Comments on: Pick a box, any box

By: dede

dede — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:19:28 +0000

Sweetie, you do a very good job with so many parts of your life. And I understand that Catholic schoolgirl feeling around doctors who can be so fucking holier than thou. If this is an obstacle that will take time for you to overcome, then find an advocate now. I accompanied my friend to all of her chemo treatments for breast cancer, and was able to ask questions, demand attention and push the medical people for her when she was in pain and really scared. I was able to get my friend free samples of some very spendy meds, just ‘cuz I thought to ask. I also made the staff get the hell away from her when she needed a few minutes to get her self together before her first treatment. I was able to make myself a pain in their ass and take the heat off my friend. Find a bitchy/bossy friend and take that person with you to appointments and tests. There are many of us out there. Just seek. I’m sending all my good vibes to you.

xox, dede

By: Tina Lee

Tina Lee — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:32:06 +0000

ugh, so sorry you’re going through this scary, unknown time. the health care in our country doesn’t help, and i also wonder if the culture and demands of it don’t contribute to unfeeling doctors, or if the field just draws left-brained people, and you just have to luck and get someone who is a mix of left and right like your bro?
i am glad MA has state insurance though, and i hope you figure out what the heck is going on for sure soon. sometimes, doctors just don’t know yet. it could be serious, but it could also be nothing, so i’m hoping it’s the latter for you!

By: nancy

nancy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 06:56:17 +0000

I live in California, am uninsured, and have breast cancer. I am eligible for a program that covers women with breast and ovarian cancer through Medical. If I had any other type of cancer, I would be screwed. Regardless, I feel helpless and hopeless. The doctors have so many patients that you can’t even expect to get personal care. Take a number and wait and wait and wait.

I know that doctors hate google, but I think it is an excellent research source and makes the patient more knowledgeable when they do get to talk to a doctor. (Only if you are not a hypochondriac). Just be persistent and keep asking the questions till you get all the answers.

Having worked in health care, I know a lot of doctors, and many of them wish they could spend more time with patients. But they do have to make money for insurance companies and the pressure is on. Just be thankful you don’t live in California.

By: Simon

Simon — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:07:17 +0000

XO right back.

By: Sara

Sara — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 06:16:45 +0000

Jenn, I’m so sorry to hear about your troubles. My own psych doctor screwed up my care recently, leaving me medless for far longer than was ideal, and I’ve seen both sides of that psych diagnosis in a chart – I’ve watched my own colleagues dismiss a patient’s complaints because of it, and I’ve sat in an office and wondered if my own complaints get minimized because of it.
Oh, and I’d switch primary care docs as soon as it’s feasible. That was not even close to an okay method of examination – disrespectful, uncomfortable to you as the patient, and certainly not going to yield the information that needs to be gathered from such an exam. You deserve a caring, thorough physician who will take the time to get it right. I know they can be hard to find… I wish you luck with that endeavor.

By: pogonip

pogonip — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 04:59:43 +0000

And I’ll bet that none of those practices utilize a patient questionnaire. Is that because they don’t want to know how they’re doing? My guess is…yes.

Don’t give up. Make yourself a pest until they help you just to get rid of you! Hugs.

By: Meagan

Meagan — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:49:12 +0000

You are in the Berkshires, right? If you are interested, I go to a very caring doctor who makes a point of recognizing the WHOLE person in his office. I can certainly share with you my experience of him, etc. if you are exploring other doctor options.

By: topo

topo — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 00:23:23 +0000

In case it makes you feel any better, I had to have an electrocardiograph a few years back for my Alpine Club Insurance. They make you ride a bike at various speeds while hooked up to a machine with little stickers all over your chest. This I did with my breasts waggling about gloriously while three guys in lab coats walked in and out of the slow-closing door and took notes. Because apparently, underwire messes with the machine… and, you know… forewarning a female patient to wear a sportsbra just takes too much time. Some things about Europe I definitely DO NOT miss!

No matter how much money you have or don’t have, physicians take oaths for a reason – they are SWORN to provide you with ethical care. Don’t be shy to remind them gently or not-so-gently, as necessary.

Hugs,
topo

By: schmutzie

schmutzie — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:17:11 +0000

I, too, have a psych tag on my chart, and any pain or illness I try to discuss is usually waved aside and met with questions about how I am sleeping and eating, as though everything is always in my head. I am lucky to be someone who stands up against that kind of treatment and demands to be looked at, but what happens to those who cannot?

I hope you are well. This kind of thing can be terrifying, and I hope you find out soon.

By: Amy Bucher

Amy Bucher — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 14:55:09 +0000

I’m so sorry that you’re experiencing such frustration and being treated (literally) so poorly in the midst of such frightening pain.

Hope the answers come and the pain is mitigated quickly!

I’m not even going to begin to exchange doctor/hospital/health care horror stories. It takes me a long time to emerge from that cavern…

Hoping you find your Dr. Baker (and yes, I did have to Google Little House for that reference), and soon.

Much love,
-A.