Waited 2 months for an appt. & THEY TURN ME AWAY!

Diseases & Conditions Rheumatoid Arthritis
1
I made an appointment to see a pain specialist 2 months ago.  Of course, I had to wait till Jan 4th.  FINE! NO PROBLEM!  I've been to this doc before.
Today I call to confirm the time & to see how much the payment is.
                                                             FINE
An hour later I get a call:
"Uh, we don't take medicaid patients anymore"
So what does that mean? Can't I pay cash? I'll pay out of pocket because they told me 2 months ago they didn't accept medicaid.
"Oh, OK....let me check and call you back."
 
An hour later I get a call from the office by a different girl confirming my appointment for tomorrow at 445pm.
 
An hour later they call back and say that I cannot come in because I have medicaid which they do not accept and they can't take money from me.
"Put the doctor on the phone" I say.
 
"I'm gonna keep this real short....I can't see you, your appointments been cancelled and I'm not losing my liscense over this alright!"    click
 
So now I'm without an appt. no pain meds....my knees are getting worse as the day goes on, and I cried for 3 hours.
Called my primary, I hope he can help me or at least straighten this mess out.
 
If I were a Dr. I would NEVER conduct business like that EVER!  Apparantly these are social skills lacking people, incompetent, uneducated, uninformed, idiots working at this place and obviously the Dr is not doing a great job managing his employees if they go around making appointments and gathering info and failing to inform clients about issues such as this.
 
A real disgrace. 
Shame on them.
 
erin
2
Hi Erin,

I usually post in the Lupus forum, but I saw this topic and I felt really bad for you. (((((((Erin))))))), hugs for you sis!!! I know how painful the waiting can be. That doc was a real cad!! Make sure you let the referring doctor know what he did to you, ok? It seems to me that you are (in the long run) better off not getting treated by the guy. I hope your GP can help you to get in quickly to someone who will really care well for you. When you make your appointment, tell the receptionist that you would like to be placed on a cancelation list. That way, if someone cancels, they can call her. Make sure you are willing to drop what your doing or leave work to get in there too. I hope this helps a little.

Blessings!

In His Grip,
AlwaysRosie          "We can't control the waves, but we can learn to surf!"
Psalms 139
UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease), Hashimoto's, Plantar Fasciitis, Inflamatory Arthritis, High BP, GI Inflamation, Diverticuloses
Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Synthroid, RX Motrin, Lexapro, Amitriptelyne, Salagen, Lotrel (Centrum Silver, B12, B6, Calcium+D, Glucosamine, MSM, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed Oil, Vit C)
 
For lots of clickable links, click here: LUPUS RESOURCES

3

Dear AlwaysRosie,

Thank you dear. It does help...not the joint pain!...but it does help.  Unfortunatley what makes me sick is that this happens to people everyday...I know it.  I've worked with Dr's like this and have worked in offices that have employees and doctors who are totally incompetent (professionally) and have no regard on how they conduct themselves.

But I'm sure you know...when you're sick, and in a major amount of pain, and hanging on another day to FINALLY see someone who MAY help you....AND GET THIS????  It makes ya even sicker.  Emotionally I'm a mess now, been on the bowl (have CD as well, on the toilet all day but after that fiasco....forget it!...need a new toilet seat now). And as you know again, emotional trauma and stress makes autoimmune disease WORSE!

Going to the ER for RA joint pain I think is ridiculous.  I refuse to go anymore unless I'm about to go through the window! Everytime I had to go for RA pain to the ER, the ER physicians always ask, "Why don't you have proper pain meds and stronger ones for bad flares?"  And the I feel like a fool!

Thank you for your reply Rosie.  It's gonna be a long night.

My PCP is a teddy bear, he hasn't called tonight as of yet. But most likely I'll hear in the morning.  He gets frustrated too at some of the Dr's I've seen.

I wish you well.  Trying to keep it together.  Talking helps. 

The best to you.

