Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital Dr. Linda Harris intrusive venogram test with no sedation/needlessly hospitalized/rubber-stamped by Doctor Internet, New York

In September 2011, a doctor at Trinity Medical in Orchard Park informed me that the pain in my chest was most likely from Thoracic Outlet Obstruction Syndrome. He came to this conclusion after listening to my blood flow at various points in my arm and chest. He told me to find a Thoracic specialist to proceed from there. I went in the phone book and found Dr. Russell Carlson. Since this past summer, I have had a serious pain in my left upper chest. It often feels like someone is kneeling on it. This is why I sought help.

I got an appointment with him fairly fast: he wasn't sure what was causing the pain veins to be inflamed, and wrote some prescriptions for me to have a veinogram and CAT scan. I got the CAT scan right away and set up an appointment for the veinogram, both at Catholic Health System facilities. Dr. Carlson called me after getting the CAT scan results, saying there was something irregular in both the inferior vena cava and juggler veins. He recommended that I see Dr. Linda Harris, a vascular specialist at Millard Fillmore Hospital in Downtown Buffalo.  Again, I set up an appointment. In the meantime, I had the veingoram at Mercy Hospital and that doctor told me there was nothing irregular.

When I saw Doctor Harris, she almost immediately on seeing me, stated that I looked like I had Marfans, explaining that it was a genetic disorder that might be the cause of my body shape. I have always been tall and skinny. That has always made me feel a bit different. By skinny, I mean 6" 2' and 150 lbs. She set up another veinogram, and I left feeling that finally someone can explain why I am the way I am, and also help me with the chronic pain I have had for many years.

The veinogram was set up at the hospital for 2pm, and I had to be there at noon. In the directions, it also recommended that I set up a driver. I got there a little early, was admitted to a room, dressed in a hospital gown, answered some questions, and watched TV while I waited. Why I had to be admitted is unknown to me now? I laid there for over two hours going on three and was eventually taken down: rolled down in my bed. Tha girl who escorted me was an excellent aide and person. She did struggle to get the full-sized hospital bed into the elevator. She left me in the hall outside of the "operating room" for anther 45 minutes. The time came, and I was rolled onto the room where the procedure was to take place. 

I was a bit nervous, but had gone through a venogram at Mercy just a month before. I didn't realize that this was going to be a lot different. My left arm was taped to a plank and I got some injections of a numbing agent. I thought I was going to get a shot of dye and some pictures of my chest taken. I got something inserted into my veins, and it felt very uncomfortable. I tried to think about something else to take my mind off of it but couldn't. I started to have an anxiety attack and my legs began to move erratically.

This test took 45 minutes or longer. Like I was instructed to do I had set up a rife there and back. I couldn't ask someone to sit in a lobby or waiting room for hours, so the ride was coming at four o'clock. I figured the test at two, she told me it would take 45 minutes, so that seemed a reasonable time to set for him to return. We live in West Seneca, and it isn't close to the hospital. I was supposed to have a venogram of my head done also, but was too upset from the procedure to go through anymore. I got back to my room, got dressed and left feeling like someone just beat me up.

I called the Doctor's office a few days later and set up a follow up appointment. Dr. Harris's PA came in first and explained that nothing was irregular was found except a surface vein was collapsed and that was nothing to worry about. She left, and Dr. Harris came in, standing just inside the door. She told me that she found nothing but that surface vein which is "the most used and abused vein" on the body. I asked about Marfan's, and she said I should talk to my regular doctor. I asked about the pain? She told me to see a orthopedic surgeon and walked out. I sunk in my chair, got up and followed her where she stood with her back to me at a desk. Where I initially thought I had an answer, I now felt like I wasted months of time and insurance money.
 
I am writing this to let you know that:

1. My time spent in a bed at Millard Fillmore was a waste of my time and insurance company money.

2. Whatever the doctor's of any personal opinion of my situation (if that is the case?), to run a patient through a test like that with nothing but topical anesthesia was almost inhumane, it was at minimum extremely physically disturbing.

3. Her abrupt treatment of me in the follow up was, to say the least, was saddening. What she told me in less than a minute could have been done over the phone and not having me to come into Buffalo again, pay to park, wasted my time, and charged to my insurance company.

4. I had to do my own search on Marfan's and discovered I now need to see a rheumotologist and would have wasted another month or two chasing the wrong answer again. Regardless of anything, I am an individual person and my time is a valuable as anyones. I felt like I was rubber-stamped and sent on my way like my symptoms were imagined. I guess I expected a more compassionate or may be more guiding doctor.

I would like all unadulterated records from her assessment and notes sent to the address below or I can pick them up. I will pay postage. I am not the type person to legally do anything, I just want you to know I will not use your facilities nor staff again. The attending staff, nurses, and aides we're all excellent.

Thank You,                                                                                                                                        
Timothy ****                                                                                                                          

I called Dr. Carlson after the procedure and he didnt remember the problems detected with the CAT scan and only referred to Dr. Harriss final analysis. My chest goes from burning to aching and I have constant burning headaches on the same side. It is difficult when no one believes you! I am now trudging off to make yet another appointment with a rheumatologist. At least 6 weeks I am told.