How do you get the doctor to listen?

I had my RNY "reversed" on 8/9/11 and have had nothing but issues since.  My surgeon has consistently made me feel like I'm a bother to him.  Last time I saw him, 2 weeks ago, he told me there was nothing else he could do for me and I need to see pain management.  I'm still waiting on that referral, but now I have new pain and new issues.  I've had a fever off and on since Friday.  Starting Friday I also have had horrible water diahrrea.  Every time I go it's incredibly painful.  I have this searing pain in my upper left quadrant that gets worse when I go to the bathroom or vomit.  I just can't do this anymore.  My BM's are also a strange color as well.  They are a light orangish yellow which is not normal for me.  I haven't eaten anything lately that would turn them that color.  There are also bits of undigested food in my BM's which has never happened before.I broke down and went to my local ER last night who was no freaking help at all.  They gave me a shot of dilaudid in the ass, took 1 x-ray of my belly, did no blood work and sent me home.  My x-ray was fine, but the pain is just getting worse.  The doctor there said that because my surgeon was 2 hours away I need to see him and not come to their ER.  I can't afford to drive 2 hours every time something is wrong.  All the complications I have had have sucked my family dry.  We are barely getting by as it is because of this bull****  

I just want to know what's going on with my body and I want it to stop.  I want someone, anyone to be willing to treat me.  I'm to the point that I can't live like this.  This has effected my relationship with my husband and more importantly my daughter.  I can't be a mother to her when I can barely take care of myself.  I've called other surgeon's trying to get a 2nd opinion, but no one wants to see me because of the complexity of the reversal.  I go see a new PCP, an internal medicine specialist, on Wednesday and I'm praying he can help me find answers.  My surgeon sure as hell isn't trying to help me anymore.

I am so sorry that you are not feeling well: I hope your new PCP can give you some answers: Let us know what he say: Please forgive me you do not have to answer this question, But why did you have a reversed done? Was you having trouble before this? take care, well keep you in my prayers.

Sounds pretty clear that you need help.  I would try contacting a larger hospital - preferably a teaching hospital.  They might appreciate the complexity of your case & have the people (interns, ect.) with the time to research your options. 

Since I don't know where you are, here's the US News "best hospital" list:

http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals/rankings/digestive-d isorders

I worked off the list for my dd's neurological condition and while I live near a teaching hospital with a good reputation... the difference when we switched to the #1 hospital was astounding.  I had to travel but it was well worth it. 

I sincerely hope that you can get some help soon.

Laura

I am SO sorry you are having to go through this.  Although my issue was "just" severe a, bdominal pain, I spent the entire last year going through the same thing... no surgeon, including my original RNY and herbnia repair surgeon wanted to do an exploratory surgery when CTs showed nothing.  Fortunately, when my surgeon found out that my PCP put me on medical leave because the pain was so frequent, and that I had appointementrs at both teh Celevland Clinic and with her former RNY mentor (hoping to avoid having to go to Cleveland), she relented and did the surgery and found and fixed the problem.

I can only think of two things.  First, continue to try other surgeons or specialists.  Perhaps your new PCP can refer you to a specialty clinic (although the expense for that, with travel and hotel costs involved, can be very problematic... I know it would have been for me)... but I know how hard it is with JUST the RNY... I cannot imagine the difficulty of finding someone new to help after a reversal.

Second, have you laid out, in a very succint fashion, ALL the symptoms you are having to present to your surgeon at one time (perhaps along with the hint that some people might consider him doing NOTHING -- not even referring you to specialists -- with such serious issues going on to be negligent)...?  Sometimes when symptoms change or new symptoms appear and old ones don;t go away, doctors don't "see" the whole picture clearly, but if you present the ENTIRE picture all at once, they will realize the extent and seriousness of what is going on.

I sincerely hope you can find someone to help.  I know how frustrating and discouraging it can be to be suffering and feel like no one in the medical establishment cares or is willing to help.

Lora

I'm so sorry that you are still in medical hell :(
I don't want you to be in pain, and I think a good. legitimate pain management physician is probably in order at this point, but please don't give up there.  I know I am a pest about going to the Cleveland Clinic, or a hospital of equal or greater caliber, but even though I'm still not right, I really credit them for saving me.  They weren't afraid to go where other surgeons had created a tangled mess before them.  I know it is an extra expense because of the travel, and I'm not sure how far away you live from there, but it was very easy to get an appointment, it may take a couple months depending on the availability.  I'm sure the quality of The Mayo Clinic is excellent, but when I tried to get an appt there, I felt more like I was trying to get into a country club, that could have just been my experience though.  If you decide to go, send me a message, I can give you some travel tips, hotel, and some names of doctors there that I really like.  I'm actually getting on the train this Wednesday to head back there for a few days, and then I am going back in November.  I know how this can really impact the ones who love you, especially the kids.  This has been going on for so long for me that both the kids see a therapist to try and sort out their anger and worry, they aren't angry at me, they are very angry at my original surgeon...they are old enough to get it, but the feelings are hard.  I do hope you get some answers and help...oh, and as an ER worker, I have to say SHAME on your local ER for telling you not to come there for help!! That's what they are there for!!
Hugs,
Jules

Jeez, you are still going through hell. So sorry... I get it's hard for you to travel to obtain additional help. So, what options do you have with your current insurance and finances/family?

Remember, I had a "take-down" too and suffered for years until I almost took a dirt nap! DO NOT WAIT too long to take further action. Going through this will be one of the hardest things you will ever do in your life.

Can you consult with a different gastroenterologist? You called other surgeons re a 2nd opinion and they said no. You may be calling the wrong ones. How close are you to a Medical School facility? They usually like complex cases.

Once again, you just must get supportive counseling for yourself and your family.

You wrote, "I'm to the point that I can't live like this." What does that mean? Are you suicidal or just frustrated as hell?

Don't give up. You have a family, a good reason to get your bod and emotions in order.