Do you sometimes second-guess doctors & nurses?

[Juliet]

You're not alone. And I see nothing wrong with questioning things if they don't make sense or even questioning them if you don't understand why. We as patients often have a more holistic view of our condition and are attuned to the details as we're the ones to see our CF docs, our GI docs, our general docs, our allergy docs and all the other specialists. If I encounter a nurse who resists explaining what they're doing or what med they're administering I ask them to stop. You hear too many horror stories about people being given the wrong meds or having the wrong procedure done. If I encounter a doctor who isn't willing or able to explain their decisions I find another doctor.

I *used to see* a pulmonologist who talked so much he wouldn't take time to listen to me. We couldn't have a discussion about dosage amounts. He was very pleasant, but completely inflexible, it was his first opinion or my having to explicitly *refuse* something. Everything had to be his way or it became a confrontation. And I'm not easily intimidated and will confront a doctor verbally if I feel it necessary! We could never discuss meds or dosing or weigh the risks of potential side effects of drugs (this was when I was dealing with my MAC infection). I need to be part of the decision process. After I got my CF DX I called his office asking him to please call me and asked the receptionist about how to get copies of all my medical records sent to my then new CF team, that I wouldn't be going there for treatment anymore. When the Pulmo doc called me back, he did his usual on and on and on not letting me get a word in edgewise. He was trying to convince me why I still needed him and why I shouldn't "fire him" (his words). He was a very nice and personable guy & funny in person, just totally inflexible. I finally (literally) told him to "Please just shut up and listen for just a minute." That's when I told him about my CF DX. He even didn't believe me until I started rattling off which mutations I had and asked if he wanted me to fax him a copy of the Ambry test results! He knew in advance I was going to see the CF docs, and had advised me against it in the first place. My family doc was the one who encouraged me to go to the CF clinic to get genetic testing.

You need to be your own advocate and always question doctors. If you don't understand their rationale or reasoning behind their decisions how can you be sure you're getting the best most appropriate treatment for you? ~Juliet

 

[Juliet]

You're not alone. And I see nothing wrong with questioning things if they don't make sense or even questioning them if you don't understand why. We as patients often have a more holistic view of our condition and are attuned to the details as we're the ones to see our CF docs, our GI docs, our general docs, our allergy docs and all the other specialists. If I encounter a nurse who resists explaining what they're doing or what med they're administering I ask them to stop. You hear too many horror stories about people being given the wrong meds or having the wrong procedure done. If I encounter a doctor who isn't willing or able to explain their decisions I find another doctor.

I *used to see* a pulmonologist who talked so much he wouldn't take time to listen to me. We couldn't have a discussion about dosage amounts. He was very pleasant, but completely inflexible, it was his first opinion or my having to explicitly *refuse* something. Everything had to be his way or it became a confrontation. And I'm not easily intimidated and will confront a doctor verbally if I feel it necessary! We could never discuss meds or dosing or weigh the risks of potential side effects of drugs (this was when I was dealing with my MAC infection). I need to be part of the decision process. After I got my CF DX I called his office asking him to please call me and asked the receptionist about how to get copies of all my medical records sent to my then new CF team, that I wouldn't be going there for treatment anymore. When the Pulmo doc called me back, he did his usual on and on and on not letting me get a word in edgewise. He was trying to convince me why I still needed him and why I shouldn't "fire him" (his words). He was a very nice and personable guy & funny in person, just totally inflexible. I finally (literally) told him to "Please just shut up and listen for just a minute." That's when I told him about my CF DX. He even didn't believe me until I started rattling off which mutations I had and asked if he wanted me to fax him a copy of the Ambry test results! He knew in advance I was going to see the CF docs, and had advised me against it in the first place. My family doc was the one who encouraged me to go to the CF clinic to get genetic testing.

