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Recently, I injured my shoulder and my doctor prescribed pain medication and a muscle relaxer. Being old school, I actually read the literature that comes with medication before deciding if I want to swallow it or not. One of the possible side effects of the muscle relaxer was causing me grave concern — audio hallucinations. Still, I decided to take the muscle relaxer, but I called my doctor back for his advice all the same. I told him that I was easily handling the paranoia of wondering if every little noise that I heard was, in fact, real. That wasn't an issue. However, the voices in my head were complaining about a new guy interrupting their conversations. Now, the doctor is no longer answering my calls.
I'm beginning to think doctors don't like my attitude.
Has anyone else had such difficulties, and how did you handle it????
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For the record, I have no "voices in my head complaining about the new guy."
"Yes, you do."
"I do not!"
"Do!"
"Don't!"
"Do!"
"Oh, shut up!"
Mod
This seems to be a common problem. An elderly friend from Pittsburgh had trouble with her doctor ascribing all of her aches and pains to "old age" until she ended up in the hospital with pneumonia.
And, I recently learned of a young Goodreads pal who has Lyme disease: sadly, she was misdiagnosed for twenty years, and now has severe problems with her heart, and joints.
Why won't doctors LISTEN to their patients?
I know it must be a pain in the ass to listen to people whine all day, but they must know that's what they're signing up for when they go to medical school.
I have no answers, but I will share the story of the last time I visited a doctor. He told me to lose weight, then asked if I knew Jesus. The voices in my head told me to run, so I did.
With medication, my problem is that my orthopedic surgeon recommended an OTC medication that my cardiologist had said I shouldn't take--ever. My family physician said I could probably take it safely if I used the lower end of the dose range and didn't take it for a long time. I read the fine print, had another brandy, and went with what my family physician said.Along those lines, I've found something that helps me get back to sleep when I wake up at 2:00 a.m. One and a half cups hot milk, 4 tablespoons Torani Almond flavoring syrup, and 1/3 to 1/2 cup brandy (I don't measure the brandy). I find I'm actually looking forward to waking up at 2:00.
Jay wrote: "Early responses indicate that the above joke may have failed miserably.For the record, I have no "voices in my head complaining about the new guy."
"Yes, you do."
"I do not!"
"Do!"
"Don't!"
"Do!"..."
Why would a god listen to a maggot, if they knew better what was wrong with the maggot through statistics?
There is nothing wrong with the extra voice. The key is to type fast to get everything in writing.
On a serious note, I have found out that the lack of time is the key in my country why the doctors don't listen. They are already thinking the next patient and the next and so on. And they don't teach enough how to interact with patients at the medical school.
K.A. wrote: "The key is to type fast to get everything in writing.."OK if you can do it. A couple of years ago I was sent to a senior dermatologist at the University Hospital because my family doctor thought that a wart might be a basal cell carcinoma.
The dermatologist spent about 15 seconds looking at the growth before saying: "Yes, that must come off". He then spent about 10 minutes awkwardly typing in his report on a workstation keyboard, using only one finger.
I commisserated with him for not being able to dictate to a typist instead. He agreed, saying that in the days when he wrote his reports on a paper form he was able to see twice as many patients as he now can. Young hospital administrators cannot comprehend that a senior doctor has devoted his professional life 100% to medicine and graduated too long ago to have any familiarity with keyboards and computer screens.
Apologies for lack of any jokes...
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My advice? Put on an old Jefferson Airplane album - preferably anything with White Rabbit on it - and just let those hallucinations happen. And you're right about physicians. They're just another service business.
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You missed the ideal response... "No, but if you mention my weight again, you'll get to meet him."
Jay wrote: "I rarely ask the HC members for advice because generally I'm prone to believing that I know everything. However... Does anyone else have problems with doctors? I had one that I just couldn't get to..."Generally, if I go into the doctor's office with a problem, I've already researched what's wrong and know what treatment I want (including brand name, if applicable). There's not much wiggle room in the discussion. My current doc commented to my oldest daughter last year, "Your mom's rather intimidating."
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Shame on you, Brenda, intimidating that poor doctor! Don't you know how heavily that will weigh on his mind? Why, it could cause him to slice into the rough the next time he tees off. Not to mention the massive psychological damage it could do to his short game! Shame! Shame! Shame! :-)
Jay wrote: "Brenda wrote: "...My current doc commented to my oldest daughter last year, "Your mom's rather intimidating." "Shame on you, Brenda, intimidating that poor doctor! Don't you know how heavily that..."
I figure it might make him do his research next time...
