The VA

I am now having my medical needs taken care of by the Reno VA. I wish I had gone sooner. Fast efficient and friendly. I am a type2 diabetic. My prescription was out. In one day they got me registered. Doc assigned. Blood work done. Prescription filled. I have some other issues also. Maybe they will fix it all.

Finally got something done without road block after road block.

I talk with someone else Thursday. Looks like I might end up a disabled veteran.
Not the life I thought I would have but better than being homeless

Good to hear

My bil retired as the assistant to under Secretary of the VA and still does some consulting
Should you ever need a hand with road blocks
Problems or questions
Feel free to call and he'll make shit happen 4 u

Glad to hear that. You must have mentioned being a vet at some point; I feel foolish for not suggesting the VA.
In the medical world the VA has a good reputation for quality of care, once you get in the door. (I don't know if they've solved the access issues but obviously it worked for you.) I know some VA surgeons; they're excellent (because I helped train them.)
The VA pioneered the use of the electronic medical record which is a great thing no matter what old disgruntled docs want to tell you.
I believe one of the access issues in the past had to do with the military's medical records being still on paper and they were having trouble transferring them to the VA system.

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

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Originally Posted by Peruvian

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

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It is. The military itself is socialism. Look at all the other countries that have armies--China, North Korea, Cuba. Communist all. We should defend ourselves with private for-profit militias.

I was there again this morning. Talked to my doctor for the first time. I had to give 14 more vials of blood. And she listens to me. Am getting scheduled for a CT scan while shooting die up my leg. FYI. I can barely walk now. 40 or 50 feet and I am done. I can't stand long enough to unload the dishwasher. Hopefully they see it and. Fix it. I worked in several hospitals. This is the best I have ever seen

Only issues I’ve ever had with the VA is “people rise to their level of incompetence “ and trying to get a case started at 3pm. No incentive to be efficient.

Care is outstanding though. When I was a Med student I brought a fifth of good whiskey to the badge office and the IT office. Had the best service for the next 14 years. With occasional refills for the staff.


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Originally Posted by detrusor

Only issues I’ve ever had with the VA is “people rise to their level of incompetence “ and trying to get a case started at 11am.

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FIFY.
And I once got a ticket for slow rolling a stop sign on the grounds of the Tucson VA at 2 in the morning with not another car in sight. The federal cop was obviously waiting for some hapless resident to do it. Federal offense, so I paid the damn thing.

One caveat about the VA--although they have ER's, don't ever go there for a true emergency. They are not set up to handle it.

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Originally Posted by Peruvian

So your saying that federally operated medical facilities are fast, efficient, and generally well liked?

But Fox News said that was socialism.

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Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of ignorance.


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Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn

Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of selfishness.

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FIFY

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Originally Posted by jackattack

FIFY

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A bunch of both...


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Originally Posted by MagnificentUnicorn

Just like Medicare? I love all the old folks and morons blathering on about socialized medicine and how it will ruin healthcare in the USA. A nation of ignorance.


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Medicare is different in that it is a nationalized health insurance plan. The VA is a federal/national health provider.

VA doctors are federal employees.

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Originally Posted by old goat

FIFY.
And I once got a ticket for slow rolling a stop sign on the grounds of the Tucson VA at 2 in the morning with not another car in sight. The federal cop was obviously waiting for some hapless resident to do it. Federal offense, so I paid the damn thing.

One caveat about the VA--although they have ER's, don't ever go there for a true emergency. They are not set up to handle it.

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Hah! I rolled through on at the Portland VA at 1am. Paid it as well.


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Originally Posted by Peruvian

Medicare is different in that it is a nationalized health insurance plan. The VA is a federal/national health provider.

VA doctors are federal employees.

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Uh, no shit. They’re both forms of socialized healthcare.


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Originally Posted by detrusor

Hah! I rolled through on at the Portland VA at 1am. Paid it as well.


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Nowadays they use federal marshals and they don't ticket you--if you're lucky they throw you in an unmarked van and question you for hours. Or they just shoot you.

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Originally Posted by old goat

Nowadays they use federal marshals and they don't ticket you--if you're lucky they throw you in an unmarked van and question you for hours. Or they just shoot you.

