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Posted 2/19/2015 4:01 PM (GMT 0)
It has almost been two years since an accident that shattered my left tibia as well as broke my fibula. The accident or resulting surgery led to having no sensation in a lower section of my left leg.

I have been told to go to the emergency room is I experiencing certain symptoms and at first I would go through the testing only to be told that nothing is wrong. Upon discharge I would be told to return if I experience the same symptoms I had gone in for in to the emergency room in the first place and on many occasions was still experiencing when I was discharged.

I questioned them on this and they didn't give me a straight answer on how I know if I need to return only starting that if I was concerned to come back.

How do I know if I need to be concerned when if I followed the discharge instructions I would be in the emergency department 24/7.

I am so confused at this point as to when to be actually concerned.
Posted 2/19/2015 4:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hello and welcome to Healing Well.

I think most people on the Forum here don't fool with E.R.'s,unless it's life or death of course.

I'm in Pain Management and also have a Doctor that I've been seeing for 10+ years.

Do you have a regular Doctor to see?

Welcome and God Bless,

Rick
Posted 2/19/2015 5:19 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I have a regular doctor and work with several specialist. I am kind of surprised how many actually for a leg injury. Anyways the doctors that I routinely see tell me basically the same thing as the doctors at the emergency room which is if I am expecting certain symptoms to go to the emergency room.

The symptoms they seem to be most concerned about are the burning sensation, itching, numbness and throbbing. I have been told that the itching may not be real since I have no sensation of touch in the areas where it occurs.

My concern is that I keep getting told to go by my doctors or to return to the emergency room if I experience symptoms that I frequently experience and am sometimes discharged and being told to return if I experiencing them while I still am experiencing them.

It is pretty confusing/frustrating about how to know when something is life or limb threatening under these circumstances. I am not even sure there is an answer/solution to my concern at this point.
Posted 2/19/2015 10:15 PM (GMT 0)
That is confusing.I see a Pain Management Doctor once a month to get Pain Meds.Regular Doctor for BP meds and such.

Your situation seems a little more serious than mine.

Take care,

Rick
Posted 2/19/2015 11:35 PM (GMT 0)
What tests do they do in the ER? What treatment is given?

What are they testing for specifically?

Since the ER doesn't explain things to you, maybe if you can ask the right questions of the doc who does most of the treating and knows the most to explain to you what is really important maybe you can figure out for yourself if you really need to go.
Posted 2/20/2015 12:06 AM (GMT 0)
I have had xrays, ultrasounds, CT scans with contrast and MRIs.

In office visits I have had xrays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, blood tests and nerve conduction tests.

The results of some of the tests have shown peripheral neuropathy and poor blood circulation in the left leg, left foot drop. I have been put on blood thinner off and on since the accident.

My question thou had to do with the times they don't find anything and can't explain the symptoms and send me home even thou I am still experiencing them. On two occasions there had been a problem that was not immediately discovered and that is what worries me. Does anyone who has had this kind of experience have any recommendations on how I can personally know if they are missing something and there is a serious problem that has been overlooked our do I just hope that everything is ok?

I apologize if I am being confusing the whole thing confuses me.
Posted 2/20/2015 5:31 PM (GMT 0)
I guess it's that my experiences in the ER haven't been very good.I trust my PCP and would much rather go to him with any problems.

I hope you get the answers for the questions you have.I'm sure it's frustrating to not know what's going on in your body.

Take care and God Bless,

Rick
Posted 2/20/2015 11:34 PM (GMT 0)
I spend a lot of time in the ER and inpatient. I'm always told to go if I have new issues or an increase of current symptoms. I usually end up in the ER every 6-8 weeks and then admitted. Unfortunately I'm on a first name basis with many of the staff :(

It does sound like your Drs have left you hanging. Things become complicated as we add more specialists into the mix. If you need to be admitted, do you have a Dr who can do a direct admit? It does sound like you need some answers.

I have multiple diseases so I travel to a major research hospital. It's worth it for the level of care, even though it's a 6hr round trip. Many of my appointments are grouped together and I text back and forth with many of my Drs. I do have to go down monthly for infusions, but I have an awesome care team. Maybe you need a change of Drs? Research hospitals are often the best place for those of us who get complicated. It gets so frustrating to not have answers. It makes you want to bang your head against the wall.
Posted 2/21/2015 2:39 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like they are concerned about blood clots. I have permanent nerve damage in my left arm. My brain recognizes the 'itch' signal but not the 'scratch' signal, so I must be very careful not to damage the skin. What has helped me is scratching the other arm. Sounds strange, but works most of the time. Like amputees with phantom pain, using a mirror with the opposite limb may help. The longer you live with your affected limb and find what 'works' the more you will be able to discern what is 'normal' now and what is not. The docs are basically telling you that everything must be checked out for now. Sorry this is so troubling for you. Keep posting and let us know how things are going.
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