Refuse Treatment To A Patient At Va

[yelloownumber5]

Hi,

I wasn't sure where to post this but I have two questions.

First is about blood pressure ratings. I am SC'd for High blood pressure at 10 percent, today I went to the VA for an appointment that was supposed to have been about seeing the pain physcologist, headaches and muscle spasm/pains. So my blood pressure was 174/124 and like 5 mins later 164/117.

I have a print out of a lot of my VA blood pressure readings and they seem to be about 160/110 over about 4 years. Blood pressure is SC'd is that high enough for the increase? Not that I want that, I only want my BP lowered but I need to do something now.

Second. Because I told my VA PCP I do not want to increase my bp meds nor add another med to my treatment plan BUT I am open to testing antigens, my thining kidney poles that they know about or anything else. Well since I told her I did not want the medicine she told me "I'm not going to treat you for anything!" I am rated 50% and was just in for medicine because of pain and bad muscle spasms but I guess now I cannot get anything.

Any ideas of what I can do and what does the joint commission do?

Thanks,

Y#5

[jbasser]

What in the world are you doing?

With Blood pressure readings that high, you should have been hospitalized. The VA would never let me leave when mine got close to that.

You need treatment for numbers that high. If you dont get it down, we will all be reading about you in the fallen comrad's forum.

Numbers that high quickly weaken the walls of the blood vessels and you can blow an AAA or stroke at any time.

Get to a Doctor and get some meds to get it down.

J

[yelloownumber5]

J,

I'm trying to find out if a VA doctor can just decide to not treat you because you are managed by another doctor for someting and do no wish to have them manage the condition or add a medicine. I have pain from hell and if I get something for my pain my BP goes down as well I have sleep apnea and unable to wear my CPAP but the doctor would not do ANYTHING without me adding medicine to my blood pressure which the VA does not manage. I did not go in because I wasn't feeling well except for spinal pains.

Thanks.

[jbasser]

The reasons dont outweigh the need to get the BP down,

Get some help and get it down. Deal with the pain issues later because it may be what is Driving the BP up so high.

Your playing with a very hot fire. OSA and HTN can also be deadly.

J

[yelloownumber5]

J,

I understand what you are saying about the numbers and problems.

If the jokers would look at my CPAP or give me a sleep study and address the pain my BP would probably pop back to the high 120's over 80's.

So a VA PCP can say, since you are not willing to add the medicine I want you to, I have the power to not treat you for anything. Under the medical oath that sounds strange.

I already spoke with the AO at the facility and I understand they are admin and not a doctor but to withold treatment to me because I will not add a medicine you (PCP) want added just seems unetical at best.

P.S. I have taken my BP at home and it is 140/90 still a bit high but within range, ever since I was on Bextra thee BP thing has been crazy. I do take three meds already for BP control. I guess somehow there still is a "white coat" even with meds.........and the VA for the last three years has brought the worst out of me.

thanks again.

Edited May 12, 2012 by yelloownumber5

[Bonzai]

I went to a psych appointment after moving to a different RO, and had run out of my BP meds. So I was screened, and the RN said you have to go to the ER, as my BP was very high. I told her "No, I am not going to miss this appointment I have been waiting three months for". When I got out of the appointment, they had two VA police officers politely escort me to the ER. LOL

[kevin4998]

With you BP so high and you refusing her/his advice I presume (and I could be very wrong) she/he is being put in a bad situation if something was to happen to you since you are under their care at that point in time (at the VA) so they do not want to be held accountable. That would be my first impression.