I hear this ALL the time, usually from people who insist that diet & exercise are the "only" way to treat diabetes.
Sometimes it's the blood pressure, though. "I don't have high blood pressure." What meds do you take? "I'm on Zestoretic." What for? "I dunno, my doctor told me to take it."
"I dunno why I take this, my doctor told me to do it" is, I think, a classic line from a murder mystery. "Nobody knows why Mr Higgenbothum was taking the medication in the bottle, he only said, 'My doctor gave it to me'."
I don't want to be off topic, but I dreamt of THE REHABILATATOR, last night. I think it was because I consumed an entire box of GS Cookie Samoas yesterday. I think I need diet and exercise.
I'm a phlebotomist, you should hear what they tell us, we always say did you tell the doctor? They always say no. They want to know why they don't get better! If they ever develop a blood test for common sense I'm sure 90% would fail it!
In the hospital last week I told the respiratory therapist that my CPAP at home was titrated to 9. She almost hugged me and moved me to the top of the class. How do people not know these things? Do I have the only doctors on the planet who explain things?
Man: "I want to report my car stolen." Cop: "Is it a 2-door or a 4-door?" Man: "2-door." Cop: "So, like a coupe?" Man: "No, a family car. 2 doors on one side and 2 doors on the other." Swear to God.....
Me: do you have a medical history? any past surgeries, hospital admissions, or diagnoses? Pt: No. Me: I'm just going to take a look through these meds... oh!... what are you on dilaudid for? Pt: oh, my pancreatic cancer. Me: what are you on these antibiotics for? Pt: I had a piece of my bowel removed a few weeks ago, they put me on them after surgery. Me: oooooookay, so you're also on metoprolol... annnnd insulin.... annnnnnd lipitor...
I now first ask which medicines the patients take, THEN what conditions they are treated for. I get some really interesting explanations for why they are taking antihyperensives, coumadin, insulin for their cured issues.
A woman once told me that she was on methadone for "pain control." She really meant "control of addiction to pain medication," but, you know, semantics.
I remember an visit I made to the ER last year. (kidney stones) They asked me if I had brought all my medications with me and I said no but that I could list them. The nurse rolled her eyes and in a somewhat patronizing tone of voice, told me she needed exact information. I sat there and listed every drug by name, what it was prescribed for, the dosage and how frequently I had to take it. When I was done, she actually apologized for her attitude. (Kudos to her for doing that!) Told me that people usually say "I take that blue pill every morning" or some such nonsense. I honestly can NOT wrap my mind around putting a medication in my body without knowing exactly what it is and what it does. People like your patient in this story scare me.
Patient sitting on stretcher, weighing aleast 150lbs more than they should. Me "Any history of diabetes?" Patient "Borderline. I have borderline diabetes." Me "So what does your blood sugar usually run?" Patient "I never check that. It's diet controlled." Yeah, right. Nothing is that diet was under control. And when some wiseass thought we should limit elective procedures to patients with a glucose of less than 350, I wanted to say "Could you redesign the protocol for MY patient population?"
Tee - "I honestly can NOT wrap my mind around putting a medication in my body without knowing exactly what it is and what it does."
I'm with you on this. I don't take any medication on a regular basis and avoid it if at all possible; I'd rather suffer through the pain than deal with the side effects.
Years ago I gave my dentist the "third-degree" when he prescribe Tylenol with codeine for me after a root canal. "What is it? What does it do? What are the side affects?" etc.
Dr Grumpy might actually asked Mary to NOT re-scedule me because I would be such a pain about such stuff.
I keep my meds, allergies, and medical history on an Excel spreadsheet (don't have the world's greatest memory). Before any doctor's visit, I print it out (it's 1 page) and give a copy to the MD (or usually the nurse) for my chart. This is usually greeted with great appreciation. When my radiation oncologist saw it, she immediately said "I want to hire you".
Reply to Annonymous April,7 6:18pm. I've tried that for my husband. MDs here won't take a preprinted sheet. They insist it be written on the form. He takes 11 meds!
To Med student know-it-all (who really is clueless).... http://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/B_EXTRANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION-FlexMember-Show_Public_HFFY_1105646179457.html
Methadone really IS used to treat pain...It's not just for recovering addicts.
Had a lady come in with a fresh scar from a CABG. She had no idea there was anything wrong with her heart! Denial is real!
ReplyDeleteTime for some patient teaching ?
ReplyDeleteI hear this ALL the time, usually from people who insist that diet & exercise are the "only" way to treat diabetes.
ReplyDeleteSometimes it's the blood pressure, though. "I don't have high blood pressure." What meds do you take? "I'm on Zestoretic." What for? "I dunno, my doctor told me to take it."
"I dunno why I take this, my doctor told me to do it" is, I think, a classic line from a murder mystery. "Nobody knows why Mr Higgenbothum was taking the medication in the bottle, he only said, 'My doctor gave it to me'."
I get this all the time:
ReplyDeleteME: So you have hypertension?
Patient: Not anymore.
ME: So why do you take lisinopril?
Patient: Well, I take the pills, so now I don't have high blood pressure anymore.
I don't want to be off topic, but I dreamt of THE REHABILATATOR, last night. I think it was because I consumed an entire box of GS Cookie Samoas yesterday. I think I need diet and exercise.
