I just wondered if anyone had any comment's or opinion's on how good the place is or the care is.I have heard several different thing's about it and wanted to know if anybody else had any bad experience's there.

I guess it would depend on the doctor you get there, but I got a foreign doctor and was very adgervated. My sinuses had closed off and I was having a horrible migraine because of that. I went to see if they could give me some sinus spray or decongestant to get them opened back up. Anyone who has bad sinuses knows that this hurts something awlful and if you have an active life, it can really complicate your day. Well he told me in his country they like to try medication alternitives first and suggested I stand over a kettle of boiling water and inhale the steam vapors!! I told him that it would be possible for me to stand over a kettle of water to inhale steam with a baby running around and being outside camping and such. I wasn't asking for no pain killers or any of those type of drugs, just simply something for decongestant to open my sinuses. I was literally visibly swelled up and my nose area even red looking and that's all he insisted I needed. I had sit with a jar of vicks vapor rub under my nose as a little old lady in the lobby suggested as a home remedy before I had went in, because I told her I'd try anything to get them open. After about 5 minutes I could feel my sinuses popping and cracking and slowly opening. Once I got it opened back up, my migraine went away and I felt a lot better. I know he might have truely thought standing over a kettle of boiling water and breathing steam would help, but there's no way possible this could be done on a daily basis in the situation, I really needed some type of nasal spray. Another doctor seen me about a week later and got me on a different allergy medicine and sinus spray and got me in to see an allergy specialist.

So my only expierence there was a bad one...

All of my experiences with the doctors down here have been terrible! We moved from MI and the doctors there gave you medication when you were sick. When I had pnumonia in MI, they gave me a shot for pain (I thought I was dying) and a cough syrup that had codine. Here, I had the same thing and they gave me Robitussin. Glad I paid $50 for an over the counter medication. I understand there are junkies here but, if they are going to diagnose you with something and there are medications to help your symptoms, why wouldn't they prescribe them? Who wants to ride in a hoopdee when you can ride in a mercedes?

Been there done that after isat for 1hr and 25min. too be seen for bad cough and congestion. turned out to be pneumonia gave me amoxicillian. and some very expensive cough syrup I said thought i might be pregnant done a test came back neg. cost me $112 because of no ins and didnt fit sliding scale junk.made to much money. 2 days later had to go to emergency room for pain from pnuemonia for a shot and i lo and behold am 4 months pregnant also. The little nurse called me fri to reschedule another visit. I said no thanks and hung up on her.

I love the clinic. They are very busy, and you do have to wait. The nurse practitioners are excellent and as good as any md, but they are not taking any new patients, but Dr. Vanover is. She is a wonderful doctor and person and has been in the area for years. There is a bad drug problem in this area and I have never heard of giving a pain medicine for pneumonia. I wish all doctors would quit writing for any of that junk. I'm glad to hear they aren't giving it out like candy.

I am not asking for pain medication like "candy". Ridiculous for you to say that! When every breath you take feels like your chest is going to explode, I think a prescription by an MD who knows what dosage, etc. is what pain medication was meant for! The medications aren't the problem, the people that want to take them for everything is.

They do give pain medicine for pneumonia in a hospital because they gave it to my son when he was 14 years old . He was in so much pain when he tried to breathe an from the fever. They had to give it to him..So he could breathe without screaming and crying at 14.

I do believe my mother got a pain shot when she was admitted for it also. She got it quite a few times there in her last year with us. I know when I found out that a certain DR who used to have the office in Pound had her on about 20-25 different prescriptions (literally she couldn't keep up with what she was supposed to take and when), I begged her to switch doctors and take the meds with her and let another doctor run tests and see what she needed and didn't need, and they took her off all but about 3 or 4 that she needed and she done so much better. The doctor she was seeing had her on about 4 different pain medications, all of which were not really even strong enough to help if taken together at once, so it was useless. He had her on meds that caused high blood pressure then on others that lowered it. Not to mention all the breathing medication, it was horrible, and she was still in a lot of pain and couldn't hardley breathe till the other doctor got her medicine regulated and got her to get an oxygen tank to help at home.

