My Emergency Room Horror Story

[PsychGrad]

47. I have had similar...

I had my first gallbladder attack a couple of years ago. Honestly thought I was dying it hurt so bad. I have NEVER taken a pain medication, and don't even use Ibuprofen or Tylenol. But, I went to the closest ER (I live in a rural area, no Urgent Cares and Dr's office packed and no openings) and the dr there treated me the same way. I did ask for a pain killer, or something, bc I couldn't even walk upright and was trying to finish out my day at work. He denied me fluids even though I was dehydrated, accused me of drug seeking, and then lectured me about using the ER for "non life-threatening" issues. I explained to him that I'm not a doctor and have no idea if something is life threatening and that is why I came to the ER - after several nurses I worked with told me to do so. Anyway, he didn't do a thing - especially not once they realized that I didn't have any health insurance. He literally told me to get out of the bed bc they needed it for "real emergencies". It's a very small rural hospital, and I guarantee that bed was empty the rest of the day.

Anyway, they sued me for about $7,000 after denying me the paper work for charity. I went to court, then got in touch with the Attorney General for my state - who kindly informed them that at the time of the "treatment", I more than qualified to have my "treatment" written off. Of course, there really wasn't any treatment - other than disgust and dismissal. So, they dropped the charge. That hospital is trying to build a new hospital and they need $ - and they treat people like shit. I won't pay them a dime, and I hope that they go under and never get to complete a new hospital. Oh, and he told me that "our only legal requirement in the ER is to stabilize you and verify that you aren't dying - you are not dying, we need that bed."

I'm sorry that you have had a similar experience. Just know, karma does come back around and people like that will get theirs. You can't just go through life treating people like crap without some kind of consequence, I have to believe that. I hope that you can find a doctor to work with and am so sorry to hear of all of your struggles. Sending you long distance hugs and hope.