The difficult thing about almost being a PA, that I know I am going to facing for years to come, is that I will probably always be asked medical questions by friends & family. Ethically, I should always say that, "I am not your medical provider, so I cannot diagnose you. However, I can tell you that you should definitlely go see your PCP." However, I know there will be times when I will probably give more specific advice than that. For example, when the hubby asks me questions. Most recently he has been having ball-of-foot pain & actually my first response was, "make an appointment with your doctor." He tried this & his doctor is out of town & so is their podiatrist that they have in their office. So, my next word of advice, "Make another appointment with one of her colleagues & have them refer you to a podiatrist or orthopedist." I'm such a big help, huh? Well, he doesn't do this. So, I try to give him further assistance. Now let me tell you, I have very LITTLE orthopedic experience. Plus, I don't exactly have an xray machine in my house, so a definitive diagnosis would be tough (and again, unethical). So, I look up what it might be based on his symptoms, give him the possibilities, and then just end up telling him my catch-all orthopedic advice until he makes an appoinment which is RICE treament + antiinflammatories. RICE is rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The antiinlammatory would be something over-the-counter like tylenol. Oh, and he needs to wear comfortable shoes when he has to walk. I hear New Balance are recommended by a lot of podiatrists & orthopods. He frowns & says that's all? "Sorry, my love. I'm not an orthopedist. That's all I know what to do other than telling you to see your doctor & maybe an orthopod if necessary." I wish I could fix it for him, but I can't. That's all I can do. And he's luckier than most of my family & friends because, I gave him more advice than the "See your doctor" schpeal.
I'm going to be a PA people, not a miracle healer. MMMkay.
;)
8 comments:
Then, of course, maybe RICEX is the answer. Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation and Xango.
I know, my answer to everything.
Yes, Mom's Xango worked for her!!! I need to tell him to drink more Xango & me, too. :)
Why don't you have an x-ray machine in your house?
Xango???
Pups is such a guy isn't he? LOL
Is an X-ray machine on your chirstmas list? :)
Nah, cuz then I'd have to learn how to use it or hire an xray tech and that's just too much of a hassle. ;)
So, not too long after this post, I get an email from Pups saying that he did get a podiatrist appt this AM. Thankfully!!! Now they can get the ball rolling on treatment.
His diagnosis is what I thought it was (or least one of several on my differential diagnosis list). It's plantar fasciitis. TT, you & Pups can compare notes.
TT: Click on the Xango link. This is the only thing that seems to be helping my mom keep her back pain at bay. It's done wonders for her (& apparently many others). It is supposedly chock full o' antioxidants from its mangosteen juice which has been "marketed for more than 20 human health benefits, among which are "anti-inflammatory," "anti-microbial," "anti-fungal," "anti-viral," "anti-cancer," "anti-ulcer," "anti-hepatotoxic," "anti-rhinoviral," and "anti-allergic"." There is no scientific proof based on studies & it is not FDA approved, but it seems to help some people out there. It seems to have helped my mom.
OMGoodness. No "seems to" about it.
I knew we were onto something when I was able to help clear out the section of woods for the new shed.
And I can't believe the stories I have heard from folks who take it! Amazing. But even without the pain-going-away benefits, scrubbing out those nasty, pesky free radicals (whatever they are) is part of the fun.
This doesn't apply here, but I've got to tell you how much I love the photo of you and Scott. I cracked up!!!
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