Posted 5/5/2012 7:13 AM (GMT 0)
How to scare a doctor 101
Make them feel you - Ie: I told the ER doctor when I went in for a rebound migraine and nothing worked "There is an evil little man inside of me taking a chain saw and just cutting me over and over right in this spot (point to where). It pulses, vibrates, shoots pain, unrelentless"
When they are testing your movements and they say "squeeze my hand" squeeze so hard it hurts them and say "itttttt hurrrrrttttssss" I did that to a doctor, and got medication fast. I did not any way intend on hurting the doctor. I was in the ER for chest pain that traveled from my stomach up to my heart and exploded. I told him "well doctor its like a creepy crawly huge lump going up and up from here to here (showed with hands) and then booom a bomb goes off" unfortunally he had me squeezing his hands to check my strength when the "bomb" exploded inside of me. He says "Let go you are hurting me" "I can't it hurrrrrttttsssss" he looked up and saw my face and can tell I was not joking. Came back with a drink and said "Drink fast it has liquid nitrogen and I know what is wrong with you now" I drank fast, and then asked "how come it is helping" He said "you had a severe acid reflux attack". I felt like an idiot coming in by ambulance for acid reflux. A few weeks prior I had found out I had heart problems and was told to get my tush in the er if I ever had chest pain.
Yell at the doctor when they offer you narcotics. It will install faith and trust in them on you. Say "I didn't ask for narcotics I asked for you to help me get better." and remain firm that you want to try natural, otc stuff, easier scripts before narcotics. As soon as they trust you, they listen better
Declare second opinion. Tell them "Sir, I don't believe you have been really paying attention about what is going on and giving me the full care you can provide. There of, I would like a second medical opinion." It will tick them off, but they knwo you mean business
Cards- give them a card expressing how great of a doctor they are : ie: I gave my doctor a card and said "this is for you. just wanted you to know how much I appreciate you" and left before he could get a word in. Next thing I knew we got along even better
Coffee/Tea - find out from a nurse what he drinks and go in with one for you, one for him and say "here is your coffee" when he starts to decline just say "nonsense, I wont have any of that. I just wanted to show how much I appreciate what you do for me" my doctor gave in and drank his hehe
Questions - research and come in with all the questions they don't hear. they realize you mean business and know what you are talking about. Ie:I recently did this to my doctor who is considering rituxamab for me
Rituxamab
1. What kind of vaccinations is it ok to have with rituxamab as it says
certian vaccines should not be given before or after treatment?
2. Rituxamab can cause serious bowel and stomach issues, there of are
you aware of the stomach issues I have already?
3. Rituxamab can cause heart problems such as chest pain and irregular
heart beats. I have a murmer as well as off and on tachycardia so would
this medication interfere with either those? Has there been any medical
studies with patients having preexisting heart problems?
4. Rituxamab can cause serious lung problems, so is acute asthma going
to be an issue with it?
5. I've had reactions to medications by iv before ranging from extensive
pain where I am screaming to hallucations and feeling lit on fire.
If this happens, what will be done?
6. What is the percentage of patients getting TLS or PML?
7. Rituxamab can cause breathing problems such as shortness of breath,
wheezing and difficulty of breathing. If I am undergoing those symptoms
while having an asthmatic attack what do I do? How can I tell
the difference of which is which? Are you aware 50% of my asthmatic
attacks are severe and cause black outs from severe loss of oxygen?
8. Do you have a Rituxan medication guide? If so, let's go other it.
9. Have you personally treated patients in the past with rituxamab?
What is the percentage of your patients obtaining side effects?
10. Is rituxamab FDA approved or am I some guinee pig?
not for orbital inflammation
11. How many treatments of this can a patient safely have? Will I be
exceeding these treatments?
2 treatments 2 weeks apart, min 6 months Ritamab targets b cells
12. 15 patients received a second couse of Rituxamab with 8 to 17 months
of theif first course. What was the efficacy of it?
13. Has OHSU done any studies on Rituxamab? If so, can I please have a
copy of it?
14. What is my Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score?
15. I'm a hard stick, would a PICC Line be an option as I have lots
of scar tissue?
16. If you premedicated me with Benedryl how could you tell if I was
allergic to rituxamab then? Are you aware if I receive Benedryl by IV
I litterly get "high" and have a hard time breathing? If you premedicated
me with acetaminophen wouldn't that react with my percocet, t3 and morphine?
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As you can tell, I did not ask the average questions... it makes them realize you know what you are doing, you are informed, and can be their worse nightmare
Be informed :p