Do you expect your regular PC to leave somone in charge for his emergency patients if he is going to be away? Well I do and it's not happening. This is twice within 3 weeks I've needed to see my Dr, and both times he was gone . The first time there was a PA in charge but today there is no one. When I called this AM I was told to either go the ER or walk-in clinic.
I think this is slack on his part but I don't see any other options. I have to have something done about this new flare. It's much worse than before, I took a mepergan (phenergan w/ demerol) this AM after a horrible night and it is barely touching my pain. Demerol is powerful stuff but it may as well be koolaid for all the good it's doing.
The only thing is I can't drive because I feel so loopy, not in a good way either. So hubby would have to drive me.
I would definitly go into the ER...If your pain meds arent touching the pain right now you need to see somene to help and if your RD isnt around the ER or the walk-in clinic is your only option. I would find another dr also..There has to be someone that is seeing his patients if he is not there. Goodluck, hope you get to feeling better
I'm so sorry about this, and I hope you are able to resolve it. I know it's frustrating to switch doctors, but you have to feel comfortable and confident with your physician--and it sounds as if this is stressing you out more than your physicial state.
I don't blame you for not wanting to go into the ER, as with something like this, you're going to have to wait until the more dire cases are seen. And when you balance 0 with a co-pay, there's not much balancing involved, is there?!
Can you ask around for a referral to a new doctor? Either here or with your friends? My doctor's practice is large--several doctors, several PAs, and several nurse practioners. Maybe an office like that would work better for you.
Good luck, and I hope you feel better!
Hugs,
Christina
Edited to add--I wanted to add that I do agree with kelsaysmomma that this time, you probably should go to the ER for relief.
If demoral isn't touching your pain then there isn't anything else your doctor in his office was going to be able to do so the emergency is an appropriate place for you. And in reality unless someone has full access to your records a fill in doctor would be unlikely to prescribe schedule narcotics for you. So if you are a 10 on that infamous pain skill then get to the emergency room
If your doctor is a single practioner it may not always be possible for him to get a backup if his absence is unplanned but for you to continue a realtionship with this or any doctor you need to understand how he plans for absences
I agree with buckeye that the regular doctors office probably wouldn't be able to give you anything stronger than you have at the moment so I recommend the er visit as well. It sucks about the high copay but if you are hurting that bad they can at least give you some medicine in your iv which will be a lot stronger. Good luck and hope you feel better soon. If this were to happen to me, I would call my internist first before going to the emergency room. Oh dear, please don't drive your car. I was in such a state at the beginning of the month that I drove right in front of a car turning left and ran a stop sign!! BE careful. Lyndago to the walk-in. sooner the better. feel better quickly.Moana, when my Rheumy is gone, his office says to call my primary Dr. or go to the ER. If my primary happens to be gone, his office tells me to go to the ER. I hate that! I sit for hours and hours and they give me meds I already have and send me on home with orders to call my Dr. in the AM - Are they not listening??? if I could do that, would I be there? I almost always tough it out, scaring the bejeebers out of hubby.