WEST NILE VIRUS

AN INDEPENDANT REVIEW

a personal perspective

a personal story

Fact, no one was willing to help. No matter whom I went to or asked. The ones that tried appeared to have been shut up for fear of losing their jobs and/or were fired. (“got retired”)

After several attempts to get medical help, all I received was aggravation, lies, and cover up. All to which I still want answers.

I got sick.

I went to the medical facility where I had been paying for medical coverage, to seek help. At first, I did get some help from the N.P. I was seeing. I had advised her that I had been sick off and on all year, as I had tested positive to WNV (west nile virus). I felt my continuing symptoms were part of that illness, that the symptoms had worsened.

Somewhat confused, she did not believe that I had tested positive to the WNV. She ordered another test to be done. It also was positive. A re-infection; only worse. She referred me to a Neurologist, an appointment was made. I also asked her to refer me to an Infectious Disease Specialist. She tried, no appointment was made; the I.D.S. had told her my symptoms were not from WNV.

She also helped me to get other testing done thru the ENT Dept; for ongoing verdigo type, synscope symptoms.

There I was told that Physical Therapy would help with some of my symptoms. Appointments were scheduled. Then for unknown reasons, the N.P. called and told me to get another doctor, that there was nothing more she could do for me. Also the P.A. at the ENT office called the same day, the same hour, and told me she cancelled my P.T.

All this after I had refused to drop a formal complaint with the Member Services Dept. of this Medical Facility I belonged to.

I had filed a complaint due to the fact that the Neurologist I saw told me my symptoms were caused by stress and to get counseling. I attempted to explain that I had WNV, as per the test results. She told me I did not have WNV, that there was nothing more she would do, to go back to my Primary Care Doctor for anything further.

I was told by the Member Services Dept. that they would give me another doctor if I would drop the complaint.

Yes, I will see the doctor, but NO, I will not drop the complaint.

At the new doctor, I told him of all my ongoing symptoms. He said he did not know what would be causing these continued symptoms. I again requested an Infectious Disease Specialist and a spinal tap. He said he could only refer me to another neurologist for these requests. He advised me to take a prescription antidepressant. As in his opinion, my symptoms were caused by a mental problem.

My questions to him, if he did not know what was causing my symptoms, then how would he know if this type of medication would benefit.

At the Pharmacy counter, the Pharmacist asked me if I was sure this type of medication was for me. I said yes. She asked, are you sure? Yes, I just came down from the Drs. office with the Rx.

She advised that I make a point to read ALL the instructions, especially the warning sheets included in the bag with the prescription. As she stated, she was unsure if I should be taking this particular medication.

At the second neurologist, who advised me again, that I did not have WNV. I had a mental problem, due to the fact, she stated, I looked depressed.

No. I am not depressed, I am mad at this system of the Medical Facility I belong to. I came for help with symptoms from WNV. I am told instead, I have mental problems. I am mad that I have been paying this company for medical attention should I become ill and I am getting worse.

At the next appointment with this neurologist, she tells me I hyperventilate, that this is the cause of my symptoms. At yet another appt. she states that I am having unexplained symptoms, she cannot explain.

The next scheduled appt. with her, we arrive and are told she “got retired” the day before. They, the office staff, must now send all her patients to other doctors. I get sent back to the previous doctor.

Again, we ask him about my symptoms, he states that I have a mental problem. We ask, on what you base this opinion, he says from the previous neurologist consult. We ask, have you read my tests results, he says he does not need to. That I have been diagnosed, there is nothing more he can do. We ask, could we be referred to an Infectious Disease Specialist and a different neurologist, he states, No.

We ask, could you please write this information down, as to why, in his professional opinion, he feels I do not need to see an Infectious Disease Specialist or a different neurologist.

He gets up, says he has spent too much time on this appointment and leaves the room. We are escorted out of the exam room.

Later that week, the Medical Facility I go to calls to advise me I have an appointment with the Chief of the Neurology Dept; Odd. I did not call to schedule an appointment.

We go to this appointment, he advises he has read my medical history, concludes that I have a genetic problem. More tests need to be done.

I request a spinal tap. He agrees to the spinal tap and other tests with the CSF and blood collected. All tests are normal. Interestingly enough, I to have read all the tests results, and researched their meanings.

I have filed and re-filed complaints to this Medical Company and with the Dept. of Managed Health Care, California.

I have not received any help from either. My complaints were not filed in proper complaint forum, thus refused by both offices.

I still have symptoms. This has been an ongoing medical disaster for a year. This is only part of what I have experienced since becoming ill.

My only hope is that someone will read this and think twice before hiring this Medical Company for any purpose. They have shown only that their Medical Community is full of incompetent personnel.

That if you are ill from an Infectious Disease they do not know how or want to treat your medical condition. Even if you point them to their own tests results.

That they will do what is their necessity, their best interest, when caught in their own mistakes. Regardless of your health Condition.

Thrive....... Power to change. ......Peace of mind. .......

Featured tools..........get out of this Medical Company.

You may save a life, your own.

I became seriously ill 10-06. I am still sick with symptoms I know are directly related to WNV. I can only urge anyone who reads this to investigate all their own tests results. Do not rely on any medical personnel for your own health and safety.

In this day and age, most people only show up to collect a paycheck. If I could only have done so little in my career.

I found medical care at another facility, where a Professor of Medicine, in 1 hour, after reviewing all medical records, county records, CT, MRI scans, reviewing all symptoms that I had been having for months, explained to me that my symptoms are from WNV.

In this last year, I have researched much about West Nile Virus and its effects.

Other important items I have discovered, of the several M.D.s; N.Ps; Nurses, Lab techs; etc. at K.P; not one of any of them knew a thing about West Nile Virus. So they said.

An odd concept, as this disease is in the news at every level; local, national, and internationally.

Kaiser Permanente was granted federal funding for West Nile Virus research from National Institute of Health, in 2003 thru 2006 and 2009.

There are 2 K.P. facilities in California these grants went to.

One in Santa Rosa, Ca. (Northern Ca.)

The other Harbor City, Ca. (Southern Ca)

Also, K.P; was in a legal case, with the State of California (DMHC) at the time of my formal complaints.

K.P. was only fined. state regulators who found the HMO giant

had poorly monitored complaints and physician reviews

To become a member to this Medical Company

The HMO requires arbitration in legal disputes, a mandate that keeps all legal filings and their resolution confidential and out of public view.

it is required to sign an arbitration only clause form; it says:

Notice: I have read the plan description. I understand that Kaiser requires the use of binding neutral arbitration to resolve certain disputes.

This includes disputes about whether the right medical treatment

was provided (called medical malpractice) and

other disputes relating to benefits or the delivery of services.

If I pick Kaiser, I give up my right to a jury or court trial

for those certain disputes.

If you are a member, I implore you to reconsider membership.

I also ask you to see what others have suffered with:

www.kaiserthrive.org