Comments for Every Patient's Advocate

Comment on The Doctor’s Report Card by Rosemary Almanza

Rosemary Almanza — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:03:31 +0000

attempting to check on the credentials of my kids dr. Brian Chen
in Upland (family practice). I can not find him any where. I need to file a complaint on unfair business practices to his patients. My kids have health net medical insurance with a 0 co-pay for immunization shots. Just coming to learn from the insurance company this information about the o co-pay, but our doctor has been charging an additional $25.00 for each kid for their immunization shots????

Also I have another issue, being if our family requires to get a referral for a specialist (like the many times son has broken or fractured something as a soccer athelete. The doctor will attempt to self doctor my son rather then refer him to ortho doctor???
With argument from me is the only way to get referral.
Also, being misdiagnosed of throat infection when I was suffering for years with papillary cancer of the thyroid. I would ask him to refer me to ears nose and throat doctor, Dr. chen would laugh, ” for what a sore throat” he would only perscribe antibiotics.

Comment on Doctors Complain About Complaints by mona

mona — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:43:32 +0000

Please HELP! Time is of the essence:
DIARY UNTIL I LOSE MY COBRA INSURANCE 8/22/09-sent to President (WH), .GOV site, all representatives, Sacramento: Center for Infectious Disease, Insurance Boards, SSA representative, insurance carrier, news outlets and anyone else that will listen.
08/09/09 Sunday I am understanding NOW why I am losing my COBRA benefits after 18 months and not receiving the extension. I am losing my insurance because my carrier is in Texas. Therefore, they are exempt from California rules and regulations. All of my Colleagues are losing theirs as well. I have also discovered my PCP is a Board Member for a Hospital that is being investigated and shut-down. I wish he would have referred me elsewhere 9/08 when I was very sick because he had other things on his mind.
08/08/09 Saturday Results in TODAY. Two years+ of telling my doctors I was sick. It took me paying cash to a Homeopathic to test: Positive Phase I and II Q-Fever. I am looking at 1.5-4 years of therapy with 10 business days left on my insurance. Needless to say, I don’t know what to do or who to go to with this test. I am unbelievable scared and sad.
08/08/09 Saturday Today I am still in bed to alleviate pain. My gastric abscesses and Interstitial Cystitis are flaring with pain and fatigue. I have severe lower stomach and back aches. I am meditating to keep the stress at bay.
08/07/09 Friday Today I received a call from my SSA representative here in Corona, CA. Doesn’t look like I will receive a ‘Notice of Award’ for permanent disability to save my COBRA insurance in time. Most of the doctors are NOT responding to their inquiries. She says it doesn’t look good. I let her know I was not EXPECTING-therefore I wasn’t crushed but I was HOPING. I thanked her for the update.
I am on my back in bed to alleviate the leg pain. Oh, by the time I realized the new PCP hadn’t called me back it was 1 in the afternoon and they had already left the office.
08/06/09 Thursday Today I had an urgent visit to my heart doctor. Severe pain and swelling in the left leg. An urgent LE Venous Doppler, Bilateral was negative. EKG fine. She says to pursue the Infectious Disease as hard as possible until 8/22/09. She says: you never now, it could be something cash can take care of. Then she nodded: who am I kidding. I thanked her. She gave me a referral for a new PCP. I called and they said they would call me right back.
LETTER TO THE WHITE HOUSE-08/07/09 Friday
I am a Republican through and through. However, my story is SAD. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO COBRA I pay $750 a month for. Unfortunately for me, it expires 8/22/09. I have been VERY SICK. Last year alone, my out-of-pocket health care costs were $32,000. Because of my illness, I have had to apply for SSA (still pending). I have gone around the loop with my ADP COBRA provider, my employer and my current insurance carrier. They say I cannot have the 11 month extension because my employer’s corporate office is in Texas and they do not have a mandate for California. My insurance carrier won’t offer me a price on continued coverage because I am too sick. I can’t buy other insurance because of my multiple diagnoses. And, my husband can’t find full-time work with benefits (laid-off after 18 years on the job).
My plight started 05/07 with a dental injury to the jaw. Immediately after, I had mouth problems, then sinus, then brain, partial heart, possible pulmonary, gastric problems and now spinal cord. I’ve been around the circle to EXCELLENT doctors. Everyone wanting their own tests.
My Rheumatologist has diagnosed: Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Neuropathy and Myopathy.
My Neurologist has diagnosed: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Epstein Barr Virus, Neuropathy, Myopathy, Pansinus Disease and Dystonia.
My Gastro was hoping to diagnose me with Crohn’s. However, pathology says it isn’t Crohn’s.
My Urologist has diagnosed me with Interstitial Cystitis.
My Orthopedic has diagnosed: Cervical damage and Lumbar Arthritis.
My Infectious Disease specialist won’t see me anymore. I have become the OMGoodness here she comes patient.
My PCP of 22 years has completely written me off as an OMGoodness here she is patient also.
I am just now starting with a new circle of doctors. However, with my COBRA ending 8/22/09 and no one willing to sell me a policy, I am destined to die undiagnosed without a treatment plan.
All my specialist’s individually say: you need to go back to your Infectious Disease specialist because there is something wrong. But of course, he won’t see me. Odd hand-written letters delivered to my door.
I’ve lost nearly all of my savings as I have been taught to live within my means. I bought my Condominium in 2004 with a $75,000 down payment. I was taught investing in my assets is a great thing. I may lose my Condo now as I am upside down with my Equity ratio. I did the right thing and look where it has gotten me.
I am a very personable/pleasant 50 year old Caucasian woman. I am very frightened as to what the future brings for me. I’ve actually asked my doctors for Hospice so I don’t have to leave the house and be treated with such indignity. However, they don’t have a diagnosis for that. Nor, do they have a diagnosis that will save my life right now.
By blood/serology is crazy. My Eosinophils, Lymphocytes and Triglycerides are off the charts. My Antigens: RNP, ANA-A and ESR are double. I go to Emergency sometimes three times a week.
What am I going to do in 2 weeks? If my body finally decides to give them the clue they need, I will die at home with no help and in unimaginably worse pain than I am suffering now.
I was hoping SSA would give me a ‘Notice of Award’ before 8/22/09 as if I get that notice into my ADP COBRA insurance hands before the expiration date, I will be allowed to continue paying $750 a month for another 11 months.

