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.. 

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.

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

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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.