Nevada Medical Care
Falling Through The Cracks

June 29, 2011
Letters to the Editor

Jerome Mansker is a talented photographer that resides in Fernley Nevada with severe medical and pain management issues.

The medical community, no matter how much they tout improvements to medical care, has fallen short of pain management for countless individuals that suffer on a daily basis.

The following letter is just one local count of what pain patients face.

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6/28/2011 1:49 PM

Dear Doctors,

Due to insurance issues over the last three years I have had to use the HAWC Clinic, and have been a patient of Dr. Liwinag Erickson.

I am diagnosed with liver disease and I have severe nerve damage in my lower extremities that causes me incredible pain in which Dr. Erickson has prescribed hydrocodone four times a day, this does not eradicate the pain it only elevates the pain to where I can manage my day.

In the past I have had problems receiving my medications in a timely manner from the Doctor (which can be substantiated with my pharmacists of many years) This time however I have now been without my needed medications for eight days. I am wondering if this is because I informed the clinic that I am changing Doctors? My first appointment with Dr. Gary Ridenour of Fallon is on the 29th I stated this on my Doctors machine and a supervisor named Agnes' machine as well, this was nine days ago. My pharmacist has been E-mailing HAWC every day.

I realize that at times this clinic deals with an unsavory element who may try to "SCORE" some meds but I assure you this is not the case, I have never abused my medications.

I am a city Commissioner and a business owner who has just received insurance and I no longer wish to go to the HAWC Clinic and I informed them of this and since my medication has not been filled and I am suffering, I cannot sleep, I cannot eat and I have lost a significant amount of weight. I can think of no other reason for me going through this kind of torment other than, I am being punished for changing physicians. I left a message with a supervisor named Agnes and asked to have my call returned Friday and Monday, still waiting... 

Jerome Mansker
Fernley Nevada
 
P.S. From what I am informed, the lateness is not unusual. The amount of lateness is curious.