Re: Why do we do it?

[Guest guest]

I dont go because I never was sick before and I had to be on my death

bed to get me into the doctor, and of course then I was sick enough

to justify going there. They used to have to call me all the time to

come in for my yearly exam, I hate that exam so always put that off!

Now a days I feel like a Hypochondriac so I dont want to bother

people. Stupid I know but thats what I feel like that no one is

going to believe me anyways so why bother. I am getting better

though, because I know something is wrong I keep going back to them

and just keep complaining to them so eventually they will figure

something out.

Sandie

>

>

> Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put off

going

> to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

although I'm

> sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put off

going

> to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her, although she

> told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given me a

> different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet. I

tend to

> think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother anyone,

I'll be

> fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

saying 'I'll be

> fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

machines,

> having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my blood

> results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

>

> Why don't we take as much time as we really need for ourselves? Why

> don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit there

> thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think I'll

ask

> on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see a

doctor'

>

> Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be interested in

> your opinions.

>

> Love Ze xx

>

[Guest guest]

I think all for different reasons. I, for one, have to be careful

because I have a very high pain tolerance, which is good and bad, and

I'm so use to having been out of breath and not feeling good before

the diagnosis. With others it may be a sign of giving in to the

disease. With another its just the discomfort involved in making the

trip to the doctor. With others its their schedule. With others its

getting an appointment. With others its not knowing whether there is

a different situation or just the normal deterioration expected by

the disease.

>

>

> Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put off

going

> to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

although I'm

> sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put off

going

> to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her, although she

> told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given me a

> different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet. I

tend to

> think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother anyone,

I'll be

> fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

saying 'I'll be

> fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

machines,

> having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my blood

> results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

>

> Why don't we take as much time as we really need for ourselves? Why

> don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit there

> thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think I'll

ask

> on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see a

doctor'

>

> Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be interested in

> your opinions.

>

> Love Ze xx

>

[Guest guest]

My issues have to do with nearly being killed by the ER folks 8 years

ago and then having them try to send me home while I was still

comatose. They overdosed me and I almost died, and then they tried to

send me home while I was recuperating from the meds they gave me to

revive me. Nice folks. Hope you can see the sarcasm in those two

words. I don't use that hospital anymore.

Next visit to the hospital they decided they needed to take out my

perfectly healthy gallbladder. Thank God they re-read the sonogram

and my Rheumy stepped in and told them all I needed was prednisone.

Gallbladder is intact. Hospital now knows to check with all

physicians before jumping to conclusions. AND, I caught a nasty upper

respiratory infection from the girl who came to do my echocardiogram.

She was sneezing and coughing all over the place, with no kleenex and

not bothering to cover her mouth. Stupid little twit. I paid for that

idiot's mistake for about a month. And yes, I told the nurse on her.

Nyah, nyah, nyah.

And 4 years ago, when my shingles became excruciatingly painful and I

just needed morphine, they ran every test known to man on me, all

while I was doped up, and the tests were totally unnecessary. It was

painfully obvious that I had a horrid case of the shingles. I don't

really know why they did the intra-uterine sonogram, or the echo, or

the chest xrays, or, or, or.....Morphine fixed me nicely. Shingles

suck.

Those are some of my reasons for putting off the hospital. I don't

put off the Doc's too much. It just seems like it's harder and harder

to be seen by them. They keep very strange hours and never seem to

have a person answer their phones, always a machine. I've taken to

faxing in my questions and find it a handy way to make the nurses

respond to me when they won't pick up the phone.

AND, along with all of you I'm sure, I'm just plain sick to death of

doctors, hospitals, clinics and even the pharmacy. I'm tired of

waiting rooms. Tired of the tests. Tired of having to fight so hard

all the time for adequate care.

BUT, if I'm in dire straits, I'll go. I won't wait again until the

ambulance has to come for me though. Hooeeee, THAT was not fun!

Sorry that was so long. I guess you can tell I hate hospitals!....LOL!