Mod
Okay, not a killer, but maybe worth a smile or two.
A bit later, it occurred to me that many Americans probably have an inaccurate view of winter weather north of the border, possibly wildly so. I'm sure there's even a modest group convinced that Canadians spend the winter months wrestling polar bears on the streets of Toronto. Ergo...
Are there any Canadian HC members willing to set the record straight? What really does constitute a mild or harsh winter up north?
It might also be helpful to use geographic terms like 'far north', 'just across the border', 'northeast', 'southwest', 'middle kingdom', etc. because I doubt most of us can name all the Canadian provinces, much less locate them on a map.
Jay wrote: "I posted a joke yesterday (Silliness thread, #377) suggesting that quite normal Canadian winter weather caused Brenda's library to go missing (At least, I hope it was a joke. Those poor librarians!..."We can have some pretty crazy weather, here. Here's a link that gives you some idea of the snowfall:
https://www.currentresults.com/Weathe...
And here are some of the winter temperatures (in celsius):
https://www.currentresults.com/Weathe...
Some places are consistently cold and snowy this time of year - one of my kids is in Montreal right now, and she dropped through the snow right up to her waist yesterday trying to get to school - a passerby had to drag her out. I have another kid in North Bay - she got frostbite on her forehead trying to get to the mailbox recently.
Where I live, we joke that we often have 3 seasons in one day (last week, we had one day where it was above zero in the morning, so I took the garbage out in my shorts, then it cooled down and started snowing like crazy and I had to find the shovel buried under the snow, then it warmed up and started to rain, then it cooled down and everything iced over so school was cancelled the next morning).
So it depends upon where you live - but it's safe to say a lot of us love our parkas!
Brenda
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Thanks for your reply, Brenda. Although, I must tell you that I had a difficult time reading the articles that you posted (links). Once I saw the record of almost five feet of snow in a single day, my eyes started to glaze over as my sole thought was "Holy Crap!"
I used to live in New Hampshire with an annual average snowfall of around 70 inches. However, when I saw that you folks average a snowfall of 200-plus inches each year and nighttime temperatures requiring one to speak fluent Inuit, it certainly explained a few things. For example, why Canadians marry so young. Obviously, shared body heat is a necessary survival technique.
Jay wrote: "Brenda wrote: "We can have some pretty crazy weather, here. Here's a link that gives you some idea of the snowfall:"Thanks for your reply, Brenda. Although, I must tell you that I had a difficult..."
It also explains why we have so many cats (the shared body heat, thing, but without the arguments over whose turn it is to do the dishes).
Mod
On several occasions, El Doggo's failure to comply with basic commands was so blatant that I began to fear there was something wrong with his hearing. This left me in the uncomfortable position of either coughing up several hundred dollars for the vet, or devising a home hearing test. I and my wallet chose the latter course, and I thought other dog owners might find this improvised hearing test useful.
Improvised Hearing Test for Dogs
Step 1. With lots of pets and encouragement, lead your favorite mutt to the basement. (Feel free to impose on friends or relatives if you don't have a basement.) Give him a comfy blanket to lie on and lock him in.
Step 2. Climb the stairs from the basement to the first floor.
Step 3. Repeat Step 2 as you climb from the first to the second floor.
Step 4. Repeat Step 2 again as you climb from the second floor to the attic.
Step 5. Now that you've climbed three flights of stairs, stop complaining about your knees, then hide behind the largest stack of storage boxes available.
Step 6. As quietly as possible, and with the greatest of care, open a cheese wrapper.
If from the basement, you hear frantic wailing howls and frenzied scratching on the door, as if all the demons of hell were begging to be let loose, then your dog is not deaf.
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Hahaha! Love it, Jay. Best of luck with your new pooch.
Jay wrote: "I recently adopted a rescue, a cheerful enough hound who, while thankfully housebroken, has a few discipline problems. Overall, I have to say that he's a good dog, however he has a tendency to igno..."That's hilarious! My last dog was a rescue dog, too - he, too, appeared to have selective hearing. He also liked to chew his leg (which was the less amusing part of the story, because we spent over $1,000 on different treatments and then the leg finally had to be amputated). I would LIKE to get another rescue dog, but I'm afraid! I'll live vicariously through you :-)
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In Britain, censorship of movies was abandoned years ago, but censorship still flourishes in the staid offices of Companies House. If you try to register a new business enterprise, and Companies House thinks the name is a bit smutty, they simply refuse to register you. See this amusing article, about a new business that wanted to register as Slag Ltd, but was rejected:The Guardian
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Nice article, Martin. However, it's perfectly understandable that faceless bureaucrats often get the strangest things stuck in their craw. Most have no spine holding their neck up.
