horrible doctor visits.........(long but hopefully interesting post)

Originally Posted by hissy

My worst time came in the OR I was having a second surgery, the first one had happened about a month ago. I told the anesthesiologist that I had recently had a major surgery- no problem I was told, it is all in your chart. Now count to ten backward....

They sliced, I woke up and screamed. I will never forget that searing pain and the look in the eye, when I sat bolt upright on that table screaming in agony. They did not charge me for the drugs during that procedure.

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That's the most horrifying thing that could happen to someone! Did you sue them?

Doctors almost killed my best friend. He went in for an exam. His regular doctor wasn't there. This other doctor gave him nitro glycerin to "test his heart". They had to call an ambulance and take him to the ER. On the way to the hospital my friend heard a paramedic say "I don't think he's going to make it."

I've been to lots of doctors in my life and have come to the conclusion that they are all condescending and rude. If there is such a thing as a kind, compassionate doctor I have yet to see one. It has been 5 years since I've been to a doctor's office and I avoid them like the plague. I'd rather get treated by a vet than an MD.

I'm going through hell right now. Its not really incompetent doctors but it sucks anyway. This has been going on for over a month so its a long story, bear with me, its a good one.

On January 9th I went sledding with a friend at midnight, we were sledding at the high school and were originally just going down the drifts. We decided it was time to go but had to go down "THE HILL" once before leaving, its a really steep, high hill that a lot of kids are afraid to go down, its really hard to climb up so we don't normally go down it more than once.
My friend and I decided to race, I was on the super fast plastic disc that was our favorite because it was so slick, my friend was on an inflatable tube. We counted to three and down I went, gleefully yelling the whole way down, I was going so fast that I didn't stop at the bottom and went for a while before hitting the corner of a chain link fence, a metal pole. I hit it so hard I had the wind knocked out of me, it felt like I couldn't breath for 5 minutes. I hit my leg, my thigh, and was terrified I broke my femur, having some medical training I know that a broken femur is not good, its a really bad bone to break, so I was freaking out. I was in too much pain to cry but somehow managed to gain enough strength to walk to the car.
I went home and woke my Mom up, oh, did I mention this was at midnight? My friend helped me take off my coveralls and my leg was incredibly swollen, the swelling was probably at least 4 inches beyond normal but there was a dent in my leg (about 3 inches) where I hit the pole, this only made me more certain my femur was fractured.
So my Mom took me to the ER where the took about 5 views of my leg. The good news was it wasn't broken, it was just severely bruised, to the bone. They gave me some vicodin and sent me home.
Originally there was no sore, about a week later I found a blood blister on the back of my thigh (where I hit the pole) it was about 2 inches in diameter and when I touched it the skin broke very easily, there were also a lot of little ones all around it. A week after that it got infected so I went to my normal doctor. She gave me some antibiotics and told me to come back in a few days.
During the whole time my leg had accumulated a lot of fluid, when I went in for my recheck they decided to stick a needle in it and drain it with a syringe. The first day they took out over 200 cc's but then I lost about 500 that night. They had me coming in every other day for a week and would drain fluid out of it, as much as 800+cc's at a time.
After a week they decided to send me to a surgeon. He decided to do in house surgery after finding a pocket of infection, so he cut a two inch incision in my leg. The pressure from the infection had created a cavity between the skin and the muscle. They had me pack it with strip gauze every day. This was last Monday (the 7th) over the weekend he consulted some wound specialists and they said the best thing to do was a debridment, basically put me under general anesthesia, cut my leg open and scrape out the infection and any dead tissue. So I went under the knife again on Tuesday. I think this was the most painful thing I have ever gone through. Since then they have been packing it with 2 inch gauze, my incision is probably 8 inches long but the cavity under the skin is about 18 inches in diameter.
Finally this thing is healing, at least at the bottom. It is still very painful and I have to change the bandage twice a day and the packing once a day. Unfortunately the top of the wound isn't healing as well and they will probably have to re-debride it. I am not looking forward to that. Anyway, that's my story, its pretty fun (NOT!)

Originally Posted by hissy

My worst time came in the OR I was having a second surgery, the first one had happened about a month ago. I told the anesthesiologist that I had recently had a major surgery- no problem I was told, it is all in your chart. Now count to ten backward....

