Bad drug choice by DR.-scary! long rant

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I didn't know any of the following until today..............A friend called her OB yesterday - she's had a raging headache off an on for 7 days and shortness of breath, pressure in chest and neck, and nearly fainting. The nurse said it was normal as she is 14 weeks preg.!!?? and nothing to worry about but she'd ask the DR. 5 hours later ( after the office had closed)...the nurse calls back and says she's called in an RX- something they always give for bad headaches because it works really great!

My friend goes to pick it up thru the drive-up window. Her husband immediately sees that it has warnings. She doesn't take it.

She showed me this morning--The script was for FIORICET( butalbital, acetaminophen & caffeine FYI- very addictive and not recommended for preg women) AND 2 every four hours or until headache gone!!!!!

I about died! I mean---first of all, they should have had her in the office immediately--(bty pre-eclampsia and toxemia w/the last one). Then to brush her off as having a normal headache-- yes, don't we all get chest pressure and shortness of breath with our headaches????? AND then to prescribe Fioricet. AND supossedly they give it to everyone! eek! A little strong don't ya think???

She has had many problems with this OB- he is always putting her down for asking questions, showing concern. She found out last week that the ultrasound she had after heavy bleeding showed a 2 inch detachment of the placenta!!! her Dr said there was nothing to do and go on normally!! I suggested she stay off her feet until she can get a second opinion.

I told her to get a new OB ASAP! And if any symptoms return- go to the ER immediately!! :o

Am I overly concerned? Have I blown it out of proportion? I really think she should get another evaluation.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

I agree with you......your friend needs further evaluation right away, and certainly by a different OB. And considering the fact that even Tylenol use is discouraged in pregnancy, prescribing Fioricet in such amounts is unconscionable. This doctor sounds like he could use a few lessons in pharmacology, not to mention bedside manner. :o

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I agree with you......your friend needs further evaluation right away, and certainly by a different OB. And considering the fact that even Tylenol use is discouraged in pregnancy, prescribing Fioricet in such amounts is unconscionable. This doctor sounds like he could use a few lessons in pharmacology, not to mention bedside manner. :o

Thanks! I'm glad I wasn't just being overly critical.

I'll call her later to check up & monday to make sure she's got a new Doc.

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Specializes in Home Health.

Wow! That is scary! Just the fact he puts her down for asking questions is scary enough!

When I was pregnant with both my kids, I had wicked headaches in the first trimester, I mean, so bad, I was ready to ask my midwife if I should have a CT of the brain! But then, like magic, in my second trimester, they went away. She may be a little SOB from the increas in circulating blood volume, but chest pressure is bizzare, esp in combo with the SOB, maybe she's got a mitrla prolapse, or is anemic if she was bleeding.

I agree 100%, she needs a new OB, preferably a woman, asap!

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Wow, sounds like your friend has more brains than her OB!! I can't believe that they are using those drugs for pregnant women when they have a headache. Plus the fact that they did not examine her to make sure there was not an underlying cause for the headache!! :imbar :crying2: Helloooooooooooooooooo, what are they thinking????? I hope your friend finds a new OB and FAST!!!! :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

I was prescribed Fioricet during my first pregnancy also. Scary, and I NEVER took it, even though I had a raging headache. Turned out I had gestational diabetes, and my fluctuating blood sugars were giving me the migraine.

I'm glad your friend didn't take it, and hope she finds relief/answers soon.

It's scary to think of the women that DO actually take stuff just because the doc prescribes it. I will never forget the pharmacist giving me the script and saying, "Does the doc KNOW you're pregnant??" I said yes, that it was my OB that prescribed it. He was truly dumbfounded.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept, M/S.

As an added note, I think again of the STUPIDITY in prescribing Fioricet, not only because she's pregnant (though that's the biggest reason) but because butalbital only works for certain types of headaches. She could very well have taken it and exposed her baby to these drugs for no reason whatsoever, because it is only indicated with stress-type headaches, and occasionally for the non-traditional migraine.

I got so upset, I didn't even read the last part of your post, where he was blowing off an abruption. How some of these docs still have a license is beyond me. Any nurse that acted in this manner would be tarred and feathered, working the rest of his/her career behind a cash register at a fast-food joint. :angryfire:

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I need to find out where/how to file a complaint. I really think this dr has put her in danger and after she leaves needs to report him.

As a scary side note---she has terrible luck in drs. her last ob/gyn was convicted of MURDERING his wife!!!! EEEEKKKK!!

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If it hasn't gotten better, she should just go in to the ER. I could be wrong (help me out with the rest, OB nurses,) but I don't think preeclampsia develops until later in pregnancy. However, a sudden headache of that severity, combined with the SOB/CP/neck pressure/near syncope could be a multitude of things. Plus, she is high risk to begin with since she has a history of preeclampsia. Maybe she should try to get in with a maternal-fetal medicine specialist. Definitely alway from this dumbhead doctor and his equally dumbhead nurse.

Keep us posted.

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I need to find out where/how to file a complaint. I really think this dr has put her in danger and after she leaves needs to report him.

As a scary side note---she has terrible luck in drs. her last ob/gyn was convicted of MURDERING his wife!!!! EEEEKKKK!![/quote

MURDERING his wife!!!! This sounds like a made for TV movie.

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Specializes in jack of all trades, master of none.

Not an OB/GYN nurse here, but she needs a new doc, ASAP!!!! Considering her previous hx & his poor bedside manner, not too mention his unsafe practices.

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I have one question. Did the OP's friend talk to the nurse in the office or one of the office staff? I work in a very busy doc's office and often the patient calls dont' come to me, the office staff takes messages and relys via computer to me, then I consult the doc. If I don't think I have the whole story on a patient problem or understand the problem I will call the pt myself before talking to the doc. I'm not putting the nurse or doc down just exploring the possibility that the doc didn't have all the info. Also in the practice I work in something like that I wouldn't even talk to the doctor just call the patient and have her come on to be checked out.

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