My girlfriend's story (I was with her through this):
It was a chaotic mess. I went in for my consult, explained issues with my ribcage and lumbar pain since my car accident, and the need for a nerve block. My doctor, Dr. Jenna L. Walters, never even came into the room for the consult. The NP said I needed an SI joint injection instead of a nerve block. I pushed back, explaining that didn't sound right based on my symptoms. We went back and forth on options, and I was told the doc would weigh in.
With my email confirmation, the SI joint injection was listed with no mention of my other concerns. I reiterated concern and was assured that the doc would address it pre-procedure. Day of procedure was "Residents Week" at the pain clinic (a friend told me this afterwards), and two doctors enter and talk to me about what I'm having done. I AGAIN stated that the doctor and I hadn't spoken and that I wanted to ensure she addressed the areas of concern. They reassured me they would talk to her and that she would discuss before the procedure.
For the procedure, they gave me no IV like I'd had 9 times before with nerve blocks at other pain mgmt centers. When asked why this was, they said, "Oh, this is quick and easy; you'll be done in 15 minutes." I then asked if I could take a medication I brought before we began, and they asked if it was prescribed to me! "Of course it is!" I said. Then when asked for a cup of water, they say, "Oh, we're out of water but have some soda." I took the med, given I had 30 mins before my procedure. Nope. As soon as I swallow it, they speed me into the surgical room. I ask, "Wait, you're bringing me in now?" Yep.
In the surgical room, there were six people, including Dr. Walters. She asks what I was having done. I tell her. I continue to request clarity, since I had been voicing my concerns with the procedure based on my nerve disease and the area I was feeling localized acute pain. She says I should've spoken with her about this before time of treatment, at which point I tell her I'd spoken to three of her people about this already and had asked to speak to her many times throughout the process! She says we can't change the order, because it needs to be approved for insurance in advance. By now, I was very upset and stated that this was not my error. It was at this point that she conceded to trigger point injections (still no nerve block, though).
THEN... I hear her start giving someone instructions!! She was, with no prior mention or permission, having a resident perform the injection. I began crying out of frustration, pain, and shock from what was happening. I had not been asked, nor even introduced to this man. This is unprecedented. With every procedure prior, I was introduced to everyone and was asked my permission for others to be in the room, and NEVER have I had someone other than my doctor perform the procedure!
The next few days, I couldn't walk without a cane, saw stars when trying, and my ears would ring. Emailing the hospital on the fifth day about these concerns, she told me to give it another two days. I was now having new pain in addition to my original issues. After the two additional days, I called to request a meeting w the doctor. In it, she told me there was nothing she could do and offered a medication I cannot take - one we'd talked about and is all over my medical chart. She then referred me to an acupuncturist at the Osher Center with whom I'd already had seven sessions before he had me ask her for an MRI, which she later argued I didn't need and only ordered after my insistence. When the MRI came back clear, Dr. Walters actually said, "Great news! There was nothing on your MRI, so you should feel better soon!" Wow. She recommended more acupuncture, repeating there was nothing Vanderbilt Pain Mgmt could do for me. It's now been over a month of me using a walker, and I still do not have answers. read more
