I don't like when medical staff make me feel insecure

Sidenote: the hospital I'm at is in the same system as the one my GI is at. Only my GI's is all the way in downtown Houston and I live in the suburbs. I had too much D and vomiting to make it the 90 min drive in traffic to their ER, so I went to their sister hospital 20 min away with the idea that if I got admitted, they could transfer me downtown for continuity of care. It turned out, though, that my GI was out of town and there was no one who could receive me there, so I ended up at this hospital.

While I realize that no one can "make" me feel anything, I'm feeling just a bit insecure tonight.

The night nurse won't even crack a smile at me and is acting like me asking for the smallest thing is totally putting her out of her way. Even pain meds or for some water (which she still hasn't gotten even though I've asked a couple of times).

The GI doctor here refuses to talk to my GI doctor about anything. He told me to call her myself to find out what meds I should be put on for this new diagnosis of gastroparesis. So instead of discussing me doctor-to-doctor which was the whole point of me picking a sister hospital, I get to play "telephone" by leaving a message for the nurse who will leave a message for my GI, who will message the nurse back, who will call me, and I get to pass it on to my nurse who will tell the GI here. Oh yes, because there's no for error at all doing it this way. So I called 36 hours ago and still no response. In the meantime, the GI wants to send me home on the dose that we've already proved is ineffective because it's the dose I was on when the x-ray showed I emptied to slow.

The pain management dr came to see me for the first time today. I'd tried to see him as outpatient last week but his office wouldn't make appts unless all medical records for past year were faxed and I was in the process of doing that when I was admitted. He seemed great at first (even said it was obvious after meeting me that I wasn't an addict or med-seeking) and gave me a patch and a dissolvable pill. But when the nurse passed on to him after twice trying the pill that it wasn't working, he told her to just reinstate the morphine, signed off on me, and won't come back. I am really confused.

I spoke to a patient liaison about what to do about the GI and getting communication, and he said all he could do was give me a list of other GIs in the hospital and I would have to call them myself and ask if they'd be willing to see me. Because that's not drama waiting to happen if I accidentally call the current GI's BFF or something.

I also had asked the attending dr last night about not being in touch with my GI and he patted my shoulder and promised he'd take care of it and my GI would be contacted, but tonight he hadn't done it. He does his rounds at 10-11p and wakes me up, so I'm in a sleepy morphine haze and he's out the door again before I can even coherently think of a question, let alone ask one.


So with all of this, I just feel really insecure and unwanted and like these people really don't care about my health at all. Thanks for letting me express myself here, guys.

Hi and I just have to say you deserve better care. They have no right to ignore your pleas and requests or to make you feel like that.

From your room call the operator and have her put you through to a social worker or the chaplan,if your not getting anywhere with the patient advocate notify the hospital shift supervisor.

Thats ridiculous that your feeling that way in a atmosphere that should be comfortable,secure and safe.

You are your best advocate for better care that you deserve.

That's why I don't go to the emergency room unless they carry me in from an ambulance. I know I can get better care at home because the people there (hubby and I) are less overworked and actually care about me.

If all else fails, try it the cranky nurse way - wait until morning and call hospital administration.

Omg, this is freaking BS! Absolutely unacceptable. everyone is passing the buck and you're stuck in the middle. I'm so p.o.'d for you right now. I want to come down there and make some heads roll. Screw the grumpy nurse. You're not asking for anything crazy, she's just ticked she actually has to work on her shift. Can you put in a very demanding call to your current GI's office? Insist that she get in touch with you immediately. Then... Call back every.single.hour. until you hear from her. You're going to feel pushy and they're going to make you out to be the bad guy, but honey, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Otherwise you are going to be stuck there in limbo for who knows how long.

Sorry to come down like a hammer on you. I'm not trying to be hard on you. I'm just soooooo irritated. That hospital system is a JOKE. You are completely getting the run around, they know it, and they just don't want to do anything about it.

Hang in there, girl! I'm glad you've been able to speak up. It sucks that as a result they are going to run more tests. It won't hurt if you ask what they hope to see or find out by running more tests. If their answers make sense to you, then go ahead with the tests, but if it sounds like a bunch of b.s. because they don't know what they're doing, then hold off, or ask more questions. I know you run the fine line of pissing them off, but sometimes they run tests when they just don't know what else to do. So, ask, ask, ask. And if you're worried you'll be fuzzy headed, write down your questions so when they come in you can hand them the piece of paper.

Do you want a blood transfusion? I know 8 is low, but you can hold out if you want. I got one 12 years ago. I did NOT want it, but my hem was at 7, so.... The good news is, transfusing is way cleaner/safer than it has ever been. I havent had any complications or problems as a result. Get a blessing if you're not sure. I did.

I'm praying for you. Hang in there. I hope these tests will give them a clear direction to go in. Keep us posted as you are able.

You will probably feel more energetic after your transfusion. Back when I would need them, I would have a burst of energy after each one.

I am glad they are giving you more benadryl now. It is crazy that it was such a problem to begin with.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing. Will keep you in my prayers!

There's not a lot worse than unsympathetic or flat out MEAN hospital workers; from drs to nurses to the people who come in to take blood. If you're in the hospital it's when you need the extra care the most. I've had some drs (super busy, obviously VIP) be so short with me and so dismissive that when finally one nurse showed me the smallest bit of kindness I burst into tears. Some people are really in the wrong profession. Please reach out to someone else; the chaplain was a good idea or the supervisor. You deserve to be taken care of while you are there. I hope you feel better soon.