Chronic Pain Support Group
Physicians and professionalsdefine pain as chronic if it lasts longer than three to six months and is persistent. It's distinct from acute pain that is a direct result of injury or trauma. This support group is dedicated to those suffering from chronic pain. Discuss treatments that have worked for you, find advice for your specific experience, and find support. You're not...
So I"m going to get this off my chest....
I realize there are folks on this Site who don't have good Dr.'s, and the empathy I feel for these folks are as real as it gets. I hate that not everyone who needs a great Dr. to help them through these difficult diagnosises, has one.
Unfortunately when a person has a bad Dr. and chooses to post about it here, it generally turns into a negative rant about all Dr.'s/Nurses/Clinics/Hospitals, the whole medical community.
After finishing re-newing my Healthcare.gov Insurance I noticed that my main Dr. wasn't covered anymore. I didn't panic, I just made a note to ask her about it today when I was there for my monthly appt. I asked her, and got the answer I expedted, they'er too small of a practice to afford the BCBS premiums. What she did next, is 50% of why I love her so much and why I've been her patient for 17 years. She said, "So now we have to get your ducks in a row before the end of the month and your policy changes. Help me think of any and all blood labs you need and we'll do them today. What about your liver/kidney Ultrasounds, is it time for them? I said, they're do in January. She said, "we'll do them this month so their paid for easily. Then she pulled up med list on her Computer and said, "Okay lets order any meds that we can get 3 months supply for. Because she knows my meds have been free since August. The last thing she did as I was checking out of the office, was to come up to the counter and tell her nurse to have me come in on the 30th of Dec. instead of my normal Jan. 5 date, so I could save some money and use my $5 copay 1 more time.
She automatically went into, "Help the patient as much as humanly possible" mode. I didn't have to ask or bargain or beg. And then we went over how I'll be paying them a cash price startig January and what I could afford for a cash price, so we settled at $50/month.
My point here is very simple...there are bad Dr.'s in the world...but there are also so many great Dr.'s out there, ones who do whatever they can for their patients. Ones who go the extra mile every day of the week, for their patients.
As someone who used to work in the Medical field,it can be very difficult to listen to the "all Dr.'s are eveil" or 'all hospitals are just out ot get money and treat you badly" Utilizing Support Boards like this one offers advantages, but you know you'll have to put up with a lot of Dr. bashing all the time. And sometimes it can be hard to listen to it without the other side, the positive side. There are many good Dr.'s out there, I've worked with quite a few, I've been treated by many and I have a great team of them currently.
So that's it, just wanted to get that out of my head and off my mind.
******This was not meant to anger or offend anyone. If it does, pls. just ignore it.
Peace and low pain to all.
I realize there are folks on this Site who don't have good Dr.'s, and the empathy I feel for these folks are as real as it gets. I hate that not everyone who needs a great Dr. to help them through these difficult diagnosises, has one.
Unfortunately when a person has a bad Dr. and chooses to post about it here, it generally turns into a negative rant about all Dr.'s/Nurses/Clinics/Hospitals, the whole medical community.
After finishing re-newing my Healthcare.gov Insurance I noticed that my main Dr. wasn't covered anymore. I didn't panic, I just made a note to ask her about it today when I was there for my monthly appt. I asked her, and got the answer I expedted, they'er too small of a practice to afford the BCBS premiums. What she did next, is 50% of why I love her so much and why I've been her patient for 17 years. She said, "So now we have to get your ducks in a row before the end of the month and your policy changes. Help me think of any and all blood labs you need and we'll do them today. What about your liver/kidney Ultrasounds, is it time for them? I said, they're do in January. She said, "we'll do them this month so their paid for easily. Then she pulled up med list on her Computer and said, "Okay lets order any meds that we can get 3 months supply for. Because she knows my meds have been free since August. The last thing she did as I was checking out of the office, was to come up to the counter and tell her nurse to have me come in on the 30th of Dec. instead of my normal Jan. 5 date, so I could save some money and use my $5 copay 1 more time.
She automatically went into, "Help the patient as much as humanly possible" mode. I didn't have to ask or bargain or beg. And then we went over how I'll be paying them a cash price startig January and what I could afford for a cash price, so we settled at $50/month.
My point here is very simple...there are bad Dr.'s in the world...but there are also so many great Dr.'s out there, ones who do whatever they can for their patients. Ones who go the extra mile every day of the week, for their patients.
