Re: Still waters can run deep!
- From: "Simon Dawson" <mail@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 07 Jan 2006 17:17:16 GMT
"Malcolm N....." <malcolm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:ipnvr1lb33dmfkqaiaq011t9fkcnclpo7j@xxxxxxxxxx
> On Sat, 7 Jan 2006 12:26:14 -0000, "Roger Murray"
> <timbuktu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
snip
> I would have thought the medical profession should be asked rather
> than BW.
>
> Do we have any doctors of medicine around here ?.
> It seems some of them are not aware enough
Canoeists seem to get Weil's disease a lot more than boaters - perhaps they
are in contact with water more.
It might be of value to read a couple of first hand reports of people who
have had it. The message is simple. If you think you have it tell a doctor,
and keep telling him until you get properly tested and treated. You will
invariablky be fobbed off with paracetamol the first time.
Example 1.
I am recovering from an infection of Weils disease and a pleasant experience
it was not. I believe I caught the Weils disease whilst kayaking on the
River Border Esk between Langholm and Canonbie on the 30th Oct .This
happened during a lunch break where I think I ingested the virus whilst
eating. I probably touched some rats urine while exiting my kayak on the
bank side then contaminated my lunch which I then ingested.
My symptons developed as per textbook with fever, chills, muscular aches,
headache, loss of appetite and lack of energy. All symptoms of flu but who
was I to know, I`ve never had flu!
My first consultation with a Doctor at a walk in centre gave a diagnosis of
a throat infection even though I offered my suggestion of Weils disease
accompanied by the fact that I am a regular paddler, " keep on taking the
paracetamol " was the advice given and to see my own gp if things didn't
improve. It was three days later when I got to see my gp who took a blood
sample. Two days followed of the most severe back pain, muscular pain and
general decline in my condition. I returned to my gp to discuss the blood
results with him and was admitted to hospital immediately .
Upon arrival at hospital my kidneys were only working 5% and I`d suffered
liver damage. Dialysis was looking a possibility depending on how the
antibiotics dealt with the virus. Fortunately the drugs worked against the
infection and over the next three days my kidneys began to function again. I
was in hospital 6 days in total but have been advised I`ll need 4 weeks to
recover strength and return to work.
Lessons learnt............familiarise yourself with the symptoms and if you
suspect Weils get a blood sample taken sooner than later, it`ll save you a
world of pain.
Example 2
I had all the symptons earlier this year. After all the warnings I went to
my GP and had to demand antbiotics. He gave them me, took a blood test and
his departing words were "I've seen loads of people who work in sewers and
around water and have never seen Weil's disease before". Always a first time
then...
The first blood test came back negative. Another blood test was taken when I
was starting to feel better which confirmed leptospirosis. Thankfully
because I TOLD my doctor what I wanted from him it didn't get a chance to
develop into Weil's disease; an unpleasant experience none the less.
Example 3
My episode was a catalogue of disasters, it was sunday dec 13th when I saw
the emergency Doc and was diagnosed with a throat infection, the following
wed I saw my GP who only did the blood test, antibiotics at that stage might
have bought me more time.
The GP didn't actually take the blood sample, for that I had to make an
appointment with the nurse via the receptionist. I was offered an
appointment for the following week! This was completely out of the question
and I insisted on it being done that day which it was. By the time the
results came back it was friday and my kidneys were heading
downhill...rapidly!
I was admitted to my local hospital then transfered to a specialist unit
which had dialysis facilities as things were looking bad. As I said the
dialysis wasn`t needed but it was a close call.
Example 4
Here's my take as both a GP and paddler.
Weil's disease is rare and I've never seeen a case in General Practice but
did many years ago when working in hospital.
In the winter flu like symptoms are very common and even if you've been
paddling recently it's likely that it's not Weil's
But if you're not getting better or have concerns be pushy. We're trained to
listen and take on your concerns, and yes some of us are better than others
at this. Catch me on a bad day when I'm stressed and running late and you
may have to remind me of this.
Not every GP may know much, if anything, about Weil's disease, I know I'd
have to look up which tests to do and what antibiotic to use, but this info
is pretty easily available on the web, the following took me about 30
seconds to find and there where links to tests and treatments (from
GPNotebook website)
"Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection which is acquired through direct or
indirect contact with animals, especially rodents.
The commonest form, also called Weil's disease, is caused by Leptospira
icterohaemorrhagiae. About 10 to 15% of patients with Weil's disease become
severely ill with:
a 'flu-like illness, followed by,
jaundice
haemorrhage
renal impairment
The majority suffer a benign self-limiting illness without jaundice"
So even if you've got Weil's disease it's not necessarily going to do you
harm.
BUT if you're worried, express your concerns, ask your Doctor to read up on
Weils disease and if you still not getting anywhere see a different doctor.
Simon
.
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