again i'd ask if that's within her scope of practice. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/sneaky.gif

[ginpole]

Urgent Care in oakhurst is ok. The local DRs were the ones on duty, now you get interns out of UMC in Fresno, some are good some are not so good. They tried to be open for 24 hrs. not enough patients. Now your best bet is call 911, after hours. As far as the Sierra Ambulance membership goes it is for one trip, for every member of your family thats lives in your house, it has gone up to $45. If you use it you can get a new membership right away.

[Dodie]

The closest hospital to oakhurst is John C. Fremont Hospital, Mariposa. They have an emergency room, and during the weekdays they have a thriving urgent care center with all types of specialists going there from both Fresno and Merced. Other than that, either Madera County Hospital or Chowchilla County Hosp or any of the Hospitals in Fresno: St. Agnes, Fresno Community University Center & I am sure many Urgent care centers. There are nine urgent care centers in Merced with one Hosp.Dodie

[Yosemite Joy]

My 5 week old baby was bitten by something on the cheek as soon as I noticed it I rushed him to urgent care on Monday.

The front counter ladies were ok.. one was sort of rude. I was a little umm.. hysterical.. ok not "hysterical" but I was uptight about my son who was screaming and had a swollen cheek and some sort of bleeding bite.

They had me go back and 2 nurses came in, he had a bit of a temperature, though everything else looked ok. He nursed then and fell asleep..

nearly 2 hours later I saw a PA...

I was hungry, exhausted and so was my 2 year old.

My 5 week old is okay.. the swelling subsided and now the bite is scabbed.

I think that it is nearly cruel to make a person wait for 2 hours when they don't know what is going on with their new baby.

[Californee Girl]

woah! you coulda taken him to Valley Childrens with that kind of wait!

[Kahlua Kid]

Due to this thread, when my Radius and Ulna bones were displaced/broken last weekend - I didn't give heading to Oakhurst Urgent Care a 2nd thought - also thought my arm looked pretty bad - so told Newcomer to head for Fresno Kaiser Emergency... I was in agonizing pain for 45 minutes down the mountain... next time calling an ambulance that could get us there faster (and painkillers sooner!)

Kaiser got me in immediately - didn't think they would when I saw 50 people at least in the waiting room, but the triaged me and had me in the room on IVs within 5 minutes!!!

Surgery Sunday morn went smooth and on the way to what I hope is a speedy recovery!

[Surfus]

I just sent some time in Ugent care
I sliced my thumb open with a Utility Knive.
Not bad service.
I was waiting for about 15 minutes in chairs.
15 minutes in a room then they moved me and some guy dont know if he was a intern or nurse Cleaned me up and Fegantner (spelling) supper glued my thumb shut.
went in about 4:45 and got out about 6:15there.

[Dodie]

I think people who have children with urgent care problems should also consider the Children's Hospital near Fresno, off Hwy 41. They also have nurses which you can talk to over the phone and I believe it is still the Poison Control Center for this entire area. They also have clinics in all the specialty areas. Dodie

[MtnEagle]

I used to dread ever needing Urgent Care. They are soo much better now than they used to be.

Fegatner (SP?) is a good doctor by the way. He used to be my doctor back in the 90's when I worked at Sierra and had Insurance! http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/crazya.gif

Late last year when I developed Bell's Palsey, they were VERY friendly and concerned (maybe because it could have been a stroke instead http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/lol420.gif ), and it was a pleasure to be there.

Cost me $400 but hey, i'd go there again now even if I ended up having to be moved or sent to a hospital in Fresno afterwards.

[Kim]

Originally posted by John @ 3300ft.:
So which is the closest hospital to Oakhurst after hours for emergency?
Clovis?
I'd say go to JCF in Mariposa; the ED is okay and there's a helipad to get you off to Fresno or Merced if you're in real trouble.

[Pop-Rocks]

I lived in Mariposa in 1990 when I got into an accident and I was sent there with my head cut open and I was taken to JCF in Mariposa and as they were stiching me up they asked what had happen and because I had just got my head cut open I could not remember at that time. So I told the nurse I can not remember and she told me since you can not remember it has to be your fault. She was also very rude to me http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/rant420.gif . I went back there in 1999 I had cut my leg open on dirty barb wire when I was working for the Fire Department in Mariposa and they seemed to be better they cleand it and gave me a tetnus shot and butterflyed it shut. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/stretch.gif

[shansard]

Just stay away from the Merced ER! It is horrible.

