Ordinary diagnoses in the age of COVID

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Ornlu
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9:36p, 9/11/21
AG
I'm curious if this is normal medical practice in the age of COVID?
I have been having bad sinus problems for 3ish weeks. This is fairly normal for me during peak ragweed season. However, 2 weeks ago, I started running a fever, so I called into work sick and went to my PCP. He tested me for COVID (negative) and said "take some Tylenol and get some sleep". A week went by, with me so congested I couldn't sleep, and with intermittent fever. Went back to PCP. Still tested COVID negative. Still, my PCP said "take some Tylenol and some mucinex. Get some sleep."

Finally yesterday, I went back a third time. Still tested COVID negative. He gave me a script for amoxicillin. And 24 hours later, I feel great. Everything drained out.

Does it really take 3 visits to diagnose a bacterial sinus infection? Or is this just a covid-fatigued PCP not seeing the obvious?
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unmade bed
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In reply to Ornlu • 11:40p, 9/11/21
I think doctors in general have become more hesitant to prescribe antibiotics (not Covid related, it was happening pre covid). I think there is concern about creating super bugs by over prescribing antibiotics.

I have the same issue as you. Every year I end up getting a sinus infection. Been going on since I was 20 or so. 15 years ago my doc would call a Z pack or other antibiotic in for me every year when it started and it would be gone in 2 days. About 5-10 years ago he stopped doing that and wanted me to get tested for bacterial infection before he would give out antibiotics and it was going to take 4 or 5 days to get the results.

I have since just been taking the 10-15 day beat down the sinus infections give me.

I have found that the doc in box (urgent care) guys will write scripts for antibiotics like they are candy as well as doling out steroid shots.
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Another Doug
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In reply to unmade bed • 11:50p, 9/11/21
AG
I agree with all that. My insurance also has these super cheap telemedicine visits, if I think I need a script I will just do that, the appointments are super quick and convenient.
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ttha_aggie_09
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In reply to Ornlu • 9:22a, 9/12/21
AG
If it makes you feel any better, when the wife and I had Covid, the doctor told me to go home and stay hydrated. No meds, no other recommendations, just hydrate.

I took the Covid cocktail from Dr. Rev and was just fine, as was my wife.
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TarponChaser
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In reply to Ornlu • 2:40p, 9/14/21
Ornlu said:
I'm curious if this is normal medical practice in the age of COVID?
I have been having bad sinus problems for 3ish weeks. This is fairly normal for me during peak ragweed season. However, 2 weeks ago, I started running a fever, so I called into work sick and went to my PCP. He tested me for COVID (negative) and said "take some Tylenol and get some sleep". A week went by, with me so congested I couldn't sleep, and with intermittent fever. Went back to PCP. Still tested COVID negative. Still, my PCP said "take some Tylenol and some mucinex. Get some sleep."

Finally yesterday, I went back a third time. Still tested COVID negative. He gave me a script for amoxicillin. And 24 hours later, I feel great. Everything drained out.

Does it really take 3 visits to diagnose a bacterial sinus infection? Or is this just a covid-fatigued PCP not seeing the obvious?

My wife went through the same thing and the doctor (not her normal doc) would barely examine her despite the negative covid test and it progressed to bronchitis. They refused to prescribe any antibiotics or stuff to help address the copious amounts of green crap she was coughing up. After 2 solid weeks and 3 visits to a primary care office it was still not any better I convinced her to go to my quack shack where they did a proper exam, gave her the antibiotic shot, a steroid shot, and prescribed antibiotics and an albuterol inhaler. It took another week to clear up.

But everybody kept saying "it's probably viral" or covid despite 3 negative covid tests and it just got worse & worse until the quack shack urgent care place saw her.
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Spotted Ag
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2:59p, 9/14/21
AG
Find new PCP that still practice actual medicine instead of take orders from big pharma
Covidians, Communists, CNN, FOX, and all other MSM are enemies of the state and should be treated as such.
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KidDoc
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In reply to Another Doug • 3:57p, 9/14/21
AG
Another Doug said:
I agree with all that. My insurance also has these super cheap telemedicine visits, if I think I need a script I will just do that, the appointments are super quick and convenient.
Granted it is a conflict of interest for my business but I really hate these visits. Data shows they overprescribe antibiotics big time and often make an incorrect diagnosis. It is bad bad medicine.

No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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htxag09
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In reply to KidDoc • 4:10p, 9/14/21
AG
KidDoc said:
Another Doug said:
I agree with all that. My insurance also has these super cheap telemedicine visits, if I think I need a script I will just do that, the appointments are super quick and convenient.
Granted it is a conflict of interest for my business but I really hate these visits. Data shows they overprescribe antibiotics big time and often make an incorrect diagnosis. It is bad bad medicine.
Yeah, I've never understood them. I mean it's an educated guess. You can't listen to the lungs when a patient is breathing, look into their ears or throat, etc. You're just (1) trusting the patient is giving you accurate info/symptoms and (2) using your experience to best guess what the actual cause is.
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Ornlu
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In reply to KidDoc • 8:38p, 9/14/21
AG
KidDoc said:
Another Doug said:
I agree with all that. My insurance also has these super cheap telemedicine visits, if I think I need a script I will just do that, the appointments are super quick and convenient.
Granted it is a conflict of interest for my business but I really hate these visits. Data shows they overprescribe antibiotics big time and often make an incorrect diagnosis. It is bad bad medicine.



Okay, so if those other guys are "over prescribing antibiotics", what's the proper amount? Because I really needed them and couldn't get them your way.
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BCG Disciple
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12:16a, 9/15/21
AG
Have y'all ever been to a clinic like one of these heb readi clinics? Negative for covid, flu and strep, so here's your antibiotics. But, why does my kid need the antibiotic? He may not, but just in case we prescribe it.

I am fine with an actual doctor prescribing it, as I feel like they're in a better position to do so. It is BS for a doctor to be managing macro health issues and failing to treat me in the process. I would find another pcp.
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KidDoc
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In reply to Ornlu • 5:58a, 9/15/21
AG
Ornlu said:
KidDoc said:
Another Doug said:
I agree with all that. My insurance also has these super cheap telemedicine visits, if I think I need a script I will just do that, the appointments are super quick and convenient.
Granted it is a conflict of interest for my business but I really hate these visits. Data shows they overprescribe antibiotics big time and often make an incorrect diagnosis. It is bad bad medicine.



Okay, so if those other guys are "over prescribing antibiotics", what's the proper amount? Because I really needed them and couldn't get them your way.


I agree your case clearly needed treatment and it is your PCPs lack of treatment that lead you to seek outside care. I would change PCP personally.
No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See full Medical Disclaimer.
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