Should I see a different doctor?

[Phoe]

Very frustrated.

 

I haven't been able to find a place who will accept my insurance, or let me make an appointment without a referral, and I can't get a referral without being seen by my doctor, and I can't be seen by him until July.

 

 

And then there's the matter of apparently still needing to have my referral "approved" even if I can get one.

 

 

Don't wanna waste $100 at the ER. I don't think it'll help me.

 

 

The swelling has gone down a bit, but the bruising has increased (god it's ugly), and the pain has increased.

 

 

I am able to extend my foot a tiny bit now, but still can't move side to side at all, and still struggle to move my little toes.

 

 

I don't know what to do now.

[Phoe]

Well, tried the ER today. Couldn't get in.

 

 

 

At work today the pain became unbearable, shooting up my calf and shin. After work I came home and the bruising had gotten worse. I'm also having weird bouts of numbness/tingliness in the top of my foot to my little toes.

 

 

Still little to no mobility.

 

 

Went to the ER, could not find a parking spot. After 10 minutes of driving around hoping for a spot to free up and getting screeched at and honked at by the woman in the car behind me, I gave up and parked at the parking place a block down. Crutched my way for 10 minutes to the ER. Got inside and it looked like a disaster zone. All seats filled, people sitting on the floor, cots and wheelchairs lining the walls, people EVERYWHERE. I asked how long the wait was, they said about 8 hours to be seen due to "new computer systems"

 

 

I don't have that kind of time to sit in the ER with a bunch of sick people. So I crutched the 10 minutes back to my truck and came home.

 

 

This ankle is really getting to me. I've felt very depressed this week, very little motivation to take care of my responsibilities. Overall feeling defeated.

[clia]

Very frustrated.

 

I haven't been able to find a place who will accept my insurance, or let me make an appointment without a referral, and I can't get a referral without being seen by my doctor, and I can't be seen by him until July.

 

 

Have you clearly explained the situation to your doctor? I've never had any trouble getting in to see my doctor in emergency situations like yours. It seems really off to me that you can't get in until July.

[Phoe]

Have you clearly explained the situation to your doctor? I've never had any trouble getting in to see my doctor in emergency situations like yours. It seems really off to me that you can't get in until July.

 

He is always, for whatever reason, booked up a month out. The earliest I've ever been able to get in with him is 2 weeks out, and that shocked me.

 

 

I don't really like him though... he's pretty dismissive about things that are important to me, and once rushed me out of his office because he had a meeting to get to. But he is necessary to get the approval. For all I know though, he won't give approval for a referral. Wouldn't surprise me at all at this point.

 

 

I'm hoping I can someday get in contact with my health insurance provider and request a different primary physician.

 

 

 

 

The only option I think I have right now is to go back to the same urgent care and hope they actually look at me this time without being dismissive. It's been nearly 2 weeks and the pain and bruising have only gotten worse.

[ASG]

Or you can go back to the ER. It won't always be an 8 hour wait. And also, 8 hours is better than a month!

 

My dad always had a "trick" when going to ERs... Which was going during prime time TV. Surprisingly, people seem to not be as sick when their shows are on!

 

You need to be a little bit more proactive here.

[Phoe]

You need to be a little bit more proactive here.

 

I am really down right now and this comment just digs at me.

 

 

I have tried SO much.

 

 

I don't understand why I have to jump through hoops to just get my ankle treated.

 

 

I have gone to the urgent care multiple times, gotten x-rays, called every specialist in my town AND the next town over, called my primary care twice, VISITED my primary care, and gone to the ER.

 

 

How can you possibly say I'm not being proactive enough? As if I'm not doing enough?

 

 

I work up to 50 hours a week. I have bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of. Finding time between all of that to treat this ankle is hard enough without having every door shut on me.

 

 

I know I'm not unintelligent, so what is it that I'm missing here that I should be doing?

[whichwayisup]

I don't know where you live but where I am there are many 'walk in clinics'. As long as you have your health card they will take you.

 

Go to a different hospital or next time just wait it out. This is your health at risk and your foot/ankle leg will have problems as you get older, arthritis etc. Honestly it sounds like you broke something or have a hairline fracture which is very painful.