Comment on Medical Retaliation – A Fact of Life by Tony

Tony — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:55:24 +0000

Redmond Family Care network & surrounding doctors including Floy medical affiliations are refusing to treat our family due to retaliation because my wife saw a doctr once or twice who could not treat her but did not admit thatand caused my wife to suffer.Luckily a pharmacist told her what to take over counter for quick relief of pain,swelling and airway constriction.The whole family and known friends and relatives are kicked off all health care.We have a legal right to file a complaint so the system is broken.Is it legal to provide care for anyone cause they used the legal way of filing a complaint?They are forcing us to hire a lawyer.All we want is routine visits and our sick treatment.Any advice about how to proceed.Quickly please.

Comment on Medical Retaliation – A Fact of Life by Topia Springs

Topia Springs — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 22:43:35 +0000

I am a victim of retaliation by a whole medical community because i filed a report on a bad uncaring physician.This was at a Redmond Family Care facilty cause my 5 yr. doctor left suddenly & i had to go somewhere for treatmen.At the time of my visit i had sudden & complete nasal blockage recuring since April 2009. I was in pain and could only breath through mouth which was threating to close.Facial swelling visible to her nurse.She told me not to use nose drops.Did nothing for pain and swelling.Saline drops would not work due to excessive nasal swelling.She told me to take an antibiotic,for infection i did not have.Condition deteriorated and more sysmptoms appeared.Now i cannot see anyone in this area affliated with them.That is almost everyone due to one doctor.My family is also denied. We have among other things Hypertension,Cholesterol,migraines that need to be treated to continue living.We have no meds since April,2009.Can you refer a Ga. atty or Internal medicine doctor that we see us even for basic needs?Somebody help! Medical retaliation is the case.

Comment on Chemo Drugs and Doctor Profits by angela smith

angela smith — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:43:43 +0000

have stage 2 breast cancer was told they got it all, but they are wanting to push chemo really really bad. the dr is really mad and has called various people telling them i do not want chemo if i am cancer free and my nodes were negative and my scans are negative why chemo at this point? please give me so advice as i am really upset why do these people want to push this meds so bad?

Comment on MRSA: Victimization and Shooting the Messenger by Sandy

Sandy — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 02:39:24 +0000

I found all of the posts to be both informative. I am watching my mother suffer tremendously as she continues to fight this terrible infection which has kept her hospitalized for the majority of the last three months. The suffering is enormous as she is in pain, vomits continually, struggles with irregular blood pressure and diabetes and is often confused. After multiple surgeries and rounds of treatments with vancomycine (sp.) and a host of other medications, the infection is now in her blood and the doctors suspect it may be in her muscles/bones (awaiting test results). Although her outlook is not good, I feel that others should understand how serious this infection can be and take measures to prevent the spread.

As I reflect on this incident the doctors claimed it was brought on by poor hygeine which all of us kids found odd based on how she had always been a little overboard on personal hygiene and appearance. Accusations or disagreements based on how she contacted this illness will not help my mom however articles written about personal experiences might educate others about the seriousness of this type of infection and encourage all others (including medical personel)to practice good hygeine, especially when dealing with someone who is diagnosed with the illness.

My prayers go to all patients and families suffering from the effects of this illness and I ask you to keep my mother in your prayers as well.

Comment on Patient Advocates: We Need You! by doctorblue

doctorblue — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:45:47 +0000

Trisha,

You are the culmination of my dreams — the patient advocate I hope to become if I can ever find someone to help me find a knowledgeable surgeon with the will to help me get well.

