I can’t say I have anything but good things to say about my primary care physician; she’s never denied me a single test—not that I usually go hunting for them myself, since they’re typically ordered by specialists. If my doctor were to refuse anything that a specialist had actually requested, I’d simply grab my medical records and find a new practice immediately.
Generally speaking, the people who end up burning through the most insurance coverage on expensive, unnecessary testing are those struggling with anxiety, panic disorders, and the accompanying hypochondria, primarily because those conditions manifest with such intense physical symptoms. Then it becomes a domino effect—heart tests, thyroid panels, neurologists, MRIs, CT scans, endoscopies, you name it. I completely understand the need to rule out physical illnesses first, but the catch is that a psychiatrist is often the last person a patient sees, rather than the first (or second, right after the ER).
Even many doctors fail to recognize the telltale signs of a panic attack, and honestly, many patients would much rather deal with almost any other diagnosis than (heaven forbid) admit the illness is psychosomatic. I know of one case involving a college student brought to Washington, D.C. for testing—she was always the top student, incredibly driven, overextended herself with a hundred different activities, and then... well, in her rush to do everything, she ended up failing a year. Since then, she's dealt with a massive wave of symptoms. She’s seen every specialist under the sun and likely cost her family a quarter of their county's annual medical budget in testing alone. Her worried parents and fiancé are pulling all sorts of strings, only for her to finally land in front of a psychiatrist. After a thorough review of all her results and several consultations, the diagnosis comes back as anxiety (or something similar), but neither the parents, nor the fiancé, nor even the girl herself will accept it. They just keep demanding another full-body MRI and insist on an IV drip (?!). It doesn't matter what the fluid is; they just want the peace of mind that comes from having something dripping into her vein. ☕ Since the medical recommendations were rejected, they've brought their daughter back home (I'm not sure what happened after that).
I have to agree with that; those old-school partisan tactics have never actually yielded anything positive, not even once.
That is quite possibly the most glaring example imaginable; I suppose this is where you'll finally see just how fundamentally flawed this entire reform actually is. 😢
I suppose being a chronic patient changes your perspective quite a bit, though I suspect most people don't realize how different that reality is. Our healthcare system is fundamentally built on the premise that an expert manages your care while you collaborate with them, rather than following a completely deregulated or hyper-liberal model. It seems like many people mistakenly view their specialist—say, a diabetologist—as the ultimate authority in their lives, when in reality, your primary care physician should be the one steering the ship, acting as the central coordinator who consults specialists only when they need a second opinion or recommend specific follow-up tests. What we’re looking at here is a fundamental crisis in primary care. I guess you could say that a huge chunk of the work currently being handled by specialists at major institutions—like the Mayo Clinic—could easily be managed by general practitioners without any real issues. They could handle hypertension treatments, manage diabetes cases (provided they aren't extreme), perform wound care, or even prescribe medication for depression. These aren't exactly complex medical feats, but I suppose patients today seem to have this irrational obsession with seeing a specialist for everything. I suppose you're clearly young enough to be proactive about managing your own health, but in my experience, I found that most people—especially older patients—were far more appreciative when I took the time to actually walk them through specific procedures, explain what a disease really means, interpret their lab results, or just provide a concise summary of everything. Older folks generally require a much higher level of guidance than you probably do.
But I suppose I agree that we have a fundamental issue here: you send someone to an institution to deal with a specific problem, and then they just don't follow through completely... which is honestly quite tragic, because it seems the administrators are constantly at war with family doctors over money; for instance, some hospitals won't even let you use their own treatment while you're admitted, instead asking if you have your own supply from home first. Similarly, they might avoid sending you for a necessary test that could easily be done in-house, preferring instead to say; oh, it isn't urgent, it isn't vital, let someone else pick up the tab. It doesn't happen every single time, but I've seen it, and I guess that is really the deciding factor between a good department and a bad hospital.
It's because some fool wrote into the law that healthcare in America is accessible and free to everyone. Which, obviously, isn't true since you still have to cover your co-pays. Though I do agree; I feel a sense of disgust seeing people throw tantrums just because they have to pay for some cough syrup. "Doctor, is there anything available that won't cost me anything?" I hear that every single day. I agree that people lack funds, but at the same time, most of these medications aren't even necessary for them. The whole system has become inverted: some people seem to think that if a drug can be bought over the counter without a prescription, it isn't a real medicine but just some placebo, while others believe that everything worth having costs a fortune, so if you have to pay for it, it must be effective (which just causes them to lose all faith in the system). A real-life example: a woman comes in her late 30s with a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough that's lasted three days (! I honestly can't believe how many people think a cough becomes a serious symptom if it lasts longer than a day and a half!), I examine her, listen, and the findings show nothing but slightly swollen tonsils—that's it! I tell her: "What you have isn't dangerous and it will pass; it's just a sore throat and a cold; drink plenty of fluids, suck on some spicy lozenges, you don't even need special medication, just take Tylenol if a fever develops." And she responds: "Oh, so you don't think I need antibiotics?" I tell her: "No, there's no reason, no pus, lungs are clear..." and then she asks: "Well, can I at least get two days of sick leave before the weekend?" But that's just how Americans are...
