tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post3042365261873799479..comments2024-03-26T16:46:21.764-04:00Comments on Doctor Grumpy in the House: You can't afford to be sick!Grumpy, M.D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09858110332436246760noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-72504652581239757922010-06-23T01:24:28.024-04:002010-06-23T01:24:28.024-04:00My mom used aspirin, and it worked a hell of a lot...My mom used aspirin, and it worked a hell of a lot better than the Tylenol I gave my kids. @#$@#$# Reyes syndrome. (Which, presumably, killed some of my contemporaries, but nobody ever knew it.)Jonquilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00394073543168209042noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-22845814642498665702010-06-07T20:59:22.777-04:002010-06-07T20:59:22.777-04:00I'm personally glad for urgent care, but as a ...I'm personally glad for urgent care, but as a physiologist, I know when it's appropriate to use them - like when I had (probable) strep. Would've been unwise to wait for an appointment at my regular practice (>1 week), and demoralizing (at the least) to attend the local ED. <br /><br />p.s I was right, it was strep. :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03705421511508290516noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-35375134104321121062010-06-04T23:08:33.311-04:002010-06-04T23:08:33.311-04:00Well raised five sons, used to say " you will...Well raised five sons, used to say " you will survive alot". When i was a kid, not long ago(smile) castor oil was my moms remedy for i swear everything. That and vicks, and spearmint water, and God knows what else she shoved down our throats. Now parents demand antibiotics for everything, and when you explain it is a virus, well you have no clue nursie do ya!!!No R.N. behind my name means absolutely registered nut, your right!!Sandy in Pahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146695995832386083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-7807860251193535472010-06-03T17:17:34.793-04:002010-06-03T17:17:34.793-04:00thats $$$ellulite !thats $$$ellulite !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-18628143424046878672010-06-03T07:03:22.867-04:002010-06-03T07:03:22.867-04:00As a mother of three I am famous for saying "...As a mother of three I am famous for saying "if you aren't bleeding, or an appendage dangling at an odd angle, I don't want to hear about it!"<br /><br />There's definitely a difference between injuries, illness, and disease. Diseases need Dr. care - a tincture of time usually cures the other two unless severe. <br /><br />@Kim - are we neighbors? My DH is police chief, I'm retired fire fighter/medic. We field all kinds of questions and I have no clue what my neighbors do! LOL<br /><br />My BIGGEST beef with our country is with the entities that made the piss-poor decision allowing drug companies carte blanche advertisement space in magazines and then on television! Now it seems we have all these 'new' mental disorders, dysfunctions, twitching limbs preventing us from our deserved restful sleep, and can cure them all (rather conveniently) with a pill... oh, failed to mention, the pills don't CURE, they just MASK the symptoms (does that technically make one 'dependent'?) <br /><br />Dr. Grumpy, imagine all the time you would save had this never occurred .... the position of wildly salivating rabid 'drug rep' didn't exist before this and you certainly wouldn't have to run away from them when you go out for tomatoes and diet coke!!?!?!?!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14120920691127497824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-34281392734065205422010-06-03T00:44:03.797-04:002010-06-03T00:44:03.797-04:00I know a person who sees a dermatologist for her c...I know a person who sees a dermatologist for her cellulite. Yes, cellulite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-38761879938460144002010-06-03T00:05:46.765-04:002010-06-03T00:05:46.765-04:00Frankly, in this economy, I went to the doctor a l...Frankly, in this economy, I went to the doctor a lot more than I would have normally because my employer was psycho, and it was a CYA situation with getting a note. I didn't call in often, but every time I did, it was treated as if I were definitely sitting in a lawn chair sipping margaritas while naked men fed me grapes. Of course, when they wrote me out for two days with pink eye, I practically skipped out of the clinic. I can't say why it is for schoolkids, but people can't be too careful in certain jobs.Feistesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03734217215697206526noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-43733665898611170462010-06-02T23:54:26.785-04:002010-06-02T23:54:26.785-04:00Jen: "The ones where you just can't shake...Jen: "The ones where you just can't shake off that bug you've had for four-five days and you need something."