You need to be your own advocate and always question doctors. If you don't understand their rationale or reasoning behind their decisions how can you be sure you're getting the best most appropriate treatment for you? ~Juliet

 

[Juliet]

You're not alone. And I see nothing wrong with questioning things if they don't make sense or even questioning them if you don't understand why. We as patients often have a more holistic view of our condition and are attuned to the details as we're the ones to see our CF docs, our GI docs, our general docs, our allergy docs and all the other specialists. If I encounter a nurse who resists explaining what they're doing or what med they're administering I ask them to stop. You hear too many horror stories about people being given the wrong meds or having the wrong procedure done. If I encounter a doctor who isn't willing or able to explain their decisions I find another doctor.

I *used to see* a pulmonologist who talked so much he wouldn't take time to listen to me. We couldn't have a discussion about dosage amounts. He was very pleasant, but completely inflexible, it was his first opinion or my having to explicitly *refuse* something. Everything had to be his way or it became a confrontation. And I'm not easily intimidated and will confront a doctor verbally if I feel it necessary! We could never discuss meds or dosing or weigh the risks of potential side effects of drugs (this was when I was dealing with my MAC infection). I need to be part of the decision process. After I got my CF DX I called his office asking him to please call me and asked the receptionist about how to get copies of all my medical records sent to my then new CF team, that I wouldn't be going there for treatment anymore. When the Pulmo doc called me back, he did his usual on and on and on not letting me get a word in edgewise. He was trying to convince me why I still needed him and why I shouldn't "fire him" (his words). He was a very nice and personable guy & funny in person, just totally inflexible. I finally (literally) told him to "Please just shut up and listen for just a minute." That's when I told him about my CF DX. He even didn't believe me until I started rattling off which mutations I had and asked if he wanted me to fax him a copy of the Ambry test results! He knew in advance I was going to see the CF docs, and had advised me against it in the first place. My family doc was the one who encouraged me to go to the CF clinic to get genetic testing.

You need to be your own advocate and always question doctors. If you don't understand their rationale or reasoning behind their decisions how can you be sure you're getting the best most appropriate treatment for you? ~Juliet

 

[Juliet]

You're not alone. And I see nothing wrong with questioning things if they don't make sense or even questioning them if you don't understand why. We as patients often have a more holistic view of our condition and are attuned to the details as we're the ones to see our CF docs, our GI docs, our general docs, our allergy docs and all the other specialists. If I encounter a nurse who resists explaining what they're doing or what med they're administering I ask them to stop. You hear too many horror stories about people being given the wrong meds or having the wrong procedure done. If I encounter a doctor who isn't willing or able to explain their decisions I find another doctor.

I *used to see* a pulmonologist who talked so much he wouldn't take time to listen to me. We couldn't have a discussion about dosage amounts. He was very pleasant, but completely inflexible, it was his first opinion or my having to explicitly *refuse* something. Everything had to be his way or it became a confrontation. And I'm not easily intimidated and will confront a doctor verbally if I feel it necessary! We could never discuss meds or dosing or weigh the risks of potential side effects of drugs (this was when I was dealing with my MAC infection). I need to be part of the decision process. After I got my CF DX I called his office asking him to please call me and asked the receptionist about how to get copies of all my medical records sent to my then new CF team, that I wouldn't be going there for treatment anymore. When the Pulmo doc called me back, he did his usual on and on and on not letting me get a word in edgewise. He was trying to convince me why I still needed him and why I shouldn't "fire him" (his words). He was a very nice and personable guy & funny in person, just totally inflexible. I finally (literally) told him to "Please just shut up and listen for just a minute." That's when I told him about my CF DX. He even didn't believe me until I started rattling off which mutations I had and asked if he wanted me to fax him a copy of the Ambry test results! He knew in advance I was going to see the CF docs, and had advised me against it in the first place. My family doc was the one who encouraged me to go to the CF clinic to get genetic testing.

