Nursing staff

[Burr]

I have been in and out of hospitals for the last five years. I had a spinal cord injury in 1995, and have been on many different meds since then . I am at the point that I have found after trying many meds what works for me and a schedule of when I take them. It happens every time, they wont give me my meds at the times I'm used to, or try something else in place of what I have used. Talk about getting messed up !. My wife and I have given the list of meds and when I take them every time I go to the hospital. One even ran out of oxy that I take for pain control. They didn't get me the meds until 5 hrs. later. I complained about this to the head nurse and she said I cant call your doctor in the middle of the night ! They have their own pharmacy right in the hospital. Meds never on time , etc. I dread going to hospitals. This 1 nurse had a very bad attitude when I would ask for my meds.she would holler, YEA YOU AND SIX OTHERS ON THIS FLOOR. The floor was that empty.They won't allow me to bring my own meds in either.Most of my meds are paid through WC because this was a work injury. The hospital bills my reg ins. for all these meds, which I end up paying for a percentage of. I just cant get through to anyone. These stays have been for pneumonia , nothing to do with work inj. Its always a real mess, I don't know what else to do. This has happened at 2 different hospitals. In the last 5 yrs. 4 times. Any ideas or comments?

[Hooch]

It's just power, they have power over you and it shows some of them for what they really are. I was lucky when I went in, I had good ones. There was one who I asked to put a pillow behind my head then take it out again as I had a cricked neck, this was when I first remember regaining consciousness after surgery, so only hours post op. She asked me if I was going to be a difficult patient. She obviously had a terrible attitude and I watched her like a hawk for the remainder of my stay. The hospital was well run and obviously kept that sort of bs in check.

Gday Burr it's a shit situation, I can't think of anything that could help.

[Burr]

Thanks Hooch,
I guess some just don't understand how hard it is to finally get to the point of decent pain control at the times and doses your body gets used to.

[Maria]

The way it goes is the doctor writes the order for the schedule of how meds are given so if it's every 4 hours you should be able to get your meds within one half hourto one hour before or after that time at least. Usually meds follow a somewhat normal schedule of hours which may not be what you're used to.
Hopefully if you spoke to a physician or had someone speak to the physician writing orders on your med schedule you could get it right tho unfortunately it may not be as soon as you go in unless you have to time to talk to the doctor in advance and ask the orders be written a certain way.

Unfortunately some nursing staff aren't nice about med schedules and I've heard some stories that are pretty shocking to me like one of my friends went over 24 hours w/o her pain medication no matter how much she stated what she took and she was in horrible withdrawls. Also some doctors do not want to be awakened for things like getting pain med schedules changed. Whoever is on call usually lets the nurses know this. Or at least this is the way it was when I worked the floors which was ages ago (70's -80's).

I only take my pain med one time a day but if it got too far past 11a.m. w/o it I'd be starting to feel terrible and anywhere into the afternoon I'd be really uncomfortable and if it went into the night w/o it I'd be mighty sick feeling and probably acting quite looney tunes. Would I be difficult.. as difficult as my sick feeling withdrawing self would allow. Not cuz I'd want to be but because what would one expect after being on pain meds regularly for many years.

The other thing is that until I went on pain meds and was very well acquainted with the fact how physiologically dependent I am on them well even as a nurse with advanced education I just didn't "feel it" if you know what I mean. I think after all my experiences with this spine stuff I'm ever so much more empathetic about everything and esp. complaints of constipation!

One thing that might help altho you may have already tried this is to have a list of your healthcare probs and current list of meds w/schedule taken and if you're admitted to the hospital that list hopefully would be easily accessible by whomever is there advocating for you (family or friend) so they can pass it along right away to the person doing your intake (nurse?)esp. if you're unable to advocate/speak for yourself. Possibly the doctor would consider writing orders based upon a similar schedule if it doesn't conflict with anything else they want to order or do for you.

I'd make another recommendation but it's not a proper one so I best keep my thoughts to myself.

[dshobbies]

In Germany we were expected to bring our own meds and even for pain if we saw our doctors prior to surgery. The woman from America who had surgery the same day I did, didn't bring enough Vicoden and there didn't seem to be a facsimile. She managed to get more from America but was panicking for awhile.

I know and realize because of drug interactions hospitals don't want you taking meds from home but come on - use common sense, use your computer, talk to your doctor and do whatever you have to do.

[jsewell]

I always have a very detailed list with meds and when i take them.. Generalize with most to am or pm. Some are just not found in the hospital pharmacy and a pharmacist always seems to visit me. I have pituitary failure going on and replace a lot of hormones. They also claim to not have the meds i take for GERD. Only one. But it is the only one that works.
I usually hand out about 5 lists of meds, doctors and phone #'s medical conditions and now surgeries and dates. STill it doesnt work. I've been in tears when nurses looked at old info on the computer and refused to look at my updated list(which i brought to my pre op apt) Then they want to write down that the patient refuses meds!!! I am on steroids as i no longer make cortisol and need it especially in stressful situations. I would die if i did not take it.

When i had my hip replaced they gave me my whole list in the morning. 9am is med time at the hospital i am usually at. They included my trazadone which i use to sleep. I just blurry eyed remember my surgeon coming in and telling me to go back to sleep. I slept all day.
I've tried it all!!!
judy