Specialists-A WASTE OF TIME & MONEY ON A SO-CALLED (NP) DERMATOLOGIST WHO KNEW NOTHING!

Going to a "Specialist", Getting NOTHING but MAD, when they do not know a thing about WHY you were sent! When My Rheumatologist (NP) & My PCP BOTH already had agreed I had "probable Psoriatic Arthritis"

I've been "waxing and waning" at least 4 months, maybe more at this "sudden acute break-out" that started on the outside of my right ear, sudden big "flakes" on my scalp (NEVER HAD that before at all", then the top part of my upper chest, and my upper shoulders, a spot over my ears, and one on my nose, then on the side of my face... and a bit on my right wrist... ALL APPEARED.. they are round, at the time very, very "flaky, thick" almost as if it had been a sore that took a long time to heal. But, no itching, looking horrible, and no sign of getting better, just every one of them flaked every day... I tried everything I could think of, yet nothing seemed to be helping.

I did my own "research" and found with my other Autoimmune issues, the RA, Lupus, Sjogren's, Raynaud's etc... and my joints getting worse with stiffness, pain, beginning to "twist and turn" all of my knuckles on both hands swollen, I felt it could be Psoriatic Arthritis". 

I had seen both the PCP & the Rheumatologist (NP) BUT this was after 3 months of them beginning to heal. They could still see it on my scalp, and how it flaked off a few places, BUT OF COURSE they had began to look a bit better. As always, about the time you begin to get well, & go to the doctor so then they cannot get a good idea. 

BUT, everywhere I had one, a round white scar almost with a bit of a sunken spot in it developed. Plus even now I still have a couple in my ear.

So, after waiting weeks, getting into a "Dermatologist" & try to avoid Dallas, I found one closer. I go yesterday, & before I went I called & asked if there were any "precautions" they were taking, other than the normal ones for the Coronavirus. Well, the lady on the phone about half acted as if she didn't even know what I was talking about. Then she said, "we are going by what the authorities are saying. So, still a bit hesitant with all of my other issues (even the pacemaker, it's been there 7 months but it can be like the autoimmune illnesses, a complication, even with the flu etc. I always am very cautious during the flu season. 

So, I go into the building, NO HAND SANITIZER, NO WIPES, NOTHING... not at the door, at the lobby EVEN NONE IN THE RESTROOM! Well, by now I was a bit nervous. Of course I had my own, so I put some on, after washing my hands, and & went to find their office. Again, I go in the office, NO HAND SANITIZER, WIPES AND EVEN NO KLEENEX!!! NOW I was REALLY getting to the point I wondered if they took "any" precautions. There was NONE in the rooms, and other than a very small "posting" you could barely read on the wall in the waiting room, NOTHING about it! They called me in, the nurse NEVER asked about a fever, if I had been exposed possibly, or had been out of the country. Plus again NO HAND SANITIZER, NO TISSUES, NO SIGNS POSTED, NOTHING. SO, that was bad enough, then she was an hour late!! And she "barely" looked at anything I was trying to show her, or listen to what I was saying. And just said, "I don't think it is psoriasis"and I asked what about these white round "scars" left? She had NO answer... for one thing they are ugly & with spring and summer coming it is bad enough with the scars I have due to surgeries. So, she basically, told me the same thing I knew, about lotions, what to use etc.. and said "if I have some that come up she can see "better"then call & come back. 

