What should I do.. Pusue legal actions againts a Dr or just leave it alone?

[renee82]

Well Some of you have know about my past issues, But long story short I had an ectopic Sep 2010 had right tube removed (or so I thought) 5 months later  Feb 2011 I became pregnant again, but 2 week after I found out I ended up in the hospital again for a repeat ectopic. The dr in Sep told me I had a 50/50 chance of getting pregnant and to keep track of my cycles so I knew when was a good month. So thats what I did. so in Feb when I was in the hospital/ER again the Dr (different than the first time) was under the impression and so was I that this time it was in the left, and he told me I was going to have to have a hysterectomy. Well later after the surgery and the horrible ordeal I found out that the first ectopic wasnt a full removal of the tube and that it was only a partial , so the stump that was left over grew scar tissue and attached it self to the ovary, which caused me to have repeat ectopic on the right side again. This Dr the 1st time has been practicing for 40 years but gave me information that was totally wrong. The 2nd Dr was really good in taking care of me and getting me info to back his words up. I have had a lot of issues trying to get insurance things taken care of (Medi-Cal), and this week I just got word that all my bills should be taken care of..(surprising I still qualified for Medi-Cal even after Sep ectopic).. My question is I was thinking of going after the 1st Dr for negligence/ malpractice but since my bills should be taken care of, I started having second thought.... I thought I was going to have a huge bill again after a doctor didnt do her job correctly the first time. Should I still go after her to bring awareness or should I just leave it alone because I just may be pressing my luck?

[renee82]

I think your right Joy. There are so many unanswered questions about that dr, and I surely want my story to get out there so they wont go through unnecessary  things if it could have been prevented. It seemed like the dr#2 who has practiced for 20 years seemed to have more knowledge than dr#1 who has been practicing for 40+years. I think if the lawyers see something in the case than I will let it play out.

[JoyRenee]

I don't think that things like this should be left ignored because even if your bills are taken care of that doesn't mean other women aren't going to be suffering later on down the road because the doctor is still practicing.

I would seek legal counsel and see what they have to say and go from there.

[renee82]

Thank you ladies. Both ectopics were on the right side. The second one was caused by the first tube only being partially removed. I still have my left side and its suppose to be good, but the second dr said that there is some scar tissue and for the future I really need to prepare my body with vitamins and folic acid.

I did get all my records, which wasnt much bcuz i only saw these dr under the circumstances. I have looked them over and of course everything the first dr told me was just all verbal. The second dr told me even though I still have 1 tube i can concieve every month because the left side will over compensate, which that is totally different than what the first one said. Well we shall see how this all plays out.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I think GA gave you good advice.  The only thing I can add (and I have never had an ectopic so I am only guessing here), is that the first doctor only removed part of your tube to try to make getting pregnant easier for you in the future???  By only removing part of the tube versus the entire tube, you would still have some tubing left on the right side for your body to work with.  By only having 1 tube, the one dr. would be right in that you have 1/2 as much chance of getting pregnant with only having a tube on one side.

I sure hope I made some sense....Please tell me that you didn't end up having to have a hysterectomy because of all of this!!!

[LosingMyMindInGA]

Since your medical bills are going to be taken care of this is what *I* would do.  File a complaint with the licensing board in your state.  Give them a chance to impose sanctions on this doctor, THEN if you aren't satisfied with what they come up with, consult a lawyer.  

That said, BEFORE you do anything I would request a FULL copy of your medical record from the first doctor....cover to cover, every piece of paper.  If you don't have it already.  You may have to pay for the copy but legally they HAVE to give it to you.  You ALSO have the right to LOOK in your medical record to see what's in there that way you can ensure you get copies of it all.  You will need those records to back up your claim and all too often records have a tendancy to "disappear" after a complaint has been filed and before the records can be requested.  Good luck.