I went to the emergency room with extreme stomach pain. When asked pain level on a scale of 1-10, I replied 25. I waited 3 1/2 hours to see the doctor even though I was screaming, pacing and vomiting from the pain.
The doctor flip flopped on sending me for a vaginal ultrasound and ended up sending me home based on blood work that showed infection and diagnosed me with a UTI. I told him I didn't feel comfortable leaving because I have had UTIs and never have in my life felt pain like that. I even went as far as to say if this pain returned (at the moment it subsided - later, doctors said my ovary was twisting and untwisting) I would kill myself. He sent me home that evening with a UTI.
The next morning I went to my primary care physician and he immediately sent me to another hospital because he said that I needed emergency care. At the next hospital I was immediately given the vaginal ultrasound when asked THE SAME questions from the other hospital.
The vaginal ultrasound showed that I was suffering from a serious ovarian torsion and required immediate surgery. The surgeon was unable to save my ovary because there was a 6 inch dermoid cyst that weighed it down and caused it to flip on itself several times over a 24 hour period at that point. No oxygen made it to my ovary in that 24 period after being sent home from the first ER so therefore the ovary could not be saved. Now I have 1.
I am angry, sad and scared about the future. Both my surgeon and 2nd ER doctor can not believe I was sent home without that test at the first hospital. Because of the misdiagnosis I was forced to endure 24 hours of the worst pain in my life. Unreal pain. I don't know if my grief is talking, but I want the first ER doctor to be held accountable. Can I sue for medical malpractice?
Thank you for your feedback. I know that I can go to any ambulance chaser and file a suit, but I guess I'm just looking for clarification in regards to if I really truly have a medical malpractice case on my hands or if it will be thrown out in court. I suppose I'll consult with a reputable lawyer to get a clear cut answer.
DJFlame: I indicated that my pain level was at a 25 because it in fact was off of the charts. I wanted to express to the ER doctor that the pain was so intolerable that I didn't even think it belonged on the scale. Please research a twisted ovary, maybe you will understand how truly painful the condition is. Perhaps then you will consider the power of your hurtful words before spewing them at someone simply looking for advice. How cruel and unneeded.
John Jones: Thanks for your helpful response. I do in fact have excellent health care coverage and a vaginal ultrasound would have been covered without a doubt. The OB/GYN that did my operation said he was flummoxed by the ER docs decision. The ER doctor flip flopped and suggested the procedure but never followed through, even after I begged him to help me figure out the pain source. The thought crossed his mind but he discarded it, which is truly maddening. Again, thank you so much for your helpful feedback.
Amy
i would think so but i'd talk to a lawyer first and find out for sure.don't worry about getting pregnant cause i had an ectopic pregnancy and still conceived later with 1 ovary
Mellisa the female gorilla
Sure you can just call sam. Haven't you seen the commercials on t.v.? You can talk to sam call 1800callsam. They get paid only if you get paid, or so that is what the ad says. But you could call a local lawyer and they will see you for like 20 minutes for 100 bucks and tell you if you have a case. Most require a retainer fee unless they are working on commission for your case in which they get a percentage of profit, which is how most malpractice suits work. Good luck
John Jones, the Florida Gyn
I'm not a lawyer, but this is America - you can basically sue anyone anytime for anything. It doesn't mean that you'll win.
Two comments - you certainly have plus on the pain and suffering angle. His choices really put you through the ringer.
But...there is nowhere near a guarantee or even inference that this ovary may have been saved anyway. That will be difficult to prove.
I just can't imagine why this fellow decided not to do a vaginal ultrasound. What is your insurance situation? Were you going to have to self-pay, or perhaps was this a procedure for which the hospital may have ended up eating the cost? Sadly, that could play into his choice.
I do hope you're feeling better now, and I assure you that your remaining ovary is quite capable of doing the work of two. :)
John Jones, MD
Orignal From: Can I sue ER doctor for misdiagnosing ovarian torsion and dermoid cyst?
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