Sincerely,

Erin


4
Aw Erin how rotten. But, be glad this all happened today and not tomorrow. It would have been worse to have shown up at his office and been treated this way in front of other patients.

I am shocked at him telling you he was not going to lose his license. What did he mean by that?

Be glad he isn't your dr. I doubt he would have helped you in the long run. Hugs coming your way & hold it together till morning when you talk to your PCP. Susie

5
Oh Erin, I am so sorry... have you heard from your PCP yet? How did you do last night? I had to work late, and didn't get to check my email, so sorry if you emailed my... once I am able to check it (I'm still at work) I will email you back (if you emailed me) :) Hang in there Sweetie, and is there any type of compliant/grievance you can file against this doc?

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

6

Thanks Susie & Ducky,

I did manage to avoid the ER.  Up till 0330am though.  It's 1230pm now...no call yet but I do not think my PCP gets in the ofice till 2 o'clock.

I had a lot of hope in this appt. too!  Which is why I feel suck a stab in the gut on top of it all.  Last year when I saw him...he was way cool, up to date on things, took his time, and really was good with arthritics.

Oh WELL!!!!  Trying on my own to keep the pain level at the most tolerable I can for the time being.

I pray I get some help today.

I'll keep you all posted.

Your care and thoughts were lifesavers...(mindsavers rather!).  Erin

ps....about filing a complaint? word of mouth is even better!!!  People ask for my suggestions around here, I'll be sure to tell them my story.  Really want nothing to do with the jerk ever again.  My primary will, I am sure, give him a piece of his mind when he sees em'.  He sticks up for me. 

7
eyes  no call STILL from my PCP. eyes but my honey spoke to the docs he works with and they all agreed that this pain doc was a real a** for doing what he did.  if all else fails and i don't hear from my primary by 3pm...i can have a script written for me to last me until i see SOMEBODY about this.
aha!  this is when MD friends come in handy.
hope this clears up soon.
sad  
8
Good to always have a back-up... let us know when/if you hear anything!

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

9
eyes  okay, so i waited patiently for the PCP to call me back until 3pm.
                                                       nadda!
i called.....no one has any idea of what i'm talking about.
 
"oh sorry, today was his early day he'll be in tomorrow, we'll be sure to get this to him then."
 
oh great.  wonderful huh?
called my honey....he'll call in a script for me tonight before he leaves work.  but ya know...shouldn't MY doctor be doing this???? argh!!!!!
i really think all these people should A.) go to etiquette scool   and  B.) go to business school and major in "COMMUNICATIONS"  mad
10
Oh Erin... at least your Honey pulled through for you... here's to a better tomorrow!

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

11
redface  Mmmmmm, yeah the Joey is a good bean.  I'm happy that he went & talked to our friend and explained what happened.  The whole practice agreed that what this A-hole did was way wrong & that he's a big jerk.
Have scripts for Dilaudid 4mg for breakthrough pain & MScontin extended release.
Hopefully tomorrow I will see/or talk to my PCP for a suggestion on who to see for pain management.  Not only do I need meds, but PT and some rehab as well.
I'm exhausted I tell ya.  This is really tollingand draining to the psyche.
Joints are still hurting badly....but at least I can avoid the ER.
Feel awful with the throbbing.  But that's probably due to extra stress aggrevating the RA.
Hope this gets easier.
Erin
 
Thanks for listening. VIEW IMAGE 
12

Aaaawww, Erin, I'm so sorry I wasn't "here" for you!!! Your picture is so sad! sad   I hope the temporary Rx is helping you and that you get some help tomorrow from your doc.

I know how much you were looking forward to that appt. and all I can say to that doctor is SHAME SHAME SHAME ON YOU! I hope you have a bellyache of guilt right now and are dreaming dreams of shame of your disgraceful bedside manner! nono

Erin, I hope this new year brings the help you have been so desperately trying to get and need from SDI, the medical profession, and other services.