Babs in Texas

>

>

> Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put off

going

> to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

although I'm

> sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put off

going

> to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her, although she

> told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given me a

> different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet. I

tend to

> think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother anyone,

I'll be

> fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

saying 'I'll be

> fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

machines,

> having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my blood

> results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

>

> Why don't we take as much time as we really need for ourselves? Why

> don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit there

> thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think I'll

ask

> on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see a

doctor'

>

> Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be interested in

> your opinions.

>

> Love Ze xx

>

[Guest guest]

My issues are about the same. Since I nearly died from kidney

failure following a hysterectomy in '05, I can't say I would run to

the hospital for anything short of " maybe I'm dieing " . I do go to

the doctors, but I am completely, utterly, 100% exhausted in doing

so. I feel I have wasted much precious time in waiting rooms, etc.

And, not to sound too morbid, but I want to do with my time those

things that make me happy, not sitting in some doctor's office

dealing with rude or personality-deficient nurses!

Following my '05 hysterectomy I had two incisional hernias, both as

a result of the hysterectomy. Both had to be surgically repaired,

at two different hospitals because of several other mix-ups and

oversights! I was intubated at one and nearly died coming out of

that - unable to breath and no one did anything about that. And,

ultimately, I learn that the patch they used to repair the hernia,

has been recalled! I have the option of having another surgery to

replace it. Yeah, right!

Oh, wait, I forgot to tell you about my veins collapsing while in

the hospital in '05 and every single IV had to be pulled! I forgot

to tell you about the nurse that broke an IV off in my hand and I

lost a great deal of blood, while she went to find someone to help

her! Oh, and then there was the time I had to get a blood

transfusion and, you guessed it, they gave me the wrong blood! I

had been given four pints of blood - all went well, then on the

fifth, it just happened to be during shift change, I received the

wrong blood. I don't know if anyone out there knows what that is

like, but let me just say this, VERY UNPLEASANT!

It's no wonder malpractice suits are on the rise and malpractice

insurance has skyrocketed for doctors. Look at the mess they put us

in. I thank God every day for the doctors that are able to take

care of me, but it's a good thing I have God looking out for me!

So, when I have to decide, is it time to go to the hospital, it's

probably really, really time to go. Otherwise, you won't find me

anywhere near a hospital.

I wish I would have paid more attention to the signals my body gave

me that I wasn't well. I wish I would have asked more questions.

But it's no wonder we don't do that. We usually are taught to

believe the doctors know what they are doing and are looking out for

our best interest. Much to my surprise, I have come to find some of

the very few, and very rare, genuinely concerned doctors. The

reason...I am assuming....is because I know what to look for!

Just my take on things...

God Bless,

Tina

IPF 04/07 PH 11/07 Ohio

> >

> >

> > Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put

off

> going

> > to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

> although I'm

> > sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put

off

> going

> > to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her, although

she

> > told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given

me a

> > different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet. I

> tend to

> > think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother anyone,

> I'll be

> > fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

> saying 'I'll be

> > fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

> machines,

> > having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my blood

> > results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

> >

> > Why don't we take as much time as we really need for ourselves?

Why

> > don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit there

> > thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think

I'll

> ask

> > on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see a

> doctor'

> >

> > Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be

interested in

> > your opinions.

> >

> > Love Ze xx

> >

>

[Guest guest]

ER doctors, per my primary, are lousy diagnosticians. If you're

having a heart attack or their is visible bleeding they are prepared.

Otherwise, very much in question. Ideally they would maintain you

until your regular doctor could get there or your on-call could or

whatever, but thats not what happens today. Oncall is mainly " on the

phone. " Also, what part of " emergency " do they not understand when

you wait 2 hours or more to go back and get a bed. Actually around

here the only way to get attention is to go by ambulance.

I do believe that ER in Canada or at least in parts is much superior

to ours. One, they have separate persons assigned for the most severe

versus all the others who crowd the waiting rooms. They also seem

quicker to admit for overnight. Here, I think that the reluctance is

insurance related and it's room and nurse availability. So, you spend

the night in ER or the better part of it, instead of a proper

hospital room. My ex mother-in-law once spent nearly 3 days in ER

because the hospital had no beds.

