I went (to ER), I saw, I left

Sky I hope you are feeling better today. I know for a fact that the finger type o2 test is not always a true indicator of how you are breathing. I have had to had that all the time and there are times the o2 thingy says I'm at 96% and am gasping for air. The way you were treated was awful and I'm sorry you had to go through that.

Jbug

Sigh, I wondered about that after the fact... but wasn't able to think while there.. obviously.

I've thought about, if it seems worth the trouble, later on, to write a nice letter to (whomever) about maybe needing stronger sensitivity training..or at the very least mark my permanent file that I have PTSD and need a cold, dark , quiet place and help with making decisions...should I darken their doorstep again?!

I should have called rescue... I should have called rescue..I had decided the last 2 times, that I would call rescue the "next" time... grrrrr some things just don't work like I expect them to (one being the brain on ptsd!)

I am feeling some better...whereas on Sunday it was still like I was breathing through water (um, YEah pneumonia) today it has felt like someone reemed my lungs out with a wire brush...

My MD is in another county, so I'm not sure how much weight she would have with this hospital system (she is aware of them though.) I haven't told her yet... tomorrow is the first day without antibiotic, so we'll see... I had been so sick when I saw her last week, it wasn't till today that I saw not only had she given me the antibiotic in samples, but also a replacement inhaler! How nice!

Hello SKY,

I understand about the ER treatment (or lack of) and it is so frustrating as seems they had you to return all the way home, then back when they could have tiaged you and had a attending order the chest x-ray and then treated you from there. Ugh! as you said with your having PTSD, did not at all help matters any. They really (ER) seems all over trying to boot you out the door before even assessing by at least a nurse.

I feel for you and all the barriers that were put before you as with PTSD itself I am sure just going to ER in itself was a challenge. Try not to let the ER discourage you from seeking Emergency treatment in the future.

I do also understand about debating on calling the rescue or ambulance for transfer, though I have ran into the problem of being transported via. Ambulance service only to be resoponsible to find my own ride home if not admitted. I do hope that the meds and if you get rest help to get you well soon.

I have a nebulizer in the hall closet that was ordered by my MD in order for me to do breathing treatments PRN at home if needed after office hours or in the event of re-occuring fluid in the lungs, as to save a trip and all the stress of going ot the ER for a Breathing Treatment and then sent huge bill and sent home. Found out I am able to do the same treatment at home as at the ER if needed, Just a thought.

I feel also with the pain meds and the physical conditon that ER seems to underestimate the importance of prompt chest x-ray and the pain meds cause reduced respiration at times as well as the risk of DVT when one is chronic pain and off feet quite a bit. Uggggh! the ignorance of the ER, I am thinking of you and hope your lungs clear soon and you do not give up on going to ER in Future if need be. Best to you- KK101

OK... y'all kept encouraging me...soooooooo today after seeing my T again, and his concern with how ill I am still...and his idea of contacting a radiology center rather than an ER for the xrays...

I called my (regular) ins. co. to find a preferred provider... and there was none except the hospitals. .. not nearby anyway. So I called the new hospital ER and the same guy who has the personality of a carrot tried giving me the same static answers. (Said answers/comments my T had warned me about...)

I felt I would get the same reaction if I went there... so I went to the closer, older hospital, script in hand....

the one lady who obviously was the regular intake(r) got up and left the counter ... and right then someone from the back saw me and came forward to help me... I told her, I've been trying to get this done for a week.... I just need an xray... and I don't do this scene well. She said, What? So I told her again, and added. I have PTSD and the noise and lights and all, I don't do this well.

She was so nice and understanding. It's like I said a key watchword or something...and her whole demeanor changed, she came around to my side of the counter, asked if it would be better if...and she pulled a chair from the large room over to nearer the counter, and the door... where she let me sit... and she pushed my xray through within 45 minutes.

After the xray, though, I told them I was going to go on home. NO no no the xray tech said NOOOO I don't think you can do that said the lady who wheeled me back to the ER waiting room... then the lady from behind the scene, who had done my intake, came out and explained how I needed to stay until the doctor was sure I didn't need treatment...etc OK I'll try and do that..

Well...I made it another 30 minutes...but then...

some strange noise... and tension in the ER waiting room... I thought it might have been a baby, then a small child? then..oh maybe an old woman crying?... after a minute or two...all eyes were on a man on one side of the waiting room... and he was becoming more and more hyper upset...crying while trying to??? IDK whisper?

I got up to stand in the air lock part of the doorway... then as he became louder, I moved out to the outside near the door. I saw a group of ER techs/nurse engage this guy...and felt the tension...

all too much for me, and a perfect way to "escape" they wouldn't miss me for several minutes! I slipped the valet my receipt and waited like I was just getting air...and when the car came ...whoosh I was gone! Let them call my doctor, right?

But at least I got the xrays done. Now I can fearlessly call my MD for further treatment? If she doesn't call me first tomorrow. hehehe I think I'm still delirious with fever though...

Thanks y'all...wouldn't have done it without ya!

(((((((((((( Sky ))))))))))))))

I am so proud of you!!!! You did very well. Please let us know what the Dr says.