The doctors need to prescribe pain medication but they need to really do tests and get all the information right to determine if the person needs pain medication other than something they can get over the counter. I remember taking someone with an almost broken arm to Dr. Ratliff and he squeezed it, told then they "sure bruised the dickens out of it" gave them some type of antibotic or inflamation shot and told them if they had any pain to take some motrin, lol. It was almost funny seeing a grown man about to cry with an almost broken arm and hearing "you sure bruised the dickens out of it.... take some motrin", lmao.. ended up having to go to the er and they done x-rays and determined it was fractured. I always heard only sick people go to Dr. Ratliff because he will give you an antibotic shot and send you on your way, lol.

I know what you are talking about. I wasn't talk about pain meds like vicodin, I'm talking about a cough syrup with codine. Who gets high on cough syrup? That stuff tastes like battery acid! Anyway, I was so sick and if you knew me, when I am ready to drop my drawers for a shot, it has to be bad. I hate needles! Is the drug problem in this area that bad that they can't even help people when they are sick? I lived in a metropolis before you had crack heads and stuff and doctors still treated their patients when they came in. The person talking about having a broken arm and getting prescribed motrin....that's bad. Are there any of the 24 hr. clinics here? Not emergency rooms but the doc offices that are open 24/ 7? I love those because my kids only get sick at like 3 am. They bill your regular co pay and you see real doc's not interns. We have been total fish out of water here....things are so different than where I'm from!

That's what those place's are called and you are right they are great.I do wish they had them here it sure would help alot of people out Emergency room cost's are outrageous and alot of ins. won't pay for it.

Then why dont you go back to where you came from?

Redneck girl,
It is so nice to come to an area and get a welcome like yours! I choose to be here. I am sad to say attitudes like yours are what drive people out of here! At least you titled yourself correctly! To the other people who have actually been nice to us, thank you! To the people like redneck girl, it's okay that you have your attitude, I will still continue to make sure your kids do nice things at Sandlick and you won't drive me out. At some point your city will have to reach the technology of the rest of the world and my family will still be here waiting like the rest of you!

All people are not like that in this county we welcome New People to our Community But their are a few that have to have their say.Welcome to Dickenson Co. and i hope thing's get better for you and your family here.

Thank you Silverado! Most people have been very nice. We have made a lot of friends and have enjoyed the area. I have kin here. I am of the Duty/ Presley/ Gilbert clan. My kids enjoy it here very much. There is such a sense of relief to let your kids outside and not worry that they will be snatched from your own front yard! I read your blog about the clinic. This has been the tricky part. Is the drug use in this area that bad. I have heard people mention it. I just would like to live in an area when you are sick, doctors have the ability to treat you with any medication you may need. Again, thank you for the welcome, we enjoy it here very much!

Southwest Virginia had more prescripton drug related overdoses than the norfolk/fairfax area. This county is known for our druggies and disability checks! Look in the paper, every week another family is effected by an accidental overdose and it is prescription medicines they are overdosing on. They don't take one pill, they take 10 0r 20 and snort them or whatever they have to do to get high. This USED to be a good place to raise kids and now it is a nightmare!!

I have a ? how do you Accidently take 10-20 pill's or Stick something up your Nose without knowing your doing it.I have lived here for well over 40 year's and I have saw alot of thing's but not what your saying.Sure there is a problem here as there is everywhere but it's not due to accidently over doing it.The people who are doing that are doing that cause they want to get High and will do what they have to too get that way.The people that Truly need the medicine for their disease can not get it due to that fact and that's sad.Sure i know their are people out here that could be working but aren't and are living on Check's as you called them but their are some that need that to Survive in this so called world and it's not much and they have to choose between food and medicine for that matter.so don't down all people you don't know all epople's situation's and for the one's who Accidently do what you say they should Know Better.I was Raised better and in a time when the Keen Switch was a hit and you didn't want much of that but your not allowed to do that these day's it's against the law and that's what's wrong with the new generation they needed more disipline in their live's but they Run over alot of their Parent's or Grand parent's.

No it's not that bad it's people who like you to believe that.Sure you have problem's here as you do everywhere else but you tell me how many people you know Accidently take's 10-20 pill's i don't see that do you..And are you going to stick something up your nose and not know it i sure am not i can't stand the thought of anything up my nose not even nasal spray.Their are problem's but as long as you do your thing and stay away from thing's like that you won't likely see it.

