S.N.A.F.U.!

[yasmina27]

I can't believe it! I called my dr.'s office this AM after spending a horrible night in pain. As I stated in an earlier post, I had an SI injection last Tues. He gave me a script for 5 days of vicodin, which seemed to at least mask the pain. Well, obviously, the 5 days are long past, so I called for a refill or another pain reliever, as I am in SIGNIFICANT pain. I left a message with the receptionist regarding my situation, and the dr. called me back about 2 hours later, at 11 AM. He asked me all kinds of questions, then said he would have the staff call in a script for 3 weeks of vicodin, to be taken as needed. I just called the pharmacy, and they said nothing was called in. I called the dr.'s office, and of course it's closed at this time on a Friday evening.

I am so upset! Now it won't be until at least Monday until I can get my medicine. If it didn't hurt so bad, I wouldn't care b/c I have no desire to become addicted, but I HURT!

My kids are doing the Relay for Life with my sister tomorrow starting at 11 AM. I may have my dh take me to the ER if things don't improve before then. I REALLY don't want to do that as we are going on vacation starting next Wed. I know, the chances of me not being able to go are slim, considering the state of health care in our country, but what if they WOULD decide I need surgery?? This is a surprise trip to Disney World for our girls and I will NOT screw it up (and of course we didn't buy vacation insurance).

Anyway, thanks for reading my rant. I guess maybe it's time to hire a new doctor!

[Warpy]

1. Doctors often forget what they're doing between the patient

and the chart, even in the hospital. I can't tell how many times patients have tried to tear me a new one because the doctor forgot to write something down. A call to his emergency service is in order NOW, and if you don't get action by the time the pharmacy closes, then a visit to the ER is definitely in order.

Being rousted out of bed at 1 AM by a call from an ER doc tends to jog even the most recalcitrant physician's memory.

My guess is that this was an ordinary lapse, horrible for you but common to overworked doctors. Cut him a little slack for now, but if it happens again, ask for a referral to a pain service.

You deserve nothing less.

[yasmina27]

2. I know, doctors are human too

I guess they even go to the bathroom too:). As a teacher, I am also often the subject of superhuman traits.

I called their "afterhours" line. They don't have an answering service. All I get is, "if this is a true medical emergency, go to the ER, if not, leave a msg. and we will call you back during our next business hours".

I just checked the pharmacy again - nada. I will try again in an hour, just in case there is someone still in the office, "cleaning up" unfinished business, so to speak.

Otherwise, I may be visiting the ER tomorrow :( refusing any treatment that may hinder our vacation.

[yasmina27]

3. OK

so I called the dr's office this AM. Made it through the weekend with the generous help of my neighbors, who, Friday eve. after bitching about what happened, had some Vicodin. I offered to pay them whatever it cost for them, but they declined.

I called this morning and explained what happened. They said it was probably because they don't call in prescriptions for narcotics. I replied that I knew that was their office policy, that I had spoken w/ the dr. (new to their practice), who specifically said that they would call it in. I don't have a problem with their policy of not calling scripts in, but if that was the case, someone could have called to let me know. I said that I am available to pick up the script, if the new dr. was not correct in saying they would call it in.

So w/in 1/2 hour, someone called me and said they had just called in the prescription. Picked it up a few hours ago.

I hate being on the meds, but it's better than the pain.