Very Upset and Frustrated

[ahoban2004]

Hello everyone. I need a chance to rant. I went to the hospital (Deaconess in Spokane, Washington)yesterday because I was in excruciating pain and I was treated horribly. I was left laying in a room bawling my eyes out for an hour when the doctor (I didn't get his name because he didn't even bother to tell me it)finally came in and when I told him that I have Crohn's and couldn't get my pain under control he rolled his eyes and asked me why I wasn't seeing my primary care doctor. When I told him I called and she was completely booked he took it upon himself to call and double check. He came back in and rudely asked why I hadn't picked up my new Crohn's prescription. What prescription?!? No one told me I had one!! All he said was "go get it" and walked out of the room. Two minutes later a nurse came in and told me that I needed to move to a chair in the hall because they needed the bed for someone else. Mind you during this entire process I'm bawling and writhing in pain. Apparently they don't believe that Crohn's is a real disease. Which is funny because that's the hospital where I was diagnosed. I am so disgusted with the entire medical community right now. I can't get in to see my primary care doctor or my new GI specialist and now going to the ER for relief is out of the question. I guess I will just weather the storm at home and hope to God that nothing really serious is going on. I am completely disheartened and depressed with the entire situation. I don't know how to manage this disease without support of my doctor or the medical community in general. They are so busy treating me like a drug seeker that they don't treat my disease.

 

[valleysangel92]

*hugs* I'm so sorry you had to go through that, unfortunately you aren't alone, I've had similar experiences with some doctors just acting like it's in my head or I want the meds (funny since my pain meds always last me 3-4 times longer than they should because I only take them for extreme pain, other wise I try to use otc stuff) , some were before diagnosis, some were after.

You have the right to request a different doctor or go to a different hospital if you have been maltreated (which it sounds like you certainly have) .
Do you have an IBD nurse you could contact? If your hospital has a website, the number for the nurse may be on there, if not then your GIs Secretary should be able to give it to you.

How are you feeling now? I'm hoping a little better? Heat is really good for a lot of us and peppermint can help bloating and nausea, I know it's not much but it might be of some help.

I just wanted to let you know that you are not alone, we are all here for you.

 

[mere282]

I'm so sorry you were treated so badly!
It can be frustrating to deal with ER doctors. Feel better
Soon if not go to a different hospital

 

[kristihelene]

I am sooo sorry that happened to you! Most (US) hospitals have a patient advocate. Next time, ask for the # and call! I've done that several times and it truly made the ER team do a 180!! I'd call them now, from home, and tell them what happened! They will file an official complaint! That is not acceptable treatment for someone in such pain! Can you go to another hospital? How are you feeling now?

 

[fozheart]

I am sorry that you were treated so poorly! Was there really a prescription for you to pick up? I would be on the phone to the doctor's office that wrote it, asking why you were not notified! Yes, I would speak to a patient advocate too- the hospital needs to know about that doctor who did nothing for you and sent you away in such terrible pain! I hope that your pain is not as bad now.

 

[ahoban2004]

Thank you so much for all of your replies! I am starting to feel better. A hot pack at the end of the day is my best friend I called the administration department at the hospital and filed a complaint. They are supposed to be calling me back today to go over everything. They said they needed a chance to get both sides of the story. Which I understand. I just get the feeling that I'm going to end up being told not to go back to their hospital. Which is fine because I have no intention of doing so anyways. I did have a prescription at my doctor's office waiting to be picked up. It was a new Crohn's medication for me to try. The funny part is that I just got a call yesterday informing me that I had a prescription called in by my doctor. A little late for the phone call!! The amazing news is that this Crohn's medication seems to be working like a charm!! It's Pentasa. I'm not too crazy about how much I have to take but I will do whatever I have to do to feel better. I still haven't been able to get a hold of anyone at my GI office that will talk to me but I figure if the medicine is working then I can hold on until my appointment. Thank you again for all of your support! Everyone I have met on this forum has been amazing