[skywalker1988]

I've been to the ER a total of 4 times since being dxed in April. 2 times were because of the first MS hugs I've ever had - the last 2 times were chest pains. the last 2 times were the worse times that I've been treated - all I was given was lortab and tramadol after the xrays and ekgs. i just do not understand why they are so mean - the last ER doctor told me to DEAL with it - don't they understand that pain that I'm in?!??!?!? Don't they understand that it was an emergency for me - that is why I was even there!!!!!!!!!!

the hospital might have state of the art equipment, but they don't have state of the art employees! I hurt every single day - I don't want to keep going to the ER because of pain - I had to fire my neuro because he didn't help me with the pain, telling me to go to pain speciallist, and i've heard bad things about them!

Maybe I can try to go to a different ER but its an hour away, and my appt for hte MS Center is aug 19th - I really hope they will help me when the time comes - I have kept a log since Feb 2013 when it all started to go down hill and I thank God that I kept up with me, noting every symptom, every bad feeling, etc....

I only go to the ER if I'm hurting badly and nothing else has helped. I wish they were more caring, and did more tests.

[Erin524]

It's because of all the <bad swear word> drug addicts that go to the ER drug seeking. They ruined it for all the people who are actually in pain.

MS is an invisible disease. On the outside, a lot of us look totally normal, and a lot of our symptoms can be subjective. We can feel them, but people can't see them. ER doctors probably see the drug seekers more often, and just don't believe anyone anymore unless they can see an actual source of a pain (you know, a giant iron rod impaled into someone's chest or something)

[Jules A]

It is important to keep in mind that an ED is NOT meant to be someone's only resource for pain management. This is something that needs to be followed up with a consistent outpatient provider for safety and continuity of care.

[chaos]

Why not go see the pain doc? Did you hear something bad about the one in your town or all of them? I've seen two. One quite a few years ago, he just wanted to put me on meds and send me on my way. I didn't like him. Saw a new one a couple months ago and I really like her. We talked a ton about options and she's the one that thinks I have MS and sent me in for a MRI, and even though the MRI was clean, still thinks I may have it based on symptoms. I think it helps that she's a woman and near my age. Not a curmudgeonly old man.

Write down what is going on with you and what you need before you go. If you get emotional or have a hard time communicating while in the appt, it'll be helpful to have it all down already. And bring a friend with you if you want, as an advocate.

[Sparky10]

Try to see things from their side. Your records show a young man coming in 4 times complaining of either chest pains and/or pain. Tests show nothing. They see nothing wrong other than a man with MS who hurts. Or worse, a man who just wants pain meds. As JulesA said:

It is important to keep in mind that an ER is NOT meant to be someone's only resource for pain management.

You really ought to find a neurologist. Are you under the care of any doctor?

[missj]

I've always looked at emergency rooms as a place to make sure that you don't die! Addressing serious wounds, allergic reactions, dehydration, etc. More acute conditions than chronic ones. MS is surely a chronic one. I personally don't think even an acute flare warrants a trip to the ER since the doc can usually prescribe at home steroids if needed or even wanted. Hope you get relief soon.

[gdmcor]

I'm with you, missj. I can't stand waiting hours in the ER, which I just did Saturday, spending thousands of dollars. However, sometimes it does give a little peace of mind, if you're lucky.

Sorry about your experience, skywalker.

Gretchen

[ginnie]

It took me four different doctors that I interviewed before I found the pain specialist I wanted. They are not all the same. some can be very very good. Mine is a physiatrist, she specialized in pain control. You need more than ER visits. They should never treat someone badly like that. Each hospital has a patient advocasy program. You can and should complain if you received bad treatment. There is no excuse to be mean. Nobody can help being in pain.
Seek that pain speciaist and go out of your way to do so. There are some ver compasionate doctors out there if you take the time to find them. ginnie

[skywalker1988]

The problem with trying to find the right doctor is money. I don't have health insurance, and I am waiting on my disability to still come through. So I'm unable to just go to any doctor if I don't have the money and most of the doctors now require payment up front esp if you are a new patient.

[Mariel]

I feel for you, Skywalker, not being able to try more than one pain specialist. I've been to a rotten one who was fired later by his famous clinic, and I've been to a reasonable, good one too. The good one told me to just continue taking demerol when in pain, which I was only on a minority of the time, and I had shown that I had no interest (over years) in taking demerol when I was not in pain--that is, not addicted. As I can't take any other pain med without severe side effects, that appt. was primarily to check up to see if he approved of the demerol, which he did, said I was doing just right with it. I once tried another pain med just to see if I could take an alternate one, which experiment was approved by my doctor. I took one Oxycodone. It gave me a fever four six points above normal for four hours, and had me trembling on the floor until it wore off, after which I was none the worse for wear.
You don't have the "coverage" to do this kind of "trying things out" and I think that is a crying shame.
Pain can come from other stuff than MS, of course, so that complicates things a lot.