You need to be your own advocate and always question doctors. If you don't understand their rationale or reasoning behind their decisions how can you be sure you're getting the best most appropriate treatment for you? ~Juliet

 

[Juliet]

You're not alone. And I see nothing wrong with questioning things if they don't make sense or even questioning them if you don't understand why. We as patients often have a more holistic view of our condition and are attuned to the details as we're the ones to see our CF docs, our GI docs, our general docs, our allergy docs and all the other specialists. If I encounter a nurse who resists explaining what they're doing or what med they're administering I ask them to stop. You hear too many horror stories about people being given the wrong meds or having the wrong procedure done. If I encounter a doctor who isn't willing or able to explain their decisions I find another doctor.
<br />
<br />I *used to see* a pulmonologist who talked so much he wouldn't take time to listen to me. We couldn't have a discussion about dosage amounts. He was very pleasant, but completely inflexible, it was his first opinion or my having to explicitly *refuse* something. Everything had to be his way or it became a confrontation. And I'm not easily intimidated and will confront a doctor verbally if I feel it necessary! We could never discuss meds or dosing or weigh the risks of potential side effects of drugs (this was when I was dealing with my MAC infection). I need to be part of the decision process. After I got my CF DX I called his office asking him to please call me and asked the receptionist about how to get copies of all my medical records sent to my then new CF team, that I wouldn't be going there for treatment anymore. When the Pulmo doc called me back, he did his usual on and on and on not letting me get a word in edgewise. He was trying to convince me why I still needed him and why I shouldn't "fire him" (his words). He was a very nice and personable guy & funny in person, just totally inflexible. I finally (literally) told him to "Please just shut up and listen for just a minute." That's when I told him about my CF DX. He even didn't believe me until I started rattling off which mutations I had and asked if he wanted me to fax him a copy of the Ambry test results! He knew in advance I was going to see the CF docs, and had advised me against it in the first place. My family doc was the one who encouraged me to go to the CF clinic to get genetic testing.
<br />
<br />You need to be your own advocate and always question doctors. If you don't understand their rationale or reasoning behind their decisions how can you be sure you're getting the best most appropriate treatment for you? ~Juliet

 

[Transplantmommy]

I think that what that person said to you is very rude! I second guess my nurses and some doctors all the time. It is natural with someone for CF to do this. I have had nurses and even doctors almost give me the wrong medication. When they went to hand me something that I had no idea what it was, they would tell me what it was and sometimes it really was not supposed to be for me, it was for a different patient down the hall.

My transplant doctors wanted to keep me in the hospital for something that was really stupid one time (low white blood cell count) and I always have low WBC's. I told them that there was nothing that they did for me the last time that I had low WBC's, so why keep me now? They told me that they didn't want to risk me getting an infection if I went home and I told them that I was more susceptible to infections if I stayed in the hospital than if I was at home where I lived with only my husband and son. They got my point and sent me home!

So anyway, my point, you're not alone in this. I think it comes to a point where we are so sick of going through so much and taking so many meds that we start to question everything.

 

[Transplantmommy]

I think that what that person said to you is very rude! I second guess my nurses and some doctors all the time. It is natural with someone for CF to do this. I have had nurses and even doctors almost give me the wrong medication. When they went to hand me something that I had no idea what it was, they would tell me what it was and sometimes it really was not supposed to be for me, it was for a different patient down the hall.

My transplant doctors wanted to keep me in the hospital for something that was really stupid one time (low white blood cell count) and I always have low WBC's. I told them that there was nothing that they did for me the last time that I had low WBC's, so why keep me now? They told me that they didn't want to risk me getting an infection if I went home and I told them that I was more susceptible to infections if I stayed in the hospital than if I was at home where I lived with only my husband and son. They got my point and sent me home!

So anyway, my point, you're not alone in this. I think it comes to a point where we are so sick of going through so much and taking so many meds that we start to question everything.

 

[Transplantmommy]

I think that what that person said to you is very rude! I second guess my nurses and some doctors all the time. It is natural with someone for CF to do this. I have had nurses and even doctors almost give me the wrong medication. When they went to hand me something that I had no idea what it was, they would tell me what it was and sometimes it really was not supposed to be for me, it was for a different patient down the hall.

My transplant doctors wanted to keep me in the hospital for something that was really stupid one time (low white blood cell count) and I always have low WBC's. I told them that there was nothing that they did for me the last time that I had low WBC's, so why keep me now? They told me that they didn't want to risk me getting an infection if I went home and I told them that I was more susceptible to infections if I stayed in the hospital than if I was at home where I lived with only my husband and son. They got my point and sent me home!