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I'm speaking, of course, of the errant sesame seed caught between one's teeth. Naturally, it always seems to have a pointy bit stabbing your gums if you dare shovel another bite. However, there is just no polite way to handle shoving one's fingers in one's mouth at the table, buffet or hors d'oeuvre tray. And if you happen to be on a first date, absolutely nothing impresses a woman more. ..."I couldn't help but notice that your purse is the size of Milwaukee. You wouldn't happen to have a dental hygienist in there, would you?"
Still, I wonder if there's some imaginative way to convince a date that carrying a Waterpik and a spit tray has now become trendy????
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Nowata County Sheriff Terry Sue Barnett
She resigned rather than follow a court order to put prisoners back into a hazardous jail facility, that, among other defects, had serious carbon monoxide and methane leaks.
Oklahoma Sheriff And Deputies Resign Over 'Dangerous' Jail
Add kudos for her staff, who also resigned.
Once again, a local court judge has affirmed my belief that there are no thinking people left in this country who don't have contempt for our courts.
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Joel wrote: "It seems like humor is the stuff people read as a break from their usual reading fare. I'm curious - what's the 'usual fare' you interrupt to read a humorous book?"I gravitate toward humorous books and cookbooks. The rest of the reading I do is medical studies - but that's for work, not for amusement.
Joel wrote: "It seems like humor is the stuff people read as a break from their usual reading fare. I'm curious - what's the 'usual fare' you interrupt to read a humorous book?"My usual fare is humorous fiction. I don't read serious stuff, except golf magazines. One of the high points in my month is when The Funny Times arrives.
Joel wrote: "It seems like humor is the stuff people read as a break from their usual reading fare. I'm curious - what's the 'usual fare' you interrupt to read a humorous book?"Reading the news....that will send you to the kitchen looking for a sharp knife. I read an article recently about how people who don't read fiction lack compassion. I agree. Everyone I have ever know who brags that they don't read fiction is an asshole. Fact
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I read a lot of Sci-Fi and Adventure (a lot of naval stories - no particular era). Add in a bit of historical fiction and a good bit of non-fiction. However, I'll often pick up whatever looks interesting when I'm looking for a new read. The only genres I avoid are Horror (scares me) and Romance (scares me).
I somewhat disagree with Brena. There are a lot of professionals who simply don't have time to read much in the way of fiction. They barely have time to read the stack of technical journals and updated texts for their particular profession. If you ask, for example, a cardiac surgeon, they'll usually tell you they don't read fiction, but if that makes them an asshole... If required, I'd much prefer an asshole who's current in his professional studies operating on me.
Jay wrote: "Joel wrote: "It seems like humor is the stuff people read as a break from their usual reading fare. I'm curious - what's the 'usual fare' you interrupt to read a humorous book?"I read a lot of Sc..."
I would prefer a surgeon with compassion, a sense of humor, and a balanced life. That makes for the best doctors.
I was guilty of only reading trade magazines for several years when I was working as an engineer. I became a very small person.
I had surgery for skin cancer two years ago. The surgeon is the best in Tucson, at the top of his game. Throughout the surgery he talked about celebrity gossip. That is what he likes to read about. He was hilarious, and it really kept me relaxed.
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I have several doctors in the family. They claim the best surgeons are bastards with good hands. Personality is great, a balanced life is great, but in a crisis - when things go south, and they often do - the surgeon who cares about nothing but medical expertise (saving his patient) is hands down the best.
I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
I read primarily humorous mysteries, evolutionary biology, including some molecular biology, with a little politics & sociology now and then. Humor is often based on demonstrating the stupidity of something we commonly do.
Mod
Burrito fans, your day has arrived. Thursday is National Burrito Day and Mexican chains are going the whole enchilada and passing along hot deals that include buy-one-get-one and discounted entrees. The made-up food holiday is held on the first Thursday of April each year.
For those favoring Mexican fare, it's a cheap eats day! So, save a buck while you can.
One should also consider being thankful that the country's burrito vendors chose Thursday instead of ruining Friday and Saturday date nights. After all, there are still many areas of the country where April is still too chilly to drive around with the windows down.
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I'm a big fan of Terry Fallis, a Canadian writer. His first book, "The Best Laid Plans" is a political satire and won the Stephen Leacock award for humour. He's got about six books out now and I've liked all of them.
