I guess I'm showing my passive-aggressiveness here, but I just had too much fun with this

A little history..........I've been playing the TOS game for 4 years now. It started after a lifting incident with a heavy patient , The Hospice that I worked for is a division of our local community hospital. Our employee health department sent me to the hospital affiliated physiatrist that I was followed by for the first 2 years.

I'm having routine surgery next week at that hospital for a non TOS problem. I had to have the pre-surgery EKG, CXR and meeting with the nurseanesthesiologist. Part of the questionaire they give you asks if you have ever had chest pain or tightness and if it radiates to your jaw or L arm. I checked off "yes.........due to TOS" The NP was appalled that I had never had a cardiac workup to make sure it was from the TOS. I have a strong cardiac history in the family and I personally have HTN, high cholesterol, smoking history, and obesity. She sent me over to the ER for a 2 day admission and cardiac, which thankfully was negative.

The NP, and all of the other doctors and nurses that I came into contact with, all asked "Who was your doctor ? How could a competent doctor not order a cardiac workup ?" And I got to answer, "that would be Dr Bxxxxxx" They would say, "the physiatrist who works here?" and I would respond, "Yes, he said the pain was all in my head." They were all as disgusted as I was. Vindication !

Then, to make it even better, they would ask who I was seeing now and what was being done for my TOS. Most of them suggested that I get an appointment at the hospital's pain clinic. I explained that WC was denying my much needed tx of an occipital nerve block and cervical epidural or even an evaluation at the pain clinic. They would all say that was awful and ask where I worked that the WC coverage was so awful. And I'd get to say "Ummm, I work here." To say that people were shocked is an understatement.

Many of the nurses encouraged me to talk to the patient advocate to see if they can help and I think I will do that

Good for you!! Thats a good way to educate them. Who knows, maybe it will get the ball rolling on some good changes.
i hope your surgery goes well....

Well Done Hope it pays off for you...as the pain you are in is the worst part....

You can't see me . . . but I am hopping up and down and clapping my hands loudly for you. . . . .

You must feel elated!! Congrats