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Old 07-07-2017, 05:10 AM
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PamelaJune PamelaJune is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Where my heart is
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10 yr Member
PamelaJune PamelaJune is offline
Senior Member
PamelaJune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Where my heart is
Posts: 1,140
10 yr Member
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Went to work early this morning, I had awoke at 3am with acute lower spine pain, got there for 8 and worked nonstop until 1.30 when I had all that needed doing done & I was bought home by staff to DB, who together with the staff insisted on calling an ambulance despite me saying the hospital won't do anything. Taken to hospital and they did X-rays. I screamed every time I moved it was that bad, I haven't been in acute lower back pain like this in a very long time. X-rays show the remaining 1/2 pedicle embedded titanium screw (left over from fusion in 1994 when the plates and screws snapped & all had to be removed in 1996 but couldn't take the broken 1/2 pedicle out as embedded to deep in vertebrae) has moved a few millimetres and I have a 6mm spondylolisthesis L5.

ED said their aim is to reduce pain with medication and they can't do anything until I see a specialist as I don't have any obvious fractures. I asked if that meant she was saying I should go home, yes, so I'm discharged in agony. Nurses all in disbelief the young ED doctor discharging me. Twice they asked her and she snapped, yes all she needs is drugs. So DB came in to help me up and out, a nurse helped me dress & I'm still involuntarily screaming every time I move. DB, he is very disappointed and dare I say shocked I've been given the bums rush and so callously. I said to him now you know why I'm always reluctant to go to hospital via ED as I'm labelled a drug addict. In the 2 beds either side of me while in ED were ICE addicts and round the corner another addict screaming and shouting for methadone. The young ED doctor just couldn't care less, she said more than once ED job is to reduce & manage pain so patient can go home or if necessary be admitted if there is an obvious fracture. No fracture so I can go.

I'm glad to be out, I've had X-rays, I know what's wrong and I can manage it from home until I see my own doctor. Oh ironically the ED doctor told me I would need to take more drugs... the upper back pain I realise now is referred from the lower back, I just didn't realise yesterday or the day before my lower back was so bad. It's always hurting to some extent so I've just put the thought aside.

Post edit
So I'm Home, the pain is not even remotely under control, I'm crying and screaming in pain & DB lecturing me " I should have said I'm here because I can't manage the pain at home" I've told him to leave it go, he's not making me feel better, and while I know me in this obvious pain is unsettling for him he needs to suck it up just like I am.

I read my discharge letter, it says I deny the following;
Having fallen in recent months (not true told them the falls I've had)
Taking drugs or alcohol

It goes on to say;
I've experienced relief from 5mg oxynorm, (not true, I said it had made no difference)
I'm discharged with an IR for buprenorphine & oxynorm. (No only script for buprenorphine) I queried it saying it says you've given a script for oxynorm 5mg, you haven't, but if I need it on Monday my doctor won't give it because they will say I had a script today. Nurse came back & apologised, said she didn't know why the "young ED doctor" wrote that, and gave an amended discharge letter.
I'm to see a specialist on Monday - oh yes I'll get in that quickly....
To return in 48 hrs if no better.. no chance of that
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I can still remember what life was like before pain became my life long companion

Last edited by PamelaJune; 07-07-2017 at 07:02 AM.
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