After experiencing a severe reaction to a prescription medication, I called 911 because I believed…read moreI was having a medical emergency. When the paramedics ( AMR) arrived, I repeatedly told them that the medication I had taken was on top of my dresser and asked them to bring it with me to the hospital so the doctors could identify what I had taken. They did not retrieve the medication.
When I arrived at PeaceHealth, I repeatedly told the doctors and nurses that I was having an allergic reaction or severe adverse reaction to a prescription medication prescribed by my doctor. Despite my repeated statements, I felt that they assumed I was under the influence of illegal street drugs. I provided both blood and urine samples, which I later learned were negative for any drugs except THC.
Instead of receiving the treatment I believed I needed, I was discharged from the hospital and sent home in an Uber or Lyft. At that time, I was in what I believe was a psychotic state. I was hallucinating, extremely confused, and unable to think clearly. In my opinion, I was not capable of making informed decisions about my own medical care.
After I arrived home, I began experiencing chest pain and called 911 again. When the paramedics arrived, they asked whether I wanted to return to the hospital. Because of my mental condition, I do not believe I was capable of making a sound medical decision. Again, I told the paramedics (AMR) that I had suffered an allergic reaction to the prescription medication on top of my dresser. I had also told the doctors and nurses at PeaceHealth that I believed I was having a reaction to a medication prescribed by my physician, but I felt that no one believed me.
During my first visit to PeaceHealth, I was taken to the MRI department. A nurse RN (Kristi Castle) wearing blue scrubs with blonde hair pulled back became upset because I would not get into the MRI machine. At the time, I was hallucinating, my thoughts were racing, and I did not understand what was happening to me. I believe I was experiencing a psychotic episode. The nurse documented that I refused treatment, but I do not believe I was mentally capable of understanding or consenting to medical decisions at that time.
When I returned to PeaceHealth a second time, I was placed in a room with a nurse. I repeatedly asked to see a doctor, but instead I was escorted back into the waiting room. While sitting there, I genuinely believed I was dying. I felt detached from reality and believed that the people around me were no longer alive.
I returned to the nurses' station and told the staff that something was seriously wrong with my brain. I even said that I wondered whether I had Alzheimer's disease because I could not remember anything and my memories were coming and going. I recall a staff member responding, "Oh, now you're diagnosing yourself." I tried to explain that I was losing my memory and that something was terribly wrong.
I was then sent to another staff member and again explained that I was having serious problems with my brain. I remember being told, "I've been watching you, David. Go sit down over there." Feeling desperate, I went outside the hospital and begged people for help. Some of the individuals appeared to be hospital employees, but no one stopped to assist me.
Eventually, I was able to contact my girlfriend, who took me to Kaiser Permanente. I am incredibly grateful to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kaiser. They listened to me, believed that something was seriously wrong, treated me with compassion and professionalism, and provided the care I needed. After receiving treatment, I improved significantly and was able to return home within a couple of hours.
To the best of my knowledge, both the PeaceHealth and Kaiser drug tests were negative for illegal drugs, with the exception of THC.