Posted by Karla (165.189.41.11) on June 18, 1999 at 12:17:38:
Yesterday I had my first horrible dr. experience with my neuro. I had been suffering level 5-10 pain all day on Wed. tried the Maxalt the neuro gave me but it never effected it. I was advised not to take more Maxalt until I talked to my neuro by the dr. on call. Meanwhile I suffered.
I tried calling my neuro's office around 8:00 am on Thurs. and left message to be called back. At 10:30 am still no return call. I tried again and was told I would be called. I talked to my neuro's nurse around 11 am and explained what was going on. I asked what I should do. Can I increase my dose and see if that works? Go to ER? What? She said she would talk to neuro and get back to me. At 3:00 on Thurs. I left another message. At 3:30 I left another one and at 4:00 the nurse called me back saying that the neuro was busy and she didn't have time to talk to my neuro but talked to an associate and that I should take another Maxalt now and wait for my neuro to call me personally before she left for the day. The nurse commented that my neruo was busy and behind schedule. When 6:30 pm rolled around I was beside myself in pain, tears and and ready to kill someone. I called the office back only to get the dr. answering service! Luckily my neuro was the one on call for the night. I had her paged. She called me back asap. Then I was told to go to the ER and get a shot of dilaudid because that is what worked last time for me. She called the er and told them I was comming in and what works etc. She said she wanted me to double the dose of Maxalt I was taking and see if that worked but to get my pain under control first. She said she would call in a prescription of Maxalt to the local pharmacy. After my stop at the er I went to the pharmacy and no meds had been phoned in.
I don't know about you but I think this is inexcusable. I am just at a loss of what to say to my neuro the next time I see her. I have had what I consider to be excelent care by her up until now. I understand drs. are human and have busy and lousy days but if I go through another day like the last two where my dr doesn't respond I am likely to kill someone. Any time I think about this I see red. I want to be able to make her understand without being hostile towards her. Or do I keep my mouth shut since this is the first time this has happened and see if it happens again. If is does, address it then. Any suggestions?