I went to my VA PCDr.'s Appt. Yesterday; had lab work done at 0945 hrs.; 9:45 AM civilian time. LOL! The the Appointment with the PCD. I was 10 mins. early to my 12:30 PM. Appt. Anyhow; at 1300 hrs; she come out and said I was late; Right!!!! Asked me a lot of health ???'s and I said that I stopped the Crestor because of the pain; and was trying to find out if it was the cause. Well; she went into a huff and said; You have to call us when you decide to stop a med!! I said; it is not one of the heart meds or meds that will kill me if I stop them. After seeing her and she showed me to the exam room; before she left; it was 1340 hrs. I told her i needed the restroom. She said; You should have went before your appt. GRRRRR!!!
Finally; I got to see my Doctor and explained it to him and yes; My LDL and Triglycerides rose to unhealthy levels again; So he said to try and take it every other day and see if that helps the pain level. I also asked for the Flu shot; no problem so I thought. After a 40 minute discussion and about another 45-50 min wait; it was now 1450 hrs.; at 1500 hrs; here comes the NP.
She had me remove my shirt as it is one of those snug sweat evaporating ones. The I asked to have it in my right injured shoulder. She says; "I already chose your left shoulder!" I said; It is because I don't need any more added pain as I sleep on my side. She says; " I am putting it in the left shoulder!" Round and round we went; until I turned to the door and said; "Forget It; I will pay for one at the drug store." I said; I had been up since 0700 hrs. and I was tired and in severe pain. She blew me off!!!I was told to come back by her and she handed me a copy of the notes. Here it was now about 1515 hrs. I never got back until 1630 hrs. I sure have thoughts about getting in touch with the VA Healthcare administrator; but will toss it as we may have both been having a rough day. Reminds me of a song; What do you say in a moment like this!!!
Now today I have to go see my neck Dr. for pain Management at 1400 hrs. "The pain in the whole body" will update more later! Thanks for letting me blow of some steam!!! PIEERE
SnowGypsy said
08:58 AM Oct 16, 2014
I am glad you can write it off as you might both have been having a bad day but, if you are treated like this again and it looks like that is just the way they handle things, call the VA switchboard at the hospital, not a CBOC, and ask for the person that does Quality Assurance. That won't necessarily work but might be a wake-up call. The next step is to contact your congressmen. I had a little battle with them regarding "regulations" they were making up in their heads and spreading them as gospel truth and the congressmen got me, after a few tries, a statement which said, of course, exactly what I predicted it would say. Was around the military too long to be screwed around by amateurs!
I hope that you don't have to take this any further. Sadly, I have found that a lot of people have no respect for military members or veterans even though both their freedom and jobs are and have been dependent on those very people. "Biting the hand that feeds you?", my dogs are smarter than that!
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 16th of October 2014 08:59:38 AM
Terry and Jo said
09:05 AM Oct 16, 2014
Ed,
I'm no doctor, so take this as someone simply relating what a family member experienced. My wife's oldest sister can't take anti-cholesterol medicines without it messing up her liver enzymes. I don't know where she heard this from, but she started taking Omega Red Castor Oil. I think something was said about 1 tablespoon per day. Anyway, her latest cholesterol tests have shown that her cholesterol has dropped significantly.
Now, I have no idea if Castor Oil has any harmful effects for people, so be sure and look into that if you choose to try it.
Terry
TRAILERKING said
09:11 AM Oct 16, 2014
Your Health Care System sounds better and speedier than ours up here......
WestWardHo said
09:48 AM Oct 16, 2014
I'm with Snow Gypsy, except I would call now and report this. We had a poor experience with a NP at Jesse's local VA Hospital and we reported it to the department Social Worker, & the PVA (any military service organization supporting vets sould help you) and that NP was removed from that department! It turns out other Vets had reported issues as well.
Yes, she might have been having a bad day but her belligerence is inexcusable!
Sherry
Lucky Mike said
12:31 PM Oct 16, 2014
Report it.....I can see on three levels why you should !!!!
Second Chance said
12:53 PM Oct 16, 2014
Sorry to hear about your experience. As a retired Army Nurse (and a patient with cholesterol and triglyceride problems myself), I can commiserate. The VA is not known for speedy, efficient delivery of health care, but the the behavior of the NP as you describe it is inexcusable - bad day or not. As health care professionals, it is our duty to treat everyone with dignity and consideration... even if they are cranky old men (like me). There should be a patient representative or advocate at your VA facility - I would encourage you to contact them and let them know how you were treated. I hate to say it, but sometimes Civil Servants can develop an "attitude." Whether it's related to burn-out or something else, they need an attitude adjustment or another line of work.
