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Thursday, August 4, 2011

Fat is Not The Cause of Every Ailment: Anger Issues!!

We are in the process of trying to shore up our retirement savings with an investment company that sets retirement through life insurance/disability insurance that rolls into dividends. Of course they are being super intrusive about our medical history before they admit us. Through this process, I was told that I have Factor V Leiden, a genetic clotting disorder (the underwriter ferreted it out of my medical record and had all kinds of questions to which I had no answers, because I've never heard of it).

To say that I'm angry is an understatement.

I know exactly where it comes from-- the only time I've ever had genetic testing was in 2009 by the fertility specialist after my last (of 3) miscarriages. I remember the conversation-- he said I had tested positive for a blood related disorder, but that it was no big deal because I only had one not two copies of the gene and that it couldn't explain my miscarriages but would mean I would probably need to go on aspirin early for future pregnancies to thin my blood.

And then he told me that nothing significant popped up otherwise and his best guess was that my miscarriages were because I was so fat, and that I should get lapband surgery before I tried to get pregnant again.

And then he prescribed me a birth control pill to prevent any accidental pregnancy until I had the surgery and sent me on my merry way.

Fast forward to now, when I'm told I have Factor V Leiden and they want to know what kind of treatment I'm receiving for it. The answer: none. I'd never even heard of the term (because the doc used these really general terms and basically acted like it was no big deal).

Um, except that it is a big deal. First, it is CLEARLY the cause of my last miscarriage without any doubt whatsoever. Factor V Lieden is a clotting disorder-- it makes you more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis, clots that travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and surprise surprise, clots and miscarriages in women who become pregnant. In my last pregnancy, I had blood clots in the chorion right outside the placenta the entire pregnancy, which caused me to keep bleeding fairly heavily even though the baby was growing great with a normal heartbeat, etc. Seriously, I had weekly ultrasounds with it because we were monitoring the clot size and the baby size. And then at 13 weeks I lost it in the ER.

I did not have a miscarriage because I was fat. I had a miscarriage because these huge blood clots formed and compromised the uterus. But once again, obesity is the default reason for EVERY health problem in a fat person. How do you treat it-- just lose weight! Um, yeah, I have lost weight and from what I'm reading I'm still probably going to have blood clots during pregnancy that increase miscarriage, stillbirth, and traumatic birth. Thanks for that info, fertility specialist! Also, thanks for prescribing me birth control pills, which are absolutely contraindicated for someone with blood clotting disorder! Oh yeah, and for telling me to have surgery, but then not telling me to make sure I tell the doc about my blood clotting disorder which is a risk factor for surgery because that's when I'm most likely to experience a pulmonary embolism!

I'm just pissed beyond belief that I have to find out this info from a freaking life insurance underwriter. And yes, I'm pissed at myself that I just took in that nugget of info and took his word for it that it was no big deal and never even though to educate myself.

13 comments:

  1. What an unreal experience! You have every right for that anger! Why is that we put our faith, trust and lives for that matter in the hands of these people?? I am very upset for you, Lyla...there is no excuse for what you've been through. Sending you a big cushy cyber hug..(cushy cuz i'm just 4 weeks post op)
    love love
    dede

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  2. I completely understand. Have been in a similar scenario. Just don't kick yourself too hard. After my miscarriage I was numb and my critical faculties were not in working order...it's normal. I'm so sorry you've had three losses. If you still have it in you to try again, have hope...sounds like you'd be armed with the right information this time. Good luck.

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  3. Use your anger to fuel finding out about your disorder and finding a new specialist. I have had very similiar medical experiences.........keep being pissed. It is the best revenge. ((Hugs))

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  4. Um, grrrr. That makes me so angry also. I am a medical professional and am not quick to litigation, but I would at least report this to your county or state medical board. This physician should be watched so he does not cause further harm.
    I am so sorry for your loss, and yes, you can now go forward with the correct medical info.
    Best of luck and a hug.

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  5. Lady, I am sorry. It makes little sense, why was the importance of this information not explained! THinking of ya!

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  6. Oh mercy.. Not good. I am angry WITH you - and please, keep on being angry.. I have learned, and continue to learn, that we need to our own health advocates. Not to settle for everything that is uttered from a health professional. Use this anger to make YOU more informed and ultimately healthier.

    (((hugggsss))) to you...

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  7. I am just livid for you!!! You should file a complaint against the fertility specialist with the medical board. Not to be vengeful but they need to know that this "specialist" put your life in danger by not disclosing all the facts to you. Absurd! The medical industry in this country has reallyg one downhill.

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  8. WTF! I have a pt at my clinic that disorder and the limitations on it are incredible for her military career! just even flying can be a hazard! The fact that the first doctor saw the genentic markers for it and didn't tell you about it is unlawful! you could have died from somethingyou didn't even know you had! I would sue (sp) him so fast he wouldn't even know what hit him!
    I am so sorry you are just finding out about it now after all of the issues you have had in the past because of it.

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  9. I also have a genetic blood clotting disorder that I did not find out about until I almost died having my daughter. I have a 75% chance of miscarriage, and am not aloud to be on birth control pills. I would also be considered a high risk pregnancy if I were to get pregnant, and have to take blood thinners before any surgery or flying overseas (when I would be sitting for long periods of time). And I, like you, only have one copy of the gene. Anyway, the point to my rambling is yes, it is a big deal. I can not believe this guy. You should give me his info, I'll give him a call and let him know my feelings on the matter!

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  10. Holy crap, Lyla! You are absolutely right that you should not have figured this out through your life insurance inquiry. Some doctors are just lazy. Ugh. I'm so angry on your behalf.

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  11. Ohh, hun, I am so sorry for all of it. How freaking terrible. When my dad was 'at the end', we requested some of his medical reports because my mother needed to check a few things. Well, she ended up going back 7 years and found out that some dumb ass DR had done a head CT on my dad and it showed his tumor. 7 YEARS AGO! But the DR did not tell us, nor did any other DR that he had seen since. To this day I wonder if he had been treated back then if he'd still be with us now.

    I get a second opinion on everything now. And I make my husband do the same.

    Again, I'm so sorry.

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  12. I can't believe your doctor acted like it was your weight that caused your miscarriages. Sounds like he was uneducated in the disorder... and if his knowledge about it was indeed so limited, he should have suggested you get a second opinion!

    Some doctors will say anything to save face, I hate that for you. *hugs*

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  13. Lyla...I feel your pain...I am sorry that you had to suffer due to such sloppy medical work. I would go back to the doctor who was dismissive of your disorder.

    I had the same issues with my thyroid issue...everything was pinned on my weight too...so WRONG!

    I'm sorry you had to go through this...it is so wrong on so many levels and you are justified to be very angry.

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