Misdiagnosed- What can I do about it?

fab4fan · Oct 10, 2002

1. If you did not feel that your condition warranted abx, what made you decide to go along with the tx?

2. You will have to prove that the initial misdiagnosis caused harm.

3. Seems like there is some info. missing here; I'm sure you are stressed about this, and I don't want to sound like I'm doubting/blaming...just seems like there may be more here than meets the eye, so it's hard to really answer one way or the other.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2002

Allison, No sage advice here except a 2nd opinion regarding any further treatment may be warranted. I just want to wish you well and tell you I hope you on the road to wellness and recovery very soon!

fab4fan · Oct 10, 2002

Sorry, forgot to include this...

I can sympathize to a degree; several years ago I had classic symptoms of PUD. Went to the gastroenterologist, whom I had been seeing for an unrelated issue; he in so many words told me that he thought I was neurotic. Went to a different gastro., who did and endoscopy, and surprise, surprise, surprise...I had 3 ulcers.

When I ran into the gastro guy at the hospital after I'd had my EGD, I told him what had happened. Not only was he completely unrepentant, he pretty much acted like it was my fault (?).

This was 12y ago, and I still run into him occasionally, and he is still a rectal aperture.

Allison P · Oct 10, 2002

fab4fan

You're right I am extremely stressed out about this whole situation. I didn't fill the ABX script because I didn't feel that I needed it.

I should have refused the injection, but at the time I was in so much pain I didn't feel like arguing with this particular MD.

Another question- The vicodin has decreased the pain to a tolerable level, but it makes me jittery for some reason. I can't take it anywhere near bedtime or I just toss and turn for hours. Any thoughts about this?

Thanks

Allison P:)

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2002

the symptoms you describe are some paradoxical effects of narcotics that some people manifest ...they have sedative effects on most but, it is possible you will see this restlessness/jitteriness in people---- more often than you think. keep this in mind the next time someone wants to prescribe hydrocodone to you for pain. it may resolve with the use of another narcotic, or it may not. only way you know is try. do you have a problem w/codeine or oxycodone too?

fab4fan · Oct 10, 2002

Allison: Some people do have a paradoxical reaction to certain opioids...instead of getting drowsy, the person gets hyper. I have seen the same thing happen with hydromorphone, too.

Have you taken any other narcotic pain meds that you tolerated better? Maybe you just need a change of medication; perhaps you would tolerate Percocet better. Ask the doc if he/she would be willing to switch you to something else. When you are stressed, the last thing you need is medication that makes you jittery.

Hope everything turns out OK for you; if it were me, I'd tell the doc. who misdiagnosed you...he needs to know what happened to you.

fab4fan · Oct 10, 2002

SmilingBlueEyes: Sorry, we must have been posting at the same time.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 10, 2002

lol NO problem fab4.....great minds do think alike.........have a good one.

sjoe · Oct 11, 2002

Allison--At least that doc is consistent. He doesn't listen to nurses not only at work, but also when they are his patients.

What can you do about it? You learned something useful: NOT to use this guy as your personal doc any more. Move on, and be glad you were wise enough not to waste even more money on a prescription that wouldn't have been useful, IMHO.

Hope your treatment is swift, effective, cheap, and soon.

fab4fan · Oct 11, 2002

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
lol NO problem fab4.....great minds do think alike.........have a good one.

Smilin': Back at ya' !!!!!!!!!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 11, 2002

Frankly, I would get the second doc's note that he puts in his chart, medical documentation. Send that along with the bill to the first doc AND the insurance company, demanding payment be dropped due to misdiagnosis.

I know that you must be very stressed right now, and I wish you the most benign diagnosis possible. It is going to create stress to deal with this doc, esp if you do what I suggest. So, you need to think, is it less stressful to pay the 10 or 20 $ co-pay and move on, or do you want to teach this "rectal aperature" (love that!!) a lesson. If you would have to pay more than a co-pay for that worthless opinion, I would forget him and just focus on taking care of yourself!! Later, when you have all the results in, and know what you are dealing with, I would write him a personal letter, to let him know how you felt when he didn't listen to you, and how if it turns ionto something serious, his lack of assessment could lead to worsening of your condition if you hadn't known enough to seek another opinion.

Best wishes to you!!