Medical horror stories!

[GirlinContempt]

http://members.shaw.ca/webwhore/Doctors.doc

So, there it is, my story from start to finish, as much as I remember, as it stands. If you feel like reading seven pages of complete and total incompetence, click on that link! If you want to learn about the sort of doctors who should be thrown off of bridges, click that link!

Seriously, I'm keeping a record because this is so out of control. and I'm about a day away from totally snapping and losing my fucking mind, literally, I have no idea how I've gone this god damn long without completely flipping my lid. Sure, I've broken down and become hysterical,but I haven't yet REALLY gone TOTALLY over the edge. And I will. I just wish that fucking asshole doctor could be around for it. PEOPLE CANNOT GO THIS LONG WITHOUT SLEEP IN THIS MUCH FUCKING PAIN. THEY CAN NOT.

I am SO FURIOUS and ANGRY and MAD and HURT and UPSET and DESPERATE and A MILLION OTHER THINGS.

And.
I.
HATE.
My.
Life.

And I'm really fucking scared.

This has taken me a long time to write, this post. I can't sit down here you see. So, I may or may not reply to you, and who knows when it will be. Please don't take it personally. My life is a fucking nightmare right now.

[JVS]

1. .

[bicentennial_baby]

2. I read it all...Jesus Christ, woman

Hugs aren't really appropriate. I'm speechless. I wish I was there to help you, damnit.

[HEyHEY]

3. Sorry, Aly

I know it seems hopeless, but eventually it will be fixed.

[AlCzervik]

4. i read it.

i don't know how you're still functioning and i'm sorry that you're in so much pain and you cannot get the help you need, this is like some form of legalized torture.

[Starry Messenger]

5. Holy...

I read that too. I'm so sorry. How fucking terrifying. I hope that the new help comes swiftly and gets that fixed!

MPK

[littlebit]

6. That is horrible

that you are having to go through this. Herniated disks are easy to diagnose. Why will they not send you for an MRI? That could have saved you months of pain. I sure hope that you are able to get the care you need soon.

[ghostsofgiants]

7. Shit.

That is horrible.

Oh yeah, the t-shirt finaally showed up. Thanks!

[GirlinContempt]

17. Do you like it?

I couldn't get the other one I was thinking of in your size.

[ghostsofgiants]

19. What was the other one?

Yeah, I enjoy it indeed, though the orange is a little brighter than I'm used to wearing, ahah. But hey, zombies = <3, haha.

[GirlinContempt]

21. It didn't look that bright on the internet

Sorry

Oh, I was talking to you about those pulp shirts

[ghostsofgiants]

22. It's cool, I still dig it.

[BuelahWitch]

8. I am so sorry

No one should have to live like that.

[Danger Mouse]

9. What can I say...hang in there.

[Crabby Appleton]

10. I have herniated L3-L4-L5-S1 disks, your description sounds

just like it. It will be quite apparent on an MRI or CT if that's what you have. I know the frustration as well since it took many doctor visits over more than 3 months to figure out that what it was. Hang in there, it will get better.

[Solon]

11. Damn...

I wish I was there to help you, I just don't know what else to say.

[lightningandsnow]

12. ...

[madrchsod]

13. sports medicine?

i think the last doctor you mentioned was on the right track.....

[tigereye]

14. I am so sorry!

I hope that you find the right docs to help you and to get some relief.

[I Have A Dream]

15. I'm so sorry that you have to go through this.

[GirlinContempt]

16. Thanks guys.

Hopefully someone figures their shit out and starts acting like a fucking professional before I throw myself in front of a train or something. Jesus H Christ.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. Sorry you have to go through this

My brother the occupational medicine doc says that his colleagues are too quick to blithely prescribe drugs instead of looking diligently for the cause of the pain, which is not always obvious.

It sure sounds like something to do with your spine. I hope they track it down real soon.

[Whoa_Nelly]

20. GIC

I have always had great respect for you here on DU.


I really hope you are on your way to finding relief from all your pain.
Am holding you in my thoughts and heart that you find a caring doctor who will help you, and also help you manage your pain.