On a personal note, my PCP and I had to try three or four statins (that the class of drug you Crestor belongs to) before we found one this didn't make my knees hurt. My case is especially difficult because I have familial hyperlipidemia and my triglycerides tend to go through the ceiling if not treated. With that said, you should have checked with your provider prior to discontinuing a medication on your own. Contrary to a statement above, statins ARE a critical part of keeping your cardiovascular system healthy. Work with your provider to find something that works for you and so they can track your lipid profile.
Rob
Barbaraok said
03:48 PM Oct 16, 2014
Leg pain when taking statins is often a sign that the liver isn't working as it should because of the statin. Crestor is especially known for giving a lot of people problems. Ask physician to start with oldest generic and work up the dosage until your blood levels are in the right range. BTW - you can have too LOW a level of cholesterol.
It is okay to talk back to nurses and physicians - they work FOR YOU. Without patients, they would be out on the street panhandling for quarters. NO one is as interested in your qualify of life as you are. Might take a small tape recorder with you, tell them you are recording the exam, etc., because you want to make sure you don't overlook something. I guarantee you that that will change things dramatically.
Finally; I got to see my Doctor and explained it to him and yes; My LDL and Triglycerides rose to unhealthy levels again; So he said to try and take it every other day and see if that helps the pain level. I also asked for the Flu shot; no problem so I thought. After a 40 minute discussion and about another 45-50 min wait; it was now 1450 hrs.; at 1500 hrs; here comes the NP.
She had me remove my shirt as it is one of those snug sweat evaporating ones. The I asked to have it in my right injured shoulder. She says; "I already chose your left shoulder!" I said; It is because I don't need any more added pain as I sleep on my side. She says; " I am putting it in the left shoulder!" Round and round we went;
until I turned to the door and said; "Forget It; I will pay for one at the drug store." I said; I had been up since 0700 hrs. and I was tired and in severe pain. She blew me off!!!I was told to come back by her and she handed me a copy of the notes. Here it was now about 1515 hrs. I never got back until 1630 hrs. I sure have thoughts about getting in touch with the VA Healthcare administrator; but will toss it as we may have both been having a rough day. Reminds me of a song; What do you say in a moment like this!!! 
Now today I have to go see my neck Dr. for pain Management at 1400 hrs. "The pain in the whole body" will update more later! Thanks for letting me blow of some steam!!! PIEERE
I am glad you can write it off as you might both have been having a bad day but, if you are treated like this again and it looks like that is just the way they handle things, call the VA switchboard at the hospital, not a CBOC, and ask for the person that does Quality Assurance. That won't necessarily work but might be a wake-up call. The next step is to contact your congressmen. I had a little battle with them regarding "regulations" they were making up in their heads and spreading them as gospel truth and the congressmen got me, after a few tries, a statement which said, of course, exactly what I predicted it would say. Was around the military too long to be screwed around by amateurs!
I hope that you don't have to take this any further. Sadly, I have found that a lot of people have no respect for military members or veterans even though both their freedom and jobs are and have been dependent on those very people. "Biting the hand that feeds you?", my dogs are smarter than that!
-- Edited by SnowGypsy on Thursday 16th of October 2014 08:59:38 AM
Ed,
I'm no doctor, so take this as someone simply relating what a family member experienced. My wife's oldest sister can't take anti-cholesterol medicines without it messing up her liver enzymes. I don't know where she heard this from, but she started taking Omega Red Castor Oil. I think something was said about 1 tablespoon per day. Anyway, her latest cholesterol tests have shown that her cholesterol has dropped significantly.
Now, I have no idea if Castor Oil has any harmful effects for people, so be sure and look into that if you choose to try it.
Terry
Yes, she might have been having a bad day but her belligerence is inexcusable!
Sherry
On a personal note, my PCP and I had to try three or four statins (that the class of drug you Crestor belongs to) before we found one this didn't make my knees hurt. My case is especially difficult because I have familial hyperlipidemia and my triglycerides tend to go through the ceiling if not treated. With that said, you should have checked with your provider prior to discontinuing a medication on your own. Contrary to a statement above, statins ARE a critical part of keeping your cardiovascular system healthy. Work with your provider to find something that works for you and so they can track your lipid profile.
Rob
It is okay to talk back to nurses and physicians - they work FOR YOU. Without patients, they would be out on the street panhandling for quarters. NO one is as interested in your qualify of life as you are. Might take a small tape recorder with you, tell them you are recording the exam, etc., because you want to make sure you don't overlook something. I guarantee you that that will change things dramatically.
Barb