i'm in the hospital -- don't they need to control my pain?

[nashville_brook]

i shouldn't be posting b/c of the heart monitors, but i have pain thru the roof -- no family, of course to advocate for me -- what is the deal with pain? isn't there a BILL OF RIGHTS that says patients have a right not to be iin pain?

[WestHoustonDem]

1. They most definitely should do something for your pain!

What does your doctor say? Is it that the nurses aren't giving you your meds or has he/she not prescribed something?

If you can, pick up the phone next to your bed and call your doctor and have him/her paged if they haven't prescribed the right meds. If it's a nursing issue, call the head of nursing, the head of patient services or the hospital administrator.

You're right about needing an advocate. Do you have any family or friends that can make the calls for you?

My dad's been in the hospital or a nursing home all year and there have been way too many times we've had to pitch fits to get him taken care of. It really sucks.

Keep us posted if you an and I hope you start getting the meds you need soon and get better. :hug:

[eShirl]

2. they can only give you pain medicine if a doctor authorizes it

have you made it crystal clear to a doctor that you are in incredible pain, asked specifically for pain medication, and have they refused to prescribe you pain medication?

[Warpy]

4. Right, you need to talk to your doctor.

Nurses can't give you the time of day without a doc's order.

You have a right to have your pain treated. If your doc won't treat it, fire him and find another.

[ChickMagic]

6. Even if the doc prescribes it

You have to ask for it. The nurse won't automatically give it to you.

[mopinko]

3. does the hospital have a patient ombudsman?

most of them have someone who is supposed to advocate for patients, whatever they call them.
yes, you should have something for pain, or some explanation why you aren't getting it. is this why you are there? or is it something else?

[mopinko]

5. how are you doing?

what's up?