Medical Malpractice Medical negligence - WI

[kat2wolf]

First, I want to say I was diagnosed with a CNS demyelinating disease June 30, 2014. In 2001, I was repeatedly going to doctors to try and figure out what was going on with me. I was having aches, pains, and sensations all over my body. My head felt weird and I also had ringing in my ears. I was told I had the flu and next it was from working at a computer desk (I could see carpal tunnel being an issue from working at a computer), but not all the weird stuff I was feeling. They didn't even test me for carpal tunnel if they felt working at a computer was causing me all of the issues I was having. I mentioned to 2 different doctors that I wanted an MRI to rule out MS because I was suspicious of that due to a previous occurrence in 1993. One doctor told me I didn't have MS without investigating or even eliminating anything that could've been causing those symptoms…such as Lyme Disease. That same doctor told me that everyone has pain. Needless to say I was very angry by this time because no one was taking my symptoms seriously. That particular doctor threw me a Fibromyalgia diagnosis to shut me up and I believed it. I never heard of it before.
This brings me to me recent acquisition of my medical records. One doctor wrote that she thought my symptoms were psychosomatic. This was very harmful to put in my records and this doctor was not in any way qualified to diagnose psychological issues. I wasn't under any stress except for the stress of not knowing what was wrong with me and no doctors would listen. After that, a second doctor wrote she thinks my issues are psychological. Neither of these doctors were psychologists and they weren't neurologists or rheumatologists that would've had the expertise in eliminating any neurological or arthritic condition. Making this very loose suggestion in my medical records (unknown to me) of psychological problems was extremely upsetting to me. Any doctors who were sent my medical records would see this…and in turn…not take any of my symptoms seriously. This is a dangerous suggestion to put in someone's medical records without a diagnosis from a professional.
They also put "I had a tumultuous social situation including living in a shelter for battered women for a while." That was something that happened 14 years before my visit. These doctors ask if you've ever been in an abusive situation. It was once…14 years prior to that visit…the relationship ended within a few months and I was only in a shelter for about 2 weeks so I could get a restraining order. Four months out of my life hardly qualifies as something that needs to be mentioned in my medical records. This doctor also made a false statement in my medical records. She said I told her my PT refused to treat me anymore unless I had blood work. This is not what I told her…I told her my PT asked if I had blood work done…and out of "concern" she thought it might be a good idea for me to have some done. My doctor became very upset that a lowly PT would make such a suggestion. That particular doctor was one of the doctors signing false medical notes for teachers on strike…so she's not a very honest person.
If these doctors sent me to a neurologist or had MRI's done as I requested, maybe I would've had some answers. A desperate diagnosis of Fibromyalgia and putting false unsubstantiated claims of psychosomatic problems in my medical records caused me damage. Doctors viewing these notes would relate symptoms to that and think I was just a nut job who imagined my pain. My recent diagnosis validates my pains and condition was real. Because of their lack of interest or referrals over my concerns…I now have this diagnosis late in life. My neurologist would have something to go by. I am very angry and upset at these doctors who didn't take me seriously. I still can't get over the shock that they put in my medical records they thought my symptoms were all in my head. I'm not sure if I have any recourse…this happened many years ago, but my date of discovery on the false claim of psychosomatic was recent.

 

[disagreeable]

How is it they reached a diagnosis of CNS demyelinating disease? Did no one do any MRI's or CT scans to see if you had lesions over all those years? What proof do you have such lesions were present back then? Old lesions tend to show up as scarring but you cannot "date" the scars.

 

[kat2wolf]

In May I had an MRI and in June a Lumbar Puncture. No...there is no way to prove I had scarring back then because the regular doctors didn't do testing to eliminate illnesses from causing my symptoms. I was never referred to any specialists and I was loosely diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. I mentioned to 2 doctors that in a previous year I had 3 days of not being able to move without explanation and then with the symptoms I had at the time...I believed something was not right. Who are these "family doctors" to put such a suggestion as psychological in my medical records without any expert support. Psychiatry and Psychology are specialties in which a family doctor shouldn't be practicing. Most of the symptoms I have now...are the same symptoms I had back then. These tests were finally done because I asked for a referral to a rheumatologist for my joint pain and I was diagnosed with arthritis, but I was having other symptoms as well. The symptoms started getting really bad in the last 8 months. I told my rheumatologist I wanted an MRI and he referred me to a neurologist which is what those other 2 doctors should have done. When you tell a doctor you have strange sensations of pain all over your body, dizziness, aches and pains, ringing ears, stuttering, etc...and they don't investigate at least with blood work or sending you to someone who specializes in that stuff and writes in your medical file they believe it is psychosomatic...I think maybe they are psychosomatic. The doctors who reached the CNS diagnosis are not the same doctors. It was a neurologist....so she specializes in neurological diseases and knows what questions to ask and what to look for. The problem I have is loosely diagnosing me with Fibromyalgia so this made me believe all of my symptoms were due to that and all of my other doctors would follow suit. Writing psychosomatic in my records without a proper diagnosis of such also is harmful because other doctors read that stuff. The doctors I went to many years ago had me believing going to the doctors is a waste of time because they weren't going to take me seriously and they would brush every symptom off as Fibromyalgia. I don't believe I ever had Fibromyalgia. The neurologist I started seeing in May made the diagnosis of CNS demyelinating disease. I am now using a cane to help me walk...I can walk, but I have balance issues so I could fall.

