Damn Doctors.

Rating:	★
Category:	Other

Mad about the way I was treated this week...
But OH, the things we take for granted-
...Like walking, sitting, reclining without pain.

Remember last week when I didn't want to be taking the f00kin' Oxycodone that my doctor had prescribed?
Well, I did try it. (This, only after trying to NOT take anything except aspirin as I had run out of the vicoden over a week ago).

This oxy crap kept me awake until 5:30 the next morning. (After that point, I had gotten a few hours of sleep).

When I was at the doctor last week, he told me to call him this week and to let him know how I felt.
I called on Wednesday- I told him what had happened. He told me this was not a side effect.

SO? (No, I didn't say that, but I sure as hell wanted to).
For whatever reason all these stupid narcotics have ALWAYS kept me awake instead of knocking me out.
I have always been that way. I do not know why.

He told me to keep taking it. That he wanted me to have some relief.
(WHAT)?
Hmmm If I don't take it, then there is zero relief- Kinda chop logic there Doc- (but no, once again, I did not say a damned word back at him). I think at that point I was so surprised that he wouldn't exchange these meds that it shocked me.

Mad at the end of our short (curt) conversation, I hung up.
(I only wanted to be able to "move" -even walk around- a little WITHOUT fear of falling to my knees- I wasn't trying to move the freakin' earth- Nor did I think I should be pulling teeth just to want to walk a bit)...

I wrote the following at 3AM the next morning...


_____________________________

Good Morning Doctor;

CaseyAnne had left your email address tacked onto the poster board in the back room when she moved out. I hope you don't mind that I am contacting you this way.

1.
I am writing to ask again that I not take the oxycodone drug.

2.
I am wide awake once more in the wee hours of the morning, and worse, my back is killing me. I napped for a while yesterday evening, waking about 11- I have been up ever since...

* Am I tempted to take still another pill, thinking maybe the next one won't keep me wide awake, and that maybe my back might get an hour or two of relief?
Yes, I am very tempted to try again.

* Will I take it? I definitely prefer not to.


I understand that this oxy drug is supposed to be stronger than the vicoden.

I should have done this research last week Friday, but did not.

With my history of epilepsy, the gallbladder disease, and the head injury as a child, I just don't think this is a good drug for me to be on.

When we spoke yesterday, you said that I was getting too much acetaminophen if I took the two hydrocodone at bedtime. (I also would take 2 during the day- for a total of four every day).

Why then would Dr. Jackson have increased my dosage to "1 or 2 tabs every 6 hours as needed" as she did on 7/6/09? (Her dosage was the only way I got any sleep when we had to go back to Minnesota last week).

Your words about too much, and her dosage, truly scared me into doing a bit of research (because I sure as heck don't know about this stuff).

This is what I learned. (Please let me know if this is incorrect).

"It is important to avoid taking more than 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day. (This includes other sources of acetaminophen, including many prescription pain medications and many non-prescription cold and cough remedies)."

The amount either of you gave me, (yourself and Dr. Jackson), vs the amount I took, was well within those guidelines; especially since I do not take anything else that includes acetaminophen.

Additionally, I do not drink, so I believe my liver is in good enough shape to tolerate either prescription dosage.

Again, please let me know if this information is incorrect.

Incidentally, the oxy drugs are the reaction, what gave Casey a seizure while in the hospital, and what had been making her heart rate go to 200+ a year ago in March. (More, that was all designated as "medically insignificant" by Dr. Hujuet (sp) at St Marys)...
Granted, she had been on two different kinds of "oxy" for a few months, but I just don't think that I should be taking that chance.

I have a copy of the initial note that I gave you about my medical history and would include it here, but it is on my old computer. I cannot get that old computer hooked up right now; it weighs a ton and is on the floor in the back room.
I do believe you kept a copy of that in my chart.

Once again I thank you for your time.
Please contact me at 920-639-2001

Sincerely,
Anne DeGrave


This is what I learned online:
"Before using Hydrocodone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

* asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders; liver or kidney disease;
* a history of head injury or brain tumor;
* low blood pressure;
* a stomach or intestinal disorder;
* underactive thyroid;
* Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorder;
* curvature of the spine;
* mental illness;

or

* a history of drug or alcohol addiction.


Before using Oxycodone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

* asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
* liver or kidney disease;
* underactive thyroid,
* curvature of the spine;
* a history of head injury or brain tumor;
* epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
* low blood pressure;
* gallbladder disease;
* Addison's disease or other adrenal gland disorders;
* enlarged prostate, urination problems;
* mental illness;

or

* a history of drug or alcohol addiction."


The above info copied from here: http://www.drugs.com/

_____________________________


_____________________________


Funny. In a very odd sort of way...

After I sent him all of this, I had a prescription in my hands within hours.

Go figure.

XOXO
Me