Well, today was a complete waste of time and energy, but thankfully NOT money. That I wasted earlier this week at the emergency room.
Let me explain.
As I mentioned already, my daughter has hurt herself and has been in a great deal of pain for many weeks. This past Tuesday, the pain became unbearable. So, I took her to the emergency room. After numerous hours and entirely too much money, they sent me home with her to put her on bed rest and Motrin until she could see her regular physician.
Today I took her to see her doctor for a follow up. He once again told us that she has a pinched nerve (duh!) and then went on to tell us all about how HE had a pinched nerve years ago, and yada yada yada. So then he tells me that he cannot help her, but she needs to take anti-inflammatory medications (i.e. Motrin). DUH! He then told me that his nurse checked and the doctor he recommends we see has an opening right now, all we have to do is walk over to his building. We currently don't have insurance, so my doctor told me that he wouldn't charge me for the office visit since we have to go see another doctor.
When I arrived at the other doctor's office, I decided to inquire as to HOW they were going to be able to help my daughter. I explained that we have no insurance and I did not want to spend several hundreds of dollars to find out that THIS doctor couldn't help us either. It was then that I was informed that this was an ORTHOPEDIC doctor. Hello??? Bones! Not what is wrong with my daughter. This woman then tried to explain that what would most likely happen is that after an examination, if they determined that she doesn't have a slipped disc that they would be sending her to a neurosurgeon and he/she would request an MRI.
Upon hearing this, as you can imagine, I got a bit agitated. Is this some kind of racket? What the heck!?!?! Why am I even here!? So, I told the woman, thanks but no thanks. I'll keep my money and my time, and I took my daughter and we left.
I went home and took a peek at pinched nerves on google and came up with some very simple information. Don't use the area that is affected and take anti-inflammatory medications, apply hot and cold compresses and the situation should resolve itself.
As you can imagine, I was furious! So, I called a couple more "doctors" and was told that they could require an MRI, but there isn't really anything they can do for a pinched nerve. UGH! No wonder my insurance premiums doubled - these doctors are sending people from one specialist to another and charging crazy rates. My daughters primary care doctor, upon hearing I had no insurance, at our last visit (prior to this one) took 60% off the bill. 60%!!!!
So, I have taken this situation into my hands and now I'M in control. My daughter is completely restricted to her bed, where she will remain laying down, until Monday. At which time she will return to school with a note. They have a VERY short week next week due to exams, so she will have LOTS of time to rest. There will be NO cheerleading until she is completely symptom free and I am confident that the situation is under control.
Now, this was my original gut feeling, but then I always give in to guilt and run off to the doctors. So, the moral of the story is
Don't Trust Doctors - Trust Your Instinct!!!
So, that is the end to my very frustrating day.
7 comments:
I would like to offer my thoughts, if I may, Suzann. Those doctors are crazy in thinking nothing can be done for a pinched nerve. The nerve is pinched because of something impeding the nerve, such as bulging discs, herniated disc, slipped disc, etc. One thing I do know is that a pinched nerve can relieve itself on its own, but that could take a long time to even just a matter of days. For now, I would suggest a heating pad or if she has access to a hot bath or jacuzzi, and she needs to continue to take medicine. I was never partial to cold compresses, but she maybe. It is good to go from cold to hot. I'm on a heating pad right now bc of a pinched nerve. I hope she gets relief very soon. Thanks for sharing! Let us know how she does through the weekend.
Have you thought about seeing a chiropractor?
I've never been, but my dad, who frequently suffered from a pinched nerve in his back, would go for a couple of weeks at a time until the pain was gone.
You may want to consider it...
Oh, and here's a little joke for you: Do you know what they called the guy who finished last in his class in medical school?
Doctor.
I agree-always trust your gut instinct! Happy New Year!!!
I hear you. I just posted about having to pay almost $100 to get my medical records sent to my new Dr.
I hope your daughter feels better, Mom knows best!
Amen to that statement. As my dad always says "....there is a reason they call it PRACTICING medicine." I agree regarding trusting your instincts as well!! I'm sure, throughout my life, I've been saved much trouble by doing so. Thanks so much for sharing.
Warmly,
Tracey
I love that feeling of knowing you know best, and nothing can stop you.
Just to play devil's advocate ~ if a doc does nothing, i.e. at least a referral elsewhere ~ he or she is left wide open to a lawsuit if and when the patient's symptoms turn out to be more than something that can be treated with bedrest and heat. That can be a HUGE detriment to "doing nothing" on the doctor's part. Google malpractive insurance rates and you'll see where the vast majority of an MD's income goes. We have lost more good OB-GYN specialists, breast cancer specialists, ER docs ~ the list is endless ~ because of malpractice insurance rates and the number of lawsuits involved with certain specialties. Google "malpractice insurance rates for high-risk OB specialties", for example. And yes, medical insurance premiums are ridiculously high. It's a vicious cycle.
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