The ladies at the front desk were very sweet. Firm and straight forward, but very kind and patient with me, as I had forgotten my physical ID. Thank you ladies.
The nurse who evaluated me was a SWEETHEART I only wish I remembered her name. Skinny, dark skinned nurse who evaluated my pinched nerve was so nice and kind. She understood I was in pain, got me water when I started crying, and was extremely gentle and caring with me. I had been suffering with symptoms for months, and her sweetness took away so much of my worry. I don't remember your name, but thank you for your kindness. Bless you.
The doctor who saw me however, was less than stellar. He did his job, and was gentle, but not sensitive at all. He shrugged off many of my issues, and didnt seem to think I had anything wrong with me other than anxiety. Even though I complained of severe chest pain, nausea, back and neck feeling like it was being shocked by lightning, barely able to walk or pick things up without feeling like I was going to faint, and numbness in my arm. He seemed to think all of those horrible symptoms were nothing but anxiety. When I told him I injured myself months ago and had been dealing with these symptoms since, he still seemed to push that I go see my psychiatrist.
I have dealt with anxiety and panic attacks since I was 6 years old. I know what anxiety feels like, I know what stress feels like. My symptoms only started after a back injury, indicating something must be off with my spinal cord or neck. At the time of seeing him, I could barely walk, and was experiencing limb and facial tics.
As a human, I know it's not fair to think every doctor will get it right, they are just humans too. But a little more thought, sensitivity and evaluation would have really been appreciated. We cannot just dismiss people as anxious or stressed all the time. He seemed to think me being on an antidepressant indicated I was just depressed, but my antidepressant works well, and I have not felt depressed in a long time. He didn't seem convinced.
After advocating for myself, he did give me meds for my inflammation and pain. Which after a few days, took away all the symptoms I was experiencing for the past few months, something my antidepressant certainly didn't do.
I wasn't able to see my regular doctor that day, so generally my experience was very good, especially since they solved my problem and I have been recovering VERY well since. I do just wish I didnt have to advocate for myself so much. I respect doctors and nurses and all they do. But please take a moment to listen when I say I am in pain, and no I am not feeling stressed at all. I have never met anyone with "anxiety" with limb and facial tics followed by spine pain. Ever. And even if I did, that is certainly not a common occurrence, and calls for a little more investigating than just calling them anxious and trying to send them on their way.
Thank you for helping me. I feel a lot better