With low back pain being the number reason why millions of Americans miss work, you would think hospitals around the country would be more compassionate with people who suffer from chronic low back pain. Being a chronic pain sufferer myself who suffers from low back pain with a herniated disc, I know too well how ER doctors treat patients seeking help for some kind of relief. It seems as soon as you walk in and tell them the reason your here to see the doctor is for back pain, your immediately cast in a different light.
The ironic thing in today’s modern times, hospitals and ER doctors have available, and can look up information on patients that have on record tests such as, MRI’s, CT scans, or any other type of documentation to verify a diagnosis the patient is complaining of. With so many people falsely going to ER rooms complaining of back pain just to get medication, they should actually do a little research before they put you in that category of just seeking medication.
For instance, I waited 2 hours in the waiting room, after I got back to see the ER physician, I waited in the room for an additional hour just to hear the nurse tell me I need to go see my primary care physician about substance abuse. I was in shock. I could not believe they thought I was there seeking medications and not truly suffering from pain. When just recently I had two MRI’s taken at this same hospital showing indeed I do suffer from herniated discs, and other back problems as well. To add insult to injury, I received a bill the following week charging me for the visit. I wonder what did they do for me. What did they charge me for? The only thing they did in all reality is turn me away. So why do they charge me for turning me away in my time of need.
Unless your in a horrible car wreck, or your wheeled in by ambulance on a stretcher, going to the ER room for pain is a waste of time and money. Not only is it a waste of time and money, your humiliated by the whole ordeal. People who suffer from chronic pain are simply not believed. For whatever the reason may be, ER doctors do not want to treat people in pain. Chronic pain sufferers in America are discriminated again tremendously. Everyone who suffers from pain should write their congressman or senators. Something has to be done. Seems doctors are taken the war on drugs against the innocent, against the people who truly suffer from chronic daily pain. There is something wrong with this picture. America has the best healthcare in the world, but yet you cant get treated for something as simple as low back pain. I just pray for the millions of Americans who are in the same situation they that somehow will find a compassionate doctor who truly understands pain. Seems most doctors today are more interested in what’s best for them, and not the patient. Don’t they still take an oath to help the sick and hurting? Sometimes I wonder
Robert Gould
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/think-twice-about-going-to-the-emergency-room-for-back-pain-35107.html
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#1 by Holly G on August 11th, 2009
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My husband still has the rash, and we have been to the emergency room twice! Can anyone help? Please?
I posted about my husband’s odd rash about 2 weeks ago. He was (still is) having symptoms of : nausea, fatigue, muscle & joint pain, can’t sleep, dizzy, blacking out, elevated blood sugar, blurry vision, coughing, vomiting, and now he has dropped 16lbs in 9 days.
Well, we went to the emergency room, and they checked him out, and kept him there for 12 hours to monitor him. They took his vitals, took blood, and x-rays of his chest, back, and throat. The dr. he was seeing told him, "ok i’m going to do 2 blood test, and one being lyme disease, and if it comes back NEGATIVE AND WITH WHAT I DO NOT WANT TO SEE, i will do a 3rd test." They ended up doing a 3rd test, and sending him home with "Doxycycline", and that was a 7 day supply. Well that made the rash look better, but did nothing else for his symptoms. The dr. called and said "you should see a internal medicine specialist right away, and i made you a appt. for May 11th, thats as soon as he can see you".
So…we went to another hospital, and they did pretty much the same thing, except they didn’t give him any medicine and said "we do not know what is wrong with you, you should see a internal medicine specialist"…
So i went to the director of the first hospital we saw, and demanded answers, and he said "i’m sorry we are still studying his bloodwork, thats all i can tell you". He was such a a**hole, and didnt even care.
After i left there, i went to the emergency room, and saw the nurse (and she remembered me), and she told me to try and get my husbands appt. moved up, b/c he was very sick. (no sh*t)
I am lost, and do not know what to do. Can someone please give me any ideas, or any thoughts of what this might be?
Thanks a million!! Take Care!!
#2 by kari on August 11th, 2009
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if you are close to UVA or john hopkins take him there ASAP and forget the ER! i hope he feels better. i wish you all the best.
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