I've been to the Urgent Care here once for myself and another time with my sister in law. The first visit was simple and went smoothly. The second time they had a guy who had fallen and was covered in blood and couldn't remember anything, so we had to wait a long time while they stabilized him and loaded him up for a trip to Fresno.

[Ironhorse]

My grandson has hemophilia. I have had to take him to the Urgent Care up here twice while he was visiting, for cuts that wouldn't stop bleeding. BOTH times, the staff there were exceptional. The first time, they held staff over to help us, it was two minutes to their closing time when we called to see if they could take him. They did not rush us, did not rush the treatments, were not rude or anything like that. My daughter-in-law usually takes him to Valley Childrens and she said he would not have received any better treatment there. http://oakhurstforums.com/icon/wink420.gif

[Surfus]

Just a reminder
I just paid my Sierra Ambulance membership for next year $45

http://www.sierraambulance.org/services.html


Originally posted by Surfus:
Everyone with a cardiac problem or you feels bad or dizzy you should call for an ambulance.
Every family up here needs to buy a Membership for Sierra Ambulance.
For $40 dollars a year per household, a family can purchase an Ambulance Membership. It covers the cost of ambulance transport from within Sierra's service area to any area hospital in Madera, Fresno or Mariposa County. It is immediately renewable.


I have been on many calls when I was an EMT/paid call firefighter when the Person is saying “Sorry to drag you out of bedâ€�. When we check them out their Heart Rate is like 150 and or Sky high BP. DON’T BE AFRAID to call 911!

This is what the service is for and most Paid call firefighters don’t mind going to a Medical aids. Med aids were the part I miss the most helping my neighbors out. It makes them feel better when they see a familiar face.

You never know what is wrong with you until someone with the correct tools checks you out.

My Dad Dropped Dead at 3 AM from a massive heart attack at the age of 57. He had some “heart Burnâ€� that nigh after he got home from the Gym. He was healthy and worked out 5 days a week for many years. He went to a certain NPT for Dizzy spells when he was working out heavy about a year before and she never ran and cardiac test. She told him his equal Librium was off and to take some Dramamine.
It turned out he had 80 -90 % blocked arteries.

My mother was at our store getting ready to leave for a 10 day cruise. I came back to the store from being out in the field and one of my venders was there at the store He told me my Mom was not doing very good. She was Very disoriented and had a head ache. She was fine a few hours before. I checked it out and put her on O2 (had a small kit in my truck) but no change after about 10 minutes. I call 911 and the ambulance came in about 5 minutes. The Paramedic and EMT where friends of mine so that helped. We loaded her up and took her to Fresno. She had a few cranial aneurisms that they found when they did angiogram but when she came out of the Procedure one ruptured and bled out. She died 8 days latter at 54

I tell you this to Stress that if you don’t feel normal PLEASE GET SOME HELP ASAP and our emergency services are here to help.

And if you are able body you local fire station would love your help. You don’t have to go to every call just the ones you can. You don’t have to be a firefighter you can just go to medical aids. You only have to go to meetings about once a week or less for training.

[SheilaMae]

Originally posted by Surfus:
Just a reminder
I just paid my Sierra Ambulance membership for next year $45

http://www.sierraambulance.org/services.html


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Surfus:
Everyone with a cardiac problem or you feels bad or dizzy you should call for an ambulance.
Every family up here needs to buy a Membership for Sierra Ambulance.
For $40 dollars a year per household, a family can purchase an Ambulance Membership. It covers the cost of ambulance transport from within Sierra's service area to any area hospital in Madera, Fresno or Mariposa County. It is immediately renewable.


I have been on many calls when I was an EMT/paid call firefighter when the Person is saying “Sorry to drag you out of bedâ€�. When we check them out their Heart Rate is like 150 and or Sky high BP. DON’T BE AFRAID to call 911!

This is what the service is for and most Paid call firefighters don’t mind going to a Medical aids. Med aids were the part I miss the most helping my neighbors out. It makes them feel better when they see a familiar face.

You never know what is wrong with you until someone with the correct tools checks you out.

My Dad Dropped Dead at 3 AM from a massive heart attack at the age of 57. He had some “heart Burnâ€� that nigh after he got home from the Gym. He was healthy and worked out 5 days a week for many years. He went to a certain NPT for Dizzy spells when he was working out heavy about a year before and she never ran and cardiac test. She told him his equal Librium was off and to take some Dramamine.
It turned out he had 80 -90 % blocked arteries.

