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Topic: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware (Read 328 times) |
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hdbngr
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Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« on: Nov 27th, 2002, 1:16pm » |
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I'm starting over. again. Last year, I went to a new headache clinic, seeking help or cure. They did comment that I must be feeling okay that day because my hair was combed and I had lipstick on. (???) My husband went with me and we both made it clear we did not want to repeat meds or hospitalization, but were looking for temporary pain relief until we could get a surgical procedure that might minimize/stop the pain. Pill therapies had been ineffective for me. I have tried everything. The neurologist I was assigned to knew NOTHING about clusters, not how they worked, or even how many the clinic treated or with what approach. After viewing my medication list (I provided) said "Let's see what you have tried before" and promptly prescribed the same stuff again. Nothing was prescribed for pain The Director of the clinic was called in to consult, and the neuro began as if I was deliberately being inconvenient, but the Director said "give her something for the pain, and take her off all those meds, they aren't going to help. He then requested a fast track for an RFG procedure. It was what we had said and requested three months before from the neurologist, but it immediately made an enemy from that point on. The relationship grew more strained. We requested to see a different neurologist. This was denied, we later found out that the neurologist said I was non-compliant (not wanting to take all of the meds I had taken before) so I should remain where I was.
We explained we would not continue to see that neuro, as mistakes were being made. The clinic said no. It was also explained to me that if I discontinued the relationship, I would no longer be able to get the Duragesic patch (my only pain relief) I had been offered when we met with the Director. They did not think I was there for treatment, but drug-seeking. We discontinued and I gave up the patch for the next five months.
We asked the surgeon about the spinal cord stimulator implants and were told, good idea, lets see if your insurance plays ball. They did. We got an auth for the procedure.
After a routine psych eval prior to the surgery, the Doc asked about why we discontinued with the neuro. Surgery was still scheduled for six weeks later. One week prior to the surgery, the clinic called to say it was cancelled, due to the first neuro citing I was non-compliant. I was devastated. We asked for clarification, and were able (fortunately, my husband attended every appointment) to refute the non-compliance claim, proving that we had followed all of the orders outlined by the neuro, and we then realized that an extraordinary amount of information was "missing" from my file. Of course it was all information that was to my benefit. They said they would amend the non-compliance statement and get back to us. This was in June.
Delay after delay and the continued cropping up of the neuro's initial feedback that I was not a good candidate led us to draft a letter of what had happened since we began treatment at the clinic under that neuro's care.
Over the next five months, they asked to speak to other physicians, get additional medical info (all provided) and said they would make a decision. We started to get anxious because of the time passage and also because the headaches are still just as severe. They called my primary in October to say I was still in the pipeline and a good candidate. I was suspicious, my primary physician thought I was being overly sensitive.
Many broken promises and headaches later, they returned with their decison, citing the non-compliance issue (that they supposedly amended). The letter we sent turned out to be a huge political mistake. While everything we said was true, we backed them into a corner. It's like, "Yes, we know you are in pain, and we may have something that is a cure, but you aren't worthy to receive it." That hit hard. We have an authorization for a procedure that expires at the end of December and no surgeon. Now we are out of time, and the last year and thousands of dollars have been wasted. I think the worst thing is they don't give a damn if I'm in pain or not.
My primary who has been wonderful and is frantically trying to locate another physician who does the surgery. They are few and far between. I wish the clinic had just told us five months ago, no way, so we could have gone elewhere. I am so tired of hurting. So tired of trying to have to explain what a cluster headache is and why I can't take oxygen to work. Has anyone else out there run afoul of a pain clinic and won/lost?
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Mr. Happy
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #1 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 1:51pm » |
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It's days like this I'm sorry I made a pact with myself not to be inflammatory, unduly obscene, or otherwise show my _True Nature_ in public discussions. (Private mail is ENTIRELY different.)
That you haven't gone *Postal* yet shows control of the highest magnitude.
You've presented Doctoral Ineptitude in it's basest form.
Somebody duct tape me to a chair and stuff a rag in my mouth.
By the Will of Wotan, here's a few medical souls I could definitely Shrive, and leave shivering alone on the Dark Side!
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.................
The name on my uniform might say "Happy", but the men in my outfit call me Sgt. FURY......................