As someone who used to work in the Medical field,it can be very difficult to listen to the "all Dr.'s are eveil" or 'all hospitals are just out ot get money and treat you badly" Utilizing Support Boards like this one offers advantages, but you know you'll have to put up with a lot of Dr. bashing all the time. And sometimes it can be hard to listen to it without the other side, the positive side. There are many good Dr.'s out there, I've worked with quite a few, I've been treated by many and I have a great team of them currently.
So that's it, just wanted to get that out of my head and off my mind.
******This was not meant to anger or offend anyone. If it does, pls. just ignore it.
Peace and low pain to all.
There are all examples I have seen of people who have died who my mother has worked with for the past 25 years. Doctors are not always good, and they do get people killed. There are good doctors, but not all of them are good. To say that we can't out the bad doctors is kind of like idol worship. I don't consider doctors to be God anymore. They have said some of the dumbest things I have ever heard to me. They have told me that I have nerve pain because I am overweight. They have told me that living with chronic venous insufficiency is not that bad. One doctor said it's just some leg discoloration and a minor annoyance! I have been continually told that I am too young to have blood clots, I am too young to have blood clotting disorders etc. Doctors see babies with cancer and they tell people they're too young to be in the ICU. lol. I can see why some people are frustrated with their doctors. I have been frustrated as well. Not everyone has a positive experience with doctors. Some people have already gone through multiple doctors just to be let down time and time again. I do not put my faith in doctors anymore. I read and educate myself and advocate for myself. This response is not directed at anyone in particular, it's just to show that not everyone has a positive experience with doctors!
J
What is upsetting is to be abused when you have symptoms they don't understand.
That said, I had great doctors for most of my life. So even though the past four years have been trying in my dealings with doctors, basically my doctors did the best they could, or I think anyone could have for most of my life.
Thank you. Thanks to all of you who work in the healthcare field at whatever capacity to help us.
LMT
And I can guarantee you that I have no, none, nada Idol Worship of any Dr....and I've seen hundreds of them in the last 29 yrs. lol Do I really seem like the kind of person who keeps my mouth shut if a Dr. screws up and treats me wrong.....ummmm No, they hear about it right there and then. I also don't keep subjecting myself to it, I go find a different Dr. If I have to spend the money that I work my ass off to earn on Docs and medical tests and hospital bills and Insurance premiuims...then I darn sure am going to be satisfied with the care I get and the Dr.s who give it.
I've never been a fan of those big "Own your own Clinic/Hospital set-ups" like Kaiser-Permante, We had "Scott & White" when I was finishing my 3rd Degree at Texas A&M, and they were the same kind of "self-owned' system like KP. Some of the Docs were really good, but most, not my cup of tea...I was very happy to get away from that Clinic setting.
Doctor, but I don't find that most doctors are incompetent.
Medicine is not a perfect science unfortunately... My only
Mistake was that I had a head injury and other trauma and I should have gone for a second opinion sooner, but I wasn't thinking clearly.
This has been an interesting thread to read. Whilst our medical system is slightly different here in Oz I think it is safe to say we too have our fair share of doctors that probably should not be in the profession. It tarnishes the image and reputation of those doctors (which is the majority) who do a lot of good for people and work so very hard.
For my surgery I chose private hospital because I felt I couldn't wait with the pain I had. But I had to pay for it because my health insurance was out of date. If I waited in the public system I would have had to wait for 18 months or more.
Not all doctors are going to get it right 100% of the time and sadly tragic mistakes happen. And you can only hope that it doesn't happen to you by doing all you can from your side whether thats research, communication, waiting, etc.
I have had a few doctors in my time that have not helped me out so I had to keep going til I did or worked it out for myself.
I recall posting my disappointment with a particular doctor a while ago. OldCPer you posted reminding me not all were like that. It was nice to have that little reminder as I was caught up in the moment. So thank you.
For those that unfortunately have had a few run ins with not so great doctors I hope that you find your match soon.
Thank you to everyone for being honest in this conversation.
I spent 45 years going from doctor to doctor with a genetic disease. All but the last one told me it was mental or emotional. I nearly died from it. All my chronic pain is from the ignorance of these doctors.
One actually sexually assaulted me.