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I can't speak for the whole country but in Reno they have VA police. With well appointed VA cruiser's. I suspect that like most .gov agencies they have their own standing army

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Originally Posted by MTT

I can't speak for the whole country but in Reno they have VA police. With well appointed VA cruiser's. I suspect that like most .gov agencies they have their own standing army

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Yeah, I was kidding about the marshals. Reference to current events.

Tucson VA is gorgeous. Spanish colonial building set in a large grounds of native Sonoran Desert--saguaros, ocotillo, the whole deal. I use to run the perimeter. Guys would check into the hospital in the winter from whatever snowy climate they lived in the rest of the year. I don't think they can do that anymore.

Today at the VA I had a pet scan. After the first go round a second person was brought in. And they did another one. Only they really pumped in the contrast dye. My whole body got HOT. Except my left leg.
I overheard a couple things. Vascular desese,. No contrast below left knee.

Radiologist mentioned that they have a very good vascular surgeon on staff!!

So exactly what I thought all along. And after two years watching my leg die. It looks like I might get repaired?

Just sayin

Interesting, Mike. I just had a thing done that said my left leg circulation is sub-par.
They said it might have been the knee surgeries that cut off some flow. idk...

Love that flush of the contrast dye; close my eyes and pretend I'm falling into a volcano

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Originally Posted by MTT

Today at the VA I had a pet scan. After the first go round a second person was brought in. And they did another one. Only they really pumped in the contrast dye. My whole body got HOT. Except my left leg.
I overheard a couple things. Vascular desese,. No contrast below left knee.

Radiologist mentioned that they have a very good vascular surgeon on staff!!

So exactly what I thought all along. And after two years watching my leg die. It looks like I might get repaired?

Just sayin

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After you see the vascular surgeon if you need any help understanding what they said or reassurance let me know.

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Originally Posted by old goat

After you see the vascular surgeon if you need any help understanding what they said or reassurance let me know.

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Thank You.
My only worry would be saying they can't do anything for me.

But I am upbeat. I don't think they are going to let me lose my leg.

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Originally Posted by MTT

Thank You.
My only worry would be saying they can't do anything for me.

But I am upbeat. I don't think they are going to let me lose my leg.

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Very unlikely they would say they can't do anything. Depending on how bad the problem is they might tell you you're better off doing nothing for the time being. IF you are in danger of losing your leg--that's a big if; most people with blocked arteries in the leg even diabetics, are not in danger of losing the leg--the success rate in saving the leg is very good.

Update. I am going to be very unhappy when I have to go back to normal employed person healthcare.

They got all my records from St Mary's called me in for a consultation on an issue with my esophagus. Going under this month so they can look at it. Likely will stretch it out with a balloon thingy?
Leg,. Because all my records are computerized gastronomy consultant told me vascular surgeon is gonna unblock my leg and other stuff with a balloon thingy.

A pharmacist calls every week to go over blood tests blood sugar. I am under control with blood sugar. AIC Was 7,1. Tuesday. Today 101, 99, 112.

But coolestoral is hi. 230. So they are mailing me pills for that.

With check it all again in 90 days.

This is how everyone should be treated. They call. They follow up. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing. And all my labs appointments and notes are accessable to me online. Though the DoD database.

Sucks to have issues but within 2 months of walking through the door the VA is gonna restore my quality of life. Save my life. Because I have a DD 214

^^^ Sucks to have issues but it sounds like the issues are getting the attention they need, well done ^^^

Today at the VA I had an upper endoscopy. I feel fine. Getting knocked out for an hour felt kinda nice. I guess the doctor says nothing horrible. He wants to check the muscle in my asophugus. And will most likely cut the muscle between it and stomach. It's too tight blocking things from going down smooth.

I Have vascular surgery next Thursday. Angioplasty and most likely a stint in my aorta. He sees significant blockage and where the split is to go Left and right. Nothing goes left. Can't even pick up a pulse in my left groin. It's sounds like a tire leak on an ultrasound.
I guess when they get done with me I am going to feel instantly much better.

And. I really have to quit smoking or it will just plug right back up. Dam. I don't smoke much but no drinking plus no cig with coffee. Rough. But better than living like this. Not really living

Nice...this is all great news!