ReplyDeleteI'm a phlebotomist, you should hear what they tell us, we always say did you tell the doctor? They always say no. They want to know why they don't get better! If they ever develop a blood test for common sense I'm sure 90% would fail it!
ReplyDelete<a href="http://www.lovelypinkdiva.com>www.lovelypinkdiva.com</a>
I needed that this morning...badly! Thanks
ReplyDeleteCause, meet Effect...
ReplyDeleteY'all play nice now, ya hear?
southgeek.blotspot.com
He takes those for his Metformin, Actos and Insulin deficiencies...not for diabetes!
ReplyDeleteIn the hospital last week I told the respiratory therapist that my CPAP at home was titrated to 9. She almost hugged me and moved me to the top of the class. How do people not know these things? Do I have the only doctors on the planet who explain things?
ReplyDeleteMan: "I want to report my car stolen."
ReplyDeleteCop: "Is it a 2-door or a 4-door?"
Man: "2-door."
Cop: "So, like a coupe?"
Man: "No, a family car. 2 doors on one side and 2 doors on the other."
Swear to God.....
He just takes the insulin to fit in with other diabetics.... duh!!!
ReplyDeleteI hear this from lots of people that should have diabetes secondary to Cushing's Disease.
ReplyDeleterandom person: But I don't have diabetes!
Me:Really? What was your last HbA1c?
random person: I looked it up, it's 8.7
Me: I think you need to talk to your doctor again. /headdesk
Last weekend:
ReplyDeleteMe: do you have a medical history? any past surgeries, hospital admissions, or diagnoses?
Pt: No.
Me: I'm just going to take a look through these meds... oh!... what are you on dilaudid for?
Pt: oh, my pancreatic cancer.
Me: what are you on these antibiotics for?
Pt: I had a piece of my bowel removed a few weeks ago, they put me on them after surgery.
Me: oooooookay, so you're also on metoprolol... annnnd insulin.... annnnnnd lipitor...
Saw your tweet, I hope Marie is OK.
ReplyDeleteI now first ask which medicines the patients take, THEN what conditions they are treated for. I get some really interesting explanations for why they are taking antihyperensives, coumadin, insulin for their cured issues.
ReplyDeleteWow, totaly feel better. I thought "stupid" patients were stalking me. Paranoia is a terrible thing in the ER. :)
ReplyDeleteA woman once told me that she was on methadone for "pain control." She really meant "control of addiction to pain medication," but, you know, semantics.
ReplyDeleteWell, at least he isn't let life interfere with his diabetes control
ReplyDeleteI remember an visit I made to the ER last year. (kidney stones) They asked me if I had brought all my medications with me and I said no but that I could list them. The nurse rolled her eyes and in a somewhat patronizing tone of voice, told me she needed exact information. I sat there and listed every drug by name, what it was prescribed for, the dosage and how frequently I had to take it. When I was done, she actually apologized for her attitude. (Kudos to her for doing that!) Told me that people usually say "I take that blue pill every morning" or some such nonsense. I honestly can NOT wrap my mind around putting a medication in my body without knowing exactly what it is and what it does. People like your patient in this story scare me.
ReplyDeletePatient sitting on stretcher, weighing aleast 150lbs more than they should.
ReplyDeleteMe "Any history of diabetes?"
Patient "Borderline. I have borderline diabetes."
Me "So what does your blood sugar usually run?"
Patient "I never check that. It's diet controlled."
Yeah, right. Nothing is that diet was under control. And when some wiseass thought we should limit elective procedures to patients with a glucose of less than 350, I wanted to say "Could you redesign the protocol for MY patient population?"
Tee - "I honestly can NOT wrap my mind around putting a medication in my body without knowing exactly what it is and what it does."
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this. I don't take any medication on a regular basis and avoid it if at all possible; I'd rather suffer through the pain than deal with the side effects.
Years ago I gave my dentist the "third-degree" when he prescribe Tylenol with codeine for me after a root canal. "What is it? What does it do? What are the side affects?" etc.
Dr Grumpy might actually asked Mary to NOT re-scedule me because I would be such a pain about such stuff.
I keep my meds, allergies, and medical history on an Excel spreadsheet (don't have the world's greatest memory). Before any doctor's visit, I print it out (it's 1 page) and give a copy to the MD (or usually the nurse) for my chart.
ReplyDeleteThis is usually greeted with great appreciation. When my radiation oncologist saw it, she immediately said "I want to hire you".
Reply to Annonymous April,7 6:18pm. I've tried that for my husband. MDs here won't take a preprinted sheet. They insist it be written on the form. He takes 11 meds!
ReplyDeleteTo Med student know-it-all (who really is clueless)....
ReplyDeletehttp://www.uwhealth.org/healthfacts/B_EXTRANET_HEALTH_INFORMATION-FlexMember-Show_Public_HFFY_1105646179457.html
Methadone really IS used to treat pain...It's not just for recovering addicts.
Did you ask Mr. Sugar why he takes all those meds?
ReplyDeleteSounds like Mr.Sugar needs a legal name change to Mr.Artificial Sweetener HAHA! Get it?...?...?
ReplyDelete