I've noticed a decidedly lack of care where the VA medical services are concerned. The doctors act like they don't even want to be there and that I am inconveniece to them by making an apointment. They have been ignoring other doctors requests for tests and even ignoring the results of tests they run themselves. For instance I have severe problems with my neck. The vertabrae have calcified, fuzed, and are pinching the nerves. a private Neuro Surgeon sent them the results of his exam and an MRI saying I am losing the use of my left arm. The VA has ignored it completely. I went in in severe pain and the doctor acted po'd that I came in. He sat clear across the room from me, asked where it hurt, and when I told him he said, "Well I can't see anything wrong there's nothing I can do for you!" Never even got out of his chair!
I have severe lung problems, COPD and Emphesema, and asked to see a Pulmonary doc. The VA doctor sent me down the hall for a breathing test and xrays. The guy giving the breathing test stopped it less than a minute into it saying it was obvious I had problems and he saw no need of putting me through it. I had pleurisy at the time. Then I went next door and got the xrays done. Next I walked back down the hall straight into the doctor's office. Imediately he tells me my breathing test went fine and the xrays showed no sign of scarring in my lungs or any problem at all and therefore I didn't need to see a lung doctor! This even though I had pleurisy and have had doctors say my lungs are so badly scarred that the xrays look like road maps of the bad lands of Baha California and I also have a mass in my left lung!
I needed to see a VA Cardiologist so the VA would cover Plavix. This lady cardiologist takes two steps into the room and tells me I don't have a heart problem and to stop taking all my heart meds imediately cold turkey. Ignoring that I have critical coronary artery disease, left ventrical hypertrophy, a tripple bypass, stents, and at the time severe mitrol valve prolapse. A private cardiologist told me I'd have been dead in a week had I listened to her and stopped my heart meds! He even called them and asked if they were trying to kill me! Then this lady, using the term loosly, cardiologist admits she's never ever even looked at my medical records!
That is just some of the examples. Heck, it's gotten to where I have to practicly beg to even get an apointment. Even when a private doctor, such as in an ER, says I need to be seen. What gives? Is this just local or are all VA Clinics getting like this? Sorry for ranting guys but this realy has me po'd and wondering what the heck gives and if others are being treated this way?
