ptsd Major Problems With Primary Care Doc

[Draggin']

I have been diagnosed with (and granted disability percentages on my knee, shoulder, migraines, GERD. I have been diagnosed with other pain causing issues through comp and pen exams, but was not granted direct service connection on them. Regarless, there have been numerous exams and diagnosis (spelling?) made.

I'll post more later...we just spent 8 hours (no exageration-they were full all day yesterday evidentally) in the Dallas ER trying to get some urgent problems addressed. (blood in vomit-sorry for the details)

We were left with an increased Omeparazole prescription and he said to quit taking my pain pills and take..drum roll please.....Tylenol

Thanks so much for the support

Drag'

Draggin,

there must be something showing up on your diagnostic tests that indicate chronic pain.

Xrays, MRI's, tests for fibromyalgia, muscle tests, something. If not, not even private Dr's will give you anything for pain. You must have diagnoses of painful conditions or hound them until they find out what is causing it.

I've had chronic pain since my twenties after a car accident. Somethings just stay with you and progressively get worse with time. Arthritis caused by toxins, accidents etc. DDD, DJD showed up in my xrays in my late twenties.

Keep requesting to see specialists. I've recieved good care and thorough examinations at VA ortho clinics. But for neuro workups often was seen by neuro students at the VA. Every now and than I would get a glance over by a Neurologist, but the inexperienced students is who I generally saw. If you have a neuromuscular disorder where the symptoms are not always showing it makes it very difficult.

If your not satisfied with your VA Dr, you can keep changing them until you are.

Diagnostic tests are very expensive, so if you don't have excellant private insurance coverage, I would push the VA to keep doing the tests until something shows up.

[JON]

Several years ago, I was on pain meds from VA. It was always a hassle getting them reordered and renewed. Several calls to the patient advocate didn't do any good. I finally calle my congressman's office, filled out a release of info form for them to inquire and within 48 hrs, I had a call from the head pharmasist and the hospital director assuring it would be taken care of. My meds arrived within 24 hrs and continued uninterupted. Call you representative or congressman.

[Draggin']

So instead of saying what's wrong and waiting on the PCP to say...well I'll order a MRI, or I'll refer you to (fil in the blank). Should I say, I need to be referred to (ortho, the GI, etc.)? I've seriously been sitting back letting the old PCP decide what I need to do to further explore things.

Should I say for example, "I have been diagnosed with severe GERD and I would like to see a GI specialist." instead of "my gerd has been acting up and making me sick." and then walking out with nothing more than a bigger prilosec prescription?

Can, since I do have diagnosed conditions, I ask for a referral to pain management?

Thanks

Draggin'

[Pete53]

Never depend on VA to do the right thing. You are your best advocate. After going round after round on VA trying to get plavix refilled I went to see the head of Dallas VA Pharmacy. I looked him in the eye and said I already had all the paperwork filled out to sue the VA and him personally if I died from heart problems.

Believe it or not I have not had a problem since in fact if there is a problem is I am getting more of it than I need.

[allan]

Should I say, I need to be referred to (ortho, the GI, etc.)?

Should I say for example, "I have been diagnosed with severe GERD and I would like to see a GI specialist." instead of "my gerd has been acting up and making me sick." and then walking out with nothing more than a bigger prilosec prescription?

Can, since I do have diagnosed conditions, I ask for a referral to pain management?

Draggin,

just like your claims for compensation, you need to be in charge of it.

You have to rely on medical staff to know their job, but getting what you need, you'll have to take charge of it.

Ask for a referral outright for any specialized treatment or diagnostic workups. Don't expect your PCP to request it. Don't expect your request for a referral to be automatically granted either. You may need to send your PCP a fax to remind them you have not received it. They sometimes blow you off by just hoping you'll forget about it. You can't keep a record of a phone message, but a fax is a good way to keep a request from your VAMC PCP in your records to show later if you need to.

If something you have is serious enough to warrant a specialist, they figure you'll keep on them until they give it to you or you didn't need it bad enough.

There is no reason to go without pain relief unless you just don't need it. When I’m in allot of pain, my PCP sure knows it. But you will read where others are just left to suffer no matter what you do. That happens with the VA too. Be relentless in your health care needs and don't take no for an answer if you really need the health care. They will say anything to cut costs and keep their jobs these days.

[Draggin']

Well the bad news

I ended up in the ER for more than a few hours

Good news, they managed to get my doctors switched PRONTO and get me into the "next available" appointment with my NEW Primary Care doc.

He's a he and American, which sounds horrible, but helps.

He also listened and began taking action right away. He ordered the tests I needed and made the referall to the GI, before I had to ask. He also changed my pain medication and wants to see me in a month. Which sure beats the 4 months the last doctor hit me with.

So it's better and I'm being more proactive with what I need. Not sure how the pain issue will work out, but we'll see.

Thanks

Draggin'