So i had an appt. today with a spinal clinic at the request of my FNP due to all the pain and changes in my most recent MRI...
I was seen by a PA who was less than educated about addiction and had no tact whatsoever. She was very uncaring about my issues, told me that "i don't feel comfortable giving someone like you in your situation narcotics" and advised a epidural and to come see her once that was complete.
Mind you I did not go into this appt. with the thought of obtaining narcotics, nor did I ask for them either.
I was in tears as I left and felt like I was less than human. I told the nurse I didn't want to see the PA again and she just didn't understand why. Its not that I didn't want the epidural or was upset because I wasn't given narcs, it was what the PA had said to me...
"Someone like me, in my situation"...
I think I am well aware of my situation, but what the heck did she mean "someone like me" like I'm something other than human and don't deserve the same treatment as others...
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
I know the feeling, only with me it's the fact that I'm on a batch of psych meds. I recently broke my big toe in a minor MVA and went to the urgent-care center to have it X-rayed; when the doctor came in, he was more interested in my med list than in what I'd come in for. I take 12 prescription drugs overall, but he read off only the last five on the list ("let's see, you're on Zyprexa, and Geodon, and Klonopin......etc.").
Then when he asked me what kind of pain medication I wanted, he gave me a sharp look when I told him I'd rather have Percocet than Vicodin because the latter doesn't do anything for me. I got them, but his expression was like "Oh gawd, another psycho with a drug problem". I don't HAVE a drug problem. I have an alcohol problem, and I certainly have mental health issues, but I'm not crazy and I can take pain meds or leave them. (In fact, I only took three of the Percocet, because I've still got a dozen left of the 15 I was prescribed.)
I hate it when people in what are supposed to be the helping professions become judgmental and cynical about the patients they serve.
VivaLasViejas, ASN, RN
22 Articles; 9,996 Posts
I know the feeling, only with me it's the fact that I'm on a batch of psych meds. I recently broke my big toe in a minor MVA and went to the urgent-care center to have it X-rayed; when the doctor came in, he was more interested in my med list than in what I'd come in for. I take 12 prescription drugs overall, but he read off only the last five on the list ("let's see, you're on Zyprexa, and Geodon, and Klonopin......etc.").
Then when he asked me what kind of pain medication I wanted, he gave me a sharp look when I told him I'd rather have Percocet than Vicodin because the latter doesn't do anything for me. I got them, but his expression was like "Oh gawd, another psycho with a drug problem". I don't HAVE a drug problem. I have an alcohol problem, and I certainly have mental health issues, but I'm not crazy and I can take pain meds or leave them. (In fact, I only took three of the Percocet, because I've still got a dozen left of the 15 I was prescribed.)
I hate it when people in what are supposed to be the helping professions become judgmental and cynical about the patients they serve.