Mark Twain St Joseph’s Hospital

Dealing with mental health in this hospital is not worth the lack of professionalism at each turn.
During my first therapy session in November 2015, MD Psychiatrist asked if I was taking any antidepressant drugs and I said yes, paroxitine for the past twenty-​three years. MD said that she did not like peroxitine, that the drug was old; that newer more effective drugs were available, advising that I should not take peroxitine. I agreed.
At age 70, under MD care I began a withdrawal program. Newly Introduced was an antidepressant lexapro. MD said that lexapro is generally well tolerated and withdrawing from paroxitine was pretty straight forward. I know my body and shared that many drugs are not well tolerated by me — how do I know lexapro isn’t one of them — that one-​hundred thousand people in the USA died last year year from meds incompatibilities, and I do not wish to become one of them.
The detox crash began within 2+ weeks; heroin-​like and brutal. Initially, I thought it was the flu or altitude sickness. I was totally unprepared for the magnitude of suffering; blindsided by what I was dealing with, scared and alone. I left detailed messages for MD, trading phone calls for over a week without connecting once. I since learned that messages have sat in your in-​box until your next scheduled time at the clinic.
I became desperate — suicidal, aggravated mania, panicky. I again called the Arnold Clinic Wednesday, November 25^th, (day prior to Thanksgiving). The nurse informed me that MD was gone until Monday; and unfortunately, there were no DR’s available at the hospital, my only option was the emergency room — which in my confused state did not seem to be the choice.
I finally connected with MD on Tuesday morning; MD suggested I restart taking peroxitine, continuing on with welbutrin, to ease adverse reactions. I replied that I had already done this on my own two days prior and was feeling less symptomatic. I saw MD, December 1^st, and I proposed DNA drug testing, MD agreed; MD also wrote me a script for Xanax MD said to help with anxiety. I chose not to fill it for obvious reasons. MD said that I should remain on peroxitine for the time being.
I have discussed my frustrations with MD, ie, the confusion, mixed messages, difficulty connecting; no dedicated place/​person to leave a message or an assigned person to MD. MD replied that it’s a recognized problem and the hospital is working on it.
I received the DNA drug analysis report from MD, January 12, 2016. The Report was received by the Clinic, December 7, 2015. Considering that this Report is a critical component in my mental health care I was surprised that I did not receive it sooner.
I have encountered frustrations with hospital administration and staff — twice, I left feedback on the hospital website with my concerns («you will be contacted by phone or email») no response; Twice, I left messages for the Clinics Administrator, DM? — no response; I left MD a detailed message at the Arnold Clinic concerning my progress, later the same day I received a call from the clinic receptionist saying that my prescriptions were ready to pick up — a totally upside down, inaccurate message which I later mentioned to MD.
I am at a standstill; no better than when I began treatment; folic acid was added to my diet because my DNA Report recommended it since welbutrin diminishes the effects of paroxitine in the body ?
Realistically, the essence of my mental health care has been a bummer; my heroin-​like crash lasted about three weeks. I never ever wish to experience this again in my lifetime.

Had surgery this morning. I must say I was impressed with how efficient and nice all the staff was today. Went in for removal of a bone spur. All of the Drs and Rns were very informative and pleasant. They all exceeded my expectations.

Pros
RE ER Dept
Nurse go beyond & above expected, Truly angels.
Dr Attentive & concerned
Transfer organized speedily

Dr. said that my dad had refused service which is why they couldn’t treat him anymore. He had not refused service. They also kept changing the story of what time this supposed «refusal of treatment» happened. They also said he was free of pneumonia. When we checked him into another hospital the same day, they said that he did have pneumonia and treated him right away.

