So I know there are a couple of blog readers who have Lupus so let me know if this sounds about right for how you're treated.
Yesterday afternoon my daughter was in a lot of pain from the Lupus. And I thought she was dehydrated. Her Rheumatologist hasn't given her any pain medication. Has told her to take Gabapentin and Ibuprofen even though she told him most days the only thing she can do in lay in bed in pain. She's taking 2 Lupus medications and Steroids. Nothing is working. They've changed the Lupus medication twice, still not helping.
So she went to the ER yesterday. Right away the nurses are having an attitude with her. One asked, "Why are you crying?" To which my daughter responded with, "Because I'm in pain." The nurse says, "Well there's not much we can do for Lupus pain, so you're just going to have to get used to it."
So she went to the ER yesterday. Right away the nurses are having an attitude with her. One asked, "Why are you crying?" To which my daughter responded with, "Because I'm in pain." The nurse says, "Well there's not much we can do for Lupus pain, so you're just going to have to get used to it."
Wtf? Seriously?
So they, hooked her up to an IV because she was indeed dehydrated and did a chest X-ray and a CT scan. Said nothing had gotten worse, gave her a shot of morphine and sent her home after 7 hours.
She see's the Primary Care doctor on Monday and I'm hoping he either sends her to pain management or gives her something for the actual pain and not just more Gabapentin and anti-anxiety meds. He's also supposed to give her a referral to a Cardiologist.
There have been so many people who are addicted to drugs that go to doctors drug seeking pain meds that doctors don't want to give any pain meds to people who are actually in pain now. Completely insane.
Could your daughter's primary care physician refer her to a Lupus Specialist? Do such specialists exist? A pain management clinic might be useful too.
ReplyDeleteShe has a Lupus specialist the rheumatologist. He's been trying different meds, nothing is working yet. I'm thinking primary care should send her to pain management.
DeleteThat doesn't sound right at all. Those nurses need to get out of nursing, since they're clearly unsuited to it. I hope your daughter can get the help she needs. It's miserable to be in pain all the time.
ReplyDeleteI hope so too.
DeleteAnother factor in the pain medication thing is that our "representatives" have stuck their fucking noses into our medical care and decided for us that we don't NEED pain medications. Addictive. Well who gives a shit? Chemical dependence is different, still withdrawals etc if you don't get your medication, but you take it to live, you don't live to take it. Source? Me. I have a prescription for stuff that does indeed help me function. Our gov't is a huge part of this problem.
ReplyDeleteAlso, MEN get pain medications. Women generally do not.
I am sorry this is happening to her, it's awful to see your child in pain. No matter how old they are, they're still your kid.
Yes, exactly. I was just telling my daughter's friend this the other night.
DeleteTheir behavior definitely doesn't sound appropriate. I've also run into nursing staff who were callous about pain, so I know it happens, but I agree with Jabblog, people like that are not right for the profession.
ReplyDeleteI hope the primary care doctor can do something on Monday, but it's terrible that your daughter will have to go through more than two days of this in the meantime.
There are plenty of options for dealing with pain, but unfortunately your last paragraph is true. For years now we've been in full Reefer Madness mode about opioids, and so a lot of people who need strong pain medications aren't getting them.
You might want to try a different emergency room or one of those speed clinic places like Zoomcare. I don't know how much they could do but it might be worth a try.
She said if it gets too bad she will go to Urgent care.
DeleteThis really sucks, Mary. I'm very sorry that your daughter is struggling with multiple issues and that no good solution has yet been found. Yessum, with all the addicted drug seekers flooding the zone, doctors and nurses are wary and suspicious of legitimate patients that genuinely need pain management. I wish Lizzie the best as she seeks answers from her PCP on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope the PCP can do something.
DeleteSo very sorry your daughter is in pain like that.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteThose nurses are inexcusable. I've not known anyone with Lupus, but I know it is very serious condition. I hope she can find relief very soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteSo...do the nurses think she's crying on cue maybe? What horrible people. I hope her doctor will take her seriously (anti-anxiety meds, right. Of course, it's all in our head 🙄 🤬).
ReplyDeleteIt's always all in our head.
DeleteI hope things get better for her ASAP. I agree there is way too much political interference in medical care of all kinds, including pain management.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Thank you.
DeleteOh Mary, that's awful! What a dreadful way to treat someone in pain. I hope your daughter gets some kind of relief very soon. Heartfelt wishes to both of you.
ReplyDelete"Why are you crying?" What sort of f***n b***h becomes a nurse and then mocks patients in pain? Yikes.
ReplyDeleteThat is so horrible. I have a friend that honestly needs pain meds and can't get anything either due to the lawyers scaring all the doctors.
ReplyDeleteThey tend to leave people in pain here as well, and most often we either cannot even get to the doctors or we have to wait for years, it is just terrible business being sick and ill these days.
ReplyDeleteMary, so sorry to hear that! She better get some real relief when she visits her doctor. Usually nurses are the sympathetic and good ones but those women sound horrible.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry about how your daughter was treated. I work at a hospital and that nurse was completely inappropriate! I'd report her behavior. You're completely right, though, the drug seekers who come to the ER for pain meds to fuel their addiction ruin it for the rest of us!
ReplyDelete