10 Dumb Things you do at the Doc's Office

[kraznyi_oktjabr]

Originally Posted by Platapus

I carry in my wallet a list of my meds printing on business card stock. I keep it right behind my driver's license. If I am unconscious, when the police remove my driver's license to check my ID, there it is. It is also tough to remember the dosages when sitting in the ER at 0200.

I have tried to get The Frau to do it but she refuses.

That works fine as long as there is someone to check wallet. I found hard way that this doesn't always happen. About 5 years ago I had medical emergency which left me paralyzed into a train.

I boarded a train in Helsinki, got medical emergency after passing Tikkurila (about 15 mins journey, after ticket inspection), missed meeting three hours later and was picked up by ambulance in Suonenjoki five hours after leaving Helsinki. Nobody noticed anything unusual. Propably thinked that I'm sleeping very well.

Now I have my medical information inside metal wristband in hopes that someone counts 1+1 if this happens again.

[papa_smurf]

3. You do a sloppy job describing your pain.

Yup, that's me. Every time I go and see the doctors I always make a complete hash of describing symptoms.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Yup, that's me. Every time I go and see the doctors I always make a complete hash of describing symptoms.

Me too....thank God I'm seldom there, it's almost impossible to get beyond the surgeries practice nurse whilst phoning for an appointment anyway.

[AdeptCharge]

Originally Posted by papa_smurf

Yup, that's me. Every time I go and see the doctors I always make a complete hash of describing symptoms.

Hmmm....

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Me too....

Hmmm... Then you need to try with better accuracy, be more precise.

[Jimbuna]

There are only so many ways you can tell the doctor that your third leg is so large you are finding it hard to carry all that weight around 24/7

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

There are only so many ways you can tell the doctor that your third leg is so large you are finding it hard to carry all that weight around 24/7

[Jimbuna]

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by kraznyi_oktjabr

That works fine as long as there is someone to check wallet.

When I was riding the squads in Nebraska, that was standard procedure. When the patient was unconscious, the cop would pull the wallet and secure it. Probably a good idea when there are firefighters and EMTs around.

But the cop had to pull the ID so we could start the records. That's why I have it right behind my DL and not hidden away in some pocket (which the police would not go through unless they had probable cause.

[tater]

Good list.

If your specialist requires films, BTW, going without them makes the entire appointment a complete waste of time (it's on the list, just reiterating it). Happens to my wife all the time.

People are idiots.

A couple weeks ago she was checking on a patient in the ICU and saw a familiar name. It was her (retired) receptionist. The woman had had fairly straightforward—though serious—surgery, but had neglected to tell her docs she was a drunk. Waking up after the case, she was not in good shape without the quart of booze she was used to drinking.

The last one is also pretty important. People come to my wife all the time complaining that they get up at night to piss. She always asks what they drink before bed. Most say they drink a decent amount of something (doesn't matter what). She tells them to stop drinking a lot of anything before bed and they don't ever want to. Drink a bunch then go to bed, and guess what, you're gonna have to pee. Not rocket science.

People are idiots.