ER trip last night.

I had a mig start on Saturday but wasn't anything I couldn't handle.

About 9:00p.m. on Sunday night it escalated to that point where I needed help.

I hadn't really slept Saturday night so I'm sure that didn't help any.

So my daughter took me to the ER.

In our ER it really depends on which Doctor or PA you get.

Some of them are just wonderful and will do anything they can to help.

Last night I got one that brought in my file and told me that he just couldn't believe that it took narcotics to relieve my pain.

Then he noticed that I take Percocet on a daily basis.

Well that really set him off.

He told me that he couldn't believe a responsible Doctor would think that was a good idea.

I explained to him that My Doctor has been working with me for the last 12 years and we truly have tried every drug he and I could come up with that might help my headaches with little success.

He asked me if I had ever seen a Neuro.

I told him that I have seen no less than 8 different one and everytime a new one comes to town, I always make an appt with him to see if they can offer me anything new to try.

Seen 3 headache "specialists" with no luck, and both pain management doctors in our area and they both wanted to put me on daily methadone.

I don't think he was prepared to hear that I had sought as much help as I have.

He still made me feel guilty about taking the meds I do and told me I needed to get off of them.

I wanted to cry.

He did finally give me the shot I needed but refused to give me the dose I usually get and acctually cut it in half.

Needless to say it didn't help much at all and had to see my doctor this morning.

Told my Doctor what I went thru last night and he seem really surprised by it all and said that this Doctor should not have treated me that way.

He said what they should do whatever is necessary to treat the pain until the patient can get help from their primary physician.

He asked me if this doctor was aware that I have been dealing with this for almost 20 years and that he and I have tried countless other drugs and therapies with no real success.

I said that I had told him that and he was also looking at my file so he knew this was a chronic problem for me.

Needless to say I just dread it when I have to go to the ER and am always so thankful when I am treated well when I go.

Thank goodness I don't have to go often.

Sorry, just had to vent about this.

I feel much better.

Cindy

I find ER docs can be variable............I have a friend who has to go to the ER fairly often and I am amazed at how ignorant some of them can be. If she or I ever have to go I try and call our family doc to let him know we are going in. If he is in town he can call into the ER and make sure that he is consulted on the treatment/drugs that are administered. I hate to bother him but if I don't and the ER doc makes things worse I know I will end up calling him the next day anyway so he can prescribe the correct treatment. I have the same trouble with hospitalists - they have such a reluctance to consult with our physicians/specialists that I now just go ahead and contact them myself so they can contact the hospitalist themselves to help make sure that things are done correctly.

Cindy, sorry you got a naive doctor. I am sure he meant well, but unfortunately it's going to be more common with all the anti-pain medication ferver going around. The rush to stop drug abusers is making it harder for those of us with real problems to get treatment. And many doctors can't tell the difference. If possible, maybe your doctor can leave a standing order with the hospital he is affiliated with?

I am simply staying away from ERs. Too many horror stories on here.

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

Actually, about 5 years ago I had a bad experience at the Er so my Doctor said he would call the head of the ER and see if he could do anything to make my visits easier.

The head of the ER told him that while he himself would have no problem giving me what I needed, he has to leave that decision up to the individual ER doctors.

Also, the Hospital here stopped allowing your primary physician to leave a standing order years ago.

I told my Doctor how much I appreciated the fact that he tried to help.

I just thank the good Lord that I don't have to deal with it any more often than I do.

Again, thanks for the replies.

Cindy

I am sorry you had to go to ER. I had not gone to ER for 5 months till Thanks giving Day. I wish you had my ER Drs. They are very good and care about me. Thats why I have a pain contract on file. Also the head of ER has told me to have Drs call him if any problems. Hope your doing better.