They sliced, I woke up and screamed. I will never forget that searing pain and the look in the eye, when I sat bolt upright on that table screaming in agony. They did not charge me for the drugs during that procedure.

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That's my worst fear! I had surgery on Tuesday and will probably have to go in again soon and I am terrified of that happening to me. I've heard stories from people that say they can feel the whole thing but they can't do anything because they are under anesthesia. Out enough to not be awake but not fully out.

Originally Posted by consumercity

I've been to lots of doctors in my life and have come to the conclusion that they are all condescending and rude. If there is such a thing as a kind, compassionate doctor I have yet to see one. It has been 5 years since I've been to a doctor's office and I avoid them like the plague. I'd rather get treated by a vet than an MD.

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I finally found a doctor I like, my current doctor is very kind. I love her. My surgeon on the other hand is on the top of my not-so-good list. He is actually a really good doctor but they have been packing a wound in my leg and the other day I was in a lot of pain and he was pulling the packing out very fast. He has the "do it quick like a band-aid" point of view, which isn't the point of view that I have. I think this is one of those things you do slowly, I can tolorate that more. I was begging him to stop but I guess if he would have stopped I would have said he isn't going to start again but sonuvagun! And I have a very high pain tolorance. I like it much better when the nurse does it.
BTW, I work at a vet clinic and everyone asks the doctor questions regarding medical care for themselves. I even had her look at my leg before I went to the doctor, lol. Of course, she can't do anything as far as treatments go.

This thread is really troubling me:

On one hand, I understand the need to vent about the wrongs in our health care system, however, in the end "horror stories" only serve to scare people from seeking needed medical care, they do little to educate.

I have known and worked with more than my share of incompetent, uncaring and dimwitted physicians AND nurses in my 25 years as a nurse. However, let's not forget the fact that millions of people seek medical care every day in this country and receive more than competent care. Just look at our expected life span, now close to 80 years of age. In 1900 it was about 47 years of age. That did not happen by sheer accident, it was caused by good medical care, proper nutrition, prevenitive health care, and the unbelievable amount of pharmaceuticals available to us.

As far as antibiotics go, they have, thank God, been around for over 60 years and have saved millions of lives. As for the post where the member stated, they did not help her UTI, you were obviously put on the wrong antibiotic. A DR should always do a culture AND a SENSITIVITY of your urine to determine what antibiotic you need. If he/she didn't shame on them. My advice to anyone, if you don't get better in a reasonable amount of time seek a second opinion or third, or more. Just like you would never return your car to an incompetent mechanic, be proactive in your health and find another Dr.

MRI: MRIs are not "horrible" experiences for the vast majority of people who receive them. The member's experience may have been horrible, but that is not the usual case. It is wrong to scare people into thinking so. I have had an MRI and have witnessed scores, they are usually, fairly quick and painless. Yes, those with claustrophobia, have issues with them, but you can be medicated in advance for that and most areas now have "open" MRIs.

Reading these threads reminds me of women's horror stories concerning labor and delivery, everyone wants to top someone else on how bad it was. Sure some labor and deliveries are awful, but again not the vast majority. Telling these war stories only serve to scare the mom sh**less. They don't help her nor do they educate her.

An old nurses advice: Seek medical care when you need it. If you encounter a lousy Dr or nurse report them. Believe me hospital administrators read every compliant, and they do everything to fix them most of the time. If they don't it reflects on them..and heads will roll, I've seen it first hand. Our medical system needs a lot of help in many ways, but most of the times it works. I don't believe it works fairly economically, but that's another thread all together. Finally, if you have read this thread and are now scared to get help, don't be. Do your homework, read all you can about your condition or symtoms, find a doctor you believe in, and if you find an idiot, run like hell, and seek a second or even third opinion. Good care is out there, you just have to do some homework. If you find yourself unable to do the legwork because you are too ill, utilize your family and friends. And don't take everyone's "horror" story as gospel, seek advice from people who are educated on your condition. Medical horror stories are kind of like the internet, anyone can say/print anything. Use your own common sense.

I don't think any of us were trying to scare others... Just sharing our experiences with others who understand.
I would never want someone who needed help not to go try and find it just because of what we said.
Like I said in one of my earlier posts, there are MANY competant caring doctors and nurses, and the few who aren't really hurt some people's trust in health care, I have lost mine all together.
Besides the mistake with the allergy most of my experiences wouldn't have been all that bad... IF there had been only one, but everytime you see a doctor for whatever reason and they "treat" you as badly as I have been, all trust is thrown out the window.
I think that's all we are talking about, or at least were at the beginning of the thread.

