What would you do?

[Jessica]

As some of you know, I have been dealing with chronic hip pain (http://community.cookinglight.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=68864&highlight=good+thoughts) for six months. I did physical therapy for a while and am now seeing a chiropractor but the pain continues. In early January, I had an MRI of the lower spine and my doctor told me everything was normal. Because the pain has not subsided, my chiropractor wanted to see a copy of the MRI and she read it today, then called to tell me that it says I have fluid in my pelvis and the radiologist recommended an ultrasound. My GP NEVER mentioned this or offered the test. I called his assistant and she agreed it should have been offered, and arranged one for me today at 2 pm. The doctor will call me as well; what do I say or do? I understand it can take a long time to diagnose some problems but this strikes me as a serious oversight. Thoughts?

[slknight]

(((Jessica)))

That stinks. Yep, sounds like a serious oversight to me. Sounds like your GP never read the report. I'm glad your chiropractor seems to be a bit more on top of things. I would be searching for another doctor. I hope you're able to get things resolved with a minimum of pain (emotional and physical).

[aggie94]

I wouldn't necessarily jump to any conclusions quickly, but ask your doctor why you weren't told that the radiologist recommended an ultrasound and go from there, based on what his response is. It could be that there was a reason he disagreed with the radiologist or concluded that an ultrasound wasn't warranted, although that was probably not his call to make. In any event, though, I would ask him for an explanation and hear him out before you make any further decisions.

[rosie_one]

I wouldn't jump to conclusions either, but, I would ask questions. You always have the right to review your medical records and tests. In the future, you might want to do that as a matter of practice. You do have to be your own advocate with health care stuff. Even the best, most well meaning doctor is human and can miss something. And not every doctor is the best, of course.

I hope that the ultrasound helps you to figure out what is going on. Hip pain is no fun.

[Kismet]

(((Jessica)))

I hope that you're able to find out something more soon so you can get some relief! I would definitely ask some questions of my GP to find out more about why he didn't recommend the ultrasound. How frustrating!

[wallycat]

(((((((((Jessica)))))))))))))))

I hope it is nothing serious.

I don't know if doctors recheck the radiology reports. My guess is that the radiologist reads the pics and dictates the results and the doc who ordered the tests reads the "specialist's" results. One would think the radiologist, an expert in this, should have caught this.

I would be angry that my doctor would not have caught it...but in today's nasty health care..rush, rush, rush...for better or worse, I fear they read the report and maybe never rechecked the pics for themselves. :( This is just my theory and I have no clue how this actually transpired so yes, I would ask. I would be upset. I am not sure what your rights are in this scenario...is this considered a misdiagnosis and do you have any recourse?? I don't know.
:(

[lorilei]

Jessica - Hugs to you from here too!

I can't necessarily contribute any wisdom that hasn't already been offered. However, like many, I'd recommend LOTS of questions. THere are plenty of reasons (good and bad) why something like this happens -- and I'm always a firm believer in taking medical decisions into one's own hands... so get in there and get the information that you need to make a truly informed decision... we're all rooting for you!