<br /><br />This is the problem with antibiotic prescribing - you don't always need something for every little bug. If you have an ear infection, MAYBE. Before I get flack, read the actual guidelines for treatment (check out a Sanford) and remember, MOST cases of otitis media are caused by viruses. As are most "bugs". Say if you are 9 months old or ACTUALLY febrile (99 is warm for me, doc!) with OM (or have other circumstances), you do get abx, but every URI and every case of otitis does not deserves one. <br /><br />I think those Walgreens places will lead us into abx resistance hell.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-21598931599346291642010-06-02T22:58:23.137-04:002010-06-02T22:58:23.137-04:00Great post. Balance...LOL. You're asking the w...Great post. Balance...LOL. You're asking the wrong person. I grew up with parents who never took me to the doctor unless the school made them, and it turns out I have two heart defects and a pacemaker. I'm probably lucky to be alive. Since I'm used to wheezing all the time, and I do get chest pain from it (and it's probably a problem swallowing due to my really rare heart defect), it's kind of hard to know when to go to the doctor. You know...what can be taken care of at home vs. what is an immediate problem.<br /><br />When I was a kid I often got sent to school with a fever without tylenol. Ah, those were the days. Now if I start coughing I have to assume I will have bronchitis in about a day, so it's a bit different.<br /><br />But I loved this post, especially since my coworkers don't seem to understand the chronic part of illness.<br /><br />MelissaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-32089510818109874392010-06-02T22:00:54.145-04:002010-06-02T22:00:54.145-04:00An urgent care I used to work for had a promotion ...An urgent care I used to work for had a promotion right before deer season called "hunter physicals". It was basically a sports physical with an EKG and they were charging something like $75-100 for it (I'm sure no one's insurance was covering that). It was total BS. I think most of their target demographic thought so too, because the program didn't last very long.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-43939709530704032692010-06-02T21:59:33.232-04:002010-06-02T21:59:33.232-04:00okay I didn't read through the above comments ...okay I didn't read through the above comments because there's like a thousand, but forgive me for arguing against you here. this past summer I had a horrible ear infection. The pain was not improving so I called my doctor to make an appointment. they were completely booked and couldn't see me, so I instead went to one of those clinics inside a walgreens. it was a wonderful experience. the nurse practitioner was helpful and performed as thorough of an exam as she could. I received an antibiotic and went on my way. I believe the clinics are there for those type of cases. The ones where you just can't shake off that bug you've had for four-five days and you need something.<br /><br />I don't think they're trying to create problems where there are none, I think they're just trying to provide a place of easy access to health care. you're going to have the people who abuse going to the doctor no matter where you go, so in this particular place it's just a little easier to get in to see someone. for the people who truly need it, it's a wonderful thing.Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-10694200791512204322010-06-02T21:09:43.314-04:002010-06-02T21:09:43.314-04:00We forget how far medicine has come. A hundred yea...We forget how far medicine has come. A hundred years ago there were no treatments for MS. Myasthenia gravis was uniformly fatal within 5 years of diagnosis. There were no treatments for Parkinsons disease. The best available anticonvulsant was phenobarbital. There was no effective vascular surgery to reduce risk of stroke from carotid stenosis. The asylums were filled with neurosyphillis. <br /><br />So of course people want treatment for minor ailments. They've come to expect miracles. Which is what medicine provides, sometimes.Science Marches Onnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-75695733262492860132010-06-02T20:43:33.568-04:002010-06-02T20:43:33.568-04:00There are always people who think every sniffle re...There are always people who think every sniffle requires priority triaging in the ER. They have been indoctrinated into thinking any illness is wrong and there should be a pill to fix it. You feel like shaking them and saying harden up princess and taking them up to the wards to see people who are really ill. Mind you for many that wouldn't change their mind (I say that as the psych that was often