There were a LOT of people waiting, so I was scared it would take a long time, especially when I was told there were "only 2 in front of me!?!" I don't think there should be anyone in front of you at your appt time. However, it actually wound up being pretty quick. They took an xray & reviewed it very quickly. I had researched my problem quite extensively before reaching this specialist, so I already knew that if I had originally been diagnosed correctly I pretty much had 2 options, steroid shots &/or surgery. Of course, we are trying another round of steroid shots (fam dr did 7 months ago with very little relief. This dr thinks his placement of the shot will make all the difference). Well, it doesn't take much for it to hurt INSANELY, so having to fill out all the paperwork when I arrived instead of it having been mailed, or available online (hello???), already had it in a great deal of pain. Then, of course, he pokes, prods, twists, & turns to see how bad the problem is, causing spontaneous tears. And I am NOT a wheenie!!!! Multiple tattoos & all. So, finally comes the steroid shot, which feels like injecting fire anyway, but as much pain as I was in at this point, it was shocking when the needle went in! Then came the actual painful part, the steroid. Tears, seriously full on crying. He says, ok, let me know how it goes. I ask approximately how long it should take to get relief, if there will be any; he informs me that there should be SOME immediately, then I should notice a great difference in a week to a week & a half. Tears streaming down my face & all, not ONCE did he offer me something for pain relief. Not a druggie by any stretch, but having dealt with this issue for 10 months now (usually people are cured with 1 round of anti-inflammatories!), & repeatedly being told that it is one of the worst cases any of the dr's consulted have seen, pain relief was NOT an unreasonable expectation, especially with the acknowledgement that i was looking at days at best after hurting worse than ever. I am super sick of dr's leaving good honest people in inhumane amounts of pain because others do wrong! Come on, if I wanted to just load up on meds, there are plenty of dr's I could go to. But, NO, I like my pcp, & want to keep him even with his conservative position. He had prescribed small amounts for this issue, & once this referral was made, it wanted it in the specialist's hands. I will be level though, I did not ask for anything at this point; I clearly hinted, but I did not ask directly because I'm tired of being treated like that's what you're looking for no matter what you're going through! Well, 2.5 weeks have passed, & NO relief. Fortunately, a new hand specialist started practicing in town this week, so I now have an appt with her. I know my options will not be different, but hopefully the compassion & understanding will be. It was sad that 5 days after that shot, I had to call my pcp & tell him how much pain I was in, & that it was at the point that I was willing to violate my scheduled drug contract with them & seek out another dr if he was not willing to treat me properly. He did, thankfully, but it shouldn't have had to be that desperate. Heck, I don't even want the stronger stuff! just enough for relief. Anyway, that was MY experience. Really don't know how knowledgeable he was or wasn't, as I had found all the info online myself. Compassionate he was not. So, just be aware, but every experience can be different. We'll see how Dr. Sonya Clark with Orthopedic Associates is.......
by anonymous
xxx.xxx.240.239
February 13, 2013