Is it too much to ask...?

[JasonEb]

I've been on dialysis for 8 years now, and I am so tired of, when hooked up to the machine, social workers bothering about insurance crud, doctors bothering me about, well...anything, nurses bothering me with the same handouts about potassium or phosphorus or whatever that I've seen literally dozens of times.  Now, thanks to Medicare's increasing "let's make things harder for everybody" policy somebody from my nephrologist's office has to actually come and SEE me on the machine at least once a month in order for him to get paid.  They come and ask me the same fershlugginer questions or make the same comments the people at the unit ask or tell me umpteen times.

"Are you feeling okay?"
"Is your bp always this high/low?"
"Your phosphorus is high...what are you doing wrong?"
"Do you have any questions?"

I feel like asking all these people that the next time they go to the dentist or have surgery or some other medical procedure or sick, and ask that right when they feel their worst, or just when they're waking up, "Hey...I've got a few questions about your tax return, okay?"

Is it too much to ask to wait for all the official crap for either before the treatment or on an off day?  Sheesh...

~Jason E.

[twirl]

I do not think you are asking for too much  -- just a little consideration

[peleroja]

It always cracks me up when I visit the doctor and the first thing she says is, "How are you feeling today?"  I usually say something like, "Not so good or I wouldn't be here!"  I can't guarantee it will ever get better, so just keep hangin in there!

[cherpep]

I also get tired of those questions, and I've only been on dialysis for 2 years (I just noticed the date - today marks 2 years exactly!).  I especially get tired of the nutritionist.  My blood test levels are great - does it look like I have any questions?  However, I do dialysis at home now, so I don't get the visits while I'm on the machine.  My monthly visits to the clinic are incredibly long, due to all the different people who have to come in and ask me questions - the same ones over & over.  Could we just do this as a group, please - I gotta get back to work. 

[silverhead]

I think I would print out an "Answer" sheet, you know with the standard answers to their standard questions, each in little groups for each person concerned. Just lay it on your blanket for all to see.
Have to remember that each of these people believe completely that their job is one of the most important things a human can do, and unless they interact with you that you will suffer unbelievable harm.
I still remember a picture on the cover of Life magazine of President Ike after his heart attack, on the chest of his pajama's was embroidered "fine Thanks", might work for you on a T-shirt

[Slywalker]

I was always tempted to do a tape recording and just hand it over to each person as they keep asking the same questions - some even on the same day.  At one point when I was in the hospital and a resident came in and asked the same questions I just got done answering for the doctor I told him to read the chart and return only after he understood why I was there, how I was feeling, what my labsl were, etc. 

Printing out an answer sheet as mentioned by silverhead is also a good option.

Sandyb

 

[Joe Paul]

I have come to accept being woke up and asked questions. Being in clinic is no different than being in the hospital, which, as you may know, is not a good place to get rest. I wonder, if you don't like being awakened, have you ever considered home dialysis?

[Bub]

Once a month a doctor will wander by and ask the same stupid questions and ignore anything I say.  Now I just continue watching the televison and grunt at them whenever they expect a response.  A grunt is all they need since they pay no attention to me any way.  If I have any issues I speak with one of our nurse practioners -- they listen.

[RightSide]

When the hospital first fitted me for my hemo catheter, they had just wheeled me back into a room when I was told that I had a call from my medical supplier.  Evidently my insurance company refused to pay for the medical supplies I had ordered.  So there I was, just out of day surgery, the mild sedative hadn't worn off yet, lying in the hospital bed with a brand new catheter in my chest and a cell phone in my hand, arguing with my insurance company!

[Stacy Without An E]

I just had a new graft put in my upper arm and a chest catheter placed until it heals.  I spoke to the hospital administrator for an hour answering all their necessary pre-surgery questions.

What happens when I get admitted to pre-op?  They ask the very same questions for an hour that they asked the previous day.

I told the nurse that and they said it was required.  This particular hospital has been having financial issues.

Should I suggest their redundancy is sinking them and making them look foolish?

Some days, having all your medical records online doesn't seem like a bad idea.  Then when my head clears and I'm conscious, I realize I prefer my privacy many times over to allow that to happen.