I hope that clarifies at least my point when I replied to this thread~

I certainly don't believe ANYONE was trying to scare people. But if you read the thread from beginning to end, it reads like a 24 car pile up collision on the highway, with the exception of a few posts. Look at it from the eyes of someone who is already nervous about going to a doctor, they'd have a heart attack just reading this..and then be too afraid to call 911! LOL! Believe most patients are nervous, they need some positive info, not one horror story after another. Sorry but I could not let this thread go by, not if I was any type of a professional. If people want answers to their medical problems, seek a professional, a good first stop is www.webmd it is consumer friendly and in plain english. Again, I know people did not want to scare anyone, I think it (the thread) just got carried away.

Originally Posted by Mom of Franz

I certainly don't believe ANYONE was trying to scare people. But if you read the thread from beginning to end, it reads like a 24 car pile up collision on the highway, with the exception of a few posts. Look at it from the eyes of someone who is already nervous about going to a doctor, they'd have a heart attack just reading this..and then be too afraid to call 911! LOL! Believe most patients are nervous, they need some positive info, not one horror story after another. Sorry but I could not let this thread go by, not if I was any type of a professional. If people want answers to their medical problems, seek a professional, a good first stop is www.webmd it is consumer friendly and in plain english. Again, I know people did not want to scare anyone, I think it (the thread) just got carried away.

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I really see what you mean That is why I wanted to clarify my point in posting, for you (and you are another to add to the obviously GREAT professionals, like you said, you wouldn't have passed this thread by if you weren't ) as well as for the people who may be scared to go to the doctor. I agree WebMD is an excellent source to obtain info, it has helped me a few times in convincing me that I NEEDED to see a doctor

Thanks Ashley...I'll do private duty on you anytime...no charge!

YAY!!! LOL I think you, Stephanie, and Robin all need to move up here to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada just incase! Don't worry I can pay you in Baker, Cola and Tango kisses

I know a lot of us also have horror stories that have nothing to do with the doctor(s) and are simply because the whatever-it-is took forever to diagnose. I've been struggling with one of those for nearly 2 years now. I've seen probably 6 different doctors (one midwife/RN, two general prac., two gynocologists and one dermatologist) and they've tried all sorts of treatments and tested me for all sorts of things. I've tried eliminating all sorts of things, to see if it is a topical allergy. Zip, zilch, nada for all of it. For some reason I haven't yet decided I'll never get rid of it, or I'd probably get really depressed. Sigh. I know I'm not the only one with a condition that stubbornly refuses to identify itself. Oh, and I should say that all the docs I've seen have been very helpful and concerned, and my current gyn is very sorry he hasn't been able to help yet. The dermatologist was a hoot, though, and maybe I should see another. He was obviously not comfortable with looking at my *ahem*, and sort of leaned back and examined me as briefly as possible. It was hard not to start laughing!

I had a bad experience and looking back, it wasn't the fault of any doctor, just a fault of the circumstances.

I was 26 and found out I was pregnant. 2 days later I started to spot and that night started hemoraging. Assuming it was a miscarriage, the doctor did a DNC. I get home that day and got a call from my sister that dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor and they were to operate the next day with about a 10% chance to survive the surgery.

He survived (for another 9 months), and with my doctor's approval, made a plane reservation to fly out to Tucson to help mom when she brought him home from the hospital a week later. The night before we were to bring him home, I had stabbing abdominal pains and spent the day at the hospital with him trying to avoid fainting - of course I didn't bother to tell anyone that I felt like someone was twisting a knife in my stomach. That night I asked my mom to call a cab to take me to the hospital (I wasn't going to bother her with my problems right then). She takes me to the hospital and am misdiagnosed with an infection due to the DNC the week earlier. They give me pain medicine and antibiotics and send me on my way. The pain doesn't subside for a week.

6 weeks later and 4 more doctor visits later, I'm still bleeding and the doctor finally admits me to the hospital for a scope. It turned out to be what I had suspected - an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy - my tube had burst while in Tucson and the pain meds saved my life by killing the fetus. I spent a week in the hospital totally anemic with a high fever because my system was so shaken by the experience.