By this time I was fuming and disgusted, and she even tried to shake my hand! I almost walked out without paying the co-pay I was sob freaking peeved! I left there upset in tears, ruined my day, when I could have been home working on my lawn, a waste of gas and money for a co-pay I should really not have owed. I paid it, hurried out, used my hand sanitizer, then went to the restroom and washed my hand... & the closer I got home, the more upset I got.... I wished I would have taken pics when the places were so bad... so, at the last I asked her "would Enbrel be a medication they MIGHT USE TO HELP THIS?"  SHE SAID "YES"... one of them & there are several others out they use for it. So, I said well I went back on my Enbrel about 4 to 5 weeks ago. So, I told her that, & she said well let's "hope", that will help. (So all of the paperwork I filled out over the previous weekend, along with medications, illnesses, surgeries, whom my doctors were etc... she NEVER even looked to see I was on Enbrel, Prednisone, Plaquenil, & Methotrexate.. because those 3 are the older ones they use... NEVER, NEVER, EVER WILL I GO BACK NOR RECOMMEND THAT OFFICE TO ANYONE! I have had a doctor or two really upset me over the years, but this one really "did not know her rear from a whole in the ground"....

Coronavirus & Some Updates... CDC, WHO etc...

Coronavirus (COVID-19) & some Key Facts for now  of course they update quickly!

I had not posted much on the Virus just due to all of the "stuff" going around. No one wants to have the illness, BUT we do not want to PANIC either.

So, here are a couple of links from "trusted" sources" I Hope! bThe CDC, WHO, NIH, & some of the Pharma Companies trying to get medications out that work!


https://www.biospace.com/article/biopharma-industry-news-update-on-the-novel-coronavirus/


https://www.biospace.com/article/regeneron-and-sanofi-aim-a-rheumatoid-arthritis-drug-at-coronavirus/?TrackID=15&fbclid=IwAR1VaNxLYNv1kO4b3hbUermWDFnHlVrhWEui17_E6Du5ZfHlJMAHz96qjcs

Insanity with Chronic Pain Dr., MORE Crazy w/Rheumy's NP & TRAFFIC Beyond NUTS in Dallas!!!!

NEVER again will I allowANY of the Dr's I see in Dallas,  talk me into driving LATE afternoon RUSH HOUR in the POURING "Cats and DOGS"RAIN! Not when just about EVERY DRIVER DOES not CARE if they RUN OVER You OR not!!!!

PLUS I have been going to the couple of"specialists" up there for 10 years & they ALL knowI have to make a 40 plus  mile commune one-way and then back!!! Then when  they  "delay"you because they make a mistake, that you have to go BACK into the office, & "question" the doctor, (by the way good thing I did" I was CORRECT! Had I NOT "checked" I would have been in a world of severe pain till at least this coming Monday, and this way LAST Wednesday!  Plus they also knew I was on a Schedule" due to trying to get two doctors visits done on that day. I DID NOT want to have to drive home, then GO BACK again in a few days! The driving on dry pavement is bad enough, but having to be in the car in stop & go rainy, wrecks, & road construction, at 5:00PM in Dallas on I-35 and I-45, just is enough to make you hurt for days.... 

To top it off, my Rheumy's NP is nuts.. she wanted me to walk over to another building (this is at like almost 5PM) to get my hands X-rayed & Labs done, which I have done here in town usually...plus NO WAY was I saying till Lord knows when in the pitch dark, that I don't drive well in due to the headlights anyway... I tried to TELL her but she is too busy "typing" on her computer to even LISTEN to me, sitting 10 feet away in the room! She will NOT speak up, I cannot understand her & I kept asking her to "speak up" and sh jut "mumbles"....

So, then I finally get out of the "pits of hell in Dallas Traffic" have to stop & get myself & the pups some dinner... & by the way I got home (which I did NOT expect" to be gone over 10 hours or so.. I still had to  change clothes, put stuff away & try to settle all 3 of us down, so we could eat...

NOW I still think my doctor (Pain Doctor) is mistaken, but the way I need to explain it will be difficult on the phone, so I HOPE the email address I have for his Business Office & Patient Manager (who is awesome) works... MOST Dr's now days have "portals" & out of all  them he does not.