 

Don't give up, fight to get another DR, ask friends/family if their Dr's are taking new patients.

 

Maybe you need to take some time off of work and totally stay off you ankle for a week or so. Short term disbility or something.

[ASG]

I am really down right now and this comment just digs at me.

 

 

I have tried SO much.

 

 

I don't understand why I have to jump through hoops to just get my ankle treated.

 

 

I have gone to the urgent care multiple times, gotten x-rays, called every specialist in my town AND the next town over, called my primary care twice, VISITED my primary care, and gone to the ER.

 

 

How can you possibly say I'm not being proactive enough? As if I'm not doing enough?

 

 

I work up to 50 hours a week. I have bills to pay and responsibilities to take care of. Finding time between all of that to treat this ankle is hard enough without having every door shut on me.

 

 

I know I'm not unintelligent, so what is it that I'm missing here that I should be doing?

 

I didn't mean to make a dig at you, at all.

 

I understand your frustration. You're in pain and not seeing any improvement and your attempts have not been very successful.

 

I'm not saying you haven't done anything. But we've been telling you to go to the ER for over a week now and you tried to go ONCE and left because of the waiting time (which, fair enough... 8 hours is not something I would face lightly either!).

 

What you should be doing going to the ER, since that seems to be the most likely place you'll be seen in short notice. Have you tried going back to your urgent care since that first time after the x-rays? Do you need to book an appointment or just show up? Maybe try going there tomorrow, if you can.

 

The thing is, it could be that it just really needs rest and it will get better in time. But it also could be a more serious injury that needs treatment. Some injuries, when left untreated, will lead to permanent loss of movement, as the muscle *will* atrophy and stiffen.

 

You will also, more than likely, need some physio. It's been almost two weeks of not using your leg. All your muscle is now likely gone, so even when your foot is healed (and it's looking like it'll take another couple of weeks, at least), you still won't be able to walk.

 

I'm sorry if I seemed flippant. It was not my intention.

 

And as for your question about the jumping through hoops... YOU have to do it because NO ONE will do it for you. It is YOUR ankle. YOUR health. YOUR body.

Edited June 4, 2014 by ASG

[passion_flower]

Wow I'm so grateful we have the NHS here in the UK reading this.

 

Sorry I know that must not be very helpful.

[ja123]

Stay strong, Phoe.

 

 

Make the investment and spend whatever amount of time at the ER until you get seen by someone.

 

 

Ask for time off of work.

 

 

Do what you need to do to get fully better, a.s.a.p.

[nerd]

Hey Phoe, did your foot get better without seeing a doctor, or did you go see one? Been thinking about your situation, any news you want to share?

[Phoe]

Well, it's gotten well enough that I'm walking. Walking with a limp though.

 

I can flex and extend now, not fully, but there's some motion.

 

 

Swelling is mostly gone, and bruising is mostly gone, just slight tinges of green.

 

 

Hurts when I move it, but it's okay when I'm still.

 

 

Only part that really worries me is that I still can't move it side to side at all.

 

 

I've been doing some exercises in the pool and that's helped with the overall range of motion, but still NOTHING on side to side motion.

[ja123]

It sounds like you're on the mend. I'm glad to hear it.

[somedude81]

Well it seems like you're doing a little better.

 

Have you been able to find out what actually happened to you?

 

It really sucks that the medical system is really failing you.

[ASG]

Well, it's gotten well enough that I'm walking. Walking with a limp though.

 

I can flex and extend now, not fully, but there's some motion.

 

 

Swelling is mostly gone, and bruising is mostly gone, just slight tinges of green.

 

 

Hurts when I move it, but it's okay when I'm still.

 

 

Only part that really worries me is that I still can't move it side to side at all.

 

 

I've been doing some exercises in the pool and that's helped with the overall range of motion, but still NOTHING on side to side motion.

 

 

Glad to hear it's getting better..

 

But DO mind the fact that you can't move it side to side... If you don't have that sorted, you may lose that movement permanently... Have you tried going to a physio, for more specific exercises on how to regain that lost movement?

 

Not sure how it works in the US, but it'll probably be private and cost you, but if you only go to 1 consult and they tell you what to do, then you can probably do it at home at no extra cost. You shouldn't need a referral for a physio either.