I find many of these reviews seem to be written by either very immature adults, or angry children. I went to Mark Twain as a ‘tourist’ with 0 insurance or anything to offer the FIRST time, I left with a month of temporary insurance and ended up with a year of insurance.
Thank God for that, as I soon came down with a serious issue that required immediate attention, so I went back.
Dr. Petty and the ENTIRE staff at Mark Twain treated me with the utmost respect, to say the least. I am not rich, I am not special, I am human, which is exactly how they treated me.
Some don’t know how well off they are, in another country you can die from a simple infection, this is America however, and at Mark Twain it shows.
Even though I had no insurance they got me transferred into mercy San Juan into the neuro science unit, which possibly saved my life, I am here currently, why is nobodies concern but my own, and the staff at Mark Twain apparently.
Once again, think hard before you talk down on such people, not one of us is perfect.
I would like to add that before I came in knowing that my life could be on the line, they set me up with Dr. Faryan, who works in the clinic on the same grounds.
A better man I have not met, when it comes to being honest about life/​medical problems, if YOU are, he will listen and help you in a fashion lost on this generation.
The same goes for the facility and staff at Mark Twain, clean, courteous, life savers.
I can’t say enough good things or get specific it’ll just sound like babble, but before you run off bashing honest people, do make sure you’re honest with yourself.
TO THE STAFF AT MARK TWAIN,
DR. PETTY, AND DR. FARYAN
I WILL NEVER FORGET WHAT YOU DID FOR ME
(Hopefully some day I can pay it forward)
If you’d like to fact check this simply drop me a line @ octobersover it’s a g mail account.
AGAIN,
BLESS YOU ALL,
BK

Too bad you can’t rate zero stars. The ER is by far the worst I’ve ever seen. The doctor did not even touch my husband who was 1 week cardiac post-​op. An IV was inserted into my husbands arm, he told the nurse the needle was bent, she refused to look at it. Luckily my husband was transferred to another hospital, and the nurse in the ER there was appalled by the bent needle. And just when you think it could not get any worse, you have to deal with the completely incompetent billing office on the other end of the state.
Dignity Health sends a lot of money promoting «human kindness» its too bad they don’t practice what they preach. They tout their status as they best hospital in the county-​hey guess what, you’re not-​Angels Camp Veterinary Hospital has that honor.

My son was just there with 2 treble hooks embedded in his neck from a fishing accident. The nursing and xray staff were kind and concerned, the MD was not. The ends were protuding and could have provided easy access for forceps, but he didnt apply any, gave lidocaine injections which inflammed the area and said «oh i cant get them, it will be fine, they will most likely work their way out. Go to your doctor next week». Unacceptable neglect on his part. The hooks are deep in his anterior neck near major blood vessels.

Great staff. Great physicians. My complaint is with the horrible billing department. I have called them every month for a straight year to have them bill my correct insurance. Only to be told they would and to give them 2 – 3 weeks for processing. Well then after 1 year 2 month I am told they never did and they will have to write it off. Thinking its all been taken care of a month later I find in the mail a collection letter. Complete incompetence.

Nurses were nice.
ER doctor was a total prick. I was actually made out to feel like a selfish prick and wound up crying when my son had a gash in his head. The doctor sure knew how to make me feel less then and like me and my son were the most un important people there. What did I say to get talked down to so badly? My son was tired. Thats it. I didn’t know because he hit his head and was bleeding and had a gash/​cut if he could go to sleep or if they even wanted to let me let him go to sleep. I didn’t know.
So instead of saying ‘Oh its fine! You can let him go to sleep! I was told we should never ever complain about things like that when there were actual sick people there. And then during the stitches he kept telling me how the people in the surrounding rooms were actually sick, he kept telling my son how I was soooo tired.
Yeah, Wonderful doctor. I’m in Valley Springs and I think at this point, I will drove to either Lodi or Sac/​Elk grove to other hospitals. I shouldn’t have been made to feel like I did, I should have never been talked to like that and my 3 year old shouldn’t of been told anything. I was not tired, my son was.
This is by far the worst ER I have ever stepped foot in regarding doctors and their complete lack of care/​concern. And this is laying a lot seeing as I have been to many in surrounding areas.

I took my husband to this ER when he had his stroke and, at least after I got past the front end staff, everything was great! The wait was not long at all and everybody seemed very caring and knowledgable.
I also went there when I got bit by my dog, and the wait was not long at all — I was really surprised at how fast everything went both times because I’ve heard so many horror stories. Maybe because it’s more out the country, but whatever the reason, I’m very thankful that they have been there when we needed them! Thank you very much!

Wouldn’t recommend this place to my worst enemy… well maybe I would…

all i can say is «thank you», hospital mark twain. you saved my life.