It's so sad that that this is a common reality for us, "frequent flyers." Hopefully speaking awareness of this will bring about some positive change ❤️
I can so relate to how you feel about the ER. Unfortunately, the “frequent flyer” label often equates to “drug seeker” to ER staff (even when sometimes all you ask for is a few bags of saline), and that can result in some unbelievably cruel & inhumane treatment:
*cold, callous attitudes during some of our most desperate moments
At one point, the doctors at the six closest ERs to my house all knew me. I started to feel like I was weak. Everyone else can push through stuff without a weekly visit to the ER, so why not me? As though I was the one who was wrong for needing help in the first place - which is an incredibly damaging way for ANYONE to feel, particularly those with chronic illness who can’t care for themselves & need to rely on help just to survive.
Even though I’ve been dealing with this for 20 years and the doctor/nurse has only seen me for 5 minutes, they refuse to listen to what works for me. And if you try to suggest that you may have actually been through this once or twice before & that you may know what works best for your body because of that, they immediately label you as a drug seeker. 🤬🤬🤬 I could seriously go on for PAGES here, but I’ve been working on pacing so instead I’m going to listen to my body & go rest! 😅
It's unimaginable, isn't it? Heaven forbid you try and make their job easier by letting them know exactly what you need. Saline, at the very least, should not require the third degree. ❤️🩹
It's so sad that that this is a common reality for us, "frequent flyers." Hopefully speaking awareness of this will bring about some positive change ❤️
Fingers crossed!
I can so relate to how you feel about the ER. Unfortunately, the “frequent flyer” label often equates to “drug seeker” to ER staff (even when sometimes all you ask for is a few bags of saline), and that can result in some unbelievably cruel & inhumane treatment:
*cold, callous attitudes during some of our most desperate moments
*whispering & eyerolling among nurses & doctors
*IVs intentionally placed in painful places
*unnecessary, uncomfortable/painful tests/procedures…
At one point, the doctors at the six closest ERs to my house all knew me. I started to feel like I was weak. Everyone else can push through stuff without a weekly visit to the ER, so why not me? As though I was the one who was wrong for needing help in the first place - which is an incredibly damaging way for ANYONE to feel, particularly those with chronic illness who can’t care for themselves & need to rely on help just to survive.
Even though I’ve been dealing with this for 20 years and the doctor/nurse has only seen me for 5 minutes, they refuse to listen to what works for me. And if you try to suggest that you may have actually been through this once or twice before & that you may know what works best for your body because of that, they immediately label you as a drug seeker. 🤬🤬🤬 I could seriously go on for PAGES here, but I’ve been working on pacing so instead I’m going to listen to my body & go rest! 😅
It's unimaginable, isn't it? Heaven forbid you try and make their job easier by letting them know exactly what you need. Saline, at the very least, should not require the third degree. ❤️🩹