Sorry you had to go through this.In regards to the Toradol, I understand why they didn't give you Toradol as if you have gastritis from ibuprofen Toradol is almost exactly the same thing which can cause gastritis so shouldn't be given.I've been at hospitals that allow family in the preop area, I've also been to hospitals that don't allow it. Especially after COVID the rules and policies have changed drastically.Some doctors will tell patients there might be some tingling or pressure or something without using the word pain because some people will actually cause themselves more pain by thinking and dwelling on it, a negative placebo effect. It's a personal practice type of thing.The best thing to prevent things like this happening again to be up front with all the staff you are interacting with about your previous experiences such as this. You can talk to the doctor directly and let him/her know about your negative experience as well.
I had a bad experience during a procedure and want to make it right.56 yr old female with chronic pain. I had a knee RFA with a new doctor. My most recent previous ones were under deep sedation ( propofol, ketamine, midazolam) in a surgical center because of problems in the past with pain and panic attacks. When I went for the consultation I was told I would be completely sedated with propofol and would not be aware of anything. I asked for an injection of torodol after the procedure as this has what has worked wonderfully for my 3 previous RFAs to control post procedural pain ( I have had gastritis in the past so taking ibuprofen is a no-go for me). The PA said no problem. We discussed in detail previous bad experiences that has lead to a formal diagnosis of PTSD ( anesthesia that resulted in me being conscious of pain, but not being able to tell them to stop the procedure). She took notes and said " I will be fine". I am also diagnosed as immunocompromised with a primary IgA, IgG immunodeficiency. They were aware of this.When I got to the procedure they wouldn't let my husband wait with me. This has never happened before and I was not prepared. Then I was notified that I had to be awake for some nerve testing ( my previous 3 RFAs did not do this, I was out through the whole rhing). I asked if it would hurt. I was told there would be " tingling". Then I asked about the torodol injection and was told " we dont do that". Then they took me back and refused to put the nose canallula under my mask like the other times at the surgical center. I was caught off guard. They shamed me, they raised their voices at me, they made sarcastic jokes. At this point I almost left.I ended up going through with it as I felt trapped because I needed pain relief. The "tingling" was short term burst of pain at a level of 7 or 8 for two of the three nerves tested. I was completely unprepared. The last nerve was okay, just weird.My question is how do I make this never happens again? Why didn't they tell me ahead of time that I would be awake. Why did they say " tingling" instead of " maybe pain, it differs among patients". Why was I refused the torodol after being promised it? Why didn't they tell me about removing my mask at the consultation knowing I'm extremely high risk for all respiratory illness?I have lost trust in this provider and I'm supposed to have another different procedure in two weeks. Botox injections, where I just found out they won't let my husband be with me and I dont understand why. It's hard to find pain doctors and I dont want to change unless I absolutely have to. I just want to try to reestablish trust.Am I overreacting? Is it usual to not let a spouse be in pre-op and I've just been lucky in the past? I've already have had awful experiences in the past, which they know, and I felt trapped yet again. Im considering what to do with the scheduled botox injections as im not sure I can trust them without my spouse being there. I feel like they are going to spring something on me the last minute again when I'malone and vulnerable. Is there any advice you can give me to help me out so I can repair this relationship? I do see a psychiatrist and a therapist for the PTSD. Thank you.