Medical Shenanigans Humor Concerns & Support · Page 21

It is more complex than that.

What I try to do is be 100% open to what a doctor is saying, how he's saying it, his non verbals, and then match that with his experience. Then I work on determining if he is a medical provider lining up to cure or treatment plan (there is a big bifference) for me, or if he is more about creating revenue for the business office. With the combination of what God above has given me and life experiences in training, development, leading interviews, working closely with people with little education all the way through VPs, I've always been taking those learnings into the next situation. It has served me well. If there is one point ahead of all for me, it is Quality of Communications.

In October, a new health issue popped up. Was referred to a specialist. He didn't do what I was told he'd do. Instead, he put me on a different track. I initially followed, while still sharing my concern with the altered path but trusted (for the moment) what he told me. My radar was pinging that something wasn't right.

Next time I saw him, I watched him more closely. I asked more questions of him. He showed the tell of someone not comfortable or confident in their answers- talking faster and louder, while ovoiding consistant eye contact. I slowed my speech down, locked on his eyes best I could. He presented characteristics of an under experienced, over caffinated terrier.

Went to another doctor who I saw yeasterday. Night and day difference. I don't like this new doctor because he gave me answers I liked or agreed with (confirmation bias). It was because he could maintain eye contact, wasn't evasive when I had questions, answered them all and talked about the goal, strategy, tactics and execution for my issue. It also helped he was a regular dude and had 3 times the years experience of the coffee terrier.

Things aren't great, but not as dire (or die-er) as things were in early October.

If this helps you or anybody else viewing this thread, this day has already been a winner.

frankj1
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#403

and tomorrow better still!

MACS
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#404

Well stated, Mr. Disco. And I agree with you on the mannerisms of the Dr. and the way they talk to you, make eye contact and such. The main guy I see is an older, retired Navy captain, but he's not the guy that does the procedures... the young bucks do. His expertise is diagnostics/medication.

I'll see him again on the 14th. I will express my concerns about treating the number and not trying to find the cause, and we'll see what he says.

But tell me you can at least see where I'm coming from? Oh, blood pressure suddenly jumped? Here's a med...

Not - Oh, blood pressure suddenly jumped? Let's figure out WHY and see if we can correct it.

My personal default is to avoid medication if possible. ALL of them have side effects, whether you can actually feel them or if they're just causing issues you won't see for years... there's something going on.
This is worth the 7-8 minutes to watch. 2nd one is 10 mins, but specifically addresses how the medical field treats cholesterol.

Edited by user a year ago | Reason: Not specified

Gene363
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#405

I think Shawn is intelligent and makes decisions on facts. I also think we all want the best for Shawn.

As this is cigar bid, I will only add the following to stir things up a bit: Doctors are human being of many sorts. Psychopaths are masters of the sincere, they can look you right eye and tell you a whopper without blinking.

I willl also add that the best and most candid advice I ever received about my back problems came from a doctor notorious for an arrogant demeanor, a terrible bedside manor, some very public lawsuits, and he always took out his wife, usually in the first round. When he was reviewing my MRI results he blew off the radiologist comments. I mentioned I had seen many X-rays of welds and knew what to look for but I wanted to know he was looking for. I got a detailed explanation of every bulging disk and what they were pushing on. He also explained surgery cannot ever fix a disk, they can only mediate the damage, and that surgery was a last resort. I'm not sure if it was one asshole to another or the fact that I had worked with and for many over the years, but I was confident in his depth of examination and his conclusions.

The escape pod: https://cigarbid.freeforums.net

delta1
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#406

MACS is right to question the need for meds to "control" an elevated blood pressure level when there hasn't been a history of that. It seems knee jerky. 160/100 is high, but not an immediate cause for concern. If the clinic is close enough, ask if they'd be willing to check your BP every couple days. Only takes a minute. Or you can get a home blood pressure monitor...decent ones for about $60.

MACS
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#407

delta1 wrote:

I have one. I monitor it, which is why I knew it was sudden. I already take metoprolol which slows the heart rate and lowers blood pressure a bit. 110-120 / 70-80 was the norm for me. Resting heart rate 56-60 bpm.