I have heard of the drug problem, that was what I was saying earlier. I came from an area that you constantly saw drug busts on the news. It wasn't just prescription drugs either. Everyone has been saying on this post that was why doctors couldn't prescribe the medications sick people need. It made me puzzled, I realize sick people need their meds, I am all for that. I realize there are disabled people that need the gov. help. I am not downing that. Then what is the reason that patients can't receive pain meds when needed. Oh, I agree that taking 10-20 pills is not accidental. I never thought it was. I like this area good and bad. Most are friendly and you can tell (just like anywhere else) which ones are junkies. I have a 32 year old girlfriend who has had back surgery 29 times. She has a disease that causes spots in her spine to turn to mush. She will spend the rest of her life in a wheel chair. She is unable to get assistance and is one of the most positive people I know. If you have an illness I am sorry. I hope that things will turn around and you won't have to choose between meds or food. That is wrong.

See that's what i am talking about people like your friend that really need's the help but is unable to get it where is the help for her.She didn't ask for that to happen to her but she has to deal with it every day of her life.But having a good outook on life does help alot i know that for a fact.I have been fighting a disease for over 6 year's now and have some very bad day's but have never tried to keep laughing.I am a very determined person and i don't give up very easy but with what i have it take's medicine to keep under control or try to.if i could do anything to help your friend i would do all i could i know how it is not ot have any help at all.I'm glad you have met some good people and not all bad here that's a good thing again welcome.

Silverado-
I am sorry to hear about your illness. I know this is no consolation but, if you can't get your meds try to keep laughter in your heart. You will be in my prayers tonight and I wish you happiness!

Your right their are A Few Good People there that really care and really try to help you in any way they can.But there is only so much they can do their hand's are tied after that.There are People in this community that have illness's that do Require more then a Tylenol and they didn't ask for it or the Disease.But with all the Drug Abuse that it in this County it cause's people who do truly need it not to be able to get their med's.But it doesn't stop the user's they can still get their's Just the one's who suffer day after day in pain and not being able to live a normal life do to this.Is this fair to the one's who can account for all of their med's anytime if ever ask.I know i've been fighting a disease for quite sometime now and not a day goes by that the pain isn't so bad i just about want to give up but i can't so i try to fight a little harder but i wish they understood at the Clinic their are Honest People that do need their med's and use them for what they are for nto to sell or give away.Sme may do that and that hurt's the rest of us that are trying to survive this life.But don't take it out on everybody because there are a few that do it and if you know they are then don't see them send them elsewhere.Don't Punish the people who have came to you for your help and wouldn't be there at all if they didn't need it to begin with.I have people telling me to find another doctor all the time but that's easier said then done here.

The problem is not so much the people who need the pain medicine and are sick, they are the ones who can't get it prescribed to them.

I know of another person who had went down there with a very bad cough and cold and they did do a pregnancy test it did come back neg.so they gave her med's and cough syrup well she was Pregnant and thank God it didn't hurt the baby.But what's up with that they did a blood test and urine both how could they not tell she was Pregnant i just don't get that.

To me Haysi Clinic is a big joke. I wish they would try to help people like they are suppose to. I have a friend that has Cancer and they have hurt her more than help. They won't give her the medicine's for cancer that she need's and when to finally do give her the medicine, she will get it one month and the next they won't give it to her. They are slowly killing her by not treating her cancer.Sometime's I think they want her to give up and quit trying to live. Thank God she's a fighter. I'm trying to get her to find another Doctor or nurse practitioner. If anyone is disabled say away from there. The parking lot is getting more vacant everyday. From what I've seen I would find another place to go. If you have a cold or flu the clinic might be fine but for anything else go somewhere else. This is just stating the fact's from what I've seen. People you can make up your own mind's

How those of you who say you have been to the clinic for colds/flu/pneumonia ever got in to see anyone down there? I have been a patient down there since years before Dr. Molina left. Back then if you were sick, you went down and signed in. Yes, you may have had to wait awhile but at least you got to see the Dr.
Now no matter how sick I have been when I call down there I have been told they cannot see me because they are booked up for weeks/months. I always see one of the Nurse Practitioners. I have Asthma and I need refills on my meds. so I called down last week to make an app. and was told I can not get in until the end of August!!!??? Hope I don't have a serious attack before then.
Also, with my Insurance I always have to have a referral from my regular Dr. to see a specialist. A few years ago I had a problem that could have been very serious and had to wait 2 weeks to get in.
I thought they took walk-ins?

