Well, I had my EXPERIENCE with doctors and am not a happy camper. I'd forgotten how STUPID they can be or how arrogant..

I got a cold which got worse and worse. Kept going too long without going to visit my nice friendly GP.. so, as luck would have it, I ended up in ER on Christmas Day with pneumonia.

Doc was nice, BUT... he sent me home with some antibiotics (about $100 worth) .. Two days later I was worse and ended BACK in ER.. This time I told them I was going to the hospital for some IV antibiotics and to get well before I died..

That's when the trouble started. This little wet-behind-the ears doc admits me. (Now remember I'm sick and don't do sick well - get a little touchy). I tells him about my CH and what I do if I get hit (O2 and in a pinch Imitrex). This JERK says "Well, if you get a headache tell the nurse and she can call me!" He was standing too far away for me to grab him and shake him so I just yelled .. "It's not a matter of waiting you idiot.. When I need O2 I need it NOW and not when the nurse can call you.. The damn thing will be in full force by then. Didn't you learn anything in med school - like listening to your patients when they know what the hell to do about a condition you don't know a damn thing about!!!"

Well, I gets in the hospital and they starts the antibiotics (after they find a vein - takes four shots for that one.. I don't have any veins).. The respitory therapist comes in and tells me he ordered O2 for me if I need it.. NOW GET THIS... 2 liters with a nose thingy.. I told her to take the nose thingy and cram it.. Luckily she'd been there the last time I had pneumonia and remembered that I had CH and I had given her the CH 101 course in it. She brings a non-rebreather mask and tells me I know how to turn the O2 to what I need.. She can't do it but I can if I need it..

Luckily I did not get hit while in the hospital and my pneumonia is a lot better. I am home now and doing what I need to do. My head is just shadowing (I've coughed so much that it's out of whack right now).

Maybe we should write all these medical schools and let them know about CH.. it's been kept secret too long.. I really don't think many of these new docs have a clue what it is or what to do about it.

I think if I hadn't been so darn sick and my chest hurting so bad I really would have hurt the guy. But if I hadn't been that sick - I wouldn't have been there so...

Ok, rant over.. but I still get angry when I think about the IDIOTS who call themselves doctors..  ::)

What an experience. Although what is important is that you're home and getting better.

It really does show how important it is to take charge of your own health and not just to let a doctor do their stuff as this could have had pretty severe effects.

It is also incredible how arrogant many doctors are and not just those newly qualified are in assuming that they know everything about everything, although some medical schools do try to avoid this. Someone I know well went to medical school and one of the first things they did was a first aid course as people would expect them to be able to save lives but they were told that the reality was that they were only capable of helping keep someone alive until real help got there, like a paramedic.

I'm a supporter, (not a sufferer), and I believe no one (CH or not) "does sick well", but I would never treat another human being the way you described treating the nurse and the doctor. 

I've been up to my ears advocating for my sufferer while in chronic cycle and wholeheartedly believe I was able to get the help needed with 2 things: a sound education of the facts of CH, and a firm, respectful attitude.

I hope your insulting behavior made you feel better, because I'm sure it did nothing for the recipients.

Yikes! This topic has the potential to get very ugly very fast. I can understand Barbra's frusteration. In her defense, the closest hospital is most likely quite a trek from her house and that I'm sure contributed to her frusteration. I also understand Mosiacwench's arguement about treating people with decentcy. Nobody likes to make multiple trips to the ER during the holidays only to be misdiagnosed.I hope that this topic doesn't cause any bitterness between anyone here. We all come here to find comfort amongst each other and if anything we should develop strong bonds in our community. Please ladies don't be bitter towards each other.

A horror story Barb but nice going dealing with medical types. I see a silly neurologist to write scripts for my epilepsy but I was surprised that the little twerp knows a bit about ch. Not that I'd expect him to deal with it any better than yours in a hospital though. :-/   Fortunately it's not been a problem for me in a long time.

I'm glad you're doing better though.

Charlie

It's a funny thing. We take O2 for granted, but there is still a lot of suspicion out there in the medical community about it. I would have thought basic and simple research in its use and effects would have put this question to bed. When I went to the ER with a real screamer I had to wait until my own neuro showed up before they'd give me O2. It's not like I was looking for a fix or anything.

I wonder...is there some way to get research and prescriptive recommendations sent to whomever is in charge of our ER's? lance

Quote:

Yikes! This topic has the potential to get very ugly very fast.

There is no reason this has to get ugly.

Barb has a right to be frustrated with ineptitude.  We've all been there,  and Pat is correct that a firm knowledge of CH and a respectful demeanor/attitude is super important in getting your thoughts across to a doctor or nurse.  If you're screaming insults at them they certainly aren't going to be open to being educated.