Help!! Should I go to the ER?

Question

I was involved in a car wreck back in August and suffered a torn rotator cuff. The doctor that I was seeing for it quit taking Medicaid (car insurance will not pay for it) and I was left without a doctor. My shoulder is swollen and it hurts, but I'm afraid to go to the ER because the last time I went, the doctor accused me of being a heroin addict and making up the pain just to get narcotic painkillers. I don't do drugs and I don't drink. Should I go back and tell them that I'm still hurting? What are the possible outcomes, should I decide to go? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

To the answerer who said that I shouldn't use the ER as a primary care center, I don't. I don't know why the doctor said what she said. The only urgent care we have is open till 9 everyday.

Answer 1

I think you should still go to the ER just to be on the safe side. Once you lose your health, you've got nothing. It sounds to me like the doctor might be the heroin addict, I mean seriously who says something like that? Get a different doctor if you can.

Answer 2

Did you have insurance? it's very unusual that car insurance won't pay for that. Still, you could be in a state that doesn't do no-fault. If it's somebody else's fault, sue. If a doctor accuses you of being an addict looking for drugs, look him straight in the eye and say that you are going to report him for unethical behavior. I'm serious, and you should follow through with that. I found that out as a parent with a child in middle and high school, the best way to get results was to tell the administration that you were turning the matter over to an attorney. It's really pathetic, but that's what it took to get them to sit up and pay attention. You shouldn't be afraid to get treatment because even a minor rotator cuff injury is a royal nuisance, and that's just saying the least.

Last August? That was a half year ago. Please get help. It's just cruel to deny you treatment.

Answer 3

The torn cuff probably needs surgical repair. First you need to find another doctor who accepts Medicaid. It will be next to impossible to locate a surgeon who will but if you can get another doctor, it will his/her problem to make the surgical referral. A new doctor can help you with pain management in the interim. If you need to return to the ER, do so. If the doctor made accusations it could be because you're in there frequently asking for pain meds. Are you? Even so, if you are truly in pain the doctor has no right to talk to you that way. Speak up for yourself. Then try to get to the Urgent Care instead. If you don't take steps toward getting this muscle repaired, you run the risk of permanent damage and chronic pain.

Answer 4

Yes, you should you do not want to injure it even more because then there is a chance you will need surgery which is even more expensive and requires follow-up care which will also require more cash. If your shoulder really hurts you should not let one a**hole of a doctor keep you in pain because you are afraid to go back. You could go to a different hospital or go back and request another doctor if available. Also sometimes there are free clinics and perhaps there is one where you live. In the long run going now will save you more money, pain, and aggravation. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon! :)

Answer 5

Don't go with the same doctor that is accuse you of heroin addict change a doctor. IF the accident was not your fault then you can sue the other party. Get a lawyer first, so they can help you with your case. A friend of mine got in a car accident and it was not his fault. He got a back problem so when he call the insurance he explained that he got back problem after he was in the car accident . The insurance company said ,get a lawyer they can help you so the other party would paid for your medical bills.

Answer 6

You should have just demanded a different doctor! Remember you are the patient, and you know you are in pain. There are some weird doctors out there.....so go to the emergency again.....or to a hospital emergency...you will have to wait awhile, but they will look at your shoulder.

If you go back to the same emergency...different doctors are "on call"...so it isn't likely you'll get the same one....if so...demand someone different....just be very vocal that you don't want him treating you!

And just tell them you have no insurance and you'll have to send in the payment for the treatment.

There are also a lot of family clinics around that would probably take you...for low income families. But you do need to get it xrayed.

Answer 7

Try putting an ice pack on your shoulder for ten minutes then alternate with a hot pack. Take some ibuprofen for the inflammation. Go to a clinic. Find a clinic that uses a sliding scale fee for treatments. ER doctors tend to get over run with patients and can get impatient with the not so critical injuries.

Answer 8

if you do go to the er chanches are you wont get the same doctor ask them WHY do they suspect you as an addict. I dont know why any Doctor would assume such a thing unless they have actual proof like from a urin test or blood work done or look for track marks. He must have seen something for him to presume his accusations... make sure you know why he thinks this and explain to him that you are not and be willing to do a urine sample or blood work to proove it. i would find a different doctor or go to a first care if I were you.

Answer 9

Do whatever you have to do to proteect your healtheven if its the ER ....Also use all tthe home treatments you were instructed to do like ice, elevation-resting the arm whatever you were told I dont know what.remember there are other powerful non narcotic pain killers.
Ask about a toradol shot-its a bit like motrin but much stronger and has certain restrictions on who can and cannot take it . Ask about temporary numbing medications that can be injected into the site.
Once you lose insuranceOR the provider who accepted your insurance you become somewhat of a pariah to th medical community.You may have to drive or take a bus to a farther away provider who agrees to take it,This is a big problem now in our nation. (that and mental health care is a disgrace .)
There are many many people who have access to doctors and insurance or medicaid but refuse to go regularly when needed or refuseto follow the drs instructions then go to the ER asking for pain remedies so the pattern is well known and recognized,You may fall into that category unwittingly -....unfortunate for those who truly need the help and are trying their best.
TRY very hard to get and establish a trusting and respectful relationship with a doctor -try free or low cost clinics and follow the instructions to a T do not miss any appts.. You may have to wait a long time but just be patient Im not saying its right but you need to do what you need to do to survive.
Many states have a basic health plan that is charged by your income Sign up for any and all of them. You need to approach your health care like a job. You may also be asked to make lifestyle changes when needed like smoking cessation especially before surgery so your lungs can clear up.Make the effort seriously.
It also helps to try to be respectful and somewhat humble(even when they are not being that nice) to medical personnel as they will react better to that approach
It may not help your case to start threatening them. They see many drug addicted alcoholics every day so it is common for them. They should never be disrespectful to you but they also may not be very responsive to a confrontational or threatening approach. Health care workers are one of the highest risk fields for being victims of violence on the job -by patients and visitors/family- especially in the ER so they are not going to allow the situation to become a heated argument -they will call security and it will escalate the situation into something you really dont want. Speak up and be assertive but dont alienate your helpers.
Use "I feel" statements like "I feel ignored when you tell me Im not having pain"...or "I feel hopeless/disrespected/written off whatever just keep it to feelings and stay away from accusations. Im telling you this method WORKS.It takes practice though. Also agree with them often like youre right I probably should have...blah blah blah" It helps a lot. You are not there to "win"You are there to get treated and survive.
Also being clean and well groomed,not intoxicated(I am not referring to you personally in this case but others-you said you dont drink) and not smelling like a pack of cigarrettes helps. Sorry to say but that is the world-they make judgements based on first impressions including your appearance. You will eventually be treated differently once you have a track record of having a regular provider.Thats life in the big city That said there are many good medical care personnel that will treat a person the same rich or poor and with compassion no matter what the patient looks (or in some cases smells like) and will take care of you the best way they can.

Answer 10

Obviously if you are experiencing pain, it would be a good idea to go to a doctor. The longer you let the pain reside, the harder it will be to get the pain under control, and you may cause more damage to your shoulder. That's really foul practice for a doctor to accuse his patients, so if you can--i suggest you go to another hospital for treatment. Hopefully everything turns out okay. Good luck!

Answer 11

Don't go to the ER for that. I remember when I had to go and there were a couple of guys who must have been getting frequent flyer miles in there.
That does not sound like an emergency. Try to get to the hospital during normal hours and not in the ER.