I think my doctor thinks i'm a drug seeker....Help!!

angelbear · Jan 12, 2004

Unfortunately MD's do often milabel us. If I were you I would seek another gyno. Maybe one who treats only endo. Good luck I sure feel for you.

ainz · Jan 12, 2004

Nurses and doctors are really hung up about giving pain medication. My wife was recently in the hospital and asked for her pain medication as soon as the time came around, because she was in some serious pain. The nurses acted like she was drug-seeking and abusing the pain meds. Perhaps they are afraid a person will turn into a raging drug addict from a 3 day stay in the hospital. Talk about overeacting. Or maybe it is the added inconvenience and subsequent irritation when the RN has to stop what they are doing to administer a prn medication. Don't nurses and doctors realize their attitude is quite apparent to the patients and families? I guess to realize that you would have to give a damn to start with.

Gator,SN · Jan 12, 2004

I am a new nurse and I have heard all the arguements from my co-workers about giving pain meds. In school I was told that if a patient says they are in pain, they are. We usually have orders for Morphine and they have to be renewed by the doc after a few days, so in the meantime, I use it (2-6mg order, usually start with 2mg) I have had patients that ask on the hour and my co-workers will say they are 'watching the clock' or pretending, but I give it anyway. A couple of days is not going to addict someone.

About the endometriosis, my sister-inlaw had it and suffered so much that she ended up feeling like a prisoner to the disease. One day was good the next day she couldn't get out of bed. She finally had a hysterectomy and she has felt much better ever since. No more periods from hell, nothing. She was only 30 so it was a big decision but she doesnt regret it. (she has 2 kids though) I hope you can find a doctor that is sympathetic and specializes in endometriosis. I wish you the best!

Gator

Rapheal · Jan 12, 2004

Snoopy,

First ((((hugs)))). I really feel for you. Your doc has put you in a bad situation because if you switch docs the new doc may suspect you are a drug seeker because you are not pleased with the other doc for not giving you needed pain meds. Even so I do believe you need to find a new gyn doc. I would ask friends and co-workers for the name of their doc (if they have a good one) and when you do talk to the new doc you can verbalize that you were refered by a co-worker. This may help alleviate suspician right off the bat. I know this is unfair but some docs do not like taking patients of another doc without what they see as good cause because of the politics involved with their colleges(sp). My father once switched doctors and his new doc would not see him until he received a letter from his previous doctor saying it was OK. Said it was "protocol."

Next I would suggest that you try to find a pain mgmt. doc because we recently had a patient treated by pain mgmt. for polycystic ovarian disease and she was deemed to be in chronic pain and managed with monthly pain meds with much relief.

Isn't endometriosis a chronic condition? I mean I learned in school that even after removal of tissue that it tends to grow back. Doesn't your gyn take that into consideration? What is his/her problem that they take your pain so lightly? How would they like it if they new that at least every month they could look forward to excrutiating pain? How do they expect you to have a life when I am sure that this interferes with your quality of life.

I am sorry this is happening to you. If it was me I would probally be begging for a hysterectomy. But that is just me and I am done with having babies. Good luck and I hope you feel better.

Beth

kastas, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2004

Here is another ((((HUG)))). I am so sorry. My sister is having somewhat of the same problem. Have you tried the Depo shot? It has been her miracle. She has been on it now for 2 years and only had one bad episode of pain. I know it isn't the most convenient of things to get and many people bleed for quite some time after the first few shots...but, it REALLY helped her. She did bleed continuously for the 1st 3 shots and we were all worried that it wasn't going to work. But, the 4th shot was the end of it and she has been good since.

Good luck!:kiss

IloveSnoopy · Jan 12, 2004

Thanks guys....you are all soooo sweet and supportive....it really helps. I still don't know what to do...the guy that I see now is supposedly an "endo expert".....and yes , he does know that the endo. can come back. I think he just assumed that it was too early for it to come back..and maybe felt a little challanged because he wasn't able to "fix me". I suppose surgeons expect to be good at what they do and make things better...when they can't..maybe they feel inadequate. Well..whatever the reason...it's back and I don't like the way he treated me. Kastas...thanks for the info on Depot Provera....I actually mentioned that to him and he said absolutely not because it is apparently contra-indicated for women with PCOS...which I have also. My family doc seemed to be the only one that truly understood my pain...but he has took a new job in Singapore last year...and needless to say..I miss his compassion very much...he was known around our facility as "dad" or "god's gift to nurses". Anyways...I still haven't been back to a GP yet because I haven't picked one yet. I have someone in mind...(it helps when you work with the docs..LOL)..maybe I will just go to him and he will have some ideas for me. Our facility hired their first ob/gyn. ever...(that's how small our hospital is)...earlier this last year...I've worked with him some and he seems to be pretty good...maybe my new GP can refer me to him. I have been traveling about 80 miles to see this other guy. I don't know..I just can't bring myself to go back to a doc. that treated me that way. Ok...I better quit babbling...thanks again everyone for your support...you all are soooooooo great.

Luv,

Snoop'