But here was my lesson on this: if something serious happens to you medically, either don't change doctors or make sure that each doctor talks to each other about your condition. My problem could have been found earlier had I not made that trip out of state and went to a different doctor.

And the good in all of this experience (in a twisted sort of way): I found out that my husband at the time wouldn't support me in my time of need. He didn't bother coming to the hospital cause he said I was "boring", and my family couldn't come cause they were all in Tucson taking care of dad. We divorced later that year.

Well my story isn't a doctors story it's a dentist story and I'm sure you have probably heard me tell it before -

Last year I went to the dentist for a check up, half an hour after our app time we got asked in and I lay down on the dentist chair, etc etc and she started "How often do you brush your teeth"
"At least twice a day"
"NO YOU DON'T"
She started screaming at me and Mum, then she asked Mum to get out of the room and she started jabbing around some equipment and I said it hurt, she said "That's because you don't brush your teeth"
I got up and called her a "B*tch" and walked out, they have lost alot of their patients because of this horrible lady, I now go to a place called the "Gentle Dentle Centre" 100% nicer!

Originally Posted by ash_bct

YAY!!! LOL I think you, Stephanie, and Robin all need to move up here to Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada just incase! Don't worry I can pay you in Baker, Cola and Tango kisses

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On the way, Ashley, anything for those sweet kisses!
I have incredible sympathy for each and every one of you who have had these horrible experiences. I, personally, am terrified of Drs.

Originally Posted by hissy

My worst time came in the OR I was having a second surgery, the first one had happened about a month ago. I told the anesthesiologist that I had recently had a major surgery- no problem I was told, it is all in your chart. Now count to ten backward....

They sliced, I woke up and screamed. I will never forget that searing pain and the look in the eye, when I sat bolt upright on that table screaming in agony. They did not charge me for the drugs during that procedure.

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You poor woman! I do hope they knocked you back out quickly!! That's my biggest fear. . . . being awake during surgery. I once woke up too early while in the middle of a dental procedure (implant - consists of having a titanium screw placed in the jaw bone). I was aware of everything (sound, feeling), but was paralyzed from the drugs and could not move or make a sound! A feeling of nauseousness came over me and I nearly threw up. That's when I was finally able to get the surgeon's attention and somehow let him know that I was going to be sick - he immediately gave me some medication to stop my nauseaousness. When I came back a few weeks later for my check up, I made sure that he knew how unhappy I was that he let me wake up too soon!! He apologized, and the next time he pulled a tooth (under anesthesia) he made sure I was asleep until he was completely finished.

I think we've all had our share of bad experiences. Thankfully, there ARE many compassionate and caring health care providers out there. They are not perfect and do make mistakes. They are human. That's when we need to speak up and do something about it. . . . complain to managment, or in extreme cases, contact an attorney (trust me, I had to do this once when I was misdiagnosed with appendicitis and nearly died). I owe my own life and that of my daughter to caring doctors - those who saved me from the first ones that nearly killed me and those that saved my daughter when she had complications at birth.

On my end, I don't blame anyone for what happened. My body was resistant to the drugs given to me and this freak thing happened. I have had 3 surgeries since that day and I always tell the anesthesiologist about this experience. I didn't sue anyone. It happened long ago when I was in my 20's and back then not everyone was "so sue happy." Do I wish it had never happened? Yep! It causes me some anxious moments any time after when I am being put under. But I have known other people who went through worse, so I just count myself lucky that they were fast enough to put me back under away from the pain.

Geez, I have nothing compared to the horror stories I just read! But here goes:
When I was with my first husband I got so sick that he had his friend take me to the ER. I had cramps, pain and nausea. I was doubled over and sure that my appendix had burst, well after waiting over an hour for a doctor, He strolls in( from what was an obvious coffee break, seeing as he had crumbs from something on his jacket, no big deal but geez can ya give me something for the pain at least!??) and looks at me, tells me "you have the flu", gives me a shot and sends me home. no tests, nothing more. I got even though, I puked on the ER Floor. The pain didn't go away so I went to another doctor a couple of days later.(not the ER)It turns out that I had a Urinary Tract infection that was so bad it landed me in the hospital for a week. I wanted to kill that ER doctor, the sad part is, he is STILL in practice. and I've heard other peoples horror stories from him!!! Our towns Doctors scare me!!!!!!!