Robby McMahon was 21 when the forklift he was driving at work tipped over. It was 1999 and the lower half of his leg was crushed. He went to the hospital; the bone was broken. He needed to have his leg reconstructed, skin grafts, the lot.
“Before my son broke his leg he was an outdoor person, he loved being outside. Sky diving, playing sport. He was working. He had a girlfriend. He was social,” Robby’s mother, Anna McMahon, told Mamamia.
While he was in hospital he contracted osteomyelitis, or an infection of the bone. For 18 months, while he fought this infection, the break could not fuse.
“His girlfriend broke up with him. He couldn’t work. He felt like he couldn’t do what he wanted,” Anna said.
“He was on high dose of antibiotics for the infection, and his doctor started giving him stronger medication to manage the pain. He was also on anti-depressants.
“Other than fixing his leg, he knew things would get better. He could see forward and see a future; he just didn’t know how he was going to get there.”
The infection Robby contracted in hospital meant he had to have bone-shortening surgery. It was better than amputation.
One day after the surgery, Robby asked Anna to take him to the doctors for a Pethidine shot. "He didn't like using pain medication, his preference was to only take Panadeine Forte," Anna said. "The day he asked for Pethidine, I knew he wasn't in pain. 'No', he admitted. He wanted the Pethidine to sleep."
Top Comments
I can see how easy it would be for this to occur... The amount of times I've gone to the Dr & THEY ASK ME what medication I want??? I'm going to them for help not for a signature!
I used to have very severe, crippling back pain. I went to the Dr & was offered pain relief & muscle relaxants & told to stop exercising... Now I'm not a Dr but that didn't sit right with me! I asked around, was treated by an Osteopath & a myotherapist and then started doing pilates... Sure enough within days my pain was completely gone & I have not had an issue since as I manage it with pilates and the occasional visit to a myotherapist.. I know this isn't a 1 fit all solution but it goes to show that medication is not always the answer. Had I taken my Dr's advise I would still be in pain (as the meds merely dulled it) and I wouldn't be fit and healthy as I am now.
I really think there needs to be a national data base for each patient so any Dr someone sees can have the full history of the patient at the click of a button & if they still over prescribe they should be help accountable.
I'm displaying my ignorance here - I honestly thought a patients details, previous medical history, prescriptions and dates etc were all available to all GP's.
Hi, there is no such data base although that would definitely make our lives easier in general practice!
The My Health Record initiative [https://myhealthrecord.gov.... ] has been set up to try and allow ease of information sharing, however patients have complete control over what is, and is not, displayed in it.
No they're not!
I once went to a nearby GP due to my regular being closed. Had tests etc and got medication. To be able to get that medication through my usual GP I would have to stop taking the medication so I have symptoms that could then be checked and then have them diagnose me.
I even had the other dr print the history and had them call my regular surgery to give the information verbally too, they wouldn't accept it.
It really should be though. I also think they should be encouraged to recommend alternative methods for treatment - such as physio, myo etc etc.
I know people that have gone to a Dr, not gotten what they wanted so get straight in the car & go to the next clinic.
It's an huge issue, of course there are a number of people who safely and correctly use pain medication, but there are a number of users who are addicted. It's the reason you get asked so many questions when purchasing pain products and similar at the pharmacy. Its not because anyone thinks you're a drug addict, but it is to avoid misadventure and hospitalisation. Unfortunately you cannot tell who an addict is and who a genuine user is just by looking at them.