Update on my partner...

[Guest guest]

Okay, so I just spoke with my partner.

RECAP:

His pain and swelling are so intense that he has not been able to

bathe himself for about 1 month. His first visit for the ReA (not yet

diagnosed) was on August 8. They had him on a sleeping medication for

about a week and he has been taking Volteran for about 12 days, and

the pain and swelling persist.

UPDATE:

He went to the emergency room again today - pain unbearable. I told

him to ask if Prednisone could be prescribed as the Volteran is not

helping much. Of course, the doctor was indignant at the suggestion.

They told him that since they want to run more tests on the 1st of

September, and they won't have the results until the 10th of

September, they would not consider giving him any other medication

until the 10th.

I am hitting a 'cultural wall' here in addressing this issue. I would

like him to go to a private doctor outside the social system as I feel

this delay is unreasonable. He is uncomfortable with doing this as it

would be an insult to his current doctors. I maintain that the

current level of treatment he is receiving is inadequate at best and I

find this insulting.

I can 'let go' and just let things progress as they are or I can get

active and look for other health care providers. Also, his

friends/family are offended that I would even suggest that he inquire

about Prednisone. Seem like it is a cultural taboo to advocate for

oneself - medically speaking - in Spain.

I am truly lost here.

My questions are:

1. Does waiting more than a month to receive effective treatment such

as Prednisone for a condition that has already received a diagnosis

seem unreasonable?

2. Can permanent damage result from being swollen for so much time?

3. Should I back-off and let things progress as they are?

Thanks in advance for your responses.