Woman dies in hospital waiting room.

[lady_zana]

Never, ever take things for granted when you are under or seeking medical care. Too many times we take doctor's opinions as gospel.

You are 100% right there, RICHARD. Too often people (myself included) think to ourselves, 'They are the doctor; they've been to medical school; they must know more than I do.' We fear to question our doctors, sometimes because we think they will be insulted, other times because we simply assume them to be right.

Doctors are only human; they will make mistakes and we as paitents need to understand that and not worry about hurting feelings if we ask for a recommendation for a second opinion (don't be down-right rude though!). Our health is important and we deserve the best care we can find.

[Medusa]

You are 100% right there, RICHARD. Too often people (myself included) think to ourselves, 'They are the doctor; they've been to medical school; they must know more than I do.' We fear to question our doctors, sometimes because we think they will be insulted, other times because we simply assume them to be right.

Doctors are only human; they will make mistakes and we as paitents need to understand that and not worry about hurting feelings if we ask for a recommendation for a second opinion (don't be down-right rude though!). Our health is important and we deserve the best care we can find.

I'm one who has learned to question the dr. and I paid dearly for it. I've been on pain meds for quite some time for neuropathy; my regular dr. was out of town and her associate was filling in at the time I needed a followup visit. She wanted to start me on a strong anti-depressant for pain and, never having heard of that for treatment before, naturally I asked questions. I told her that I really was hesitant to start on heavy duty meds like that and asked her what the side effects were. She

When my regular dr. returned, I spoke w/her on the phone and told her that I had done research on the med and that I didn't want to take it. That wasn't my real sin, I guess, because I told her how her assoc. didn't look at me while we were talking. Two days later I received a certified letter stating that she was giving me 30 days to find another dr. She wouldn't even refill my Rx for pain meds and I was only taking one a day, so it isn't as though I was abusing them. I called her and asked why she was being so harsh and she said "I don't consider this a harsh move". I said "Really? Telling someone that you will no longer be her dr. because she asked questions? Or is it because I said something about your assoc?" Silence on her end. So I said "Surely I'm not the first person to comment on this" and she said "No, actually you aren't. But that's just the way it is." She referred me to another dr. who just happened to be a friend of my ex-husband's and mine before our divorce, so I was hesitant to go to him, too, but it's turned out to be a good relationship.

We're always hearing that we must get involved in our own health care. Yeah, as long as we don't dare question our dr's. course of action or state that it would be nice to be looked in the eye and treated as a person and not an income. If I was treated this shabbily, it comes as no surprise that this poor woman was treated so badly. The video made me furious!

[RICHARD]

There is a weird dynamic about doctors and the way medicine is these days.

Doctors USED to have to diagnose a person, so their word was 'law'. They did the work before they sent you out to a machine, scan or specialist.

Some of the older doctors still haven't embraced the idea that they cannot look at a person, or do a phone interview and diagnose a person based on a chart or patient history. Sometimes they think the old ways are the best.

They also take it as an affront to their experience and knowledge.

Some of the younger doctors put too much emphasis on modern technology and don't try to find time to know their patients.

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Their are other reasons why doctors will/will not prescribe or order additional tests.

With meds, some doctors do 'deal's with manufacturers and sales reps. Discounts, freebies and other perks are common. The more they prescribe the more they are rewarded by the drug companies.

With diagnostic procedures and tests some physicians are not reimbursed in a timely manner by the government or insurance companies when they bill for them.

As the elections go on, and if the topic of health care isn't buried by other issues, you'll see some of the health care pros oppose the idea of a government backed health system. Sadly, it comes down to money.

[Medusa]

I pretty much knew everything you said, Richard, and I've learned to cope w/most of it as best I can. However, it's my body and my health and when I question a dr., it isn't out of disrespect; it's on a need-to-know basis. I'm always very respectful when I speak to them, to everybody actually, and to receive a certified letter w/out even the benefit of a telephone conversation first from my dr. to ask what transpired between me and her associate is callous. I also haven't forgotten the phone conversation that I had w/another dr. recently who was on call and, when I needed a refill for one of my meds, told me that I was inconveniencing him and interrupting his dinner. Gone are the days of the old time dr. who used to make house calls, I know. I guess that's the price we pay for better medicine but it sure does make ya feel bad. And feeling like you matter is all part of the healing process, IMO. So it doesn't surprise me in the least when I see videos like that one or hear of reports similar to that situation. It infuriates me but, sadly, it doesn't surprise me.

[caseysmom]

Medusa...sort of off topic but my husband was prescribed the anti depressant for neuropathy to get him off of the other pain drugs, it has worked out great for him. Another friend of mine is opting for that treatment also.

[Medusa]

Medusa...sort of off topic but my husband was prescribed the anti depressant for neuropathy to get him off of the other pain drugs, it has worked out great for him. Another friend of mine is opting for that treatment also.

I'm not against the treatment itself; it's that particular med that I wasn't too keen on trying. I did try another one and, for a time, it worked well but later on it gave me strong stomach cramps that lasted for hours every day. Plus I gained 9 lbs. in a matter of weeks. Ugh. I tried to wait it out for several weeks w/no success so I had to stop taking it. I do know that there are some people who have successfully gone this route for neuropathy and I wish I was one of them but, unfortunately, I'm not.

[caseysmom]

I'm not against the treatment itself; it's that particular med that I wasn't too keen on trying. I did try another one and, for a time, it worked well but later on it gave me strong stomach cramps that lasted for hours every day. Plus I gained 9 lbs. in a matter of weeks. Ugh. I tried to wait it out for several weeks w/no success so I had to stop taking it. I do know that there are some people who have successfully gone this route for neuropathy and I wish I was one of them but, unfortunately, I'm not.

My hubby was taking way too many narcotics for the pain, he even took so many he had stroke like symptoms and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, he was put on notriptlyn (anti-depressant) and it getting some non narcotic relief finally. I know the neuropathy is horrible I feel for you.