First Symptom

[gwenllian111]

My first symptoms was a hacking dry cough, - and any type of stress or movement would set off these 'coughing spams.' I remember the nurses on the ward literally having to hold me down onto the bed, as I gasped for breath.

I'll always remember being in town with some friends, and suddenly, I couldn't stop coughing and I felt systemically unwell, as if I had flu. I thought to myself, I need to get home NOW.

[Meredith]

Mine started with a swollen gland on my face, right in front of my ear. Looked like I had mumps on one side. In fact my regular doctor checked me for it. The pain was awful. My regular doctor kept saying I would be better in a couple of weeks (that was after 4 visits in 2 weeks and one on Sunday. I made an appointment with a speacilist (ENT) and he put me in the hospital immediately. Tried every test he could think of, could not find anything. He finally said there was one more test - came back positive (ANCA). I believe he saved my life. Wonderful doctor.

[pberggren1]

I know many on here have not had good experiences with ENTs but there are good ENTs out there. I am fortunate to have one and I have seen some others that are good as well.

[delorisdoe]

I had a wonderfull ent whom I fear as much as some people fear their dentist.

[pberggren1]

Why do you fear him delorisdoe?

[Meredith]

My ENT kept having me come back to him (no charge) after I started seeing my speacialist after I was diagnosed - he was really concerned. Proabably saw him weekly when we were trying to figure out what I had (after my hospital stay) from the end of Sept. till December. Hard to believe it took that long. Could hardly walk part of the time because of the pain - in fact a company I worked for then during my review (they knew I was sick) said that I was moving to slow around the office. I was just fighting to stay out of a wheelchair. The more I think back on that the madder I get. Work for a wonderful company now but they are unaware that I have really anthing wrong. We are off Friday afternoons and I try to work all my testing/dr. appt.'s then.

[pberggren1]

Meredith: That is so nice that your ENT never charged you for all those visits. Do you still see him or need to seem him on occasion and does he still charge you?

I am glad you are able to work and for a better company with Friday afternoons off. What line of work are you in?

[Meredith]

Work for an International Steel company. I am an assistant to the VP. Love my job. I needed my airway stretched out approx. 4 years ago, went back to my ENT and he said he had not done enough of them. How honest can you be! Sent to another gentleman in the practice to handle my case, and yes he does charge me each time. I send people to him all the time though and I bet he checks up on me sometimes with the other doctor.

[pberggren1]

That is awesome Meredith. You do have a good ENT. Mine is honest that way as well. As soon as he is not sure about something he tells me and asks me if I want to see another guy that he thinks knows more. Good to hear about your job as well.

[delorisdoe]

Why do you fear him delorisdoe?

For the same reason people fear the dentist. It was not him he was kind and gentle but what he did to me was awfull. I have never thought of myself as a suck. I had 3 wisdom teeth pulled and went to work the next day...but the ent. I just dont know how any of you look at an ent without anything but panic.

leigh