I dont know how many members here live in the state of Maryland, but my sister has a BIG problem! She had nerve block surgery right after the first of the year, only to find out when the other tests came back that it wouldnt help much after all. Now they tell her she has multi-herniated disks, and needs surgery for that. The problem is, she has no insurance, other than the Maryland state insurance, and that no surgeon in that area will take that insurance. She can get the surgeon on staff at the hospital to do the surgery ,as the hospital is required to take it, if she can get her family doc to admit her again. Her family doc doesnt seem to want to return her calls, much less admit her, even though the insurance has said it will cover her bills back before the first surgery. Complicated huh? She is in constant agony now, cuz she has no more pain meds at all, and cant get into the hospital to get anything done.
Is there anything at all that can be done to help relieve some of her suffering until the doc gets off his butt and admits her? All she can do now is lay in the bed, maybe get up for about 2 minutes at a time, then has to lay back down for the pain to ease any at all. Anyone know anything about Maryland health laws or anything similar that could help? She's talking about wanting to be put out of her misery, and she's only 37! The toothache I had is NOTHING compared to her pain, and I was in agony, so I can only imagine what she's been going through for the last month or more!Please, any help or suggestions at all would be very much appreciated! I'll check back here when I get home from work tonight, and in the morning. Thanks to all!

chris

Can she get her family doctor switched? If this doctor won't even return calls or treat her, she needs to find a new health care provider.

If she calls and says the doc hasnt called her back tomorrow, I'm going to suggest that, but she can be very stubborn and hard-headed (family legacy). I'll just tell her if she wants to suffer, than dont switch. I think she'll aggravate the h*ll out of that doc if he doesnt call though, she's like that. LOL. Lets hope for the best. Thanks for the suggestion!

chris

I hate to say it, but it's all about money. I have known a lot of people with back problems. Surgery isn't always the answer to the pain that goes with it. Her doctor can refer her to a pain clinic that specializes in this sort of thing. One thing I have seen, back pain never seems to go away. A pain clinic is cheap. All she has to do is ask for the referal. I sure hope she feels better real soon. This has to be so awful for her at such a young age.

Indeed it is, she's suffering badly, and I cant do anything about it! GRRRRRRRRRRRR! I talked to her and she said they are going to check into getting something done as soon as possible, but she's not too optimistic. She says no other doc will take her state insurance, so she cant switch, and she really likes her doctor she has now, he just seems to have his hands tied all the time on how much he can do. According to sis, her doc is practically treating her with charging her lately, which is unusual in itself. I'm going to call her later this morning to see whats happening now. Thanks for the ideas!

chris

When my parents insurance agency threatened to drop them because of huge claims due to catastrophic illnesses, my dad contacted the Attorney General, which promptly ended the problem.
It might be that her doctors hands are tied, so to speak, because of the state insurance, and maybe contacting the Attorney General will get some positive results.
I think if she decides to contact the attorney General's Office, she could tell them that as she is writing the letter, she is ALSO watching the very entertaining photos sent by the "Spirit" from Mars, and anxiously awaiting the arrival of it's sister craft! Since through taxes, she at least is paying for that, in part!!

You should call the health department and see if someone there can help you.

Wythe County Health Department

I got another idea. Kick up a big fuss. If she has back pain that is just horrible to deal with, got to the ER. They will give her pain relief, contact her doctor, and send her home. If he still doesn't keep her medicated so she is reasonably comfortable, go back to the ER again when the pain is real bad.

I had a desparate friend that did this just to get his doctor to listen. He was at the end of his rope dealing with this. Sorry it has to be this way, but sometimes you have to pretty much grab them by the hair to get them to listen to you.

She shouldn't suffer with so many medications out there today while she waits for surgery. Repeated trips to the ER after office hours is a sure way to get that doc's attention.

You don't forget to take care of yourself too. When one family member hurts, so does the rest of the family.