Angela,I am so sorry to hear of your health and poor treatment. I cannot believe that they released you both times without having a BM.
Not that it helps, but their is a patient advocate at the hospital and I would call and ask to speak with that person to let them know how poorly you were treated. It is your right to ask for a 2nd opinion. I would call Gastro's offices until you find one that will accept payments. I do hope that the Hospital has a plan to help with your bill, sometimes they even write it off after sending you paperwork to fill out, but it is worth it.
Is there another town nearby that you could go to a hospital there? or find Doctors and specialists there too? Please don't give up, I know it is so frustrating but its not right to not have a BM in 3 weeks, I just cannot begin to understand why you are treated so horribly yet you are still suffering. It's just not right. I also can't imagine not having pain meds to deal with your pain, yes they do mask the problem, but also make it bareable. It just scares me that you could have a blockage.
I would also call the records dept. at the Hospital and ask for your records from the past month so you have it in hand should you choose to see another Gastro. I'm sorry I am not much help. I just want you to know you are not alone, and I am scared for you too. Please get back on the phone and keep calling, or go to another town and get the help you deserve.
You take care, and please keep us posted on this website. We are all here to listen and support each other. Cheryl
> Date: Wed, 23 Dec 2009 22:36:03 -0600
> From: tracy.joslin@adhesions.org
> To: adhesions@mail.obgyn.net
> Subject: Uninsured-Disrespected & Still in Pain
>
> Sender: alegna2017@aol.com (angela)
> Subject: Uninsured-Disrespected & Still in Pain
>
> Three weeks ago I was in extreme abdominal pain with tenderness to all
> areas of my stomach.My PCP referred me to the ER for evaluation where I
> was admitted & spent the week of Thanksgiving & Thanksgiving day in the
> hospital.I had a CT scan which revealed an ileus.I was admitted
> inpatient for 9 days which 4 days I was on clear fluids had to plead for
> another CT scan. My GI physician after being in the hospital 4 days
> came for a consult. His first order of business was the endless
> questioning of why I did not have health insurance and if I had applied
> for medicaid. He then told me that he could prescribe Amitiza but I
> would have to come to his office to receive it. I asked him why he
> could not prescribe it to me in the hospital but he made up some
> ridiculous answer and advised me to make an appointment to see him. I
> was upset and requested a 2nd opinion with another GI physician. The
> new GI basically told me the same thing and to make an appointment with
> him.That was my treatment!I was discharged with prescriptions for
> narcotics,stool softeners, and laxatives.I was told that the ileus will
> resolve when I passed stool(I hadn't passed stool for about 2weeks at
> that time).
>
> Two weeks after being discharged I had the same symptoms of abdominal
> pain with tenderness that hurt to walk,sneeze or urinate.I had still not
> passed any stool even after taking colace,senokot,miralax & drinking
> gallons of water.
>
> I contacted my PCP who advised that my problem was out of his realm of
> practice and that I should call my GIphysician. I called the GI's
> office & was told the next available appointment would be in 6weeks and
> that there were no available emergency appointments & that I should go
> to the ER.I made another call to my PCP for a referral to a GI & was
> told because it was a Friday no one would see me(1st day of Hanukah)so
> go to the ER.I looked in the phone book and found a GI but because I am
> uninsured they would accept me as a patient.So I went to the ER admitted
> for the severe abdominal pain & tenderness.I received an EGD? promised a
> colonoscopy within 2-3 days after EGD? well, long story short I never
> received a colonoscopy and after 2weeks inpatient nothing wlse was done.
> I was discharged today or should say thrown out of the hospital.An
> attending came to my room this afternoon whom I have never seen &
> discharged me without so much of an examination.I refused to be
> discharged without speaking with the GI physician because nothing had
> changed I still had the abdominal pain and now have not defacated as of
> 3weeks.Because I had questioned authority I was forced out,humiliated by
> security!!!!I am more than upset and still in pain.If I had health
> insurance would I have been treated with such disrespect?Are there any
> physicians out there who care about their patients & want to see them
> healthy?I have been sufferring for many years with this adhesional pain
> & the only medical treatment I have received are
> NARCOTICS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!They are not the answer,narcotics just mask the
> symptoms. I need help desperately.I am not getting any better & I am
> scared for what my future holds.......
>