Soooo I discovered a lump on my jawline

[kilroy69 993]

Google Roger Ebert

I hate you

[Cloaca du jour 2,064]

Jack klugman. Quincy

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Why wouldn't the doc prescribe antibiotics?

Because most lymphadenitis is self limited, and may not be due to a bacterial infection - typically viral. If it is bacterial, he wouldn't know the appropriate antibiotic without culture anyway.

 

Antibiotics aren't a benign intervention. Besides increasing cost, unnecessary use promotes the development of resistance and exposes the patient to a potential adverse reaction from the antibiotic.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Why didn't you have him take a quick x-ray?

While an MRI is overkill, an X-ray would be pretty useless here. What would you expect him to find?

[wiffleball 4,631]

While an MRI is overkill, an X-ray would be pretty useless here. What would you expect him to find?

Used condom between the cheek and gum?

[wiffleball 4,631]

I hate you

kind of look like a turtle there towards the end.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Doesn't that sh!t just piss you off? I know a lot of people freak the F out when something unusual is going on and just assume the worst. But most doctors don't put themselves in your shoes and understand the mind-focking it does to you.

 

I'm sure it'll be fine, but I can understand why you're freaked out.

The alternative is do every damn test possible when the patient presents, or don't "mind-fock" them by explaining all the possibilities. Would you prefer your doctor be wasteful or dishonest?

[wiffleball 4,631]

So basically, your doctor told you to power off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power up again. Fantastic. You've got a doctor from The Geek Squad.

[Gladiators 1,900]

The alternative is do every damn test possible when the patient presents, or don't "mind-fock" them by explaining all the possibilities. Would you prefer your doctor be wasteful or dishonest?

 

I'd ask them to take the time to explain what he/she thinks it is and why. And if I tell him/her I'm concerned it could be something more serious, I'd like an explanation as to why I shouldn't be worried. That is all.

 

I've learned that the medical practice still has a loooooong way to go. Specialists don't know a whole hell of a lot. Still a ton of trial and error...wait and see...

[kilroy69 993]

So basically, your doctor told you to power off completely, wait 10 seconds, then power up again. Fantastic. You've got a doctor from The Geek Squad.

yup. Exactly. Said ice it. Take pain pills and come back if it does not go away or gets worse.

[Gladiators 1,900]

And, insurance still dictates quite a bit.

[KSB2424 3,082]

The alternative is do every damn test possible when the patient presents, or don't "mind-fock" them by explaining all the possibilities. Would you prefer your doctor be wasteful or dishonest?

Obviously you are right. However a little bedside manner goes a loooooong way. Us patients get really worried and anxious. Causing undo stress.

[wiffleball 4,631]

Seriously, I would love to know the medical basis for a week. So Doc, is that 5 Days? 7? Will nothing happen for the first six days and then something suddenly happens on the 7th? What if I wait 9 days? Will that be too late? Do all of these things develop in exactly one week? Because that's really f****** convenient I guess. How does it know? Does my body have a little calendar? What if one of those days is a federal holiday? A week my ass.

[Big Guy 1,400]

About middle way between my chin and my ear. It moves back and forth and is squishy. Hurts when I touch it. I have a dr.s appt today to see wtf is going on. Its probably a focking tumor with my luck.

 

It's probably from always looking over that fence.

 

 

 

I hope it's nothing and you're good to go.

[Gladiators 1,900]

Seriously, I would love to know the medical basis for a week. So Doc, is that 5 Days? 7? Will nothing happen for the first six days and then something suddenly happens on the 7th? What if I wait 9 days? Will that be too late? Do all of these things develop in exactly one week? Because that's really f****** convenient I guess. How does it know? Does my body have a little calendar? What if one of those days is a federal holiday? A week my ass.

 

So true

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Fock that. I would have lied and told him I had already waited a week, fix me now or at least figure out what it is. Don't you just love doctors?

This is a big part of our massive health care expenditures. Patients have unrealistic expectations, and aren't, umm, patient.

 

The doctor has a duty not to increase his patient's anxiety about a potential diagnosis. Killroy's explanation makes his doc's bedside manner sound terrible.

But the solution isn't lying to the doctor to get what you think you need. Trust the doc to do their job, or get another doctor if you think you know how to practice medicine better than your physician.