Woke up at 3am and I could feel my heart beat. 160/100 hr 90... laying in bed. That ain't right. THEY knew it wasn't right and that's why they did another cath. Didn't find anything. Blood flowing as it should. My resting HR is back to 60, but my bp is still a little high, even with the added med.

rfenst
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#408

What's a second opinion for if one doctor has all the answers?

I don't have all the answers. That's why I went to the doctor in the first place. But to ignore that my BP just suddenly went from perfect to not so good in a matter of days and just throw medicine at it instead of trying to find out WHY it did that doesn't sit well with me.

And there's a growing number of MD's who agree with me on that.

Suneel Dhand MD, Shawn Baker, MD, Ken Berry MD, Philip Ovadia MD (cardiologist).

I didn't ignore advice thinking I had the answers. I've been taking my meds as prescribed, even though I don't like it.

MACS wrote:

Your prolly just getting older faster. [whip]

8trackdisco
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

a year ago

#409

Next door neighbor had a prostate proceedure a month or so ago.

He explained the surgeon was going to 'power blast his prostate' to relieve his hesitant prostate.

They power blasted it, alright. He only has half a prostate now, still has a stent in, is incontenet (and still in North America as well) with a urinary tract infection. The hope is the infection has not spread to his kidneys.

He's 74 and looks like a beaten dog. His 80 year old wife was diagnosed with lung cancer 9 months ago and is still slowly recoverying.

Just in case anyone here is feeling like they've gotten some tough medical news recently.

Edited by user a year ago | Reason: Not specified

DrafterX
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#410

Nothing that tough for sure... that sounds like malpractice to me... 😟

BuckyB93
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#411

I'm blessed to not have serious medical issues. It pains me to hear of others going through them. I hope things work out for the best with your neighbor, Russ.

I took the day off to help an elderly friend downsize and move from her house to an apartment. My back is not looking forward to it. My Son has the day off too and he was also recruited (aka, I volunteered him without him knowing it) so I got that going for me.

MACS
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#412

Well... next Week I get the ol' roto-rooter treatment. Upper and lower...

VA said I need to get scoped. Been 5 years since the last time they shoved a camera up my pooper, so they are doing it again... only this time they're gonna look at my stomach, too.

There's a Gastroenterologist 15 minutes from the house, so the VA outsourced it to them.

Good for the wife because she can just drop me off and pick me up when they're done. She ain't gotta sit around for a few hours.

VA wrote on the paperwork: colonoscopy and discuss an endoscopy. Doctor said he just wants to take a look at my stomach lining, can be done at the same time while I'm under for the back door shenanigans. So I said... why the hell not.

8trackdisco
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

a year ago

#413

MACS wrote:

Because money is such a big deal in healthcare, be sure they don't use the same scope for both.

Btw, during the AFC championship game, there were advertisements for State Farm, Progressive, Nationwide and Liberty Mutual.

And they are having a hard time making money. Hmm.

8trackdisco
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

a year ago

#414

Recently started taking a supplement called Ashwagandha. Supposed to help sleep.
Never have an issue falling asleep. Staying asleep halfway through the night is the trouble.

It is an every other night kind of thing. Only thing I've found more effective is the generic Costco Sleep Aid.

Edited by user a year ago | Reason: Not specified

MACS
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#415

I usually sleep well. Fitbit scores me in the high 70's low 80's most nights, but I do wake up a few times. Usually can fall right back to sleep. Sometimes not.

I think Costco's generic sleep aid is the same as Unisom. That helps me sleep good.

MACS
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#416

Because money is such a big deal in healthcare, be sure they don't use the same scope for both.

8trackdisco wrote:

Or at least do the stomach first...

8trackdisco
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

a year ago

#417

Or at least do the stomach first...

MACS wrote:

Wikkid smaht.

8trackdisco
Herf-A-Holic Topic Starter

a year ago

#418

Nearly two hours on the phone with my sister and her husband, trying to figure out the best path forward for mom. Physical and cognitive decline is accelerating.

One day at a time.

puffymcpufferson
Connoisseur

a year ago

#419

....

Edited by user a year ago | Reason: Not specified

deadeyedick
Herf-A-Holic

a year ago

#420

Nearly two hours on the phone with my sister and her husband, trying to figure out the best path forward for mom. Physical and cognitive decline is accelerating.

One day at a time.

8trackdisco wrote:

Sorry to hear Russ 🙏

I always think of this when I went through it:

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