Anybody else have problems with ER doctor?

[mom_of_two136]

I wanted to share a very unpleasant experience I had with a ER doctor recently and wondered if anyone else has had this experience. I am currently weaning off of suboxone and am on a low dose right now (0.5mg). A low dose really helps with my chronic back pain. Anyway, a week ago I hurt my shoulder when I was working out with excercise bands. I could not move my right arm without extreme pain. So last Sunday I went to the ER hoping that they may give me a cortisone shot to help or a muscle relaxer. I was very honest with the doctor about taking suboxone. I did not want him to think I was a "drug-seeker". I was treated horribly by the doctor. He would barily give me some anti-inflammatory. Looking back, I should not have said anything and just refused any narcotics. I was so upset. Here I was trying to be honest. To let him know that I was not looking for pain killers. I would have hoped he would realize since I was being so honest he would have alittle compassion. Boy was I wrong. I ended up going to a orthopediac doctor last friday and I did not say anything about suboxone. He prescribed a medrol dose pak and within a couple days I felt so much better. I guess I just wanted to share my story and wondered if anybody else has had similar experiences. So much for honesty.  My husband was so upset for me because he sees how well I am working my program. The hospital did call a week later. It was customer service and they wanted to know how my experience was. Boy, I let them know about the doctor I saw. It made me feel alittle better. Anyway, thanks for letting me vent.
God Bless
I will continue to work my program one day at a time.

[debsally]

That thing about becoming a plummer....laughed my but* off...hilarious!!!  Good One!!!

[allaboutmary]

Baron,    Yeah if recovering addicts are anything like x-smokers were in trouble. lol

[BaronMunchausen]

I have found that recovering addicts make some of the worst doctors and counselors in existence when it comes to relating to addicts. They can also be really good as well. But you tend to get one or the other.

I get the impression they forget just how hard it was and just remember "they did it".

Honestly, I can understand how it happens. I've forgotten just exactly how bad it all felt (the withdrawals, etc) and it's only been a few years for me. I have to remind myself when talking to others just how much it all *****.

It would help if our government would stop being so punitive towards addicts and doctors alike. Then we'd spend more time getting better and less time worrying about the law and getting caught up in it.

[mom_of_two136]

I know what you mean about hoping not to get sick. I hurt my back playing tennis and over doing it. This led me to my addiction problems. Then I hurt my shoulder recently excercising with bands. Now I am really paranoid about working out. I just got done with the tread mill today. I figure I will be alright walking, I hope. I really want to avoid anymore injuries. I have to make sure I streeeetttch.  My other area that has got me into trouble in the past is the dentist but that is a whole other story. Hope everyone has a great 4th :))

[allaboutmary]

It's pretty sad we have to lie like this.  I have felt that being honest was part of my recovery but for now I will just be honest with friends and family.  One of these days I'm gonna be able to give these insensitive creeps a piece of my mind.  I guess we need more recovering addicts in the medical field. lol

[BaronMunchausen]

Doctors make me tired. It used to be you went in to a doctor and got treated.

Now going to a doctor is reminiscent of that movie "The great escape!" were you've go to dig THREE tunnels because you know the Nazi's are going to find one of them.

When I do go in, I feel like i'm planning out a whole bloody strategy. I'd sooner clean out the air conditioning unit then go to a doctor (a job I really, really hate).

I think I'll become a plumber.

Then when I get called to a doctor's house, i can ask them personal questions about their bathroom habits, make snide comments on how they use the toilet improperly, and then refer them to an electrician for repairs.

See how they like it.

Personally, I use "I.H.I.D.G.S Health Insurance".

I

Hope

I

Don't

get

Sick.

[PromisedLand]

my wife went in one time not seeking drugs, with pain in her shoulder...she was hoping for corizone or medrol dose pack...when she told him she didn't want narcotics as  she had a problem with them, he told her to see a psychologist and that was it.  Didn't see him again and they discharged her.  She called the hospital, read them the riot act and said she is NOT paying the bill and somebody better check with this doctor.  Don't know what happened after that, but we keep getting bills


Jim

[mom_of_two136]

You are so right. Next time I will follow your advice. Just let them know I do not take addictive meds and then get the meds I do need. Lesson learned. i guess society and doctors still need some education on addiction. I have noticed in the last couple years, more advertising for help with addiction. Maybe that is a good sign. Let people know that addiction is a disease not a choice. Then maybe, we will be treated differently from society.
Thanks everyone with the comments and encouragement. Let's me know that I am not the only one fighting this battle to sobriety. Keep up the fight everyone!!

[BaronMunchausen]

I never told doctors I was on adictive drugs when i was detoxing. the majority of the time it meant that I didn't get treatment, just a boot out the door.

The best advice I can give you is don't admit you're on the drugs, but tell them you don't believe in taking addictive pills/ drugs. That way you can avoid being offered addictive drugs and get the medications you actually need for treatment.

[tylersblueeyedmama]

WOW...been there!!!  I had that happen to me 2x by the same ER doctor!  I got taken in with kidney stones by ambulance ( I had my son and 3 step-daughters with me)!!  I explained everything to the doctor and he rolled his eyes at me and started mumbling stuff under his breath.  I finally got relieve with 2 types of meds (4get what they were) after about 1 1/2 hours of screaming.  He told me I would be back, because he couldn't send me home with a script for them...Well 2 days later end up back by ambulance again and his first words were.."See I told you, that you would be back, If you hadn't decided to screw your life up by abusing Narcotics, I would be able to help you properly!"  I was so pissed off, but the pain took over everything!  But same thing, when the customer service thing of the hospital called... I went off and felt so much better afterwards!

Don't let that one incident, bring you down.  You have done an amazing job so far and it seems like you are doing great!!!  Keep it up!!!!

Take Care,

Kel

[mtgoat911]

oh yeah, i have been through this, but stay honest, you are doing that for yourself not the doctors
i actually went to the er after a work related incident, i work ems and trusted the doctor, told him i was on suboxone a week later i was fired
but hey, i was honest to save my life not my job
sorry you had to go through this, most educated people in medicine acknowledge addiction as a disease unfortuantly this jerk saw it as a moral issue, it is not

[debsally]

Boy have I heard this far too many times.  I used to work in ortho for 12 years actually, and you can tell who the drug seekers are most of the time...anyway, I have heard about this far too often and what it boils down to is that there are too many physicians who are completely uneducated about addiction.  Most physicians have no idea how to help addicts even the ones who are working their recovery and trying to manage pain.

It really *****, because we depend on them for help and they dont really know what they are doing.  You are better off finding a good PCP that knows you and that you can build trust with.  Unfortunately, it does almost no good to be honest with a doc that does not know your situation.  As you now know.

I am sorry this happened to you, but am really happy to hear that you are on your way. And now you know what to do to take care of yourself with doc's who dont know you and your situation.

Knowledge is power!!!

Debbie

[allaboutmary]

I have had similar happen (wasn't an ER doc though).  It's shameful the way we are treated by SOME medical professionals. Because of this treatment I've decided not to tell doctors any longer about the Sub or my addiction. The only time I will disclose this now is when surgery or anesthesia is involved.  Sorry you had to experience this, especially when you were being so honest.  I know it made me feel awful and degraded.