RJ
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echo
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #2 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 1:51pm » |
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I'm at a lose of words. It's firedrills like you've been through that give the medical world a bad name. I hope that the non-compliant statement in your file does not continue to bite you in the future.
I do hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Echo
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hdbngr
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #3 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 3:20pm » |
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I'm feeling a little "postal" right now.
Echo...thanks, and can I borrow a couple of those shovels? I'm ready to enlighten a neurologist...
Sorry to complain, but for anyone going to a clinic in the near future, learn from my mistake. If you don't like your doc, change right away, before things get out of hand, and ask for a copy of your file. You would be amazed at what you might find in there. Take it from someone who now knows.
Is it possible to renig on a patient authorization for medical release? It's in my file there, but I don't want them fouling things up any further. Do I send them need a "cease and desist" request?
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echo
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #4 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 3:26pm » |
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Maybe you could fill out one of those "Medical File Transfer" requests, have them delivered to a relatives trusted doctor in another city. Just so you can get your hands on them and away from the SOB causing you problems.
Or, hate to say it. Attorney time.
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Mark C
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #5 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 3:43pm » |
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on Nov 27th, 2002, 3:26pm, echo wrote:
Or, hate to say it. Attorney time. |
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I am not sure about a criminal issue (although it should be) but in a civil matter........thats another issue. If I were a judge and heard this........if only I were a judge!
Good luck HB
Hi Doc!
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suzy617
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #6 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 3:50pm » |
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I would have definitely pulled every hair outta my head by now! That "postal" thing sounds pretty good too. Echo has a good idea, get those files out of there anyway you can.
Good luck to you,
suzy
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Hound_Dogg
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #7 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 4:00pm » |
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I cannot believe the ineptitude of some physicians. To treat someone as a client, instead of as a PATIENT is inexcusable!!!Depending on your insurance ???, you can complain directly to them or...to the State Medical Board for Abandonment.
Did you try another specialty? I don't normally recommend Pain Mgt. Doctors (Anesthesiologist's) for Clusters, but if the Duragesic Patch helped your pain, then that may be the way to go, They would be more at ease to prescribe this Med. for severe pain. Also, the Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS) has had great trials with Sciatic (Leg) Pain, but seems to have decreasing success the further you go up the Spinal Cord. I would be hesitant to say it would be a help for Head Pain.
Again, this is just my opinion...and I would actively pursue what has helped you in the past. I wish you the best of luck...
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brad267
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #8 on: Nov 27th, 2002, 8:36pm » |
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Although my experience isn't related to cluster headaches here, I do have some advice that worked for me...
Do some research into the establishment, see if any reporters have written any stories about them. Start certified copying that reporter, the attorney general and the people you are dealing with on all correspondence.
It makes them respond much faster and favorable for some reason... LOL
Hope it helps.
-Brad
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hdbngr
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #9 on: Dec 2nd, 2002, 11:38am » |
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Thanks for the advice guys (and Suzy). Wish I could say the patch "worked". It helps, but not a cure. If that had been the option, I would have taken the patch and kept my mouth shut. Been there, tried it, and my head learns to get around the meds. They just stop working.
The Director of the clinic is well-recognized in headache circles and often quoted. I am scared to death about my ability to fight this legally. I am going to start the research to see if other "clients" came away with a similar experience. I know there have to be others out there who have had similar.
Certified copies..hmmm. Sounds like a plan. Is complaning to the State Medical Board for abandonment legit? Has anyone here ever done this?
There have been plenty of stories published, but all that I have seen have been good, which is why I went there in the first place. I will start digging, and see what I find.
Thanks again.
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Hound_Dogg
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #10 on: Dec 2nd, 2002, 1:22pm » |
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Complaining to the State Medical Board for abandonment is definitely "Legit". Of course, it depends upon the circumstances. Usually if the sudden discharge by a physician, without grounds (I.E. using your months supply of meds in 1 week, Using two or more Doctors for the same meds) causes physical or emotional harm to the patient...then you definitely have grounds.
This is one reason why I always and recommend people "Get Copies of all their Medical Records".
You never know when you will need them.
Good Luck 
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Charlie
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Re: Starting over - this is a vent session -beware
« Reply #11 on: Dec 3rd, 2002, 1:00am » |
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Rats.
Time for an attorney from hell. If and when you do such a thing, go to an attorney BEFORE you try and scare them with something. Just something I read here one time. We know how you feel. 
Good luck, Charlie
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