Anger

[MercyL]

I finally found a great pain specialist after dealing with Kaiser primary care physicians.
The pain specialist deals with his own chronic pain, so he can identify with his patients.

My PCP's (primary care physicians) at Kaiser didn't really care about my situation. They were disrespectful. When they finally referred me to the neurosurgeon, he looked at my MRI, went a little pale, then gave me the "bum's rush", saying that I was now in "maintenance" and he couldn't do anything for me.

The only other options my PCP offered was the in house pain clinic.

The in house pain clinic only provides epidural injections. These were not FDA approved for cervical spine treatments. Recently, they've been shown to create new problems, like scarring in the spinal canal. Also, a prominent business woman in my state died after getting a series of these injections. My doctor tried pressuring me into accepting epidural injections in my neck, and I am so glad I refused those treatments.

My new pain doctor listens and actually looks at me when I speak. I don't get the feeling that he's looking at my skin color and labeling me the proverbial "angry black woman looking for a new heroin source".

When I look back at my Kaiser experience, I get angry. With all of the evidence from my MRI, they still wanted to drag out my treatment plan with physical therapy, relaxation exercises, and antidepressants. They were going to milk me like a cash cow.

When you examine your experiences with doctors and trying to get legitimate pain relief, what are you angriest about?

 

[1sweed]

Mercyl,
This is a great post because it reminds us we are not alone in the battle to be seen as a person instead of a number or another way to make more money. To answer your question what makes me angry, it is being treated like a dumb female. It is rude doctor's who think I don't know what I am talking about or don't believe me when I talk about the symptoms I am experiencing. I have had it up to here with being laughed at or told it is my imagination or fibro is not real.

I get really mad when this behavior is done in front of family members, who then start acting like the doctors with making fun at me or being uncaring and unfeeling when I am feeling my worset.

Fibro is real! I just wish it would leave me alone. How about you!

 

[mariposa]

My new pain doctor listens and actually looks at me when I speak. I don't get the feeling that he's looking at my skin color and labeling me the proverbial "angry black woman looking for a new heroin source".

I'm so glad to hear that you've found a pain doctor who takes the time to listen! I know that means so much. And how horrible about the injections they wanted to push on you! We never have to accept any treatment we're not comfortable with (collective "we" for any illness, any patient) and it makes me so angry to see doctors bullying people into things they don't feel are right for them.

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I don't think it makes any difference what color our skin is, doctors see so many patients who are just looking for a way to get pain meds nowadays, that it is hard for them to be sure who is really hurting, and unless they can do tests and be sure what is wrong, they just have to make a best guess.
So , when someone comes in, and we really need medicine, sometimes it is hard to convince the doctor that we really DO hurt.
I also have a bad heart, so I can't take most pain meds, and just have to get by as best as I can, and take pain meds only if I am having a really bad day, so I don't damage my heart more than it already is.

 

[Amalia]

I am glad you found a better doctor and you got rid of that racist jerk. I never though a doctor could be a racist. As for your anger, I understand and sympathize but you should get past it. It's not good for you.