Lived Experience Forum

[Katana]

I've been in severe pain since Saturday, but because I have chronic pain issues in other areas of my body and have a mental health history (PTSD and Depression) the ED refuses to help me.  They sent me home in so much pain I can't even walk, but because of my medical history they assume my pain is all in my head and won't help me.  It feels like my insides are being ripped apart but I just have to deal because a person with mental health history can't have a genuine medical issue apparently.

I've been doing reasonably well controlling my depression and such despite having been stressed over my mother's episodes of suicidal threats, but i'm struggling to keep myself level with all this extra pain.  How is anyone supposed to stay level when noone will help while their in absolute agony.

(apologies for the rant like post, but i'm at my wits end)

[Jupiter]

Hey @Katana 

I'm so sorry to hear of the severe pain you have been in and that you haven't been able to receive help through the ED It's really unfair for your physical pain to have been dismissed like that. 

It sounds like you have been doing a good job of managing your depression so far, but that this event may be an added stressor that feels too much right now. We are here for you so please continue to share how you're going if it helps  

[NatureLover]

Hi @Katana ...I'm sorry and pretty horrified that the ED sent you home without treating your severe pain. That seems incredible in this day and age. 

Could you maybe go to another ED, or try again at the same one but hopefully see a different person on a different shift maybe?

I am really sorry that you're in agony. What kind of supports do you have?

[Katana]

Hi @NatureLover 

There were actually 2 hospitals in 3 days.  1st one sent me home because I have chronic health issues the doctor was unwilling to do anything because I had other chronic issues "it must be chronic"  The second one (last night) was oh I can't see anything obvious causing it so it must be psychological....... with that look that says "you're just after meds".  I'm not keen to get treated like that over and over again, I'm barely holding it together with the pain plus my head screaming at me that if I was a horse... they literally would have put me down by now.  Why bother going back when they're just going to blame it on my mental state.  

I just... I don't feel like I have any way to get treated.

[Katana]

Hey @Jupiter 

Thanks for responding, it really is a stressor... I'm trying to figure out why I'm trying to keep it all together when it's impossible to get treatment.  If I try and go back, then I get labelled as a frequent flyer and the accusation of chasing meds is out there.  If I don't, I'm left in agony with no idea what's wrong.  I just don't see a way around this.

[Owlunar]

Hi @Katana 

I have chronic pain myself and it is really hard to get treatment from for it - after all - chronic pain can't be treated - only managed - ad this is a real problem for you - for many actually

I must ask - did you attend for the same chronic pain problem because this could be the reason they are so lacking in understanding - if it's a different problem then that is not good at all because it might be something that needs treatment

In your last post you mentioned the possibility that you are chasing meds - I hear you - this happen - and it make things difficult because people are often desperate and the drug problem is something making life really tough for many people

What can you do? Okay - you can go to a different clilnic and not mention medication at all - the moment people do the red-flags go up and things are getting harder because the Government is clampling down on pain medication which is really unfair. 

You could ask for a referral to a pain clinic and these vary. Public pain clinics have waiting lists to get onto a waiting list = private specialists cost a lot but if you can pay to see a private specialist it is worth the money - you will get seen and listened too though I can't predict an outcome of course

GPs are limited in what they can prescribe - my suggestion would be to approach a new GP and not mention medication at all but ask for a referral to a pain specialist. Of course you have to mention that you have been seen for mental health issues but keep that low key - depression is a normal medical problem - add your chronic pain and COVID-19 restrictions and it is all just so much harder - depression is wide-spread atm

I wish you the best - it's not at all easy - this I know

Dec

[Katana]

Hey @Owlunar 

I have a pain specialist, my chronic pain is managed through a persistant pain team.  They have been really good and it took years, but we have a solid plan in place for all of that.  What is happening now is completely separate to my chronic pain.  My GP is doing everything she can from her end, but I had an acute pain flare up on Saturday, in a totally different area of my body, it's so severe that she called the ambulance and sent me to hospital with a letter from her, and they still dismissed me.  I didn't ask them for meds, they just wrote me off as a psych patient chasing meds.... twice.  I just... I get there's a lot going on, I get everyone's busy.  But this could be something serious, and I now have to lay in my bed and hope it's not damaging my insides while I wait until monday to go back to my GP.  I feel like something's trying to scrape it's way out of my body, but because nothing obvious showed on a blood test... it must be in my head.  I.... I'm lost here.  I try to go through the right channels and nothing happens.... that's a lot of dot dot dot's up there but that's where i'm at... at a complete loss to know how to get this seen to, and hating myself a little for whinging this much.  

[Owlunar]

You are not whinging at all @Katana  - you have every right to have medical treatment and so wrong that you have been dismissed

I have been through the hoops myself so I know the drill and I do have a bit more to add here - you have two paths of action

It's Thursday afternoon and I think it unwise to wait until Monday to see your GP - I suggest you ring the clinic and try and see her today - at least speak to her - if she felt it was serious enough to send you to the ED in an ambulance then she will want to know that this failed and why -  and it isn't whinging at all - to me it sounds as if there is something really painful going on - I would like to use the word serious - but let's see

And/or - ring or email your pain team - they could suggest something - when I was in the public system and had a painful problem that needed treatment the pain clinic I used to attend helped with the problem and eased the symptoms and ordered tests etc - I was well cared for

Laying in your bed - possibly alone - in so much pain - must be - hey - I know - it's really bad and it's totally wrong that you were dismissed by more than one ED teams - it's discrimination - and has stigma attached - just because someone has an MI whatever it is doesn't mean that they are after medication or attention - which does happen - but everyone's medical condition needs assessment

Keep trying to get help and keep in touch - I really feel for you - your last post really put me in touch with your situation - you never know when that will happen - it just does

All the best - I really care 

Dec

[Katana]

Thanks @Owlunar 

I am trying, I'm waiting for a couple of return phone calls atm.  Fingers crossed I guess.

[Owlunar]

Hey again @Katana 

I have my fingers crossed for you too - and hope you get your calls returned too

Otherwise - rather than wait forever for someone else - try ringing again - all the best

Dec