I’ve been disabled for five years after years of being referred from one doctor and test to the next with no proper diagnosis nor treatment. I assembled my medical records and self-diagnosed after the money and insurance ran out. I have a systemic bacterial infection and need gastrointestinal surgery. I qualify for Medicare in August, but I’ll be homeless or possibly dead by then. I have no family nor support group, and I’m too ill to be proactive in going out there and finding help other than through the internet or by mail.

I was a successful commercial real estate broker for 20 years. I have a masters degree in journalism from Syracuse University. I never thought I’d find myself in this situation.

My story is partially documented in my blog http://doctorblue.wordpress.com.

I’m hanging on by a thread and really need someone’s help. If I ever do get better, I have vowed to dedicate the rest of my life to doing the things that you are already engaged in — helping others like me get the help they need and trying to effect change in our health care system. I have no interest in doing anything else.

My last blog entry is a Hail Mary pass to anyone who will help me. If no one does, the story ends with doctors getting away with manslaughter in a society that reveres only money.

Will you help? Will you take the “Write This Reality Story’s Ending” challenge?

Please just don’t refer me to the plethora of health-oriented non-profits I’ve already contacted. The many individuals who work for these non-profits with whom I have spoken clearly demonstrated that non-profits are in the business of writing about helping patients for grant money rather than actually helping patients.

Comment on Medical Retaliation – A Fact of Life by NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:16:58 +0000

Anyone out there been retaliated for reporting negligence-not via a lawsuit and then been harassed in a number of ways?

1. patient investigated by a private investigator
2. illegal wiretapping
3. home broken into
4. predatory tactics that include people entering your life under false pretenses to gather information as well as for amusement
5. reported for a low income health care audit
6. when one health institution exists as the only game in town and patient has limited resources; medical mistreatment in emergency inpatient care
7. access to medical care threatened
8. patient reputation harmed in community
9. patient blackballed; labeled unstable/paranoid
10. invasive procedures are performed w/o proper informed consent

Anyone know who can help investigate patient violations of privacy, confidentiality, voyeurism, yes, voyeurism, HC abuse, medical care abandonment.

This is enough information to get responses if there are any. These forms of harassment are impossible to stop when the system is powerful, they all know each other and they use defensive medicine tactics ton cover-up and discredit the patient victim’s experiences.

Anyone had any dealings, tired of hearing “Are you seeing someone” “Are you on meds” “I do not understand why very busy medical professionals would spend the energy harassing you” “Why would they risk breaking the law and their careers”, etc…

If anyone has experienced any of these occurrences then you know it’s NOT crazy. Need to know…………..

Comment on Another Loss to MRSA by Lisa

Lisa — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 20:13:08 +0000

My mother was in the ICU on August 20th of this year. She too has COPD. She too also always has this MRSA while in this hospital. It turns out that it is more likely to remain in paitents with COPD. They feel it is in their lungs and come up with what they cough up. Anyhow, She was on the ventilator and we were told the longest they would leave her on the ventilator in ICU was 10 days and then we had to decide about a Trach. Something she did not want. If we went with that she would have to live in some nursing home away from our area and the average life span for those people is 7 months. Not worth it. Anyhow, they made one attempt on the 22nd of August to take her off of the respirator and it did not work. They let her rest until the 25th and made the second attempt. They didn’t want to wait to long, because the longer you wait – the least likely they will ever get off of it – unless we request it removed. Anyhow, the second attempt was a success. They placed her on what is called a BIPAP machine. Similar to a ventilator, just lest invasive. She utilized that for several days on and off. It was the best image ever, to see her just on the usual oxygen. Anyhow, she has had a tremendous turn around. The turn around will only last for so long. With end stage copd, a persons lungs eventually can’t work anymore. She does have limited air flow. Tomorrow as a matter of fact she will be going home. We will have a little help. We decided to go with Home Hospice. We are not certain of how much time we have. We just know it isn’t as much as we would like. I just want her to be happy. Without pain or suffering. She did sign a DNR in the ICU and when she gets home she will sign a nonhospital DNR. There is a difference. We will place this on the fridge and probably near her bed. That way if 911 is ever called, they don’t try to put her through all that she has already gone through. Although, I feel if it happened again – she wouldn’t get off of that ventilator. We took the shot once. It worked. Now, she will die with dignity and as she wishes. That is all anyone could ask for. As far as MRSA – I am certain it played a role, but I am afraid I believe it is more the COPD to blame. My mother is only 56. My suggestion to anyone dealing with this is put your emotion aside and do what is right for your loved one and carry out their wishes!!

Comment on Doctors: How to Treat an Angry Patient by Nemo

Nemo — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 18:33:39 +0000

Doctors need to be trained to show empathy? Maybe they should be trained on how to diagnose and treat rather then how to bill and schedule for maximum efficiency. The medical establishment today is a joke, corrupt and inefficient.