Dr. Grumpy: "Why did you stop your Plavix?"
Mr. Choochoo: "Quite frankly, doc, it's too expensive. I can't afford to pay for the pills and still meet my other living expenses."
Dr. Grumpy: "I understand that, but I'm concerned that without it you'll have another stroke."
Mr. Choochoo: "After insurance, Plavix is still $75 a month. Model trains aren't cheap."
Dr. Grumpy: "Model... trains...?"
Mr. Choochoo: "Yeah, I'm building a whole new track loop onto the set in my garage, and the trains and miniatures cost a lot." (whips out iPhone) "Here's some pictures of how it looks so far..."
15% off white scrubs with code "white_lyt"
I was feeling kind of sorry for him until you got to the iPhone.
ReplyDeleteWe may not agree with his decision, but it is his decision to make. I wonder if the insurance company could do a cost-benefit analysis to find a way to offer this drug with a lower co-pay?
ReplyDeletePriorities?????
ReplyDeleteI once had this young twenty-something talk me out of paying his 300.00 acct balance at our clinic during the convo I started noticing things like his D&G sunglasses, his Iphone, his diamond chain he wore, and diamond earrings he had in... needless to say I didn't let him talk me out of a 300.00 acct balance ;)
ReplyDeleteThe trains could entertain all the other drooling people at the NH after he has another stroke and ends up there.
ReplyDeleteThen it might look nice at his funeral. People can turns running the trains around his casket.
Didn't someone famous once say, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of model trains"? Or was it, "Give me an iPhone, or give me death"?
ReplyDeleteAll aboard the Stroke Train! Next stop, the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteToo bad he can't make the connection between avoiding a stroke and being alive to pursue his hobby. Here's the saddest part--his widow isn't going to be able to get anywhere near what he paid for that stuff when she goes to clear the place out after he dies.
Did you tell him if he has another stroke there's a possibility he won't get to play with his choo-choos again?
ReplyDeleteSome people. I mean, my God.
Aspirin? If he can take it it may be better than nothing. And model trains are life enhancing after all.
ReplyDeleteAspirin failure. That's why he's on Plavix.
ReplyDeleteHAHAHA gotta love patients that complain about the high drug prices but show their expensive gadgets, jewelry etc.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.angrypharmacytechnician.blogspot.com/
Here's a timely link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126560286
I still can't get over how he's had one stroke but doesn't fear another. The more I think about it, I wonder if he's in denial about what strokes can do.
Is there an app for autodialinig 911 when he has his next CVA?
ReplyDeleteCardioNP
If this guy doesn't get his priorities straight really soon, natural selection is gonna take its course.
ReplyDeletewhat the... *brain cells are attempting seppuku from the stupid but getting upset at lack of bowels to disembowel*
ReplyDelete$75 isn't that bad. Everyone has a vice, but really? At least drugs are 'worth' the price, unlike his model trains which I bet were made overseas at a fraction of the retail price. Hopefully, he doesn't have a stroke while driving or doing something that can harm others when he becomes incapacitated.
I am surprised you have not yet been institutionalised Dr. You must have a cluster of nutbags in your area!
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm all for self-absorbed idiots taking themselves out of the way.
ReplyDeleteAt least he didn't ask to get on some special get-it-cheaper program. I'd have to come smack him around then.
Today's captcha word is: flybi. I will do flybi smacks upside the head on people like that.
so when patients do this do you try to convince them they have the wrong idea? Or you just let them keep talking and amuse yourself?? Hahaha
ReplyDeletelove your blog dr. G, always makes me LOL and make my coworkers stare at me like I just lost my mind
Ms. Executive Slave- Maybe I have been institutionalized, and you guys just don't know it. For all you know I'm writing this blog when the orderlies aren't looking, and before my Thorazine kicks in.
ReplyDeleteHaha very good point. You very well could be doing that... Just make sure you avoid the sharp objects. Seriously I do not know how you don't stab yourself in the eye just to get away from them!
ReplyDeleteSo I take Plavix and it is an expensive drug...but I'm actually a student and you should feel sorry for me because it IS expensive along with the other 9 medications I take. But I promise I don't have a model train set...I do splurge for air conditioning though because I'm a puddle of mush without it and I can't afford to be that stationary for that long.
ReplyDeleteMelissa
Air conditioning is NOT a splurge. Some days it is a matter of life and death.
ReplyDeleteAnd, for the record, I can't live without air conditioning.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a company phone and the train set is for his kids. You know we parents always sacrifice for our kids - sometimes way more than we should.
ReplyDeleteI live in southern Arizona, where summer daytime temps can get to 115 degrees F. Air conditioning is pretty much a necessity.
ReplyDeleteRegarding the guy in the OP, he really needs to get his priorities straight.
Diet pepsi (diet coke) before expensive meds
ReplyDelete;)
By the way, My clients have commented on my diet cola addiction...
Thanks Dr. Grumpy. I love my airconditioning. I'm sitting right next to it because it's as hot as hades here today.
ReplyDeleteI know Aggrenox is expensive, but what about ASA and dipyridamole? The head to head studies showed superiority with Aggrenox, but if he's not taking his medication, it's not going to do any good. I'm assuming the stroke is NOT cardioembolic in nature, otherwise, warfarin could be cheap option.
ReplyDeleteQuick reality check:
ReplyDeleteNNT for avoiding another stroke with clopidogrel?
Vs NNH for bleeds?
Sounds logical to me (but then I've always had a soft spot for trains!)