My mother was at our store getting ready to leave for a 10 day cruise. I came back to the store from being out in the field and one of my venders was there at the store He told me my Mom was not doing very good. She was Very disoriented and had a head ache. She was fine a few hours before. I checked it out and put her on O2 (had a small kit in my truck) but no change after about 10 minutes. I call 911 and the ambulance came in about 5 minutes. The Paramedic and EMT where friends of mine so that helped. We loaded her up and took her to Fresno. She had a few cranial aneurisms that they found when they did angiogram but when she came out of the Procedure one ruptured and bled out. She died 8 days latter at 54

I tell you this to Stress that if you don’t feel normal PLEASE GET SOME HELP ASAP and our emergency services are here to help.

And if you are able body you local fire station would love your help. You don’t have to go to every call just the ones you can. You don’t have to be a firefighter you can just go to medical aids. You only have to go to meetings about once a week or less for training. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I just want to add a "Hip, Hip Hurray!" to this post Surf made a couple months ago...if it weren't for these guys I might very well have not been around to say this after this past Saturday. My heart rate was racing up there in the 180-200/bpm range and my bp soaring. I hate to think what might have happened to me if those guys hadn't been knowledgeable, well-trained, caring and responsive. And thank God my boss at work knew to call them for what I thought was a very minor thing.
-Sheila

[Goddesschyyld]

How are you feeling Sheila? You scared the hell out of us!

[SheilaMae]

Goddesschyyld - I'm just verrrrrrrrry tired...low, low energy and lacking much enthusiasm at all. Coasting along at about a "2", meaning if I felt any less energy I'd JUST be sleepin', ya know? Any perk up tips out there for the weak hearted????
-Sheila

[CatdaBrat]

Hope you get the rest you need. I have been in the ER about 4 times with a heart rate of 200 bpm. They always had to do a chemical cardioversion, which feels really weird cuz they stop your heart. Makes you feel like you are being euthanized at the vet's or something. But, it feels even more weird to have a 200bpm heart rate, even though I was "functional" each time and not even dizzy.

Was refused treatment at Urgent Care the first time it happened because they said I didn't have the "right insurance." I think I posted the details on here a while back. My doctor blew his top at them over that! I was even all alone at the time and they told me to drive myself to Fresno. Yeah, right, great advice.

Anyway, good luck with it. Now I take a 50 mg dose of a drug called atenolol each day and no probs. I have had 3 different ER docs ask me what my job was and at the time I was a news reporter. Each one said, "Change your job!" I did!

[SheilaMae]

Originally posted by CatdaBrat:
Anyway, good luck with it. Now I take a 50 mg dose of a drug called atenolol each day and no probs.

Cat - they stopped and started my heart also and I'm also now on Atenolol, (100 mg twice a day) as well as a few other meds. Is the fatigue from the rapid heart and black out (kinda like days after running a marathon?) or the meds, I wonder? Or the enormity of realization that it could have so easily have had a different result??
-Sheila

[Yosemite_Wolf]

cat and sheila... i hope you guys are taking your pulse rates and blood pressures every day.. even if you have to trot down to Longs and stick your arm into the free BP machine that they have by the Pharmacy.

[CatdaBrat]

I think the fatigue may be from the stress your body (and emotional stress) was under, but then again, I am not taking as much atenolol so I am not sure how I would feel on 200 mg per day.

I could tell all my organs were under stress from trying to keep up with 200 bpm, like my kidneys were outdoing themselves trying to process the increased blood flow. It was like I had to pee every 5 minutes! And even my lungs were suffering, as it felt as if I could only take rapid, shallow breaths.

I do remember feeling as if I just needed to vegetate for a few days afterward. Thing is now, even though I have not had any more supraventricular tachycardia episodes for a while, I start to get panicky when I feel a normal "flutter" or skipped beat (PVC I think). I instantly think, "Oh, no! Not again!" But then it goes away and all is well. It kinda makes you apprehensive.

Three out of the 4 ER doctors I have had all told me that they, too, are taking atenolol for the prevention of tach. Two nurses I took an EKG class from also told me they were on it for the same reasons. It must be quite common.

My doctor (GP) was telling me that his brother had a procedure called ablation perfomed to cure his tach problems, but I don't think I want to do that unless the atenolol stops being effective.

[SheilaMae]

The ER doc I had wanted to put a defib device in my chest (barring finding any arterial blockages) but I refused any further treatment at the time having no insurance at all and seeing that the Rx approach was being responded to positively.