 

Besides adding to the cost of healthcare, your approach may send your doctor on a wild goose chase with unnecessary tests and procedures, derailing her from making the correct diagnosis. And heaven forbid you have a complication from a test or treatment that wasn't necessary in the first place, but you tricked or pressured your doctor into ordering it.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

Doesn't that sh!t just piss you off? I know a lot of people freak the F out when something unusual is going on and just assume the worst. But most doctors don't put themselves in your shoes and understand the mind-focking it does to you.

 

I'm sure it'll be fine, but I can understand why you're freaked out.

Most doctors I know are extremely empathetic. They can't be responsible for eliminating all the anxiety that goes along with being sick.

[wiffleball 4,631]

My neighbor had something like this. But he had a cruise scheduled. So he waited an extra week to see the doctor. It turns out, he was a week too late and died. At least according to his oncologist, everyday matters. But hey, I'm sure you'll be just fine. Say, do you have a friend that might be able to fill in for your fantasy league? You know, just in case something happens to somebody sometime. No big deal. Just wondering.

[penultimatestraw 473]

Stop it for Christ's sake ya ######.

No effing kidding. Everybody gets sick, and you don't have to assume the worst. If that is your personality, you may want to schedule an appointment with a psychiatrist after your primary care doc. Or a gynecologist.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

I've been there. Its impossible not to think/fear the worst. About 9 months ago I had some back issues. A few months prior to the back pain, I had heard from different people that they had friends with lower back pain...went to the doctor...found out they had cancer...were given a few months to a few years to live.

 

Then you go to WebMD or some other "medical" website and see the symptoms. Yeah, I've been kinda tired lately. My skin looks a little pale or yellow. My appetite has been a little different. I've gained/lost a little weight. My poop is different. Yep, I've got cancer and am going to die in 3-6 months. Focking great. Sorry wife and kids.

 

I was a hypochondriac for about 3 months and it really focked with my mind. That stress is the last thing your body needs...

Your mistake is bolded.

[Gladiators 1,900]

Most doctors I know are extremely empathetic. They can't be responsible for eliminating all the anxiety that goes along with being sick.

 

That's good. Most of the doctors around here are way too busy to take 10 minutes to listen to and talk through concerns. A lot of specialists are also weeks out, so you're in pain for weeks just waiting to see someone. Then they say, "I think it would be a good idea to have this test. Let's get it scheduled. Looks like the earliest available is 3 weeks from now." Great...5 weeks of wondering what the hell is going on.

[Gladiators 1,900]

Your mistake is bolded.

 

I know. I have friends in the medical field that told me to NEVER go there. But I couldn't help it when sitting around waiting/wondering.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

I'd ask them to take the time to explain what he/she thinks it is and why. And if I tell him/her I'm concerned it could be something more serious, I'd like an explanation as to why I shouldn't be worried. That is all.

 

I've learned that the medical practice still has a loooooong way to go. Specialists don't know a whole hell of a lot. Still a ton of trial and error...wait and see...

Sure. The doctor should answer all you questions, an reassure you if worried. Sounds like you've never been to a good doctor.

 

At some point though, the patient's concerns may be unwarranted. Despite reassurance, they demand more tests and/or meds. What should the doctor do then?

[penultimatestraw 473]

Obviously you are right. However a little bedside manner goes a loooooong way. Us patients get really worried and anxious. Causing undo stress.

Of course - but some (many?) patients can never be reassured enough.

[parrot 789]

The doctor has a duty not to increase his patient's anxiety about a potential diagnosis. Killroy's explanation makes his doc's bedside manner sound terrible.

 

First words out of my dermatologist's mouth when I had my first basal cell "Yeah, that looks like a little cancer..."

 

[Gladiators 1,900]

Sure. The doctor should answer all you questions, an reassure you if worried. Sounds like you've never been to a good doctor.

 

At some point though, the patient's concerns may be unwarranted. Despite reassurance, they demand more tests and/or meds. What should the doctor do then?

Tell them to see a psychologist? Not sure

 

I've been to a doctor probably 5 times in the last 15 years, with 3 of those being related to my back 6-9 months ago. My experience with the doctors "helping" with my back was terrible. I don't think I'd waste the time/money in the future.

[kilroy69 993]

 

First words out of my dermatologist's mouth when I had my first basal cell "Yeah, that looks like a little cancer..."

