Can you help? My name is Meaghan - I am 24 and have been in constant pain for far too long. I live?
- Posted:
- 6 weeks ago by toomuchpain
- Topics:
- pain, surgery
Details:
... in southern PA. I had Chiari Malformation correction surgery in York, Pa in 05/2008. Then in 04/09 I a resection of first and cervical ribs that was supposed to relieve TOS related symptoms - this surgery was at Johns Hopkins.
As for the problem - I am in much worse pain than I ever have been, physical therapy is a disaster (back at week #4!!!) and now 7 months out of surgery. I cannot find a doctor who will even tell me what to do next, prescribe and kind of med and have been refused by more doctors than I can count. I can't make any headway with Hopkins - and frankly the constant 24/7 pain is killing me. I have been in constant brain-numbing pain for over a year now and I can't find anyone to help. All of my local pain management specialists refuse my case as it is "too advanced". Can someone - anyone - help? I can't keep living like this. My right arm is now in a sling all day, I can't sleep, focus or eat. Basically - I need to get the pain under control and people just keep turning me away. Can anyone help me?
This is my last resort in a sense - so any help, suggestions, etc would be greatly appreciated. I can't live like this anymore
Contact the largest medical malpractice attorney group in your state and they should have a doctor on staff to look for errors in your treatment and should be able to get you to a doctor who can help you. I am so sorry that you are in such bad shape. If you don't want to go that route, check online for doctors who specialize in back surgery or contact the medical school in you area and ask who they might know who specializes in re doing surgical failures for your surgery. BUT BEFORE YOU DO ANY OF THAT< GET YOUR RECORDS Any and All, pertaining to the back problems. You will need them for a new doctor or attorney. Sometimes they ( accidently on purpose ) lose them. Get your records.I am gonna say some huge Prayers for you to get some help, answers, and relief. Also, get a patient advocate to help you in the future, this is a person you appoint to help you. Try and ask a friend or family member who might be in the medical field to be your advocate.God Bless You.You willl have to go outside your city to sue or have legal action against a doctor in your city. They will claim conflict of interest.You might want to see a neurosurgeon as at least a consult.
Hi I feel for you so young to be in so much pain I know very little about TOS, but at 58 I do know about Dr.s not listening and pain meds. Won't have much help for you have you gone back to the Dr. that discovered this and authorized the surgery or the surgeon sounds like somethings not right or it's your age that may be a factor they don't want to start you on pain meds but there are non narcotics that might help. I can't understand them just dismissing you like that, on your health insurance do you have a primary Dr that manages who you go to tell him to find someone or find a different primary dr. Are your parents or an older adult that can verify the pain your going thru to any of these appts. if not bring someone in the room with the dr.1st your primary dr. and all others. Call your insurance co tell them you cannot find anyone if that doesn't work call the board of medicine and see if they have any info. Look for trials for your condition. Go back to some of these pain clinics and tell them you want help if they refuse ask why if it's not a good enough reason then say your calling the American Board of Medicine make sure you never have to see this Dr again or you don't have to tell him(her) just filing a complaint against them. Sorry this isn't very helpful keep fighting hopefully soon you will find someone. Last go back to the hospital also every dr you have seen get your medical records you may get an answer from them from the hospital down the line just go and request so they can't change anything. So long as you sign a release they cannot refuse your medical records you'll find some very interesting reading sometimes. Best of luck
My heart goes out to you Meaghan. I went through two major back surgeries and lots of other stuff. I know the kind of suffering you are probably in. The folks that have responded gave you some good advice and I wish you all the best. I feel guilty sometimes because I have one of the best Doctors in the world or at least in the town I live in. But I have heard this story to many times recently. I am blessed. I want you to find a good dr. so you can get some relief. I will say a prayer to my higher power for you too. Good Luck my dear.
Dear Meagan,I believe you have recieved good info from your responses.The only thing I can add is when you request your records from both previous Dr!s and hospitals be sure you write on the request form you want all records,test results,Dr!s notes any and all copies on file for furure care.Let them know you are collecting all of your history for your records for fututre care.You are not supposed to be charged this way or the fee is supposed to be minimal.If you can evev offer to come pick these up that can also speed the process.Do not let the records room know your intent.To begin with it is none of there business,also if they think there may be a lawsuit pending ther is surely records that will not be made available to you.Good Luck and I will also keep you in my prayers.If the pain becomes to much to bear go to an emergency room and refuse to leave until they get your pain under control. Good Luck,Kathysbest