**

 

13
As do I!  2006 has been rotten and it's only been 5 days!  I don't have my new meds yet.  He had to write them & give them to Joe because the pharmacy needs the originally Rx due to it being a controlled substance.  No call-ins for these meds.  BUMMER. sad
Have 2 morphines leftover (expired of course)  tongue  .  But I'll have the new meds tomorrow afternoon, SPECIAL DELIVERY!, ooh...maybe he'll come bearing flowers as well!  A girl can dream huh? LOL.
Here's to a better tomorrow...I'm ready for this to be over.
I'm happy to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Erin 
14
Here's hopin' the flowers come with the meds! :-)

 

15
Hey Erin, how are you feeling? Did you get your meds? Any news from your PCP?

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots

16
Hey Duck,
Have I heard from my PCP?  Now why would that happen? tongue Nah, not yet....but given it only being 1030am, I'm not that inpatient yet.  eyes I'll be calling this afternoon AGAIN if I don't hear by then.
Feeling BAD.  sad Was up till 6am!!  Way too uncomfortable to sleep.  Even with the morphines, I had to take 5 over 6 hours... and after the initial hour...the throbbing would come back in the shoulder/elbows/knees. sad
BUT..."Untamed" Heart" came on at 330am so that was good!  :-) Never saw that one before...it was OK.  But who am I to complain @ 5am? LOL. 
Erin's hurtin'.....waiting for Joey to drop of my scripts.   VIEW IMAGE 
I need steroid injections in my knees too.  Wish the rheummy was across the street.
I'm ready for bed.
erin
17

at 530pm tonight my PCP called in a script to my pharmacy....

                      something i can't take!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                          an NSAID!

what a duh!  he must be scatter brained.  Oy!

but i do have an appt at 130 monday. hooray.  gee wiz

at least i got the dilaudid till then.
 
18

Oh for crying out loud! What's going on over there???? When it rains it POURS, Erin, I'm so sorry to hear about this week's mishaps. What an awful situation to be in. I wish I could help you out!

Take care, I hope you can make it through the weekend with what you have. I will be thinking of you.

**

 

19
sad  thanks Camama.  you're sure right.  thank the Lord i had that other Rx or else ER i would have been!  NSAIDS????  what the ****???? eyes it's kinda funny thinking about it now...but that's only because my butt is covered.
i'm bummed though  sad ...Joe doesn't want me to come up for the weekend.  "I don't want you up here like this".  huh???  the ONE thing i look forward to, and I AIN'T GOING ANYWHERE!  given i'm quite ill....but i'm still fun and can still have a laugh!  it's not like i lay there and moan and complain!  i do my best!
but like i said...he does get depressed when things with me get real bad.  i just hate being lonely.
ya know what i feel like?  i feel like when you're watchin' a chanell on TV and something REALLY CRAPPY comes on....and ya start flickin through the stations.  yeah, like that!
i actually feel better, get better rest and am happy when i'm with him.  no matter how bad i am. just when i needed this the MOST too, after all that's happenned this week. i couldn't wait to just be with him.
my feelings are hurt & i am bringing it up tomorrow when i talk to him.
if ya want to be alone for the weekend to get your mind straight...FINE....that i can appreciate and understand....but don't tell me you don't want me like this!
am i making sense?
2006 stinks man!!
20
Oh Erin, like CaMama said, if it's not one thing it's another... I'm sorry sweetie, have you talked to Joe yet today?  I know it's early, but wasn't sure when you talked to him... Maybe it just came out wrong.. he didn't really mean to say it the way he did... Hang in there, we're here, and Pea will keep you company! :-)

Diagnosed January 2005 - Psoriatic Arthritis/Spondylitis
-Currently taking 50mg shot weekly of Enbrel
Diagnosed May 1998 - Graves Disease
-Complete Thyroidectomy September 1998 - While 11 weeks pregnant
Other Complications - GERD/Scoliosis/Hiatal Hernia/Graves Disease of the Eyes
Current Meds -  Enbrel/Prevacid/Synthroid
Past Meds - Inderal/PTU/Prednisone/Voltaren/Feldene/Mobic/Cortisone and Steroid Shots