Originally Posted by firegirl

I was really bad off last night. My RSD is on almost entire right side of my body. I brought my journal that I keep of my meds & special ER instructions in. On the way there, my friend was speeding to get me there. A cop pulled us & refused to escort us. At that time, I was unconscious & not breathing. This happenned off & on all night. When we got to ER, they were throwing me around like a doll. They had all been warned too. Then, it took my friend asking 3 different nurses to get oxygen. They kept saying they couldnt find the key. I realize that the ER had alot of traumas last night, but it was no excuse for how we were treated. When the nurse went to start my i.v. we told her it had to be on my good side & area had to be numbed. So, she comes back with 2 Ativan pills. My friend said thats not gonna cut it. She needs an i.v. or injection of something. I'd taken lots of oral meds already with no relief. So, the nurse came back & said they didnt have any numbing agents in the adult ER & that anestesiology would have to be paged to get that & they were unwilling to do that. So, the nurse told me she was just gonna put the i.v. in my bad arm because it was already messed up. My friend told her no, so she went & got the doc. Doc came in & said,"Y'all need to quit #$%^ing around & tell us what you want". I got really offended & just said fine...use my good arm but just please be extra careful. Nurse was yelling at me for being too tense. Sorry, my body was shaking uncontrollably. So, they gave me Ativan in an i.v. & that was it. They always give me i.v. Dilaudid. They refused & said that my primary had not left any notations in the computer system specifying that I needed Dilaudid. It was very obvious that my pain was a 10/10. The Ativan did calm down the shaking some, but the pain was never controlled. So, I got mad & said if you're not gonna give me anything for pain how about taking the i.v. out of my arm. They told me to go home & double up on my regular pain meds (Lortab 10-500 x2, Oxycodone Hcl 30mg, Soma 350, Xanax 1mg x2). What a waste of time & effort. I have to give major credit to my friend that took me. We have only known each other for a few months, but apparently she really listens to what I say about my RSD because she really took care of me. That really meant alot to me. She did not have to do that. She was even trying to hold me down before we left for the ER. The doctor asked me if she was my "partner"....we are still laughing about that. I left a message with my primary to see how we can avoid this happening again. Nurse at my primary doc said they dont use same computer system even though its same hospital. Maybe my doc can type a letter explaining what I need when I go to the ER. Anyone else done this?? Sorry this is so long....I just gave you the highlights of the night. Oh yeah...there was really bloody gauze on the floor next to my bed...gross....I will definately be filling out the survey that they send out after ER visits. Got the doctors name too.

Originally Posted by olecyn

I dont know what part of the country you live but that treatment is uncalled for. However, saying that. Many of us are so drug dependant that the ER personnel thinks we are junkies. They should have called your PCP immediately. Especially if they are not hooked up computer wise or have your hx in their own system. I hope it is all cleared up now & for the future needs.

Your friend is a godsend. How many of us have non chronic pain friends who give that much support & understanding? You are very blessed in that department.