Have you looked into this site?
http://www.spineuniverse.com/search/doctors/CA/manitoba... /

Much love and care,
Nelly

[orleans]

23. my god. i hope you find some real help soon.

there is nothing worse than being in pain.

i'm sure your ct or mri will do the trick. then you'll be able to start solving the problem.

hang in there.

hug and kiss for you.

[BreweryYardRat]

24. Poor kid.

Doctors with know-it-all/god complexes are some of the worst jackoffs on the face of the earth. On the bright side, it sounds like you've got good documentation -- can you sue for malpractice in Canada? They've certainly demonstrated gross incompetence.

[GirlinContempt]

29. My Dad wants to take it to a lawyer

and the media and on and on. He's nearly as pissed off as I am. Maybe more so in some ways, because he doesn't also have to deal with the pain and sleeplessness etc, he can devote all his energy to being furious.

[BreweryYardRat]

33. Do so.

You deserve compensation for that ordeal.

[Phillycat]

25. Your doctor is a fucking moron.

You need a new PCP! I can't stress this enough. The bit about he can't order an MRI, he needs a CT, is just COMPLETE BULLSHIT.

Ah, I just got to the point where you said you are in Canada. Strike what I said above, I understand now. My husband warned me that countries with socialized medicine often balk at performing expensive tests like an MRI (which anyone with a brain can see you clearly need.)

I am so sorry. What a freaking mess. This is so awful.

[GirlinContempt]

30. Yeah

I mean, they won't if they believe you need it (balk at the testing that is), but my Dr is treating me like a delusional whacko, so I don't think he believes I need it.

The family friend Dr has no problem ordering one for me. I've been trying to find a new Dr, but its incredibly difficult in my situation.

I think basically they (my current Drs) think that because I've had some tests already (an MRI of my knee, x-rays) that I don't need anymore tests because there is nothing else to find. That's the feeling I get from them. And that's what the bullshit "What will you do if the tests don't show anything" partially says to me.

[Lyric]

26. It's incredibly upsetting to me to read your story.

Mostly because you're going through exactly what I went through five years ago.

You need to see an orthopedist and a spinal neurosurgeon, not a sports medicine doctor. The MRI will prove you right, have no fear--and if it doesn't, then demand to see a neurologist, because it's obviously damaged nerve pain.

I've had kidney stones, gallstone attacks, a c-section delivery of a 10 lb baby, and a swollen, infected, slightly perforated gallbladder that was so horrible I was on gorillacillins in the hospital for a month in order to get rid of the systemic infection. I know what pain is. And yet, NOTHING has ever hurt as badly as my herniated disc and the horrific sciatica that went with it. Nothing has even come close. The only difference is that, with kidney stones, nobody thinks you're lying about the pain--they BELIEVE you. That alone is an enormous psychological balm. When a doctor doesn't appear to believe you, and doesn't seem to be taking your pain seriously, it just makes it even worse.

For the record, Oxycontin doesn't really work any better than Percocet does. You can just take more *of* it, because it isn't laced with Tylenol. For my herniated disc, one medication that helped was called Neurontin--it's specifically for nerve pain. Try asking your docs about that. I don't know if it's available in Canada, but it's worth a try.

[GirlinContempt]

28. Oh I know about the percocet thing

it's just exactly that I would be able to take more, since they refuse to give me anything else.

[Phillycat]

27. PS. WHEN (not IF) you are vindicated by your MRI, take your story to the media.

[Midlodemocrat]

31. Good God, Aly!

I wish I lived near you or vice versa. I'm so sorry. So very, very sorry.

[Taverner]

32. I have a ruptured disk

If its any consolation (which it probably isn't) I agree it sucks.

Most doctors for me have been good, although it took me over a year to get an MRI. The drugs suck after a certain point.

[Sheets of Easter]

34. My gosh, I am so sorry.

Your story sounds like something straight out of Mystery Diagnosis. I hope this neurosurgeon will be able to pinpoint what is wrong.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

35. Lots of people here love you. Me, ça va sans dire, included. We're rooting for you.

And that brain-dead doctor needs a retroactive abortion.

[Magrittes Pipe]

36. Damn. Just damn.

I'm sorry, Aly.

[dolo amber]

37. Jaysus, A

<---very gently

My thoughts are with you.

[PeaceNikki]

38. :(

Hang in there.