 

[disagreeable]

One does not wait for a PCP to refer them to a neurologist when they have these issues if the suggestion is not forthcoming. They research one their insurance covers and request a referral. I am sorry for your suffering. I wish they would do a spinal tap on me but MRI's and CT scans have shown no lesions. In fact I am going to see a therapist with decades of experience in EMDR and hypnotism to see if she can generate positive results in the system wide neuropathy and numbness I have suffered for years and solve the issue of my hands not closing/gripping properly which has been an issue for over 2 years among other debilitating issues.. Unfortunately, medicine is a practice, you must keep being proactive in seeking treatment or accept the status quo. There is not a negative stigma associated with psychosomatic illness unless you fail to explore it as a treatment. Having received multiple opinions on these specific issues not being caused by all my spinal damage and pinched nerves, that is my current direction for treatment. The trick is to seek the best doctors and confirm overlapping opinions. If you have a non responsive PCP, who declines to refer you, it is up to you to get a new one. I am actually hoping beyond all hope she can get my arms, legs and brain to function again. I lost millions from my other injuries and it may/ just be my brain finally overloaded and shutdown one day. If it only cost me $150k more to fix that, I will be at work the day after my brain reboots and my brain starts sending the proper signals. I have survived 2 accidents the equivalent of jumping off the Golden Gate bridge, had numerous concussions etc... I have one fully functioning body part left, my left shoulder which only has neuropathy going through it. Stigma be damned.

 

[Betty3]

I don't see (in my opinion) where you have any recourse based on what you posted. You always need to be proactive in regard to your health - seek on your own further/other opinions/options.

I wish you well.

 

[kat2wolf]

Actually I changed PCP 3 times. The health insurance plan I had at the time required a PA to see a specialist. I am also aware that medicine is a "practice", but there is some scientific things that can be done to rule certain things out before the artist gets to work. If I have to be aware of all the protocols doctors must follow in order to make a valid diagnosis...not much point in going to a doctor is there? The only part of the medical profession that has any validity is only the medicine with scientific backup...doctors aren't very good with coloring books and crayons. Not the first time it has happened to me...I needed to have my gall bladder removed, but the doctor was treating me for heartburn with pepcid ac for a year...lol. Pure genius...I went somewhere else and they were smart enough to give me an ultrasound. Should've seen the surgeon's face when I told him I was being treated with pepcid ac.
As far as the doctor who wrote psychosomatic in my records...the reason that causes problems is because other doctors will say...oh yeah...her symptoms are all in her head. I was never psychosomatic so having that written in my medical records based on "one" encounter by a "family" doctor is irresponsible. I will know in the future not to bother with witch doctors. The medical profession for the most part is a joke. I might as well hang a degree on my wall since I've been right and they've been wrong. I'm just as qualified to practice.

 

[army judge]

Actually I changed PCP 3 times. The health insurance plan I had at the time required a PA to see a specialist. I am also aware that medicine is a "practice", but there is some scientific things that can be done to rule certain things out before the artist gets to work. If I have to be aware of all the protocols doctors must follow in order to make a valid diagnosis...not much point in going to a doctor is there? The only part of the medical profession that has any validity is only the medicine with scientific backup...doctors aren't very good with coloring books and crayons. Not the first time it has happened to me...I needed to have my gall bladder removed, but the doctor was treating me for heartburn with pepcid ac for a year...lol. Pure genius...I went somewhere else and they were smart enough to give me an ultrasound. Should've seen the surgeon's face when I told him I was being treated with pepcid ac.
As far as the doctor who wrote psychosomatic in my records...the reason that causes problems is because other doctors will say...oh yeah...her symptoms are all in her head. I was never psychosomatic so having that written in my medical records based on "one" encounter by a "family" doctor is irresponsible. I will know in the future not to bother with witch doctors. The medical profession for the most part is a joke. I might as well hang a degree on my wall since I've been right and they've been wrong. I'm just as qualified to practice.

If you believe you were mistreated, misdiagnosed, or otherwise find yourself unhappy with the medical care you have or haven't received; you should do the following:
Read your health insurance policy (you are more than likely required to seek a remedy via arbitration or mediation), if that is NOT the case, consult a local medical malpractice attorney. There is NOTHING a FREE, online internet legal discussion forum can do to assist you to address a serious legal concerns.

I wish for you the things you desire.