Thens the NP at my Rheumy's Office wanted me to see a "Dermatologist" cause this is probably Psoriatic Arthritis - the BAD thing is when I showed her the places, she asked me "Do you have Psoriatic Arthritis?" I was like WHAT!!!???That is what I am ASKING YOU?!! I wanted to shake her... that chart of mine and ALL of the updates.. by now SHE should have KNOWN I was asking about a NEW SYMPTOM and ILLNESS!? Not having to tell her what I had.... I asked her since it is a form of Arthritis, why do I have to see a Dermatologist? Of courseI have the plaque's & trouble with my scalp, BUT I did not know that the RHEUMY would not handle it all! Which I'll be darned if I find one in Dallas..like she wanted.. We have one right here I found, that I believe tales my insurance, had his "bio"  etc... he shows to be extremely good.

So here we go again, with a new doctor, like I did not have enough.. and I am NOT going back to Dallas for Labs & X-rays on my hands when they can do that here!

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope pain stays at bay & illness..so you can all enjoy it!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my friends!

A Very Happy Valentine Day to each of my Dear Friends! I hope joy, laughter, love & LOTS of Cakes, Chocolates, Covered Strawberries, and a beautiful also fort all with sweethearts, may romance fill your days ahead! 

After my Mom making many many "heart shaped red velvet cakes each year for my b'day tomorrow...of course she can't any longer..so yesterday when I went to get groceries, there was these tiny heart shaped cakes for Valentine
day.. When I went to loo at them the did have a"red velvet one" -- so I now after missing a couple of years I have one! LOL!!! not as good as Mom's but is a remembrance of MOM & HER MAKING
IT ESPECIALLY FOR ME.. JUST ONE OF MANY

THIS WEATHER REMINDS ME OF THE DAY I WAS BORN... Dad said he went at lunch time home to check on Mom because I was due at any time.. he said he went in & she was still in bed? He asked her if she isn't feeling well.. and she turned and looked at him, sayingI HURT! Dad was a bit hasty in telling her you have to get up, you are in labor! She said she couldn't& he told her YES YOU CAN, the baby is coming!!! So he got her in the car , they had to stop & pick up my Granny Svehlak ... then Dad saw he needed gas, since he had to go to Corsicana..and back then cars didn't run as fast and the speed limit was MUCH lower... so by the time he finally got to the hospital about 25 miles away, I think I was almost there!...I was born I think around 3 or 4i n the afternoon, and the weather was icy, snowy & very cold! Anyway at the time the waiting room for the Dad's Had a "pink" light on one side & a blue light on the opposite side. Dad did not know, so he was getting nervous & the nurse came out to tell him then"pink" light was on & he had a healthy baby girl!!!! I can recall Dad telling that story so many times and it always was too cute to hear him tell it!

May all of you enjoy a day filled with happiness and joy... and may pain stay at bay.. and illness give you a break!

Thinking of my friends & Wishing everyone Love in your life today and all the days to come!!!!

To My Beloved Dad.. Happy Birthday on Groundhog Day Dad!

This was the last photo and last time I got to see him in 2004... I came down from Seattle for my daughters wedding to Corpus.... and then drove for a few hours trip all the way to Ennis to see my parents before going back to San Antonio to fly back to Seattle...

I was glad I made that trip. He passed away 2005 on Easter Sunday after a knee replacement got severely infected...
He would be 97 years old tomorrow....