 

uhhh what? Pardon me. A little cancer? That's horrible

[penultimatestraw 473]

Seriously, I would love to know the medical basis for a week. So Doc, is that 5 Days? 7? Will nothing happen for the first six days and then something suddenly happens on the 7th? What if I wait 9 days? Will that be too late? Do all of these things develop in exactly one week? Because that's really f****** convenient I guess. How does it know? Does my body have a little calendar? What if one of those days is a federal holiday? A week my ass.

The Gregorian calendar?

 

Seriously though, this is a very good question. Most duration of therapy or interval between appointments is arbitrary. When they actually test efficacy of antibiotics, for example, just about every study shows shorter courses are equivalent to longer ones. Bacteria certainly aren't checking their watches.

 

Truth be told, time does heal a lot of problems.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

First words out of my dermatologist's mouth when I had my first basal cell "Yeah, that looks like a little cancer..."

 

How else would she describe your peemus?

[Cloaca du jour 2,064]

I had a lump on my cheek.. fam doctor said it was probably a fibroid. Had it for a few years... wife finally said get it removed or give it a name. So i went to a dermatologist. She was cool. She took a biopsy and then burned the facker off since my insurance company wont pay for anything cosmetic. Comes back as basal cell carcinoma so i have to get it dug out. When can you get me in...3 months later. All gone and healing nicely.

[penultimatestraw 473]

 

That's good. Most of the doctors around here are way too busy to take 10 minutes to listen to and talk through concerns. A lot of specialists are also weeks out, so you're in pain for weeks just waiting to see someone. Then they say, "I think it would be a good idea to have this test. Let's get it scheduled. Looks like the earliest available is 3 weeks from now." Great...5 weeks of wondering what the hell is going on.

Yeah. Outpatient medicine sucks. I work in a hospital, and take the time to answer all my patients' question. But that's a lot easier with a captive audience.

[Mookz 1,287]

 

It's probably from always looking over that fence.

 

 

 

I hope it's nothing and you're good to go.

 

 

Took me a second.

[kilroy69 993]

 

 

Took me a second.

I laughed.

[parrot 789]

How else would she describe your peemus?

 

Majestic as Fock.

[parrot 789]

uhhh what? Pardon me. A little cancer? That's horrible

In her defense I had told her my suspicion that it was a basal, but yeah just threw it right out there super matter of fact. She's a great doctor though and normally has a great bedside manner. She probably sees 20 of those a day.

[wiffleball 4,631]

this complete ass of an eye doctor that I had one time led mind you led with 'you could have a brain tumor and die!' I s*** you not. If I were older and wiser I would have reported the stupid f***. Especially since once the neurologist heard what this a****** had said he was pretty pissed off too. But he also knew that this doc was a complete .

[Djgb13 2,338]

It's prolly nothing dude. I've had two friends with similar things and they were just benign cysts.

 

But since this is the Geek Club.....

 

Whatever you do, don't google Michael Douglas. He got the C word from eating pootang.

My guess is this. Without examining it can't really give a good assessment of it

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

This is actually an excellent point. Acute HIV presents as a mono-like illness, which includes swollen lymph nodes. Primary care doctors often miss this diagnosis.

Damn pen. Way to ruin a mother fockers whole weekend.

[Bier Meister 1,512]

been eating calamari?

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYxUxdpUPRE

[titans&bucs&bearsohmy! 2,745]

 

That's good. Most of the doctors around here are way too busy to take 10 minutes to listen to and talk through concerns. A lot of specialists are also weeks out, so you're in pain for weeks just waiting to see someone. Then they say, "I think it would be a good idea to have this test. Let's get it scheduled. Looks like the earliest available is 3 weeks from now." Great...5 weeks of wondering what the hell is going on.

Most doctors I know are damn near impossible to get an appointment with and suck when you get there.

 

I went to the urologist when I was home. Still having pain in my hernia area occasionally and occasional testicular pain and some urinary issues.

 

Waited for an hour and a half after my appointment time for the doc to show himself. Could hear him bullsh!tting with what was clearly a "regular" down the hall forever.

 

He comes in, pokes and prods me for literally 10 seconds and says no recurring hernia. Says testicular pain happens and not to worry about it. Told me to take four alleve a day and wrote me a script for some drug for overractive bladder.

 

Charged me $250 for four minutes of his time. I paid cash, and for a bill for the same $250 two days later.

 

The alleve has pretty much eliminated the pain, which is remarkable given that I had the 30 hours of traveling, which usually gets me hurting pretty bad. But I am somehow not very confident in his "meh, it happens" diagnosis.

 

We need more doctors in America. The ones we have need competition. Bad.