medication and crying at the drop of a hat

[shytowngirl]

Hi
I had a total knee replacement in Sept. 2010. My knee was always swollen and hot. My doctor said it just takes time. I repeatedly went back to him, but he would not look in to the matter. I found a new Doctor who found the problem the first visit. This Dr. sent me through some test to confirm his findings. I had a infection between the bone and the metal implant and due to the dr. not pursuing this for 10 months the infection has gone in to my bones . In Aug. 2011 this doctor has taken my knee out and put spacers in me and put a central line in and I am taking Vancomycin 1 gram twice a day IV and 1600 mg of bactrim . This procedure has to be in a 6 week juncture. I have just finished week #3. Lately I just look at someone or see something on tv and just bust out in tears. I do not feel sad however I cant  keep my composure. Could this medication be causing that. I am on thyroid medicine and depression meds. I was fine for the first 2 weeks however it seems that it is uncontrollable just in this third week and I still have 3 more weeks to go before I have to go back to DR. so he can draw fluid from the bone to see if it has cleared up, then I can go back and get a new knee put back in.
Thank you for all your help
shytowngirl            

[mammo]

Amen Greenlydia!

[RubyWitch]

I think both mammo and I made some decent points about your legal rights and the pros and cons of proceeding with a lawsuit. The bottom line is that it's entirely your decision.

You didn't post asking for advice about filing a lawsuit or not, you asked why you were feeling so down. At least mammo and I agree that you need to speak with your doctor about your meds. As mammo said, they could have stopped working for you, you might need to change the dose or even try a different drug. We also agree that you're dealing..........and have been dealing, with a great amount of pain, stress and anxiety for a long time and it is taking a toll on you. This is something that you absolutely need to discuss with your doctor.
Stress can affect your immune system and right now, that is the very last thing you need.
I wish you the best
Peace
Greenlydia

[mammo]

My son died as a result of 2 negligent doctors.....we had a signed deposition from another doctor that my son should never have been in the condition he was....we had all the the documents, tests, information that was withheld resulting in his death.  Even the head surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic told us to get an attorney and go after the doctors.  We did and they felt it was an open and shut case.....then all of a sudden there was a conflict of interest and like always.... the attorney were paid off, it's cheaper than settling  a lawsuit and although they carry malpractice insurance, it's very expensive and will become even more expensive should they have to pay out in a law suit.  Doctors don't want anything negative to impact their insurance, or reputation.  We had all my son's records, and we could have sought out another practice but it was just prolonging our pain and unless they can get a doctor from out of state to testify...you're just out of luck.  We can try to hold them accountable but unfortunately this is much easier said than done.  You can file a complaint with the hospital and AMA and there will be an investigation...we didn't do that. Yeah...we had doctors and nurses telling us to sue...but when all is said and done.....nobody is willing to get involved.  You have to do what is best for you and what you can live with, and I hope it all works out for the best. Best wishes.

[RubyWitch]

While the experience of the above poster with medical negligence ended in unspeakable tragedy, your experience could have had the same outcome. Mammo is absolutely correct that doctors DO stick together, they cover for each other all the time. The legal process CAN be long and painful, undoubtably far MORE painful if that process concerns the death of a child. Trying to cope with the grief AND deal with the legal system at the same time would be unbearable. Fortunately, your situation is not the same as the poster above. A good lawyer could probably settle your case out of court. Doctors DON'T tell on each other, but medical records and X-rays don't lie.

Doctors pay huge sums of money for malpractice insurance, and your first ortho IS guilty of malpractice. If people don't hold doctors accountable for their gross errors, then we can add yet another risk to having surgery.

I agree that you should think long and hard before filing a lawsuit. But at the very least, consult an attorney before you make your final decision.
This is about far more than the money. This is about a doctor who perhaps should not be in the operating suite anymore. It's about all of your pain and suffering his mistake has cost you. It's about what it could have caused if the second doctor hadn't found the error of the first.
Peace
Greenlydia

[mammo]

I think the whole situation has gotten you down as it would any of us!  Dealing with an incompetent doctor and suffering as a result is such a helpless and frustrating feeling. Speak with the doctor prescribing your antidepressant...it may have ran it's course and is no longer working.  Think twice about seeing an attorney, they don't tell on each other....trust me I experienced this first hand and lost a son to negligence.  It can be a very long and painful process and only drags out all you've already endured.
It sounds like you're on the road to recovery and that's what matters most.  Try to stay positive, and I wish you continued good health.

[RubyWitch]

You've been through one hell of an ordeal and it's no wonder you are stressed to the max. As far as antibiotics go, there really isn't anything beyond vanco. It's a great anitbiotic for nasty infections, but it's also a  nasty drug. Having said that, be glad you live in a time when we have this drug available.
You seriously need to speak with your ortho about how you're feeling. I don't know if the drugs could be causing your problem or if it's just the whole overwhelming mess that's getting to you.
But the fact is that SOMETHING is bringing you down and you need to get very proactive and get the help you need. You know something is wrong and your first doctor blew it big time. I trust you've spoken with a lawyer? It's a fact that surgery brings risks with it. Infection being perhaps the most prevelant, but when you repetedly went back to your ortho and all he did was give you some BS about "it takes time," I can tell you, with some authority that he is a lousy doctor. I work on the Ortho/Surgical Unit of a major hospital and while even the very best of our surgeons sometimes get a patient with a post-op infection, you can bet your life, they don't just blow it off.
Speak with your doctor about how you're feeling. If he/she does nothing, ask to speak to the Director of Surgery. NOW.
Doctors work for us. They are accountable to us.
Do not let their fancy degress spook you.
I wish you the best, a speedy recovery and no more pain.
Peace
Greenlydia