I saw Dr. Patel (not the Ped) in Tri state clinic in Grundy. He was very nice and saw me the day I called (I had never been to him before and same day appt. is unusual). You should give him a try!

Can anyone tell me who the DOCTOR is down there i know there are nurse practioner's.But with or without insurance people can not seem to get to see a specialist that they need to see.Yes they do have some good people there but the medical attention is lacking very much so.All people are NOT drug addict's and do have condition's that the have to have certain medicine's and if taken like prescribed then there is no harm in that.But they aren't even able to get treated by a doctor who may be able to do more do to the insurance.

The Dr. is Dr. Patricia Vanover and I have heard she is taking new patients.
I asked the other day if I could make an app. to see her and was told by the receptionist that I would have to see the N.P. I usually see, as I said in my earlier post at the END OF AUGUST!!!!

Ok if she is Excepting New Patient's why couldn't you get an Appointment with her that just doesn't make any sense but not much down there does.When she was in with Dr.Ratliff in clintwood she was a very good doctor haven't saw her since then but i think she still would be.Maybe at least you could get sent to the the doctor you needed to see and not Month's down the road.

I always just go as a walk in, if i call the front desk says i have to make an appointment, but if i go in the nurse works me in. i've never been turned away, but i have had to wait in the lobby to be worked in.

thats where I've been making my mistake then, LOL, calling ahead of time.
Good to know, thanks.

I've had to go down there for an Emergency visit due to being Allergic to Bee Sting's i got into a nest of them and couldn't get away.I had to drive myself there and could barely breathe when i got there but still had to set ot there and wait what do you call that.I had over 15 sting' from head to toe and as i said allergic to being stung.It took me ove a week to get over the swelling and the pain from the sting's from that but they were in no hurry.and i have been turned away by just walking in they tell me there's no way they can work me in and their booked up til the falling week i have a problem believing that i think it's if they want to see you or who you are if you can get in.

I have heard of people being misdiagnosed and treated for something they didn't have to begin with.Alot of expense's going back an forth to other doctor's for treatment's and hospital stay's that were for what.Her life has been a living nightmare for quite sometime now not being able to have a life and not being able to enjoy anything in life due to the condition she was told she had.Has been taking medication for this for quite awhile and it's a very powerful drug what may have that done to her system being as she doesn't have the disease to begin with.Make's one wonder about the ability of some and just how good they check into thing's before diagnosing and scaring the life out of people but it's not them so i guess it doesn't matter they'll see you back in 6 week's for another check-up that's why the parking lot is getting so empty because people are going else where to some one that will get to the bottom of the problem and not add to it.

I'm really sorry for your friend, but if she went to other doctors, these were probably specialists diagnosing her. I don't think you can blame the clinic for that. If she was staying all night and going to these other doctors, wouldnt' they be specialist. As far as the parking lot being empty, I think Dr. Vanover is on vacation and my nurse practitioner has been off for about 2 weeks. It's packed whenever I go down there and always has been. I have had the best of care by the nurses and the providers I see. Like I said, if they send you somewhere it is to get to the bottom of the problem. The specialists that they send people too are experts and that is why you are sent. Plus, didn't you just post that people couldn't get sent to a specialist or other doctor?

I have never said a bad thing about the Nurse's there they are a great bunch and will do all they can to help you in every way they can and are always very nice.as for sending people to specialist's whether you have insurance or not you get sent to one place and it is full of experimental intern's.Now some people may have had good luck there and i'm happy for them but my friend wasn't that fortunate neither was a few other's i know of and no other doctor's would see her said there was nothing else they could do just gave up on her.Their doctor's they are supposed to research this stuff and do their best to help people that's what they went to all that schooling for so use it.