To me this seems ridiculous!!!
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| Wed, 03-11-2009 - 5:08pm |
I went to see my doctor yesterday to hear the results of the Xray, and he said I need to have an ultrasound done on my shoulder. It appears that I have a rotator cuff tear... which is what I figured all along.
Anyhow he gives me a requisition to have it done in the hospital down island. He said to call them and see which hospital would get me in quicker.
SO I called yesterday and got a voice message to say I am to leave my name birthday phone number and a detailed message as to what I need.
I did that and then waited and waited and did not get a call back, so I called again today. Well I guess I am going to have to wait a while longer to get in, the earliest I can get an ultrasound is 6 to 8 weeks. I tried several other hospitals to see and it is the same story.
SO now I have to wait that long in pain until they can get my scan done. Both the doctor and I thought best not give me the shot of cortisone until we see the results, but now I am thinking can I go on another month and half to two with this much pain. I am honestly awake for most the night, if I take the pain pills I get about 3 or 4 hours sleep then it starts to throb and keeps me awake the rest of the night!
I fell asleep last night after 3:30 and slept for about 1 hour then woke to it burning pain down the shoulder and to mid arm.
I do not like our medical system for the fact that no matter what it is it seem we have to wait and wait and wait. GRRRRR.
Now that I got that off my chest I think I will get over my pity party and do something fun, like start dinner.
Hugs,
PS you know it does make me feel better to vent on that. Gosh I hope that we always have this group to be able to do that!

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Every system has its problems....but that is a long wait!
Ah thanks Sooze!
That is why I don't go to drs. If I have a real problem I go to the emergency room. Complain about chest pain that started in my upper arm or something and then they exray and and sonogram or whatever test they think I need. Then they send me home with a script for pain (which I normally never fill) or they set me up with a specialist I can see right away. It may cost me $50.00 for the emergency room with my insurance but it saves me probably many trips to the drs. and alot of copay.
I believe the medical profession is one big money racket with many drs. working together to get our money. That's why insurance rates are so high.
If all patients were made to get an mri and full blood workup it would save alot of money for everyone
HI Lor
That is really ridiculous!! I really hate to think of you having to live with the pain that long. Enough is enough already. We complain here in the US about our medical care but rarely if ever would it take that long to have an ultrasound done. You need something asap for that pain. The lack of sleep will really only make the problem worse for you. Take the pain pills and at least get as much sleep as you can. Maybe you can call the Dr and see if he will reconsider about giving you the shot.
I agree Lor having this board to vent something like this is just the best. You feel better after you have posted it and you know the ladies on this board will be there for you with a little advice but mostly just the support. I hope this board is here for a long time as well. If our members don't post I have to wonder how long it will be here for us.
Love and gentle (((hugs)))
Well here if I went to the emergency they woudl
Well I do plan to ask for the shot because I really can not live on this
I'd say you have absolutely nothing to worry about. :)
Karla
Community Moderator, iVillage.com
Karla
Community Moderator, iVillage.com
Lor, I agree that you should let your doctor know how long the wait is. We run into that here sometimes since we are a rural area and do not have a full-time ultrasound staff. At times our hospital goes for quite a while without having someone available. Sometimes the doctor can then arrange for the patient to go somewhere else...perhaps a little farther away, but at least they might be able to get their work done in a reasonable period of time.
There are definitely good and bad things about our medical system but I think the worst thing is that too many doctors and other medical practitioners do not stress prevention and lifestyle changes for their patients. And, of course, too many patients don't want to make the effort to make those changes. A rotator cuff tear certainly doesn't fall into that area...I don't want you to think I'm commenting directly about your situation. I'm just babbling on about one of my soapbox items. :)
I hope you're able to get it taken care of soon. That is such a painful and limiting condition.
Kat
&n
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