called in to chat with these people by frustrated ER staff). <br /><br />Having been on both sides of the fence, worked in palliative care and neuro rehab and now have the joy of a progressive neuro/cardio disorder of my own, I've seen 'real' illness and must admit I have little tolerance for those who fall apart thanks to a sniffle. Plus as someone who spends a load of time getting tested and in docs offices I wonder why the hell anyone would want that. Doesn't help that I was brought up in a household where short of losing a limb there was no excuse for not attending school, work etc.Michelle Rogerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16472120868084570461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-30016245373854321772010-06-02T19:47:03.044-04:002010-06-02T19:47:03.044-04:00Hey, Kim, my grandfather went in a similar fashion...Hey, Kim, my grandfather went in a similar fashion. Except he was a diabetic back in the days when all you could do is test your urine [by the time sugar gets to the urine damage is already being done]. Likely he had enough cardiac neuropathy that it masked the symptoms of a heart attack. <br /><br />The REAL irony? He was head of cardiology for a major hospital in a big US city!Moosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10397412122635951126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-16571169407909397852010-06-02T19:36:18.583-04:002010-06-02T19:36:18.583-04:00I have three sons. They are active. Very active....I have three sons. They are active. Very active. So am/was I. For years we had someone w/ a broken bone or something torn or stitched.<br /><br />I worked with a woman that was devastated when her 12 year old daughter broke her arm falling off a horse. She wouldn't let that child participate in P.E. for 18 months!! The girl was smart. She played Mom well.<br /><br />At my house they were using their casted arms for bats 3 weeks after surgery.<br /><br />She thought I was a terrible parent that minor injuries don't upset me. They are a part of raising kids as far as I am concerned.<br /><br />My mom always said, "Dry it up. That's too far from you heart to kill you."Marynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-73310827480959259092010-06-02T19:23:35.532-04:002010-06-02T19:23:35.532-04:00@anon3:48
It happens every friggin day of the wee...@anon3:48<br /><br />It happens every friggin day of the week.<br /><br />Vag discharge may be icky, may be uncomfortable, but it is NOT urgent...despite what many patients may think. The likelihood of it seriously affecting your health in the next 2-3 days is as close to nil as possible.ER's Momhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03203520439121823165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-30785384257189942112010-06-02T18:45:21.218-04:002010-06-02T18:45:21.218-04:00I feel weird even thinking about going to see a do...I feel weird even thinking about going to see a doctor for 'common illnesses' that only time will resolve.<br /><br />In fact... if a cold/stomach bug/small 2nd degree burn were even documented or mentioned during a visit, it's because I happened to um, burn myself with an curling iron a day before a scheduled f/u appt for other chronic stuff.<br /><br />I just had my super delayed f/u appt with my neuro-onc, who in turn is punishing me with bazillion scans(Yeah, 4hr MRI marathon). I tried using a PTO day for the appt which is a state over, so I couldn't come in part of the day. My HR changed it to a sick day... I'm so thankful how generous my company is. Though regardless of all this, if there's a deadline, I'll prob. drag myself in while sick unless someone chains to my bed.outrenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-2024746985337578082010-06-02T16:48:50.546-04:002010-06-02T16:48:50.546-04:00er mom- your plan is ok on a monday. but not on ...er mom- your plan is ok on a monday. but not on a friday.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-50574580723210468122010-06-02T16:09:43.647-04:002010-06-02T16:09:43.647-04:00Right, we need instant gratification since everyon...Right, we need instant gratification since everyone presumes we can fix everything with a pill/injection/Xray/CT/MRI/Admission/Magic wand.ERPhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15973334581468131595noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-38199322066136887222010-06-02T15:09:18.546-04:002010-06-02T15:09:18.546-04:00I'm right there with you. I've been downr...I'm right there with you. I've been downright embarrassed some of the times I've taken my son to the doctor, but I wasn't taking any chances with his HLHS. As he's gotten older, I've gotten better at treating him like a "normal" kid, within reason. <br /><br />There have been times that doctors have been guilty of this with us, though. Like the