fine whine and other challenges

[Guest guest]

I don't write a lot on this list (or any other for that matter). One of

my pain issues is arthritis in my hands, which makes typing painful. But I

take great comfort from watching the interactions on this supportive list.

Right now I'm so annoyed with my Doctor I could scream. I'm a Kaiser

Permanente patient and haven't looked into the procedure for changing

doctors, but it's something I need to do. I've tried a number of times to

talk to her about my need for adequate medication and support services for

the pain from my various health problems. It's the weirdest thing, every

time I ask for a referral to pain clinic or ask to have paperwork filled out

so I can get home health services she acts like she didn't hear me. She

doesn't say " yes " , " no " or " kiss my ass " . She doesn't respond at all.

I saw her yesterday. I asked, once again for a referral to the pain

clinic. I went in pretty well prepared. I'd downloaded and filled out the

pain assessment survey posted the link for a week or so age. I'd drawn

pictures with arrows pointing to the specific areas I'm having pain from.

She looked at the stuff but the closest thing to a reaction I was able to

get was the suggestion that I buy myself a bottle of Tylenol Arthritis and

use that. I'd just told her that Vicodin wasn't doing much more that taking

the edge off and I wasn't able to do many of the things I love - sewing,

sculpting clay ..... - because of the pain. I've already told her several

times that cleaning my house, which I was always able to do in a couple of

hours, now takes a day or more plus several days to recover. I've told her

that several times. I've always been a real neatnik, now I live in what I

used to call clutter and filth because I can't keep up with it anymore.

My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get the referral. I've been

depressed, irritable and discouraged for months. He can't refer outside his

specialty in this system. I generally use denial to keep myself from tears

and furry. I feel like I'm close to the end of my rope, though I'm not sure

what my next step would be.

Thanks for " listening "

Jana

whose sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[Guest guest]

" Jana L. Menefee " wrote:

> <snipped>

> My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get the referral. I've been

> depressed, irritable and discouraged for months. He can't refer outside his

> specialty in this system. I generally use denial to keep myself from tears

> and furry. I feel like I'm close to the end of my rope, though I'm not sure

> what my next step would be.

Since you went to the trouble of charting your pain, your primary care doctor

obviously is aware that you are in serious pain. If she knows that both you and

your psychiatrist want you to have a referral and still hasn't referred you --

then it's time to find a new doctor.

Don't know about anyone else, but my first step would be to find out what the

procedure is for changing primary care doctors and then change immediately. No

sense wasting days in denial and furry or in tears.

Why pay someone for such shoddy treatment? There is a better physician out

there just waiting for you to be his/her patient :-)

My five cents

(two cents won't buy me nuthin' anymore:-)

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

" Jana L. Menefee " wrote:

> <snipped>

> My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get the referral. I've been

> depressed, irritable and discouraged for months. He can't refer outside his

> specialty in this system. I generally use denial to keep myself from tears

> and furry. I feel like I'm close to the end of my rope, though I'm not sure

> what my next step would be.

Since you went to the trouble of charting your pain, your primary care doctor

obviously is aware that you are in serious pain. If she knows that both you and

your psychiatrist want you to have a referral and still hasn't referred you --

then it's time to find a new doctor.

Don't know about anyone else, but my first step would be to find out what the

procedure is for changing primary care doctors and then change immediately. No

sense wasting days in denial and furry or in tears.

Why pay someone for such shoddy treatment? There is a better physician out

there just waiting for you to be his/her patient :-)

My five cents

(two cents won't buy me nuthin' anymore:-)

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

" Jana L. Menefee " wrote:

> <snipped>

> My psychiatrist has been encouraging me to get the referral. I've been

> depressed, irritable and discouraged for months. He can't refer outside his

> specialty in this system. I generally use denial to keep myself from tears

> and furry. I feel like I'm close to the end of my rope, though I'm not sure

> what my next step would be.

Since you went to the trouble of charting your pain, your primary care doctor

obviously is aware that you are in serious pain. If she knows that both you and

your psychiatrist want you to have a referral and still hasn't referred you --

then it's time to find a new doctor.

Don't know about anyone else, but my first step would be to find out what the

procedure is for changing primary care doctors and then change immediately. No

sense wasting days in denial and furry or in tears.