I'm sure you're right about stress - the ER doc told me my heart is so weak (enlarged on top of this episode) he doesn't see me around 5 yrs from now. Talk about an unappetizing dose of reality! Was reading some internet info that says the cardiomyopathy and heart failure I have can only truly see improvement via transplant. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeze...

-Sheila

[CatdaBrat]

See about finding a forum of people who share the same condition you do, just for more input regarding their experiences, etc. There might be some comments that would reflect chances for a brighter future. I know that some of those Internet medical information sites can be pretty grim, but they probably deal mostly with raw, "textbook" statistics. The forums might give you a better idea of "real life" situations, expectations and so forth.

At the very least, you would have a chance to ask questions, compare notes and share feelings with others who are going through the exact same thing.

It really sucks how expensive health care is. But people in prison can get it for free, even a sex-change operation! Makes you feel like going out and committing a crime just so you can get the care you need. I have heard of some people who get out and go back right about the time they need some dental work or an operations, etc. And in California, they "went on strike" to demand free jelly beans! Hey, I want some, too!

[tetonjack]

Originally posted by MtnEagle:
I used to dread ever needing Urgent Care. They are soo much better now than they used to be.

Fegatner (SP?) is a good doctor by the way. He used to be my doctor back in the 90's when I worked at Sierra and had Insurance! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

Late last year when I developed Bell's Palsey, they were VERY friendly and concerned (maybe because it could have been a stroke instead http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif ), and it was a pleasure to be there.

Cost me $400 but hey, i'd go there again now even if I ended up having to be moved or sent to a hospital in Fresno afterwards.

I had Bells Palsey also. Do you suffer any ringing in the ears?? I had it in the left side of my face a couple of years ago and have had ringing in my left ear ever since. Also have some sort of viral infection in my ear.

[Yosemite_Wolf]

Urgent care does basically suck... but heck.. It a hell of a lot better than going down to Fresburg and sitting in ER at Fresno community or UMC. If I need to go to urgent care.. i go to Clovis community cos even though I work at Fresno, ER is just tooooo busy. I forgot how accessable Oakhurst Urgent Care was until I moved back up to the mtn area. And if you have to go into Urgent Care... just hope you get Dr. Chudy to see ya cos he is awesome! (he made me, a grumpy sick just home from australia RN, laugh and put me in a better mood!)
The Urgent care cannot do it all.. and I have a few gripes about the place.... but as long as I get the right doc and the right RN Im a happy patient..... and its not often you see an RN as a happy patient cos we get down right stroppy and pissy when we are sick and have to be tended to!!!!! Urgent Care plays an important role in our community!

[concerned]

Joel Figatner is a competent physician but Joe Chudy is top of the line. He will always tell it like it is.

[MtnEagle]

Wow, dug that old post up eh...

http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/happy.gif

Yeah I get ringing in the ears (Tintinitus SP?), but I had that before the BP. I also get the deafening silence in the left ear from time to time. Freaks me out every time too. Comes back in a minute or so.

Biggest problem for me now days is the headache I get right behind the left eye,and the variations in the pain level when I move my head. I know it's pressure/sinus related...

My nerves are shot (especially in my wrists and fingers), and my arthritis is getting worse these days (hands, hips, and knees mostly). But I am still much better off than poor Mat, no offense! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/wink3.gif

Originally posted by tetonjack:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by MtnEagle:
I used to dread ever needing Urgent Care. They are soo much better now than they used to be.

Fegatner (SP?) is a good doctor by the way. He used to be my doctor back in the 90's when I worked at Sierra and had Insurance! http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/tongue.gif

Late last year when I developed Bell's Palsey, they were VERY friendly and concerned (maybe because it could have been a stroke instead http://oakhurstonline.com/icon/laugh.gif ), and it was a pleasure to be there.

Cost me $400 but hey, i'd go there again now even if I ended up having to be moved or sent to a hospital in Fresno afterwards.

I had Bells Palsey also. Do you suffer any ringing in the ears?? I had it in the left side of my face a couple of years ago and have had ringing in my left ear ever since. Also have some sort of viral infection in my ear. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Yosemite_Wolf]

I have ringing in the ears.. but its due to ear drum damage from infections. clearing the ears helps ( holding nose tight and then holding breath).
It helps when i have mumbing docs... i clear my ears and i can hear their mumblings louder!