GI doc after my son had some bloody emesis last December. His scope was completely clean, we started Prevacid, and he hasn't had any episodes since. I suggested we stop follow-up appointments and I would call if he had any more problems, and they balked. Yet this is the same office that didn't bother to follow up when my son's INR came back > 16, AND they faxed the results to his pediatrician and cardiologist without a word of explanation. Writing about it makes me mad all over again. Maybe it's time to quietly bow away from that practice after all.Adriennehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11433789892446583830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-81481120658132769502010-06-02T14:55:07.068-04:002010-06-02T14:55:07.068-04:00Hey, Moose, my grandfather did that in 1976. He h...Hey, Moose, my grandfather did that in 1976. He had indigestion, went to the kitchen to mix himself a 'bicarb' (baking soda and water, my father drinks a ton of that, and all I can say is YUCK!), and died of a heart attack within seconds.<br /><br />Everyone in my family dies of cancer or a heart condition or Alzheimers. I'm going to try to go with the sudden heart attack that kills me in seconds while I'm riding a rollercoaster, after just having a lunch of corn dogs and french fries sometime after my 110th birthday. <br /><br />Oh yeah, about the pink eye...yeah, stay home for that if you're a kid. It spreads easily between kids. Lice, too, for that matter. And strep throat? Strep throat is evil and we suspect that might have contributed to my son's meningitis. He had a small ear infection, a kid with strep decided to scream into his ear at close range, his spit laced with strep got into my son's ear and mingled with the ear infection, and a week later he was fighting for his life. Ack!<br /><br />I can't stand places of employment that force their employees to go to work sick and spread it around. What a stupid policy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-45541915026551597132010-06-02T14:13:28.346-04:002010-06-02T14:13:28.346-04:00It's finding the balance that's difficult,...It's finding the balance that's difficult, as with so many things in life. There appears to be a section of society that looks for medical care at the smallest sign of a cold and another that ignores symptoms of life threatening severity assuming the condition will correct itself. If we could push everyone a little further into the middle, sensible, cohort all would be well.Lyonhearthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556552148527605323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-71505490224562133302010-06-02T14:08:02.011-04:002010-06-02T14:08:02.011-04:00Or how about the family (5 kids) that shows up in ...Or how about the family (5 kids) that shows up in ER @ 0200, with Mom saying "They have colds; I want them all to be seen"<br /><br />Grrrrrrrrrrrr...<br /><br />and of course they are the ones who also complain the loudest when they don't get seen for a few hours, while we were dealing with MIs, shooting victims and various other train wrecks...bobbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14353836074794786357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-20144219365020163042010-06-02T14:04:14.342-04:002010-06-02T14:04:14.342-04:00Most people really do over use medical care, in my...Most people really do over use medical care, in my opinion BUT<br />What can I say, I only take my son to the doctor when the problem has been present for quite a while without resolving or getting better. Last year's "little upset stomach" lasted so long that he was in tears when he begged up to take him to the doctor because he KNEW something was really wrong with him and he was scared...we trained him too well. He had been throwing up for months before he even told us about it. Turned out to be Acid Reflux.<br />And then there is me who mistook a kidney infection for simple flu and treated it with rest and gatorade until it was really bad...<br /><br />There should be a happy medium somewhere, if we could only find it.Christie Crittershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17409348100826092353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5883634615775822475.post-59884533804949291762010-06-02T13:52:21.482-04:002010-06-02T13:52:21.482-04:00Oops, i also meant to comment on Old Med Girl'...Oops, i also meant to comment on Old Med Girl's comment -- there's a good reason to send kids home for pink eye -- kids are notoriously awful about washing their paws (as my mum used to say) and pink eye can spread like wildfire. While I admit it's rarely complicated & goes away in a couple of days, there's no use having a room full of distracted, itchy-eyed kids.Moosehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10397412122635951126noreply@blogger.com