When I was in hospital, the treatment amounted to torture. They kept me awake all night long for three nights straight. Tests which required massive pre test medications were put off "till the next day" exposing me to dangerous chemicals all over again. And nursing staff wanted me to call for bathroom EVERY TIME then yelled at me each time for being a problem. Despite being very ill, each procedure, I was wheeled down and left all alone in a wait area with outpatients who were fully dressed while I had a single blanket to cover me. I waited long enough to need to use the bathroom, but again was yelled at for "not using it BEFORE I left the room". And EKG was attempted UNDER the air conditioning vent. Staff were dressed in their winter coats with collars pulled up against the freezing temps in the procedure area. I was stripped waist to neck while they attach the sticky pads, attach the leads, verify information and then finally try to run the test. I was already sick and cold. They yelled at me for shivering! How do you stop shivering.
It is easy for staff to forget that we are HUMAN beings who already feel unwell.
I get that there are good ones around. And I am sorry that stories of the horrors in ones field are distressing. I hear it all the time in my own area of expertise. I find that acknowledging that the other person suffered from someone's improper treatment. That is something we professionals can do to encourage others.
I always say, "someone had to get the C's and still end up employees in my profession."
You say a person in the medical profession/a Dr. sexually assaulted you, did they serve prison time when you filed charges against them?
And what happened to the hospital that treated you so poorly, did you file charges with the State Medical Board regarding the exposure to dangerous chemicals for no reason and the nurses being mean and unprofessional?
I was really sick with bilateral pielonephritis when I was 20 but didn't know it. I went to urgent care half awake from the fever and pain. I was wearing a thong. I remember that a doctor told me to lie down on my side and take my pants off to " examine" me but he was actually rubbing against me.
He sent me home with an antibiotic instead of calling an ambulance and I almost died since I had no family or friends to look after me. I was in bed for 4 days unable to get up , without any food.. Just 3 glasses of water.
I have no idea how I survived. It was a miracle.
surgeon is wonderful with ongoing support.
every doctor I see understands my situation.
I have medication to help me. some days are worse than others.
I have friends going thru similar and friends who aren't that listen.
I am lucky!
I have had bad experience in hospitals.. for other things.. simply cos staff did not listen. that wont happen again.
I called a meeting and it was fixed.
my son had years of therapy before he found the right Psychiatrist. SO KEEP LOOKING.. but also keep calm. doctors find it hard to relate to people who are freaked out.
and be humble - its good to vent but try and remain positive.
look for the positive in all things. .in others..
a good listener is what some people need. not even a tablet.
just to be heard.
but remember Doctors cannot fix everything.. and that is hard on them also. we need to accept that which we cannot change.
finding out how others cope with pain. is really important.
staying connected.. to others in pain .is important unless it brings you down.
I know the health care system in Australia is prob different. it works tho. I think it is what Ombana wanted to bring in. ?not sure.
Rhon
but you did something
you can always write to the doctor. if they are too busy for phone call. and you cant afford a visit.
it works.
I so agree with you, there are many good doctors. who remember the oath is to not harm people.
perhaps you wont get drugs..cos the doctor feels it is not right for you. esp if you are young
my Gp asked me a question/. is this about lifestyle ?
YES. this is not about me wanting a longer life. .this is about me knowing the consequences of taking medication.
I have had my children. I have grandchildren.
I have a great life.
I just want to get on with it.
YOU SAY who else will say. Do I have to share the gory details here to PROVE it? Clearly, I have to share the detail of the trial and sentencing to even be believed. DO you want the details of all the testimony as well?
This is a classic, I dont believe it response wrapped in a challenge that puts the victim on the defensive over and over and over. Sharing details of a story is healing ONLY when it is done at the impetus of the victim. Sharing as a defense is victimizing.
How does sentencing, trial, testimony or anything else change or PROVE the story. You have make it clear that you doubt. Do you realize that this is the STANDARD response of most people when anyone is sexually assaulted? Along with, what where you wearing, how were you standing, did you flirt with him, and a whole host of other just as offensive questions.
These things make me believe that rather than present anything about a constructive means of sharing, this discussion is really about a professional being defensive and trying to tell people how and what to share.
I dont see anyone telling you to STOP talking about your great doctors. Why is it so necessary to tell others to stop talking about the bad ones?
Hey, not all of us like the medical profession. It's not a strange opinion. Of course I know there are great doctors and staff, however, I personally haven't had experience with that so I cannot speak from experience I don't have. It's my reality. And I won't stop talking about it because it's the reason I am where I am today, at this moment.