Hugs,

Jan

Well done Sky

I had a similar experience the other day with a receptionist who was'nt listening to the fact that I was panicing so much...
Eventually I blurted out "Iv'e got a mental health problem and I'm getting confused..."
The receptionist instantly understood, and let me see a doctor straight away, and the problem was solved.

I guess, it's that we have to be brave and say, "hey! I need help but have difficulty communicating that under stressful situations."

Ordinary folk don't realise how difficult it is for us.

In my opinion, YOU did real good!

Thanks. Now calling the doctor is totally different thing :P

After the experience (second time) at the older ER, I am really thinking about writing that letter about sensitivity training for the new one... because I DID tell them I was confused, and too confused, and not feeling well enough to make such decisions.... yeah...put it on my list of things to do

<font color="blue"> ONCE AGAIN maintaining calm insistence has paid off for me...the story follows:

That was on the 23rd that I went and had xrays. It is now the 10th of March and what a week this has been regarding the "ER." The hospital had been calling almost daily since the visit. While I haven't spoken to them each time, the message was the same, "Pay the bill."

Tuesday evening I actually answered the phone, it was the hospital. In short, the man used my first name (which I don't give out to anyone, nor did I there) and said that the hospital wanted the money for services. I informed him that I hadn't received any bill, but that not only was I still sick, but in a pain flare and would call someone tomorrow and discuss it. He kept repeating "pat" answers meaning he wasn't taking No for an answer.

He didn't listen well. I told him again, and tried to say goodbye. He said I wasn't in the system and he needed my insurance information. After telling him I was in bed sick and didn't have it handy and would call the next day, he then said to write down the account number for when I called.

I told him I wasn't able to write anything down right then. So then he said, well write down the phone number so I would know where to call. I told him I would get that information off the caller ID, goodbye.

I called my MD Wednesday morning: they hadn't received the report YET. So I called the hospital, asked for a supervisor. She also used my first name, so I informed her that obviously I was in the system. She said no. I asked, how is it I was in the system at the other (same name, different branch) hospital two weeks ago and now I'm not. She kept saying the same lines that sounded like she was reading them, same "pat" answers, also.

So I told her that I didn't think I should have to pay, as the hospital hadn't sent my doctor a report. She glossed over that, saying that I owed for treatment at the ER. No, I told her, I only went with my MD's prescription for xrays, and left. She said I didn't have any script. Huh? Well, I had walked in, showed ID, and the script was stapled to the yellow sheet of my information. No, no prescription. I owed the hospital $319.00 she said. Why should I have to pay this, when the very reason I went didn't result in treatment, and I doubt that the xrays were even read. She said that there was only 1 xray.

I told her politely again, that I had just called my MDs office before calling her, and they had not yet received the report. I said that it was too late for her to use the xrays for treatment, as it's been a week now. She said she would make sure the report was sent to my Doctor. I told her that was fine, but it didn't do me any good. She insisted I still owed the $319.00 and she would have the report faxed immediately.

I said that was fine, but that to make sure and document that that amount is in "dispute." She said I would have to do that in writing. I said, well, then you need to bill me in writing. SHE SOUNDED SHOCKED, "You haven't received a bill yet?" No. So she promised she would send one out the next day.

Now I'm not absconding on a bill I owe. I discussed this with T and figured I would submit it to the disability ins first.. and that would delay their payment since I would have to submit it to my regular ins later.

I didn't realize (hey I WAS sick!!! lol) that I had things mixed up in my mind: it was 2 weeks after the actual xrays, 3 weeks after the first attempts. And I have the yellow sheet, not them, that's the copy. Little things like that, but I had remained calm. WHEW! What a triumph for someone with PTSD and authority issues.

Now the good part. I received a call/message from the supervisor yesterday after seeing T. She informed me that my account is cleared and I do not owe the hospital anything!

I suspect that the xrays were never read and there was no report to send to the MD etc etc. ?Part of the point is, she was saying they never had a script from my MD. Well, they didn't have one from their ER MD either, as no one saw me, so how would I have been so powerful to just waltz in and get one?? They really let me fall through the cracks. I wonder how many ppl end up the same way?

I see my MD Tuesday and I am eager to find out her office's side of the story. It's sad that I went through all that effort and stress and for ???? "nothing." But it's good I don't have to pay also!

Good grief! You could have died from lack of proper care. That's horrible!

(((((((((( Sky )))))))))))))

Hugs,

Jan

I'm glad I love my doc, hate the hospital she is affiliated with but for outpatient it is fine. You are a strong advocate. It is a great skill some of us need to learn more of.

Thanks all. Yes, ww, it is something I am having to relearn.(The ptsd causes reaction.) I still don't automatically click into calm and serene, but being so ill helped. Actually, of course, T is responsible for my ability to have done this... constantly working with me to not allow other people's incompetence to get to me, as it causes me so much more pain!

I'm finally able to begin to put what I know into what I do on these things: my becoming upset only hurts me. Stress and pain... well, I have more than I need already of them!

Sky,

Well done!

It's a good job you stood your ground and refused to pay that bill!

I don't think I would have been able to do that.

Hugs

Self advocacy is a wonderful skill. Would really like to achieve these skills for self as I am so good with other people. Maybe I am learning. I tell doc where it's at. I speak with spouse. I am learning about sticking up for myself with me son. That is not as simple as just me holding my own. It has to do with validating him and his feelings too.