Septic Arthritis & Difficulty getting the right diagnosis

Septic Arthritis  &  Difficulty getting the right diagnosis

POSTED ON JANUARY 24, 2020









(I "redacted"  bits of this due to so many issues with doctors, the medical field in general & the many malpractice suits whether true or not, there are many)... so I will just put the link to the page I got this from & the story is  also posted in my Today's Newspaper... Link*****Link to my paper  :   https://www.autoimmunearthriticsystemiclife.com/*****Link to article: & I remain "neutral" due o the nature of the subject and because I had "Septic Arthritis) although after seeing 3 doctors they really never "agreed" as far as the real diagnosis - the symptoms can  be signs of several diseases...  it took me about 3 months to really get clear of it - and at least 6 rounds of antibiotics to feel "safe" it was gone...)You trust your doctor to either know how to diagnose and treat your medical condition or at the very least, to understand when to refer you to someone with the expertise to handle your case, especially in the case of infections. Septic arthritis is one such serious infectious condition that, if not diagnosed and treated quickly, can lead to permanently damaged joints and other serious complications. When a doctor or another medical provider fails to appropriately diagnose or manage septic arthritis, the consequences for your health can be severe. If this occurs and you are wondering what options you may have to hold them accountable, the next thing to do is seek knowledgeable legal counsel.What is Septic Arthritis?Septic arthritis, or infectious arthritis, is a joint infection, commonly found in the knees but can also occur in the hips, shoulders and other joints. It is characterized by swollen, intensely painful joints with redness, warmth and stiffness, accompanied by chills and fever. The condition can present in a similar manner to other conditions, for example, rheumatoid arthritis or staph infection. If left untreated, the cartilage and bone within the joint degenerates and can be permanently damaged within mere days. In some cases of septic arthritis, the affected limb must be amputated. With the dangerous nature of this condition, prompt treatment is essential.What Causes Septic Arthritis?Septic arthritis is caused by a bacteria, virus or fungus, typically staphylococcus aureus infection, but also a urinary tract or skin infection. 91% of septic arthritis cases stem from staphylococcus or streptococcus bacteria. Among younger sexually active adults, gonorrhea is the most common disease that passes the infection from one person to another. Germs migrate through the bloodstream from one part of the body to another or go directly into the joints through an injury, injection or open wound caused by a penetrating object, such as an animal bite or surgery.Ordinarily, your joints can protect against infection naturally, but the body’s reaction to infection causes inflammation that increases pressure and reduces blood flow in the joint, causing damage. The increased use of prosthetic joints in recent history has increased the rate of infectious arthritis. Approximately 20,000 people suffer from the condition in the U.S. annually. Tragically, 11% of those afflicted with septic arthritis die. Communicable infections, like staph infections, create conditions favorable to septic arthritis and can be contagious if a person is exposed in a non-sterile environment.Septic arthritis largely affects infants and older people aged 65-plus, as well as those with existing joint problems. Some of the primary risk factors for septic arthritis include:

• Osteoarthritis

• Gout

• Lupus

• Rheumatoid arthritis

• Weak immune systems

• Artificial joints

• Previous joint surgery or injury

• Skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis

• Open wounds

• Chronic immune-suppressing conditions like diabetes, kidney, and liver disease

• Joint trauma

All who are affected by one or more of the above risk factors are far more susceptible to septic arthritis than the general population. Notably, alcoholism, intravenous drug use and low socioeconomic status are also risk factors for the condition. Further, having more than one of these risk factors increases the potential for contracting the condition. People with rheumatoid arthritis and gout are especially vulnerable to septic arthritis because of their commonly prescribed immune-suppressing medications and symptoms that mirror those of septic arthritis. Doctors often misdiagnose or miss the diagnosis in these patients. Patients with hemophilia or HIV or also at risk for septic arthritis due to their low immunity.Diagnosis and Treatment for Septic ArthritisGiven the deadly nature of septic arthritis, a doctor should conduct arthrocentesis, the method used to detect the condition and confirm or rule out septic arthritis. In addition, blood testing and imaging tests may detect septic arthritis, but the surest method is joint aspiration, when synovial fluid in the joints is extracted and tested. Conditions that mimic the condition are abscesses, cellulitis, Lyme disease, malignancy, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteomyelitis, among others. It is critical for the treating physician to discern these imitative conditions from septic arthritis. Obtaining an accurate patient history can help the provider discover risk factors indicating probable infectious arthritis. Otherwise, there is no gold standard of early detection other than the physician’s expertise at recognizing musculoskeletal diseases and their copycats, or referring the patient to a specialist who is experienced in this area of practice. Once septic arthritis has been diagnosed, treatment may consist of intravenous antibiotics, surgery or aspirations in the affected area. Time is of the essence when a person is affected by septic arthritis, so diagnosing and treating the condition in a timely manner is a must.Septic Arthritis Malpractice Failure to detect septic arthritis results in significantly higher rates of complications, permanent damage and even death. When a doctor fails to diagnose or misdiagnoses this serious condition, they may ultimately be found liable for medical malpractice. Generally, medical malpractice occurs when a physician or other healthcare provider fails to diagnose a condition, misdiagnoses a condition, fails to treat an illness or disease, or improperly treats such an ailment, which leads to some form of injury or death for the patient. Given the training and experience of medical professionals, patients rely on their expertise to address their symptoms, provide appropriate treatment, and ultimately, to keep them from harm.If you believe your doctor mishandled your septic arthritis case in New Jersey, you typically have two years from the date of injury (or the date at which you became aware of said injury) within which to file a malpractice lawsuit. An affidavit of merit is required by law when filing a lawsuit against a medical professional. The affidavit of merit will require a doctor in the same field as the defendant to declare under oath that the care, skill or knowledge shown during the diagnosis and treatment of the patient fell below the medical standard of care under the circumstances. There are strict time limits within which to file specific documents in order to avoid your case being dismissed. Due to the complexity of medical malpractice litigation in New Jersey, it is highly advisable to seek help from an attorney with extensive experience handling claims like yours.Your Septic Arthritis If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a doctor or other medical provider’s negligence involving diagnosis or treatment for septic arthritis, consult a knowledgeable medical Additional & Related Information:

