Bestin69

I’ve have had to be in a lot of different physicians offices and be seen by a lot of them over the last 6 years. I’ve noticed a trend in almost all of them except in PCP’s office. My B/P isn’t taken. Even sometimes in the ER? And when it is taken, especially in the ER, they don’t want to tell me. I have RSD/CRPS II, and a couple other diagnosis that have rendered me disabled. I was taught in nursing school that B/P has direct correlation with someone who is saying they are experiencing pain. With this disease/syndrome, flare ups are harsh and my blood pressure goes through the roof. 5 years after being diagnosed, I’ve researched this in every possible way, the disease/syndrome. I’ve learned a lot from medical journals, published medical articles etc. not just was posted online. So I’ve acquired some knowledge as to how to manage it. But it is insidious and sometimes i don’t even know what triggered the flare up. I do not take routine pain meds for the every day 24/7-365 pain, partly due to the fact I am lucky enough to have anaphylactic reactions to any and all opiates. While I was still working, I dispensed said narcotics using gloves. But it seems that this diagnosis has been deemed “rare.” And hard to diagnose. But a lot of what I’ve read, it isn’t really that “rare.” 1.5- 6 million people in the USA alone suffer from this, November is supposed to be RSD/CRPS month, but it hasn’t gained a lot of motion. They have nick named it the “Suicide Disease” due to the fact that it is under-diagnosed, and people give up. I’ve no plans to give up. But the fact that they are so reluctant to bring my pain down, and do not seem concerned about my severe increase in B/P during flare ups, causes me great concern. I am afraid of stroking out. I’m not talking a slight increase I am talking numbers like 244/138. I’ve been sent home from the hospital with my B/P like this. This terrifies me immensely. I am still licensed in 30 states, but I am unable to do the physical part and I do have some cognitive issues with this also. But the B/P issue bothers me a lot. I’m afraid one day I will have a stroke over something I’ve no control over. I think it should be done in every physicians office as well as the hospitals not discharging a patient with a B/P that high. And if I bring it up, I get schooled. Any ideas on how to change this?

By far, the best advice I’ve seen given is to retain a lawyer and do not speak to the facilities lawyer or the patient’s family’s lawyer. Let your lawyer do the work. Yes, it may cost you some money but as always in nursing CYOA. Plain and simple. And do you carry your own insurance, like malpractice? That may factor in, as they’ll sue anyone they think may have something they can get. And did you chart the incident etc? Documentation is very important and to do it as objectively as you can. And always tell the truth.

Thank you for putting a different spin on being disabled in the nursing field. Your story is much appreciated. Good luck and God speed to you and yours.

Thanks to those who commented back.

I am so happy to have found this site. I am a nurse who was assaulted by a patient while at work. Within 10 minutes of the assault, I fell and fractured my patella. Needless to say, the focus went to the patella and the assault was ignored. I did not know that it would affect me for months and months. I was diagnosed with PTSD after utilizing my EAP program as instructed by employer. Now the facility is denying that the assault ever took place. I had to intervene because the patient that ended up assaulting me had pulled another patient from his bed and was strangling him with his bare hands. I dont know what to do. Every employee that was present that evening is no longer employed with the company. I reported it to the administrator, DON, HR, immediate super had to be called in on the night of the assault. I also told the hospital where I went for my patella fx, had them xray my ribs as well as my patella because he punched me numerous times in the ribs, back and head. Also kicked me and left bruises all over me. Will I ever get over this? I miss my job and my patients. This has taken a horrendous toll on my life. Any and all advice is appreciated.