E.R. drama! (long)

[liannatx 897]

Well, I tried a couple of sips of protien shake Monday morning and that triggered another bout of spitting up foam for 3 hours, and then I couldnt get a sip of anything to stay down all day. Having a horrid pain like air wants to come UP and cant. Pain was nonrelenting, and had no fluids all day so I went to e.r. last night around 10. I was in e.r. for 2 hours when someone finally came and took me to get stomach x-rays. I said "I am going to get x-rays and I havent seen or spoken to a dr. yet?". Got back in my waiting room and waited another hour. Doctor finally came in (looked about 28 with diamond studs in both ears and gelled spiky hair?) and did a brief talk and then said 'well, lets get some exrays'. Did he forget he already ordered them? Was he unaware I had already been here for 2 hours and already had x-rays taken? I sat there another hour with only one interuption, a nurse looking in to ask if anyone had been in yet and got vitals. Doctor finally came back in at 2:30.

dr., "well the xrays dont show any obstructions or etc...."

glitter, "I dont think there's anything like that wrong, I have been battling this swellling since surgery. I think I just need some anti-inflamatory medication and some fluids"

dr., "I dont hear much gurgling in your bowels, which leads me to think this a reaction your body is having to the trauma of the surgery" (wtf? duh?)

dr. , " You havent had a bowel movement in 4 days? I want to run a blah blah blah(?) scan on your bowels"

glitter, "I am sure my bowels are not gurgling because I have had nothing to eat in 5 days, I am not even having hunger pangs to cause gurgling. I really dont want a blah blah(?) scan, I just want something to help relieve this pain and inflamation and I obviously cant take anything orally right now, which is why I am at the e.r."

dr., "well, I really want to run a blah blah(?) scan on your bowels, you can refuse this test if you want to, but I won't proceed any further without it"

glitter "so are you telling me that after sitting in here in pain for 4 hours over a swollen stoma that you are not going to give me anything unless I go through some basically pointless tests? Because we both know that the banding is causing this swelling. I really dont want the expense of further tests run."

dr. "like i said, you can refuse the scan"

So I did. I just got up and walked out. And now I am back home, tireder and more miserable than ever. The only good thing is that I slept from about 4 to 7 and woke up and was able to sip about 4 oz. of warm broth. I am really upset over my treatment at the e.r. Shouldn't the probable dehydration and/or elecrolyte balance at least have warranted an i.v.? Was I treated wrongly or am I just tired, pained, and overly sensitive right now?

[vinesqueen 2]

well, that's why they call it the "practice of medicine."

Okay, you are a Mexico patient, probably self pay. Okay did you call your local follow-up doc before heading out to the ER? if you have not done this, you need to call that doc ASAP.

So they never took a history? Does this hospital have any experience with banded patients? Did you demonstrate your amazing non-drinking abilities?

I don't know if there are any standard protocols for dealing banded folk. I know that when I go get fills here in ID, I have been teaching the hospital about the band, the usual protocols for fill (making sure I stay and drink a small bottle of Water to make sure I'm not too tight from the get go). I think we need to check around to find out if there is something already.

Anyone remember the name of the Band Docs that lurk here? Maybe they can help

But, you need to call your followup doc as soon as their office opens. I mean it.

[Vera 7]

Glitter, Have you called Dr. Sanchez?

I know you were given a card with his number on it, I can let you know if you can't find it. Also Alma or Dr. Suesanna. Not saying Dr. Sanchez won't suggest you go see him right away, cause that's what he aways says to me. But if you have another doctor for him to talk to...I have had Dr. Sanchez talk directly to my doc here.

Sorry you had to go through this. Some doctors don't realize we know our own bodies.

Keep sipping. keep us posted.

[liannatx 897]

Quick update! Since the warm broth I had after I woke up I have had major relief. I was pouring about 1-2 ounces of warm Water in a cup and taking teeny tiny sips on it, drinking that over the course of about 30 minutes. I feel so much better having had a good solid 8oz of water go down. I only have a lingering tightness/pain feeling, not bad at all. I just took a sip of cool water and I can actually FEEL it go through!!!!!! I think I am finally on the rebound! I will be afraid to have anything but water or propel now, but man do I feel better. And FYI, I have not had a moments regret. This will still be the best thing I have ever done for myself!

[banded_for_life 2]

Glitter, I am glad you are finally starting to feel a little better. sip...sip...sip. :-)

[Danistar 0]

I don't think we can ever trust the ER docs or any other doc who hasn't received information on the band. They don't know anything about it and will make wrong decisions. It's still too new. I went to the hospital for a standard fill this morning. They wanted me to have a blood test, which I refused. They wanted to give me an IV and an Anesthesiologist and Versed to relax me. I refused all of that too. They just aren't educated about the band!

The first thing to do is to call your doctor, he can tell you what to do next.

If you can't call your doc in Mexico then you need to get a new doc to asssume the care and responsibilities for him. You have to be able to call immediately if you have any sort of problem.

[Nykee 13]

That kind of thing happened to me and I was real lucky to have got themt o listen in the ER it was hard though!

I went in saying "I AM INFLAMED" " I NEED AN IV of ANTIINFLAMITORIES"

It was obvious I was choking on my own saliva as they could tell with my little cup and spitting into it and then gag and choke..

so I got the IV.. after much to do.. and demanding by me...

after 40 hours:

later they had to do an unfill on me and no one even knew what that was...

and I got it ... from ER with a spinal tap needle.. BUT hey, it was all I knew to do as no lapband docs are nearby

I was firm and tuff and stood upo for myself and I KNOW I WAS LUCKY CUZ THAT DOESNT work..THEY never listen

[Apryl Showers 0]

I had to go to the ER last month (kidney stones) and every time (don't they write this stuff down) I gave my medical history (to everyone who came in to poke and stare at me) I was met with a blank stare after mentioning my band. No one knew what it was, and my DH had to explain the entire procedure! And they still had no clue. Finally they just said that my pain was not band related (duh). It is so frustrating that I know more about the band than most medical PROFESSIONALS!