• Septic arthritis Background, Medscape

• Septic Arthritis Overview, MayoClinic

• Management of septic arthritis: a systematic review, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

• Evaluation and Management of Septic Arthritis and its Mimics in the Emergency Department, The Western Journal of Emergency Medicine

• Medical Malpractice Involving Sepsis

LINK to this article:   https://www.fronzutolaw.com/articles/malpractice-with-septic-arthritis/

Friday's addn of my Daily Newspaper, Health, RA, Lupus, Chronic Pain and more!

Friday's addn of my Daily Newspaper, Health, RA, Lupus, Chronic Pain and more!

http://news.autoimmunearthriticsystemiclife.com/#/signin

Wed. Addn of my Newspaper- Notice one on Turmeric &

https://www.wellnessglobal.xyz/2020/01/drink-1-cup-of-turmeric-water-in.html

Texas Weather & Talk About Effecting Our Joints and Bodies!!

   HERE IS TX WEATHER FOR YOU - 32 ONE NIGHT AND XMAS DAY.....72????!!!☃☂☉ (DEGREES)

I recall one Christmas fixing Dinner at my Home in Blooming Grove with the A/C on shorts!!! I was at least 72 that day!!! Insane TX Weather!!!

A Beautiful Christmas Song and Versus

May Your Heart Be Filled with Joy as you see and Hear this....

https://www.123greetings.com/events/christmas/spirit_of_christmas/christmas_prayer_a_christmas.html?fbclid=IwAR1N1YRUwzfZB-avG2_1d7vK_KcQ7NXByGDs62EHNjY9mZU4kAjNelo5kUw



After watching this, is spoke just what my own heart has been wanting to say, we need peace not chaos, joy not sorrow, love not hatred, forgiveness not bitterness, hope in our hearts, the joy of others watching them have joy themselves & try our best to rid our own piece of the nation from the violence we see all around.

 If our hearts and minds are in the proper place and we reach with a kind hand, hopefully that gesture is passed to others. We need "healing" at all the corners of the world, learning to be more "tolerant" and patient, rather than be in such a hurry, or have so much going, that e forget all of us are humans. We make mistakes, & allowing pride to not show as much, and letting humility and humanity shine. 

Think of Jesus, in a small manger on a bed to hay. He did have the 3 wisemen bring him the special oils, yet there were not "400.00 strollers, or baby food out of a jar, or gifts like cell phone, games on a colored TV, and He was satisfied with the love He could give to others. May we all have a bit of that in our hearts this season, and in the years and seasons to come.