Why pay someone for such shoddy treatment? There is a better physician out

there just waiting for you to be his/her patient :-)

My five cents

(two cents won't buy me nuthin' anymore:-)

--

Lyndi

[Guest guest]

Mabye you could get your phycholistgest to send you to pain clinic becuse it

is intreffreing with you progress,that way he wont be out side his field,I

would change doctors it takes phone call ,They reasign you,but make sure

its in your area,sorry you hurt so bad

[Guest guest]

Jana,

I think you DEFINITELY need to change doctors! I can't believe your

doctor has ignored and dismissed your requests and complaints so

many times! Clearly she isn't the right doctor for you! But until

you can change docs, have you thought of having your psychiatrist

contact her? He might be able to make more headway with her, or she

might be more apt to listen to him since he's a " peer " . It's sad,

but a lot of doctors are more willing to listen to another doctor

than they are to their patients. It's a thought.

No matter what, I hope you can find a new, good doctor who is

willing to listen to you and treat you with the care and respect you

deserve. NO ONE should have to go through what you are going

through with your doctor. She should have responded to your first

request with some sort of answer or explanation, and the suggestion

to buy a bottle of Tylenol Arthritis when Vicodin is already failing

you was clearly outrageous. Demand answers from her. You are

paying her for her services, and thus paying her salary. Don't let

her treat you like you are invisible when she doesn't want to answer

your questions. If all else fails, report her sub-standard

performance to whomever she answers to!

All my best,

Jen

[Guest guest]

Jana,

I think you DEFINITELY need to change doctors! I can't believe your

doctor has ignored and dismissed your requests and complaints so

many times! Clearly she isn't the right doctor for you! But until

you can change docs, have you thought of having your psychiatrist

contact her? He might be able to make more headway with her, or she

might be more apt to listen to him since he's a " peer " . It's sad,

but a lot of doctors are more willing to listen to another doctor

than they are to their patients. It's a thought.

No matter what, I hope you can find a new, good doctor who is

willing to listen to you and treat you with the care and respect you

deserve. NO ONE should have to go through what you are going

through with your doctor. She should have responded to your first

request with some sort of answer or explanation, and the suggestion

to buy a bottle of Tylenol Arthritis when Vicodin is already failing

you was clearly outrageous. Demand answers from her. You are

paying her for her services, and thus paying her salary. Don't let

her treat you like you are invisible when she doesn't want to answer

your questions. If all else fails, report her sub-standard

performance to whomever she answers to!

All my best,

Jen

[Guest guest]

Jana,

I think you DEFINITELY need to change doctors! I can't believe your

doctor has ignored and dismissed your requests and complaints so

many times! Clearly she isn't the right doctor for you! But until

you can change docs, have you thought of having your psychiatrist

contact her? He might be able to make more headway with her, or she

might be more apt to listen to him since he's a " peer " . It's sad,

but a lot of doctors are more willing to listen to another doctor

than they are to their patients. It's a thought.

No matter what, I hope you can find a new, good doctor who is

willing to listen to you and treat you with the care and respect you

deserve. NO ONE should have to go through what you are going

through with your doctor. She should have responded to your first

request with some sort of answer or explanation, and the suggestion

to buy a bottle of Tylenol Arthritis when Vicodin is already failing

you was clearly outrageous. Demand answers from her. You are

paying her for her services, and thus paying her salary. Don't let

her treat you like you are invisible when she doesn't want to answer

your questions. If all else fails, report her sub-standard

performance to whomever she answers to!

All my best,

Jen

[Guest guest]

Jana, if I were you, I'd go into that doctor's office for NO MORE than a

referral -- make an appointment for WHATEVER, or don't make an appointment...

however it works wherever you go and refuse to leave until they give you the

referral. Are you strong enough willed to do that? Take a friend for support

if you have to, but just REFUSE TO LEAVE until you have what you are -entitled-

to, which is #1pain relief, which will come from #2 that referral. I know it's

hard, but you just have to DO IT. If you're close enough by, I'll go with you.

I'm quite good at telling it how it is, and getting things done. *curtsies*

Sending love, hugs, and good energy your way,

in Iowa

[Guest guest]

Thanks for the offer. I'm pretty far away from you -- San Diego California. But

back in the mid 70's I lived in Fort Dodge for a couple of years, and then on a

farm between Fort Dodge and Humboldt for another couple of years. Where are you?

I've sent in the paperwork to get permission to change primary care doctors. For

those that don't know Kaiser is one of the largest HMOs in the United States.

And they DO have their procedures. For the most part I'm perfectly happy with

them. The woman I talked with in patient services didn't think I'd have any

trouble switching and said that I am allowed to research the doctors that are

available to get someone I think will be more compatible. There are some that

are known to be more responsive to chronic pain patients, and I'm in the process

of getting that information.

----- Original Message -----

From:

I know it's hard, but you just have to DO IT. If you're close enough by,

I'll go with you. I'm quite good at telling it how it is, and getting things

done. *curtsies*