Re: Dealing with mistreatment by medical proffesionals

June 26, 2006

,

I recently had a similar experience with a dr. not reading medical records.

When we moved from Germany to TN, I was able to get copies of everything my

wonderful dr. at Landstuhl Hospital had done regarding the steroid nerve blocks

that were being done for lower back pain. When I had my first appointment to

the pain clinic in TN, I took copies of this paperwork with me so they could see

exactly what I had done down to the dosage of meds and what size needle to use.

After going through the regular " what meds are you taking " and " please get a

urine sample for us " , I was able to see the doc. The Dr. said it would be no

problem to get it the procedure done. I showed up in the morning at the

outpatient surgery center and was all excited that I would be virtually pain

free for 6 weeks! When I started being prepped, it was explained to me that the

Dr. had scheduled an epidural. I told them this was not the correct procedure,

but they said it was what the doctor had ordered for me.

I went ahead with it. Within a half hour my hips hurt so bad, I was in tears.

I went home and went to bed wth my feet elevated for the rest of the day. When

I went for my follow up, I told the dr. that the correct procedure was not

done...he ARGUED with me saying that's what was in the paperwork I had given

him. I turned the pages in my medical file and had to show him that it was a 4

page document that clearly outlined the procedure. Obviously, he had only

scanned the document and saw the word " epidural " . He then explained to me that

the procedure I was describing was a lot more EXPENSIVE and that he could do

that procuedure right in the office instead of at the outpatient surgery center,

but he would have to schedule it for the following week. I told him not to

worry about it and left. I made an appointment with my orthopedic dr. and got a

referral to another pain clinic. Some doctors just don't care and don't want to

listen.

They feel their professional opinion is LAW and totally ignore the needs/wants

of the patient, even if those needs are DOCUMENTED by another professional!

Sorry this is so long, but I wanted to share my experience. I think we've all

had to deal with a dr. with a know-it-all attitude.

Rhonda

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