So anyway, my point, you're not alone in this. I think it comes to a point where we are so sick of going through so much and taking so many meds that we start to question everything.

 

[Transplantmommy]

I think that what that person said to you is very rude! I second guess my nurses and some doctors all the time. It is natural with someone for CF to do this. I have had nurses and even doctors almost give me the wrong medication. When they went to hand me something that I had no idea what it was, they would tell me what it was and sometimes it really was not supposed to be for me, it was for a different patient down the hall.

My transplant doctors wanted to keep me in the hospital for something that was really stupid one time (low white blood cell count) and I always have low WBC's. I told them that there was nothing that they did for me the last time that I had low WBC's, so why keep me now? They told me that they didn't want to risk me getting an infection if I went home and I told them that I was more susceptible to infections if I stayed in the hospital than if I was at home where I lived with only my husband and son. They got my point and sent me home!

So anyway, my point, you're not alone in this. I think it comes to a point where we are so sick of going through so much and taking so many meds that we start to question everything.

 

[Transplantmommy]

I think that what that person said to you is very rude! I second guess my nurses and some doctors all the time. It is natural with someone for CF to do this. I have had nurses and even doctors almost give me the wrong medication. When they went to hand me something that I had no idea what it was, they would tell me what it was and sometimes it really was not supposed to be for me, it was for a different patient down the hall.
<br />
<br />My transplant doctors wanted to keep me in the hospital for something that was really stupid one time (low white blood cell count) and I always have low WBC's. I told them that there was nothing that they did for me the last time that I had low WBC's, so why keep me now? They told me that they didn't want to risk me getting an infection if I went home and I told them that I was more susceptible to infections if I stayed in the hospital than if I was at home where I lived with only my husband and son. They got my point and sent me home!
<br />
<br />So anyway, my point, you're not alone in this. I think it comes to a point where we are so sick of going through so much and taking so many meds that we start to question everything.

 

[ladybug]

I ditto what everyone has replied already...

I've second guessed treatment, medications, etc. and done my own research. I've even had docs angry with me, but I stick to my guns and they've actually come back to apologize and thank me for doing research and be proactive in my health.

Good for you for questioning and always learning and being an advocate for yourself.

Cheers,

 

[ladybug]

I ditto what everyone has replied already...

I've second guessed treatment, medications, etc. and done my own research. I've even had docs angry with me, but I stick to my guns and they've actually come back to apologize and thank me for doing research and be proactive in my health.

Good for you for questioning and always learning and being an advocate for yourself.

Cheers,

 

[ladybug]

I ditto what everyone has replied already...

I've second guessed treatment, medications, etc. and done my own research. I've even had docs angry with me, but I stick to my guns and they've actually come back to apologize and thank me for doing research and be proactive in my health.

Good for you for questioning and always learning and being an advocate for yourself.

Cheers,

 

[ladybug]

I ditto what everyone has replied already...

I've second guessed treatment, medications, etc. and done my own research. I've even had docs angry with me, but I stick to my guns and they've actually come back to apologize and thank me for doing research and be proactive in my health.

Good for you for questioning and always learning and being an advocate for yourself.

Cheers,

 

[ladybug]

I ditto what everyone has replied already...
<br />
<br />I've second guessed treatment, medications, etc. and done my own research. I've even had docs angry with me, but I stick to my guns and they've actually come back to apologize and thank me for doing research and be proactive in my health.
<br />
<br />Good for you for questioning and always learning and being an advocate for yourself.
<br />
<br />Cheers,

 

[Diane]

well this brought up a memory of something that happened right before my sinus surgery.
The ENT had prescribed steriods to try first before doing surgery. Of coarse when i went to
see him for the first time he took my complete medical history and all the important info.
After i was done with the steriods i went back to see him about a week or two later and told
him my blood sugars were so high and almost uncontrolable while i was on the steroids and he
said...." why? do you have diabetes?" I said yes and he asked me why i didnt mention it.
I told him to look in my chart and he will clearly see that i mentioned it, and it was there
for all to see. He said if he had known that i was diabetic he wouldnt have prescribed steroids.

