Hubby took me to my 3:00 appt at my Pcp. He took one look at me and said you need to get to the hospital NOW, that it was insane to try to control the pain over the weekend with morphine and up to 80 mg of vicodin/day (10/325mg) by myself. He drew blood, ordered the results sent to him and to the ER stat. He called the ER doc to let him know I was on my way and my history of going there, waiting hours and hours, getting pain med and sent home. OH back-tracking a bit, at my pcp's, my doc showed me the results of my HIDA scan and on it the nurse wrote that I had absolutely no pain during any part of it and was sent home. All tests were normal. What the hell!?! I was not fine, I was in agony and told her so. She asked me what my pain level was at and I said 6, but I was starting to feel worse. She said it would only last a little while and I'd feel better, then sent me home. I called yesterday morning to find out if I should still be hurting and they said no, but tests were normal.
Anyway, we get to the hospital, they had a bed waiting for me, and the ER doc rushed in with a gown and held it up in front and asked me to undress right then - no time to set purse down, lol. He said we'd talk in a min. and they very quickly put in an Iv and gave me toradol, dilaudid, and about 4 other meds I cannot remember. He tells me he's not going to repeat any tests, and that it is definitely my gallbladder, but because tests were normal, he says I am having a gallbladder spasm caused by the narcotics. He said to stop avinza and hydrocodone and to use Fentenyl patches instead. Supposedly they dont cause the same prob. I told him I had only been on avinza 2 mo. and this has been going on off and on for a year. No answer to that, slapped on a fentenyl patch, saying I could put on another if one wasn't doing the trick and sent us on our way. Oh, he did consult the surgeon on duty, and the surgeon did not see the need to remove my gallbladder.
Icalled my pain doc. (after hours) and left a message telling him that the ER doc took me off the meds he prescribed and I would call him again this morning after my appt. with my gastrointerologist's assistant (gastro was in surgery. It was an hour and a half drive there and hubby and I got a danish for the road. By the time I got there, my tummy started to hurt a bit, but as the appt progressed with lots of questions I got worse and worse. She left the room to talk to my gastro and when she came back, i was crying and balled up. She said they wanted to refer me to the U of WA but it takes a few weeks, then they have to "accept" my case. What am I supposed to do til then? She said to eat light snacks all day, no meals, and follow up with primary.
So, I get home, slap on another patch and call primary to let him know what is decided at gastro. He called me back and we had a long discussion. He asked me again to tell him all the meds I am on, which I did. He then tells me he wants me to bring in all my meds to every appt, not just a list. Weird, but ok with me. He said it was important that gastro re-scope me because it had been over a year. So, I call gastro office and leave a message telling what pcp wants. Gastro's office calls me back and says my pcp needs to talk to gastro directly. So, I call pcp back, in tears by then, and tell them gastro wants primary to call gastro directly. I gave the nurse the number in hopes of making it easy for them and she says primary doesn't like telling specialists what to do, but would send them a fax, so I gave her his fax number and now I sit and wait.
Deb - I understand TOTALLY. I was sent to the ER once by my primary, and had the same runaround. Six hours in the waiting room, no one knew why I was there, and was finally sent home because they said there was nothing wrong with me.
Deb - this is not you, this is not your fault, this is the failure of the American health system. You are being failed by a system.
When you take your meds in, print out the above and the other run arounds you have gotten that you have posted in here. There is no possible way you could remember all of this.
I am going to pray you are released from the tyranny of American medicine and are allowed some relief. This is insanity.
Oh, Deb, this is a bloody nightmare for you.
Deb, I am so sorry and do hope that the Fetenyl patch will help through the weekend. I hate what they are doing to you...they need to take the darn thing out before you end up with pancreatitis.
This is stupid!!!! Hugs to you dear one!
Deb, I am sooooooooo sorry you are having such a difficult time. I dont know what other advice to offer you but I will keep you in my prayers. I hope that you get it all resolved and QUICK!What a horror ! I send my hugs.
Are any of the doctors ones who immediately write you off if you are on pain meds? Makes me wonder if the ER doc is like that. I have run into doctors who can't believe that there is any legitimate reason for narcotics.
Lynne
Lynne, they need to live in our bodies for a day, huh!!!! Deb, this is what they call torture and it is being done all over America and as an American I am so ashamed. I would write all of this info down, send it my local paper, send it to Fox, Cnn, MSNBC, CBS, ABC and any other that you can think of. Even leave the written message on park benches, etc. Raise hell, raise hell dammit! Oh, I am very sorry that this is happening to you and I will pray for less pain and a medical miracle, cause that is what it will be. Gotta go and take my blood pressure...LOL
Hi dear, oh what am I missing in your meds? Are you taking some RA medication? ER doesn't have any of our RA meds????Where's your Remicade, mtx, Enbrel, Humira???what?
I'm so sorry you are hurting so much. Let us know. Lynda
Primary should have gotten on the phone while you were there and referred you for scoping, appt. would have been given sooner because your physician called. What a crock. I'm so sorry you're caught in the middle of a power struggle between the primary and the gastro. I feel that's where the problem lies. Why isn't your primary taking any responsibility? He should be admitting you. If you can't eat, please drink plenty of fluids and rest as much as possible. It will be interesting to hear what the pain doctor has to say. I really feel they should have a 3 way conference call and discuss your case. You might suggest that. Keep us updated. Lindy.
Hear! Hear! Lindy. Amen!< =text/>_popupControl(); Lindy...I was wondering the same things that you were. I wonder if Deb can call her PCP and insist on being admitted to the hospital.
Many many hugs Deb. I wish I was there to sit with you and keep you company.
Deb- what a complete nightmare for you. I dont really understand your medical system but it seems as if you were given the run around with a lot of confusion.
I really hope it all gets sorted out for you.
Take care
lisa
Sorry you're feeling so bad. I hope you get your answers quickly.Oh I am so sorry to hear about your run around and especially the pain. I know what it's like.
I pray someone takes you very serious and very very fast too. I will send good thoughts your way. I wish I could help.
Owiedeb
So sorry to hear of your nightmare. Hope it's going to be alright very soon and I'm sending you some very gentle hugs and best wishes from the UK.
Joolie
Deb, I can't believe this is still going on with them bouncing you around and giving you no answer/treatment. I am so sorry you are being forced to deal with all this pain on your own.
Please post when you can and let us know how you're doing.
I am so sorry you are in such pain and can't get a simple answer from your docs....
Gentle hugs
So, do all the Dr's just think we're all crazy, pill popping psychos or what!! I am not looking forward to this journey to hell! It's still up in the air as to what I have. I know for a fact I will not put up with this kind of crap though!