Sorry, but it's vent time.

Maybe I'm overreacting and just feeling badly, which is feeding my fire. But here is a timeline I'd like to share just to see if it's as unacceptable as I think.

Last Thursday (6/4) - went to see my PA for a flare. Was in terrible pain - CT scan showed swelling blocking my sigmoid/left side. Dr. told me to power through some laxatives to get some movement and we would start me on steroid enemas at night. I was to check in yesterday (Monday, 6/8) to determine next steps - likely prednisone.

Weekend happens, some improvement but not really anything great.

Monday (6/8) - called at 8am and left message for his clinical assistant. Explained I'm still having some pain but the bleeding is increasing - can we start pred? She called me back at 3, and said that if I'm still constipated he wants me to do a colonoscopy prep that night, and then start pred. Just to clean me out and give a little jump start. Go ahead and start a liquid diet in anticipation of that. I pointed out that I wasn't really constipated anymore, so what was the plan? Could I start the pred? She told me she would check wtih him and call me back before the end of the day. End of day comes and goes.

**This morning, my father in law passed away suddenly. So there's that going on as well, and I really want to be at my best for my husband and his family to help and do what they need.

Today - 10am. Left message for assistant.
Today - 2pm. Left message for assistant. Said if I didn't hear anything within an hour, I was escalating to a manager.
Today - 3pm. Left message with practice manager.
Today - 4:10pm, 20 minutes before closing. She calls and is very apologetic, they were in all day meetings. She is calling in a pred prescription for me right away - oops, he didn't include taper instructions. She will check with him and call me back before end of day. Didn't happen. Still don't have prednisone and am getting sicker by the day.

So tomorrow, I'm going to take my dog's prednisone (sounds so crazy, right! But it's the same as people's and I know what dosage he wants me on). That is the saddest thing I've ever heard but I also can't be running around a funeral home with bloody diarrhea. If I don't laugh I'll cry.

I get it that they are busy. So am I, so is everyone. I love my doctor but this new assistant is a hot mess.

Thanks for listening - hopefully I can raise enough h*ll tomorrow to get some prednisone of my very own! Ugh!!

Ugh, this is my life constantly. Communication with doctor's offices is just the worst. Most recently my rheumatologist followed up with me after an MRI, leaving a staticky message on my cell and I could only understand the words "cyst" and "I'll call you again tomorrow." Which he never did. Great bedside manner, so professional.

Very sorry to hear about your father-in-law. Sending "well" thoughts.

Sorry to hear about your father- in -law
and sorry to hear that you are flaring
you have every reason to be frustrated with the office because they totally did not act responsibly and did not treat you how you should have been treated
I hope you tell that assistant what happened was innapropriate and in never happens again
and you really need to let the doctor know so that he can make sure that it doesnt happen
it is a big liability on his part to have such irresponsible staff
meetings should not come before the patients!

Update- I got an immediate fb message back from the practice apologizing and saying they would have someone call me ASAP. 5 minutes after they opened, a nurse called me and apologized, and is calling the pred in herself for me. Good to know- the power of social media can give fast help!

I'm glad they are responding properly
Hope you feel better real soon

Sorry about your loss and I hope you get better soon.

Hey Badgut- thanks for your response. I want to clarify a couple of things. This was the practice Facebook page- a lot of companies have someone in marketing who manages these pages and responds as part of their job. I know mine does. I figured getting someone involved outside of the normal chain would be good because they might have a direct line to the doctor, which proved to be the case. They also responded before the office was even open, so it was outside of office hours. Those phones are on from 8-5 but it was nice to find a way where someone can be reached and maybe help.

I wasn't comfortable posting something on their page, mainly because I don't want all of my fb friends knowing my poo business. I sent a private message.

I have been a late adapter to social media and even though it certainly brings up new issues, this got me the help I needed fast. I'll take it!

Deepest condolences to you, husband and family on the sudden death of your FIL.

It's a relief that you'll be getting your meds. Please remember to not overdo to the point of exhaustion.

Hugs,
q

lol...yes, it's ad nauseam about the rectals, but it's helped many...so I continue. I wear the moniker proudly ;-)

Take good care,
q