Glad to hear you're getting things taken care of. I would think you could continue to get VA care even if you had insurance through work, unless the rules have changed since I retired. I've seen patients at Kaiser who were also going to the VA for some stuff. Better to get all your care in one place though, so every doc that sees you can see all your records. As of now there's no access to records between health care systems AFAIK. Good luck with the angioplasty and stent.

I did once make a housecall in Verdi though. Someone I operated on at South Sacramento Kaiser who had somehow managed to keep his Kaiser even though he lived in NV. He was due for a routine post op check up and I was on vacation in Truckee on my way to pick up my cousin at the Reno airport, so I stopped in to see the guy, who was doing fine. He was certainly surprised when I called him to tell him I could see him at home and save him a trip to Sacto.

Another update.
I just got home from an angiogram procedure. I cannot lift stuff or bend much for 2 days. No running,biking, swimming sitting in water for two weeks. Don't cross legs don't let the cat lay on my legs or lap.
I have another pill to take. Clopidogrel bisulfate. To prevent clotting in the two stints installed on each side of my groin.

Vascular surgeon spent about 2.5 hours on me.
Explored everything. Did angioplasty in aorta multiple places above and below "The Split".
Then inserted stints in the main arteries? On each side of my groin below the split.

I have a nice hole on each side and a cork plug in each hole.

Anyway the doctor was very happy with his work.

I can sort of tell I'm better. But too soon to know how much better.

And on to the next thing.

This happened all since October 20th?
VA hell yeah.

Oh my. The local anisthetic is wearing off. It hurts deep inside. Now it feels like someone punched big holes in my groin and stuck cables way up inside me

Yea. Wow

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Originally Posted by MTT

Oh my. The local anisthetic is wearing off. It hurts deep inside. Now it feels like someone punched big holes in my groin and stuck cables way up inside me

Yea. Wow

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Well yeah, it feels that way because that's what they did to you, as you know. How ya doing now?

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Originally Posted by MTT

Oh my. The local anisthetic is wearing off. It hurts deep inside. Now it feels like someone punched big holes in my groin and stuck cables way up inside me

Yea. Wow

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Hope the discomfort from the other day has subsided and that you're feeling better currently

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Originally Posted by skuff

Hope the discomfort from the other day has subsided and that you're feeling better currently

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I do feel better. No excess bruising, no pain. I am taking it really easy. Today I went to the grocery store. I walked in got a cart shopped checked out. No pain. First time I have been in the save mart in the past year without riding one of the electric cart's around the store. I can't wait to start exercising and see how much I can recover

Boss!

Great to hear.

Just back from the VA. To start they picked me up at my house and drove me home afterwards. DAV service.

Check in with my primary care physician.
My AIC is now 6.2. She was happy to see that.
Down from 8.7 in October when I walked in the door.
All 3 of my lower appendages are coming back strong after the double stints installed.
I am taking two new drugs for the issue with blockage in my asophigus.
Tommorow morning I get my first covid-19 vaccine. Don't know what vaccine. But it's on of the two shot variety. Oppointment was made today for tommorow and 4-21 for the second shot. That works out good because I have a follow up with the vascular surgeon on the same day.

Doc also gave me a script for the patch. Smoking session. This will show up in my mailbox like all my other perscriptions.

Happy with the VA.

Also start a new job next month. Decent pay. 100% remote like my last job.

Good to hear that they're getting you tuned up.
The VA is honest medicine, which is saying something these days.

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Originally Posted by old goat

Good to hear that they're getting you tuned up.
The VA is honest medicine, which is saying something these days.

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Yes, Saint Mary's should have done this for me 3 years ago when I started complaining about it. All it takes is for a doctor to listen to you and refer you to the right specialists. There was no need for me to have issues with my job get fired and go completely lame.

FYI. My primary care physician is a Brazilian woman. Who also works out of St Mary's.

Seems that is how the VA staff's. Same Dr,s. Nurse's specialists that work out of the other medical systems in the area. I you live in Incline and see a doctor who works through Renown and you switched to Northern Sierra VA. You would probably have the same doctor. Just a better medical center. FYI. VA is loading up medical records to the DoD database. So all the doctors have access to your records regardless of location. Tracked with SSN. Good or bad that's how it works. They pulled all my St. Mary's records and loaded them in. They know everything going back at least 6 years