Aargh!

[Michi8]

I just called to see if I could use Pico-Salax for my colonoscopy prep rather than the Golytely/Colyte. I'm pretty sure I'm going to have a lot of trouble keeping 4 litres of that stuff down, and heard that Pico-Salax is much less product to take, and easier to take.

The receptionist was incredibly rude. She told me there was no way the doctor would allow this or ever consider it. She told me she wouldn't even consider asking the dr about it. I asked that she ask the dr on my behalf then. I don't give two hoots if it's inconvenient to her...what if the dr has never considered this product, and decides that maybe it is okay to take (though I'm not holding my breath on that one!) I'm pretty sure I'm not going to hear back on this either.

This office and dr treats patients like they're pains the ass (no pun intended!) I hate being made to feel like I'm bothering someone when I need important information. I hate being made to feel like they're doing me a huge favour by attending to my health issues. How do people like this end up working in a business that deals with human beings? Shouldn't doctors be trained to be sensitive and caring towards patients? This goes for pretty much every specialist I've been sent to see in my lifetime...what is with the holier than thou attitude?

Michelle

[2kids4me]

Sounds like they need a lesson in people skills!

Pico-Salax has been used in Canada for at least 2 years, and I have a site from a GI clinic about it.

Maybe it will help (?) to bring it to tgeir attention - although based on the initial contact I doubt it!

Open Original Shared Link

Pico-Salax is the easiest laxative to take. Although it is gentler than previous laxatives, it still gives better results. Pico-Salax is a concentrated solution which works by taking water out of the body and putting it into the colon to flush it out, therefore you must drink enough fluids to avoid dehydration.

I did find links to other articles about its use for colonoscopy (Canadian based).... there are clinical trials currently underway - so it may not be widely accepted yet - it has cautions about administering Pico-Salax to patients with renal or cardiac problems or conditions that affect electrolyte balance. Apparently it causes more dehydration that other "bowel cleansers" and is not without side effects in some patients.

There is an outside possibility that this particular GI doc had a patient suffer serious problems and decided that he/she would stick with the "tried and true" method.

I work at a vet clinic and we have had problems with new drugs or protocols that didnt have lot of clinical data ...then we had patients not respond well or get very sick and we stopped using it. Just giving another "train of thought"

Still doesnt excuse the rude response, they could have told you that much...like...: "The doctor hasnt had good results with that product and does not recommend it.."...or..."its still in clinical trials"....

Sandy

[Michi8]

Still doesnt excuse the rude response, they could have told you that much...like...: "The doctor hasnt had good results with that product and does not recommend it.."...or..."its still in clinical trials"....

Sandy

Thanks, Sandy.

I actually got a quick reponse from the Dr's office. They left a message for me saying that the dr finds Golytely/Colyte does a better job of cleansing, so that is what I must use. I'm pleased that, though the receptionist was rude, she did take my inquiry seriously and responded quickly. I prefer to know "why" rather than "just because." Still wish they were nicer to talk to though.

Michelle

[Eriella]

I have had problems with that product as well and I didn't realize that there were any alternatives. What I have found in the past is having the pharmacist call on your behalf will make it far more likely to get the drugs that you want. Just explain the problem to them, ask for their opinion, and ask if they could explain it to the doctor. It works wonders.

[Felidae]

I don't understand why some of those offices have to be so rude. I had a very similar experience after a minor surgical procedure on my cervix. I called the OB/GYN office to explain my symptoms. I was in serious doubled over pain. The nurse said it can't possibly be related and basically to get lost. I was in tears and I went to emergency instead. I just don't get the rudeness of some people.

[kbabe1968]

UGH! I HATE that!!!! It's like why the heck did you get into that job if you're going to be such a miserable SOB while doing it? HUH??? Get a new frieacking job so that someone nice can be in your place.

I would call back and say you want to talk to the doctor and that it's not of the nursed ding-dong business what it's about. I've had to do that a couple times.

Truthfully, I don't think there's anyway to make the prep for a colonoscopy easier on the body. You are trying to clear your entire colon so that there is nothing caking up the sides (pardon the imagery). And you're trying to do it in a short amount of time. The test was no big deal, preparing for it nearly killed me!

[Viola 1]

I don't understand why some of those offices have to be so rude. I had a very similar experience after a minor surgical procedure on my cervix. I called the OB/GYN office to explain my symptoms. I was in serious doubled over pain. The nurse said it can't possibly be related and basically to get lost. I was in tears and I went to emergency instead. I just don't get the rudeness of some people.

No wonder the medical system is in such trouble The emergency is so much more expensive than going to the OB/GYN.

That nurse should have insisted that you go in to their clinic and got looked after right away.

I'm so glad that the clinic we go to is much better at getting things looked after. When I put my back out they got me in right away, not to my regular doctor, as he wasn't there, but I got in to see a doctor without having to sit in emergency for hours.

[Felidae]

No wonder the medical system is in such trouble The emergency is so much more expensive than going to the OB/GYN.

I know, I felt like I was totally abusing the system. I even said that to the ER nurses and they said I was not and that I needed to be there. They said many others do abuse it, but I didn't fit into that category, luckily, because I'm really against that sort of thing.