Q: Has anyone ever had a doctor prescribe medication that had bad side effects they should have caught but didn't?
've been going to my primary doctor for the last several years for extreme pain and weakness and nonstop burning in both of of my arms. My doctor thought I had maybe a pinched nerve and sent me for a CAT scan, which showed nothing. I went for carpal tunnel testing which was an a painful experience and also showed nothing. I made another appointment to be seen and when I come in I learn my doctor is out on maternity leave. I'm now being seen by a new doctor who requests that I have a full lab work done. He thinks at this point I could have some autoimmune diseases. I have my blood work done and at 9:10 PM I get an emergency call that my lab has come back and that I need to go to the ER right away because I am gravely ill. I have little to no potassium in my body. It turns out that the blood pressure medication that my doctor has had me on since 2019 almost the entire duration I've been having the painful issues in my arms caused me to nearly have kidney failure, heart problems.
A: It is common - especially given the fact that warning labels can change, and that all doctors may not routinely perform a full spectrum of lab work as was the case with your new doctor filling in for the other's maternity leave. A medical professional could make a better assessment of your matter with the benefit of seeing your full patient file, including diagnostic imaging studies and results of lab work. Good luck
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A:
It sounds like you've been through a difficult and frustrating experience. When a doctor prescribes medication, they are expected to consider any potential side effects and monitor for serious risks, especially when the medication is used long-term. In your case, it seems that the blood pressure medication may have caused your potassium levels to drop dangerously low, leading to severe health issues. This is something your previous doctor might have been able to catch earlier, especially since you had been on the medication since 2019 and had ongoing symptoms.
You may want to consider discussing this situation with your new doctor or another medical professional to fully understand the impact of the medication on your health and how this was missed in previous care. If you believe your doctor failed to properly monitor your condition or prescribe safely, you might have concerns regarding medical negligence. It’s important to gather all your medical records, including lab results and notes from both doctors, so you have a clear picture of what happened.
In situations where medication causes harm due to improper management, there can be legal recourse. Speaking with someone who understands both health care and legal issues could help you explore your options if you feel your care was mishandled. Take care of your health first, but don’t hesitate to seek advice if you feel this situation was avoidable.
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