severe pain...is the ER option pointless?

I am having some of the most severe shoulder pain I have had since surgery(2 RT tears, bicep, labrum-3rd surgery)
I've called the Ortho and he just said to slow down therapy, and he wouldn't do another MRI. think i may have torn the bicep tendon when i fell 2 weeks post op but the wouldn't do a repair bc he even consider cutting it and letting it "float" but tied it instead. so if its floating nothing he would do.
and I have bad elbow pain since the fall, he says its tendinitis from the sling.

If i call PM they just say "if the pain is worse than normal go to the ER." You can only talk to on call dr if you had a surgery or procedure in the last 72 hours.

Today, I have been in tears. the slightest movement feels like my humerous is breaking and things are ripping inside.
I'm very close to just going to the ER. But I can't stand the thought of waiting for HOURS, then they not do anything. Since being in PM getting help at the ER is even worse than before, and that was bad enough. I know they can't do anything more than an X-ray and if Im REALLY lucky, give me a shot of something...
I am just so miserable.
And they have cut my pain meds in half the last 2 weeks so I don't have enough to take at home to manage the pain without running short.
I don't know what to do....I feel like just popping 3 pills right now, get a few hours of relief...but I know that will just back fire in the end.
I'm doing heat, ice,tens, stretching, not stretching, sling, no sling, i can't east the pain at home.

Post Edited (AngMichelle) : 11/30/2014 6:07:18 PM (GMT-7)

i see him thursday. My relief was him saying all was fine, but I'm not feeling so confident in that right now...the pain is not just surgery pain. even my PT is begging for another MRI but he won't order it.
I hear you, no ER for me, just miserable
Thanks for reminding me of what I know

I'm so, so sorry for your pain.

Is there any way you can contact your ortho, have him call the ER ahead of time and tell them you're coming and it's okay to give you IV meds for a while? It sounds like he may not be willing to do that, but it's worth a shot. Or maybe your GP?

Also, that's total BS about not being able to talk to the on-call doc. If their answering service won't put your message through, I'd put up a big stink.

I've been dealing with a similar situation, but I've just overloaded on my marijuana therapy and it's taking the edge off. My husband was begging me to go to the ER, I flat out refused. He doesn't get it, but there is no point, unfortunately. All you do is wait and wait, then they say there's nothing they can do and send you on your way. It's horrible, and unethical for a doctor as far as I'm concerned.

:( Again, I'm so, so sorry you're going through this. Is there any way you can just go to sleep? Do you have ambien or something like that?

Unfortunately going to the ER is a waste of time for pain, I wish here in Florida we had the medical pot option, but it didn't pass. I know in a year or so I will be leaving Florida because I have been to 32 pharmacies looking for my Percocet with no luck.

I'm right there with ya. Gentle hugs.

Can you talk to your PM doc today?

I wish I could just go in to a hospital and have a few pain free days.

rocckyd said...
I'm going against the flow…

If you really think something has changed and this is a new kind of pain, I'd go. I know I'm extremely lucky in my ER visits so far. Well, I don't know if it's luck per se since I'm writing from my hospital room :( Anyway, be very upfront with the Dr about the meds you take and why, and then explain why this is different. Maybe you'll get a Dr who will listen. When I've gone with ortho problems, the ER has scheduled me an appointment the next day with the on call ortho.

One warning: the staff here has been talking about how CRAZY yesterday and so far today has been in the ER. Maybe all the crazies are over here…

Hope you find some relief.

Rocckyd, I do not envy you all your troubles and your hospital stays and I know you hate being away from the kiddo, but I have to admit that I'm envious of the ER treatment you get. I hope that does not upset you, I know you hate it and I know you'd trade probably just about anything to get rid of your pain and medical issues.

The last time I went to the ER, the time that made me decide never to go back unless I lose a limb or something, it was for exactly what you're talking about. My pain spiked suddenly through the roof and I couldn't do ANYTHING to manage it, which is unusual. It was in a different location than usual, and also of a different nature than usual. I was also vomiting and had a small fever (just under a 'clinical' fever, so they don't care about that).

I was completely up front with them, even taking my meds with me so they could count them if they wanted to see that I'm not an abuser or diverter.

I made it VERY clear I could not take a script from them. What I really wanted was a scan, because I have a kidney cyst that I was afraid was causing the pain. Nope. They said I'd already had imaging (a 6-month old CT). So I didn't need anymore.

Guess what I got, a 3 hour wait, dirty looks, and a PA who said "well, there's nothing we can do for you, follow up with your doctor." I was so, so composed, though my pain was a 9 and that's the highest I've ever said. I figure 10 is reserved for gunshot wounds. I didn't even see a doctor, just the PA.

Funny thing, there was a lady there who I overheard in triage, talking about how she had a cold. She said her pain was a 10. Later on when I was leaving, she was on a bed in the hallway. I saw her and asked how she was feeling. "Great, after the dilaudid shot they gave me" is exactly what she said.

This was at a major university hospital.

So - that's just my experience.

Post Edited (Backtolife) : 12/1/2014 9:35:11 AM (GMT-7)