Getting seriously mad at Dr's office

I had injections in my back on Thursday. They said it would take 3-4 days to take affect. As of yesterday, I'm worse off than before I had them. I can not stand up straight, I was up all night. The only time the pain is bearable is when I'm soaking in the bathtub.

I called the Dr's office yesterday at 1:30. They set up a appt. for another MRI on Tuesday. The nurse never called back like she said she would about what to do about the pain.

So, I called again this morning. Explained I had a miserable night and she said the Dr. still had not gotten back to her, but that she would call me. Four hours later I'm still waiting close to tears. Hubby is p*ssed!

I don't feel comfortable calling them again, I know it's a red flag of "drug seeking" behavior to harass office staff, but I feel the way I'm being treated right now is barbaric.

Have your husband call as you are too wracked by pain to be able to talk. That might get a freakin reaction. He is right to be pissed! And if he calls not you, the drug seeking risk is less.

What jerks!

Anna has been to a wonderful pain doctor located in Palos Heights. She didn't prescribe pain meds, but she did other treatments. The reason she didn't prescribe pain meds is because we already had a doctor for that. But she did an epidural on Anna's herniated disc and IV infusions for pain (all were highly successful for a period of time).

If you want to think about seeing a new doctor, I'd highly recommend her. We always call her our angel doc. She really knows her stuff.

Let me know.

I'm sorry what you already tried didn't help you!

Cheryl

I ditto Alli's idea. Have the hubby call - it's not unjustified and it sounds like you are deteriorating. Sorry you're hurting Charlotte.

Hubby is a very gentle, laid-back, soft spoken man who avoids confrontation at all costs (guess who wins all the fights at our house? ).

I asked him if he would call the Dr's office and he said "You're DAMN right, I'll call them!!!" Unfortunately, the Dr's office is closed for the lunch hour and he won't be free from work to call until after 2:00.

But, at least I feel like I'm doing something.

Well, Hubby called and the nurse told him they were going to wait and see what shows up on the MRI on the 23rd! Hubby said I couldn't wait that long, that I couldn't stand up straight, couldn't sit straight...She said she would call right back.

She didn't.

I knew the office quit answering the phones at 4:30, so I called at 4:25. Got the same nurse. SHe put me on hold and came back and said he would prescribe me something stronger but that it couldn't be called in, I would have to pick it up. Oh, and their office closes at 5:00. I live 40 minutes away!!!!!

By golly, I made it. I haven't driven that fast since my law enforcement days. When I got there they already had the glass part of the office locked up and were walking around to lock the office door.

My leg and back are absolutely searing right now, since I had to run down the stairs (well, wasn't much of a run, more of a hop, gimp, hop...but it was faster than waiting for the elevator).

I don't think the nurse even talked to the Dr. until the last time I called as the Dr. was very generous with what he gave me.

So much frustration. I still feel close to tears.

Aww darling, you know what...I've dealt with this with my migraine pain. I should have told you earlier about this but I had completely forgot. Dismiss the dumb B*t@# of a receptionist and tell her you need to speak to a doctor before the office closes or otherwise you will need the number to the office manager. Reception has no right knowing about your pain, your situation or anything about your medical care so don't talk to them about it. When they ask what is this in regards to (as they always do) say I am calling in regards to a prescription. I need to speak with my doctor. Make it short, sweet and simple. Even better, I am calling in regards to a serious procedure I had done a few days ago. I believe I am having complications. I need a call back right away from my doctor.

Next time you will get a call back from your doctor. Then you tell the doctor your situation and the doctor will not give you the run around. It will be a lot less stressful, you won't get frustrated and everything will be much better. I have been batted down by way too many receptionists with their heads in the clouds pretending to be MD's. It's their job to be the gateway to the doctor so you must be firm with them and tell them YOU MUST get through to the MD. You pay them to be your caretaker! They are your PM specialist so they should MANAGE your PAIN!

I'm so sorry you are having a rough time. I hope you feel much better as soon as your meds kick in! Please let us know how you are feeling in the coming days. I am worried about the pain you are in from the injections.

what a terrible nurse... people like that shouldn't be working with the public. When someone calls my office a couple of times and not happy, I get on my boss about returning the call or else tell me what to say. That is part of my job, making sure the clients are happy. Seems simple, doesn't it?

My guess is that she is not actually a nurse. I suspect she is a MOA. I agree with lovegia, however, always remember the gatekeeper needs to be happy to open the gate. Piss one off and they can make your life a living hell.

You know, nurses really do make or break a doctors office. I've had my share of plain awful ones and you have to deal but get their attention. Just makes you wonder why they went into nursing in the first place. The best ones, you want to bring a treat for - usually they go above and beyond what you expect.

Most office staff in doc's offices are not nurses.

It's really important to know that... as nurses go to school a heck of a lot longer then MOA's or receptionists. Most of the office staff we deal with have little to no medical knowledge.

Never assume the person you are talking to actually understands what you are talking about.

I'm certainly not saying this is always the case, but it's something to remember.

I often bribe the office staff myself with small gestures of kindness or gifts and such. A lot of politeness on the good days makes them notice when you are having a bad one.

Well, I managed to remain gracious when I got there. I was raised on the "“Tart Words make no Friends: a spoonful of honey will catch more flies than Gallon of Vinegar.” (Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)theory of life and for the most part it has served me well. It's much better to start of soft and escalate to hard if needed, but almost impossible to start off hard and back pedal to soft if that doesn't work.

Good point Milo. I know my regular doctors all have nurses and if I have a problem I call and ask to speak to them. However, I rarely see the nurse at an appointment. We have CMA's that do the question asking at appointments.

Sorry to weigh in so late here Charlotte, and really nothing new to add except my sincerest wishes that you are out of pain asap. I'm so sorry you had to go through this type of frustration on top of excruciating pain in your back, and so very, very sorry the procedure did not work as I know you had hoped that this would provide some real relief.
Big hugs and really hoping that you are pain free very soon.

If it was a steroid inj you are having a steroid flare. That can last for several days then you will feel better. If it was a steroid inj you may need several more to see some improvement . I've been getting steroid inj into joints for years and sometimes the flare is pretty severe pain. Hang in there.
kathy

Yes, Kathy, it was a steroid injection. Cortizone and Lidocaine. Thanks for sharing your experience with me. It's good to know there's still hope!

What's so frustrating is I was only having problems on the right side, but they did injections in both sacri-iliac joints. Now it's my left side that is giving me fits.

My physical therapist called me a "problem child" today. Made me smile though, I've haven't been called that since my folks passed away