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[helenlegs 11]

Can't blame you at all DES. I have been there myself. I have had to hang up on them (THEM!) as I couldn't speak any more (furious feeling of complete abandonment, while sobbing ) And I am SO rational usually
We all know that you need to become your own advocate in this but to have to be their administration co-ordinator too is just ridiculous. SO hope this gets sorted out soon.
Take care,
Helen

[Violet M]

Your reaction is completely understandable, DES. They should have been apologizing to you and trying to figure out how they could make amends for the mistake. I hope it all gets straightened out soon!

Violet

[DoubleEdgedSword]

Thanks for your concern and understanding, ladies. It's so difficult for most people to understand our pain, and this just frustrates the heck out of me.

I know that our government is cutting back a lot and it's affecting the doctors, but what the government is doing is hurting patients through the doctors, since the doctors don't want to do the "extras", in order to make their stand against the government.

I'd just finished a pain cycle not even two weeks ago, now I'm starting another. I really don't know for sure, but maybe stressing about all this has brought it on. I sure hope not. I haven't had two pain cycles that close together before.

I just can't understand why the Pain Clinic hadn't notified either me or my doctor that his referral was needed in order to proceed with my intake. I don't know why my doctor won't get his staff to download the referral form and hand it to him so he can sign it. It really doesn't seem like such a big deal to me.

Honestly, if doctors weren't so hard to come by here, I'd be shopping for another, but I have trust issues with men in general, and doctors/dentists in particular, so after getting to trust my doc, it doesn't seem like I have any option but to stay with him for the time being.

All I can do is hope that everyone takes a step back and realizes why they got into their chosen profession to begin with.. In order to help the patients! Petty bickering over who's referral form to use only wastes valuable time and causes me more pain..

[Violet M]

DES, I think you have to just keep politely calling them just to "check on the status of your referral". As long as you are polite and just keep reiterating that you are in a lot of pain and discomfort I don't think they will fault you for it. I know it's frustrating but sometimes it's the only way to get what you need. Good luck.

[DoubleEdgedSword]

I'll definitely keep "polite" first and foremost in mind when dealing with the pain clinic.. I still haven't crossed that bridge so I'd prefer not to burn it first!

I think it's a bit late to think "polite" when dealing with my own clinic, but I'll try really hard. I suppose doctors can fire patients too, so I better tread lightly..

I'll drop the pain clinic a line by email and see if my doc faxed over a referral yet, and if so, how long they think it'll take me to get an appointment. That's not too pushy, is it?

[Violet M]

No, definitely not too pushy. It's always fair to "check on the status" of a referral and to let them know how important this is to you since you are in so much discomfort, eh?

Volet

[DoubleEdgedSword]

After seeing my doc on Friday, I found that he was confused about the forms and thought he'd filled out the referral form.. Turns out it was just the 'Consent to Treat' form, so I'd printed off the clinic's referral form, filled out my parts, and taken it to him on Friday. He didn't see 'any difference' with which form to use (he still wanted to use his own standard form), but I told him the clinic insisted on their own form.

He asked me some questions while I was there, filled out some of the parts he needs to, now he needs to attach my test results he's given me so far, and send it in.. I hope he can get that part done quickly.. He said he hoped I didn't have to wait another six months for an appointment, and I said I sure hope not either.. He grumbled something about the confusing forms and having to jump through hoops for these clinics, and said he'd attach a note about the mix-up and hope they would take my waiting time into consideration..

I'll "check the status" of my referral this week and hopefully I'll have some news before long.. I also said that if had to live two days with the pain I've put up with the past several months, he would have had those referral forms into the clinic long ago.. If they don't know what we're experiencing (over and over, sometimes), they don't know how miserable it is to face another day with excruciating pain and no light at the end of the tunnel..

[Violet M]

That would be great if the clinic will take into consideration that you have already waited six months and get you in quickly. Given your doc's track record on getting forms in correctly you might have to keep bugging them, eh?

Violet

[DoubleEdgedSword]

Yes, I'm sure that may end up being the case.. I sure hope not though.. I'll email on Thursday I guess. I feel that's patience enough!

[DoubleEdgedSword]

I made an appointment for a couple of weeks from now so my doc can check my meds to see how I'm adjusting. I have noticed an improvement in my 'disposition' the past day or two, so they must be helping. I've also noticed jaw clenching, and some superficial research indicates this is one of the side effects of Cymbalta.. If I'm not clenching my jaw, I'm consciously trying not to, but lip-biting takes over.. Don't really know which one is worse!

When I finished making that appointment, I took the initiative to call the specialist appointment coordinator.. The woman that I yelled at over the phone about not getting any Gosh-darned help (*heavily edited so I don't get kicked off the boards*).. Somehow she recognized my voice (even though it wasn't raised!) and said she'd faxed the referral to the Pain Clinic on Tuesday..

Soooo, that being said, I guess I'm back to the waiting game again. Hopefully they'll find an opening for me soon, so I don't have to sit in pain (like we all do!) and start the waiting process over again..