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David Sedaris is always fun, though not a fiction writer. I've always liked Christopher Moore, as well. Christopher Buckley's older stuff is funny, though lately he has swung into a more historical fiction mode.
Joel wrote: "Who are the top humorous novelists still writing today? I'm having trouble finding them. There's Tim Dorsey, who's put out a number of books through William Morrow. Who else (currently alive and wr..."Me Talk Pretty One Day - David Sedaris
Good Omens - Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
How I Became a Famous Novelist - Steve Hely
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Rebecca wrote: "Lord. It has been weeks since I came around here! Hi, everyone!"Hi! What have you been up to?
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Hi! What have you been up to?"
Traveling. We just got back to the States from New Zealand on Sunday (a verrrrry long Sunday it was, too). Took a couple of days in CA to visit our son in San Diego then on to Boston on Wednesday. Tomorrow we start south to visit all sorts of friends and relations on the east coast and then heading west to CO and eventually CA.
Rebecca wrote: "K.A. wrote: "Rebecca wrote: "Lord. It has been weeks since I came around here! Hi, everyone!"Hi! What have you been up to?"
Traveling. We just got back to the States from New Zealand on Sunday (..."
That sounds like a lot of traveling. And I can imagine how long the Sunday return felt. How did you like New Zealand? I have always wanted to go there.
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ME: [Trying to work on computer.] What the hell?
MY PC: I missed you.
ME: It was just a short trip.
MY PC: Usually, you have your hands all over me.
ME: I said, I missed you, too. Or, I thought I did.
MY PC: I was so hurt and alone.
ME: Oh, for crying out loud, it was one week!
MY PC: How can you be so insensitive? I was lonely.
ME: All right, I’ll make it up to you. I’ll start writing a new book.
MY PC: That’s the way it is with you, always too little too late when it comes to my feelings.
ME: That’s not true. Didn’t I buy you a new mouse pad and a really kick ass thumb drive. Didn’t I?
MY PC: Presents! Always presents! You never talk about your feelings, and until you do... Maybe you need to be taught a lesson.
ME: What? NOOOOO! No lesson! ...I love you. Did you hear me? I said, I love you. How’s that?
MY PC: [Screen goes blank as hard disk crashes]
ME: Hello? Hello? Son-of-a...
LATER
ME: [on phone] I may be travelling again in the future. How much extra is it going to be if you throw in a carry-on bag for a desktop?
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From the overwhelming response to your question, Joel, I think you can see why so many of the old tracks are in financial trouble. In addition, some of our foreign members may just be busy with their own traditions.
I had to google "what is the kentucky derby"...
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I doubt anyone would expect our Canadian neighbors to be familiar with the Kentucky Derby, Brenda, unless they breed horses, but it's practically an institution in the US.
However, this does sort of highlight that common knowledge means different things to different people.
I've noticed that the generational knowledge gap seems to be widening here in the US. Things that should be common knowledge are no longer. For instance, I have yet to meet a teenager who can name the Vice President of the United States or the Secretary of State. Apparently, knowing Beyoncé, et al, is a replacement for knowing who is daily making or influencing decisions for the entire country in which we live.
This extends to other areas as well. Some years back, I mentioned that Kurt Vonnegut had died at a sales meeting, only to find out that I was the only one in the room who knew who Vonnegut was. A friend of mine had a similar experience when he mentioned Stephen Hawking. It's unfortunate, but the people who make a genuine contribution to society and posterity fail to be recognized today without a hit song and a divorce splashed across the tabloids.
Obviously, social media has a hefty downside for those who never venture outside its limits.
Am I the only one who has noticed this phenomenon????
Am I the only one who has noticed this phenomenon?I've noticed that, too, yes. Sometimes it makes me feel old (when I find out that I'm the only one in the room who knows who someone is), sometimes it's just worrying - we really can't take our eyes off of some politicians for too long (Canada has issues, too) or they'll get into trouble. Not even knowing who's running a country is concerning, isn't it?
The Humour Club
Books mentioned in this topic
The Book of Heroic Failures (other topics)Fox in Socks (other topics)
Green Eggs and Ham (other topics)
Fox in Socks (other topics)
Fox in Socks (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Katherine May (other topics)Richard Osman (other topics)
David Sedaris (other topics)
Christopher Moore (other topics)
Christopher Buckley (other topics)
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I think I just found the world's largest dust bunny under my bed, and I'm fairly certain that it ate my other flip-flop."
I discovered whole civilizations of dust b..."
My TV just died - I'm afraid to find out what's behind the thing when I move it.