I've been seeing a urologist/gynecologist for the past 8 months for pelvic pain and bladder problems. I was peeing constantly, up to 50 times a day, with pelvic pain and pressure. I had to quit my job, quit school, and was a prisoner in my own home. During the 8 months of my care, I saw no improvement in my symptoms.
This doctor kept me on Valium, 2mg four times a day the entire duration of my care, along with Ambien to help me sleep. My new, current doctor said taking this medication is way over the recommended length of time, and created the possibility for addiction. I also told the doctor several times that the medication did nothing to relieve my symptoms, and that I was becoming very tolerant to it. He did nothing but tell me to continue to take it as directed, forcing me in a situation where I had to self-medicate in unhealthy ways to make it through a day of peeing several times a day.
He prescribed pelvic floor muscle therapy, where a probe electrically stimulated the muscles inside my pelvis to fatigue them and therefore stop the "muscle spasms" that he said was the main contributor to my illness. 6 sessions were performed, and my symptoms did not get any better, but continued to worsen. I also informed him that this therapy was not effective, but he continued to say that it would work "eventually."
No diagnostic imaging took place without me having to vehemently request it. Cysts were found on my kidney, stones were found lining the insides of my kidneys, two cysts were located on either side of my urethra, and a bladder diverticulum was also noted. He said none of these had anything to do with my symptoms.
I decided that after several tests and procedures that failed, I wanted to be invasive and do a laproscopy. (I'm sorry if that is misspelled). I explained that I had suspicions of endomitriosis since my symptoms occurred primarily around my menstrual cycle. I also wanted another cystoscopy of the bladder done since the doctor who performed it last diagnosed it incorrectly. He said the last thing he wanted to do was be invasive, and that I should just continue my regimen and therapy. He also said that it was unnecessary to check for endomitriosis because I was not trying to have a baby any time soon. He said to stay on a continual dosage of birth control and my Valium. At this point, he decided to supplement the Valium with Elavil. When the time came for me to try and conceive, and failed over a year's worth of time, then, he said, he would check for endomitriosis.
I also said that there was a procedure I read about called Intrastim, which is an implant that could be used to regulate the overactive nerve firings to and from the bladder to stop the intense urge to urinate. He said this is rarely done, and only in its experimental stage in Europe. We later found out from my current doctor that it has been used in the U.S. for several years, and is a very common procedure for patients with my particular illness.
My primary care physician said to get a second opinion. Within 5 days, I was scheduled for surgery. They found endomitriosis all over the top of my bladder, unnecessary tissue developing that was pushing my organs together that obstructed my fallopian tubes and ovarian function, and a mild case of interstitial cystitis. Had this procedure never been performed, I could have possibly never been able to have children. Here I am, in recovery, and I've never felt better.
I am very bitter, and very angry at how much of my life was wasted because of the run around this doctor gave me. I feel that I was treated completely unethically, considering it took one doctor 5 days to figure out what was wrong with me, and the other 8 months with STILL no consistent diagnosis when I left.
Based upon the above facts, do I have sufficient evidence to sue for malpractice?
Thank you all for reading this lengthy question. I appreciate your answers.
I did do the research. The only way I got anything out of him was my own research. I failed to mention this was doctor #8, after other doctors had failed in the same way. So saying that it's my fault because I didn't do the research, or try other doctors, is unwarranted.
Louis Bourbon
No. You do not have a case, unless you can prove you suffered irreparable harm, or your condition was irreparably aggravated by the doctor's negligence.
livin life
I really feel bad for you, and I understand the hardship and especially the pain, and I am not judging but we are responsible for our healthcare choices. No one knows your body as well as u do.You had the option to find another doctor to give u answers, u could have done of research on the net, and because u didnt u lost 8months of your life. Yes i feel the original doc was a quack, but that is something very hard to prove. Be thankful u are now healthy and can continue on with life. I would talk with a lawyer who handles malpractice and see if it is worth it or not. The dr didnt really harm u, he just prolonged your pain.
Mr Placid
OK, two things here. First, you need to prove that the first doctor's course of treatment was unreasonable. A "reasonable" course of treatment is one which a significant number of similar practitioners would recommend or pursue. The first doctor's argument is that his preference is to avoid invasive surgery, and attempt to resolve problems through physical therapy, conservative treatment, and close monitoring. I guarantee that this doctor will find MANY other doctors who will say the same thing, so at the outset, there will be difficulty showing that this doctor engaged in any treatment outside what's normal and reasonable in the medical community. Without a crystal ball, it is impossible to determine what will turn out to be the "best" for any particular patient. That's why doctors are held to a standard of reasonableness, and not perfection.
Next, the biggest recovery in medical malpractice suits is from pain and suffering due to permanent injury, and lost wages. In your case, you've "never felt better," so there will be little to award for pain and suffering. And, you can demonstrate that you were unable to work for 8 months, at best. These two together are not going to amount to a windfall of money.
But, see an attorney for a definitive opinion.
Be happy that you have not suffered permanent damage. There are many others with far more serious, and uncompensable, injuries who are in much worse shape than you.
Orignal From: Do I have a malpractice law suit on my hands?
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