The Ownage

I finally found a new doctor. Doctor Scott Steingard. He was recommended to me by one of my ex-coworkers. I really like him thusfar, as he not only really seems to know his stuff, but he was not the kind of doctor that sweeps in, grumbles at you over his clipboard, and then rushes out to see the next patient. He took his time talking to Christine and I, made sure to answer any questions we had, and even took the time to just chit-chat a bit. It was almost more like meeting a friendly neighbor than a doctor, yet he was also professional and knowledgeable.

Anyhow, here’s what’s going on as a result of my visit.

• I am back on my antibiotics (Keflex and Bactrim) for at least the next week (have another appointment next monday).
• Also will be on a daily diuretic. He wants to try and reduce all the the excess fluid and swelling I have in my feet and legs…the swelling is compressing the infected areas, making it hurt more and slowing down the healing.
• I am to take and log my blood pressure every day for the next week. We took my BP in the office and it was a high reading, but in the hospital it ranged from totally normal to high, so he wants to get multiple readings to see what the average is.
• I am to take a “baby aspirin” (aka low dose, usually 80mg) daily – I guess this is to thin my blood and help my circulation.
• I am to restart/continue on my low carb diet. He says that since I have been heavy for so long, that the veins in my legs are not in great shape, and the only thing that will really help is to lose weight. He made sure to set the expectation with me that losing 100lbs could take a year (I already knew this so was not a shock).
• Next appointment (Monday 3/15) I will get blood work done, to see if my abnormal LFT’s (my liver protein and potassium were low) have changed since I was in the hospital.

That’s pretty much it. Today I filled my 3 prescriptions, got some baby aspirin, and also some multi vitamins. He told me that cellulitis does not completely heal quickly, and to be patient and let the antibiotics do their thing.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 1:09 am and is filed under Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.