DialysisEthics2_Forum
Educational => Questions => Topic started by: admin on November 06, 2009, 10:09:36 PM
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jessieleya
Joined: 30 Oct 2009
Posts: 1
PostPosted: Fri Oct 30, 2009 2:22 pm Post subject: getting my uf cutoff because of low blood pressure
i'm new to this. I have ESRD, have been on dialysis for eleven years, this time around. Recently, well maybe not recently, more like the last year, my blood pressure has dropped to 80/50, sometimes lower. I feel fine, not sick or anything. Well, the Dr. said he can't run me with a bp that low, even though I feel fine. His reason is because he doesn't want to get sued if I get sick after prolonged low bp and them letting me pull fluid. The problem is my blood pressure has alway ran low ever since I started this at 16. At first it wasn't a problem, they knew it ran low, until a tech got tired of talking to me. My problem is I have told them several times that not taking off a majority of my fluid can get me sick, just like now as I'm typing this, I just threw up and I don't throw up unless somethings wrong. All they keep saying is the Doc said we can't run you with a low bp. I feel so disrespected its my body and no one is listening to me about this. What can I do, Can I sue them for this. My dad says I can't, unless I've gotten harmed. And thats what I am trying to avoid. Also, they keep saying just as long as I'm running my blood is getting cleaned, but if I go in there with alot of fluid on they'll tell me how to much fluid on can harm, but when I brought up that exact statement they said, but thats different. Please, can somebody help me with this, I don't like being more sick and I don't want to have to deal with another health issue on top of this one.
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plugger
Joined: 11 Jan 2003
Posts: 286
PostPosted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 6:25 am Post subject:
Hi Jessie,
I'll get a hold of our Involved_RN so she can help you out. And welcome to the board! It is nice to hear from you!
I will mention though it is harder to sue a doctor than many think - not impossible, but it can be hard. If you have seen the movie "Erin Brockovich" you might remember the scene where Albert Finney - plays the lawyer Erin works for - says he can't go after the big bad company by himself because his firm is too small. Why? Because a company's lawyers can bury a small law firm in paperwork, etc... But you do have rights, so give me some time to check into what can be done with a problem like this.
Chris
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Involved_RN_.
Joined: 05 Sep 2009
Posts: 2
PostPosted: Sat Oct 31, 2009 1:31 pm Post subject:
Hi! Are you fluid overloaded? Have you lost real body weight? Does your nephrologist know about your situation? If not you probably need to be referred to a cardiologist. The low B/P probably indicates some form of heart failure. I've dealt with patients in this situation. I feel you need hospitalization with daily dialysis to remove your excess fluids and medication for your probable heart failure. Insist on seeing a cardiolgist and being hospitalized for daily dialysis. Involved RN.