[Richardo]

39. I hope that you get some relief from the pain soon

I can't imagine what it must be like

[terrya]

40. Oh, my God.

God, that's horrible.

Hang in there.

[jane_pippin]

41. Jesus christ.

I'm so sorry--that's horrible all around.

[Zuiderelle]

42. Love and hugs and hope for you.

I'm sorry you're going through all this.

[JoePhilly]

43. Good luck to you!! Here is my horror story ... it may give you some hope.

I was playing some basketball ... nothing rough ... just some HORSE.

I went to make a reverse lay-up and dislocated BOTH knees ... and snapped BOTH patella tendons ... and when I fell, I chipped a bone in my wrist.

My legs were pointing in different directions at the knee. My kids had been watching, so I had to try and act like it didn't hurt. I deserved an Oscar.

I had to have emergency surgery on labor day.

I spent a week in the hospital, then 3 weeks in a rehab facility. Originally, they thought I'd be there 8 weeks. I worked hard and got out in 3.

I wore braces on my legs from ankle to hip for 2 months, even sleeping in them.

Physical Therapy hurt so bad I wanted to give away the location of the secret missle locations. But I didn;t know it.

It's been almost 2 years ... and my legs almost work again ... can't run or jump, and stairs and hills are still tough ... but its getting better.

And I keep working at it ... my life is too good otherwise to give up.

So, I guess the point is, don't give up.

[Q3JR4]

44. OMG that sucks!

What the hell is wrong with health practitioners and their not listening to their patients? I don't get it!

I sincerely hope you get better. No one should be put through that ordeal.

Q3JR4.

[MonkeyFunk]

45. I'm still recovering from a herniated disc

that went out in February. I can walk for short distances now, and FINALLY I can sleep. I know what you mean about the intense pain and the not sleeping. For months, I didn't get more than 2 hours at a stretch.

Getting out of bed could take me half an hour or more - it was just excruciating to try to move my hips at all.

I had a few shots in the spine - lidocaine, liquid advil and cortisone, and that seemed to help me.

Sorry you're not getting better - I know how much it sucks. Hang in there.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

46. Check your PMs, please.

[skygazer]

47. I'm so sorry and I can relate to your frustration and pain

I went through something similar with my doctor who treated me like a hypochondriac child when I went to her with knee pain. It took over 2 years to get her to order an MRI which showed exactly what I had suspected - that I had a badly torn meniscus. Two surgeries later, I have little cartilage left in it and chronic pain, possibly because of the delay in treatment.

It is upsetting to me that many doctors seem to think we do not know our own bodies, that we are incapable of assessing our pain, that we can't rationally analyze whether a course of treatment is having the desired effect, etc.

I hope you find help and relief soon.

[GirlinContempt]

48. It is so, so, so infuriating!

Especially when, like in your case, you end up with permanent damage!

[Connonym]

49. OMG, I'm so sorry

I agree with several others who have posted that it sounds a lot like a herniated disk. I had 9 months of conservative treatment for a supposed pulled muscle before I finally had an MRI which diagnosed 2 adjacent herniated disks. I had tried accupunture, chiropractic, PT, everything. Almost more frightening than the pain was that sometimes I couldn't feel anything in my foot. The good news is that they can inject steroids and pain medication right into that area on your spine often with very good and quick results. I required 2 shots (a combination of steroids -- small local dose that doesn't have systemic reactions-- and localized pain medication right into the epidural layer of the spine) a couple weeks apart and I was able to mostly go back to normal. It's been 7 or 8 years now and occasionally I will have a flare up of pain or numbness in my leg but fortunately it doesn't last long. I really hope that you have an easy explanation like this and that you are able to find relief sooner rather than later. It's not right that you've been left feeling so miserable for so long. For what it's worth, severe intractable pain is considered an emergency by the doctors I work for. I'm happy you have your father to advocate for you because it's hard to be your own advocate when you feel so rotten.

Hopefully you'll soon have answers. In the meantime, is there anything we can do to boost your spirits?

[Bassic]

50. Good lord...

I'm sorry that you have to live in so much pain. I wish there was something I could do to help, you're too good a person to have to live through this kind of shit. For lack of better words: this sucks donkey balls.