> >

> >

> > Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put

off

> going

> > to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

> although I'm

> > sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put

off

> going

> > to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her, although

she

> > told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given

me a

> > different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet. I

> tend to

> > think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother anyone,

> I'll be

> > fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

> saying 'I'll be

> > fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

> machines,

> > having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my blood

> > results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

> >

> > Why don't we take as much time as we really need for ourselves?

Why

> > don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit there

> > thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think

I'll

> ask

> > on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see a

> doctor'

> >

> > Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be interested

in

> > your opinions.

> >

> > Love Ze xx

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Oh my gosh Tina! See what I mean? Is it any wonder that we don't like

hospitals????

My daughter and her best friend also had horrid experiences with ER's

last fall. Long story, but needless to say they aren't in a hurry to

need a hospital again any time soon.

I know we need them, they're a necessity, but as Bruce stated I think

that Canada has it much better in that department. I love this

country but our health care system needs an overhaul.

I'm so thankful you made it through those experiences and are still

fighting......

Big hugs!

Babs in Texas

> > >

> > >

> > > Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we put

> off

> > going

> > > to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

> > although I'm

> > > sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to put

> off

> > going

> > > to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her,

although

> she

> > > told me off for leaving things too long last time and has given

> me a

> > > different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it yet.

I

> > tend to

> > > think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother

anyone,

> > I'll be

> > > fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

> > saying 'I'll be

> > > fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up to

> > machines,

> > > having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my

blood

> > > results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

> > >

> > > Why don't we take as much time as we really need for

ourselves?

> Why

> > > don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit

there

> > > thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I think

> I'll

> > ask

> > > on line' which is inevitably followed by the response of 'see

a

> > doctor'

> > >

> > > Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be

> interested in

> > > your opinions.

> > >

> > > Love Ze xx

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Tina, oh yes, we have to be vigilant in our own care. I also suggest

that whenever possible, have a friend or relative in the ER with you.

Not that it always works. They managed to overdose me with Chaz

sitting right in the room. But neither of us gave a second thought to

what the nurses were doing. Just assumed they knew their jobs and

were reading the chart....NOT! We learned a hard and nearly fatal

lesson that night.

I also like to have someone in my room if I get admitted but that

isn't always possible. I pray a LOT when I go to the hospital.....

Hugs!

Babs in Texas

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > Why do we, who are already and knowingly unwell, why do we

> put

> > > off

> > > > going

> > > > > to the hospital or the docs. I'm as guilty as anyone else,

> > > > although I'm

> > > > > sure our reasons will be apparently different. I tend to

> put

> > > off

> > > > going

> > > > > to the docs because it can be too difficult to see her,

> > although

> > > she

> > > > > told me off for leaving things too long last time and has

> given

> > > me a

> > > > > different route to her, but I haven't had need to use it

> yet.

> > I

> > > > tend to

> > > > > think 'Oh, I don't feel well, but I don't want to bother

> > anyone,

> > > > I'll be

> > > > > fine if I go back to bed.' I did this last year, kept

> > > > saying 'I'll be

> > > > > fine in a little while' and ended up in hospital hooked up

> to

> > > > machines,

> > > > > having loads of tests and the docs keep saying that with my

> > blood

> > > > > results, they are surprised that I was still consious!

> > > > >

> > > > > Why don't we take as much time as we really need for

> > ourselves?

> > > Why

> > > > > don't we reach for the phone when we're in trouble, but sit

> > there

> > > > > thinking 'oh it'll pass' or 'if this doesn't go away, I

> think

> > > I'll

> > > > ask

> > > > > on line' which is inevitably followed by the response

> of 'see

> > a

> > > > doctor'

> > > > >

> > > > > Just thinking and not pointing any fingers, I would be

> > > interested in

> > > > > your opinions.

> > > > >

> > > > > Love Ze xx

> > > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>