It just goes to prove what Jennifer said is so accurate. They have a lot of patients and just
cant remember everything and every detail about just one. Half the time they dont even bother
to look in the chart. Yes i always second guess Dr.'s no matter how much i like and
trust them. They are human and mistakes can easily be made.

 

[Diane]

well this brought up a memory of something that happened right before my sinus surgery.
The ENT had prescribed steriods to try first before doing surgery. Of coarse when i went to
see him for the first time he took my complete medical history and all the important info.
After i was done with the steriods i went back to see him about a week or two later and told
him my blood sugars were so high and almost uncontrolable while i was on the steroids and he
said...." why? do you have diabetes?" I said yes and he asked me why i didnt mention it.
I told him to look in my chart and he will clearly see that i mentioned it, and it was there
for all to see. He said if he had known that i was diabetic he wouldnt have prescribed steroids.

It just goes to prove what Jennifer said is so accurate. They have a lot of patients and just
cant remember everything and every detail about just one. Half the time they dont even bother
to look in the chart. Yes i always second guess Dr.'s no matter how much i like and
trust them. They are human and mistakes can easily be made.

 

[Diane]

well this brought up a memory of something that happened right before my sinus surgery.
The ENT had prescribed steriods to try first before doing surgery. Of coarse when i went to
see him for the first time he took my complete medical history and all the important info.
After i was done with the steriods i went back to see him about a week or two later and told
him my blood sugars were so high and almost uncontrolable while i was on the steroids and he
said...." why? do you have diabetes?" I said yes and he asked me why i didnt mention it.
I told him to look in my chart and he will clearly see that i mentioned it, and it was there
for all to see. He said if he had known that i was diabetic he wouldnt have prescribed steroids.

It just goes to prove what Jennifer said is so accurate. They have a lot of patients and just
cant remember everything and every detail about just one. Half the time they dont even bother
to look in the chart. Yes i always second guess Dr.'s no matter how much i like and
trust them. They are human and mistakes can easily be made.

 

[Diane]

well this brought up a memory of something that happened right before my sinus surgery.
The ENT had prescribed steriods to try first before doing surgery. Of coarse when i went to
see him for the first time he took my complete medical history and all the important info.
After i was done with the steriods i went back to see him about a week or two later and told
him my blood sugars were so high and almost uncontrolable while i was on the steroids and he
said...." why? do you have diabetes?" I said yes and he asked me why i didnt mention it.
I told him to look in my chart and he will clearly see that i mentioned it, and it was there
for all to see. He said if he had known that i was diabetic he wouldnt have prescribed steroids.

It just goes to prove what Jennifer said is so accurate. They have a lot of patients and just
cant remember everything and every detail about just one. Half the time they dont even bother
to look in the chart. Yes i always second guess Dr.'s no matter how much i like and
trust them. They are human and mistakes can easily be made.

 

[Diane]

well this brought up a memory of something that happened right before my sinus surgery.
<br />The ENT had prescribed steriods to try first before doing surgery. Of coarse when i went to
<br />see him for the first time he took my complete medical history and all the important info.
<br />After i was done with the steriods i went back to see him about a week or two later and told
<br />him my blood sugars were so high and almost uncontrolable while i was on the steroids and he
<br />said...." why? do you have diabetes?" I said yes and he asked me why i didnt mention it.
<br />I told him to look in my chart and he will clearly see that i mentioned it, and it was there
<br />for all to see. He said if he had known that i was diabetic he wouldnt have prescribed steroids.
<br />
<br />It just goes to prove what Jennifer said is so accurate. They have a lot of patients and just
<br />cant remember everything and every detail about just one. Half the time they dont even bother
<br />to look in the chart. Yes i always second guess Dr.'s no matter how much i like and
<br />trust them. They are human and mistakes can easily be made.