Hey! Not a nurse so not sure if this is the best place to post this, but I was hoping for some advice. I had major shoulder surgery last week and my post-op instructions were pretty horrible from the PA who is supposed to be managing my care. I was given the wrong equipment, wasn’t given any directions regarding how to care for/ bandage my incision sites, prescription was for less than 2 days of pain medication requiring a 3 hr round trip errand to go get a new prescription since opioids have to be physical scripts (24 pills of 5mg Oxy for post shoulder surgery, also on really strong aspirin for blood clots so I can’t use anything but Tylenol). When I called to ask what to do when the second 2 day prescription ran out if I was still in a lot of pain, how to best manage it (ice, compression, muscle relaxants who knows) I was told your follow up is in 8 days we can go over that then.

I’m just pretty exhausted because I can’t sleep due to pain/sling doesn’t fit/etc and I’m just trying not to be a horrible unreasonable human. So I was hoping one of you could recommend the best way for me to voice my frustration without being a dick. I realize dealing with multiple patients is complicated, I’ve worked in hospitals before, and I don’t want to be unreasonable. I just know I am going to be working with this PA for the next six months and I don’t want to ruin that relationship because I’m too exhausted to have any patience. ( I am 90% sure if I don’t sleep tonight I’m going to just break down and cry in the office.)

What’s the best language to use? What can I say to feel heard and not come off like an over emotional basket case (I swear I’m not when I’ve slept)? What’s the best way to try and have the best relationship possible with a HCP ?

If you work with Ortho and have any recommendations for what I should ask for/can do so I can sleep more than 2-3 hrs a night I would appreciate it.