Huh, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but you can always request the swabs. I don't know what the current guidelines are. :/
They are actually trying to fix this by using recurring prescriptions and digital referrals. But, I suppose the logic behind our system is that a family doctor needs to maintain oversight of your overall health and treatment plan. If you say you need referrals every month, then I guess one has to wonder what exactly you are doing with them?
I really shouldn't meddle in how other people do their jobs or judge their work ethic, but honestly, some of them are just complete animals.
I suppose I have to agree... the food can be absolute garbage; and it is quite strange how much it varies from one hospital to the next. My experience at the Mayo Clinic was actually great, but my time at the local county hospital was just awful; for breakfast, they literally serve you a single slice of whole wheat bread, one tiny sliver of bologna, and a small cup of black coffee.
Let me clarify my position here. It’s not that I’m specifically demanding a specialist just for the sake of it. The reality is that I’m managing some chronic conditions—specifically MS and asthma—that require regular check-ups and oversight from a specialist at set intervals. From a logical standpoint, if I'm seeing a specialist, they should be the ones able to issue my prescriptions. It makes zero sense that I have to loop back to my primary care physician just to get a script signed. Furthermore, if that same specialist tells me, "Come back in three months for a follow-up," I shouldn't have to run back to my GP just to schedule that appointment or get authorization. Why put patients through this unnecessary runaround? It feels like a lot of wasted movement. What exactly is the point of having the internet if we can't use it to keep doctors connected? Instead of this constant back-and-forth walking around, why isn't everything streamlined digitally? It feels like the primary care physician is being relegated to nothing more than an administrator rather than a true medical provider.
I have to agree with that; those old-school partisan tactics have never actually yielded anything positive, not even once.
That is quite possibly the most glaring example imaginable; I suppose this is where you'll finally see just how fundamentally flawed this entire reform actually is. 😢
I suppose being a chronic patient changes your perspective quite a bit, though I suspect most people don't realize how different that reality is. Our healthcare system is fundamentally built on the premise that an expert manages your care while you collaborate with them, rather than following a completely deregulated or hyper-liberal model. It seems like many people mistakenly view their specialist—say, a diabetologist—as the ultimate authority in their lives, when in reality, your primary care physician should be the one steering the ship, acting as the central coordinator who consults specialists only when they need a second opinion or recommend specific follow-up tests. What we’re looking at here is a fundamental crisis in primary care. I guess you could say that a huge chunk of the work currently being handled by specialists at major institutions—like the Mayo Clinic—could easily be managed by general practitioners without any real issues. They could handle hypertension treatments, manage diabetes cases (provided they aren't extreme), perform wound care, or even prescribe medication for depression. These aren't exactly complex medical feats, but I suppose patients today seem to have this irrational obsession with seeing a specialist for everything. I suppose you're clearly young enough to be proactive about managing your own health, but in my experience, I found that most people—especially older patients—were far more appreciative when I took the time to actually walk them through specific procedures, explain what a disease really means, interpret their lab results, or just provide a concise summary of everything. Older folks generally require a much higher level of guidance than you probably do.
But I suppose I agree that we have a fundamental issue here: you send someone to an institution to deal with a specific problem, and then they just don't follow through completely... which is honestly quite tragic, because it seems the administrators are constantly at war with family doctors over money; for instance, some hospitals won't even let you use their own treatment while you're admitted, instead asking if you have your own supply from home first. Similarly, they might avoid sending you for a necessary test that could easily be done in-house, preferring instead to say; oh, it isn't urgent, it isn't vital, let someone else pick up the tab. It doesn't happen every single time, but I've seen it, and I guess that is really the deciding factor between a good department and a bad hospital.
It's because some fool wrote into the law that healthcare in America is accessible and free to everyone. Which, obviously, isn't true since you still have to cover your co-pays. Though I do agree; I feel a sense of disgust seeing people throw tantrums just because they have to pay for some cough syrup. "Doctor, is there anything available that won't cost me anything?" I hear that every single day. I agree that people lack funds, but at the same time, most of these medications aren't even necessary for them. The whole system has become inverted: some people seem to think that if a drug can be bought over the counter without a prescription, it isn't a real medicine but just some placebo, while others believe that everything worth having costs a fortune, so if you have to pay for it, it must be effective (which just causes them to lose all faith in the system). A real-life example: a woman comes in her late 30s with a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough that's lasted three days (! I honestly can't believe how many people think a cough becomes a serious symptom if it lasts longer than a day and a half!), I examine her, listen, and the findings show nothing but slightly swollen tonsils—that's it! I tell her: "What you have isn't dangerous and it will pass; it's just a sore throat and a cold; drink plenty of fluids, suck on some spicy lozenges, you don't even need special medication, just take Tylenol if a fever develops." And she responds: "Oh, so you don't think I need antibiotics?" I tell her: "No, there's no reason, no pus, lungs are clear..." and then she asks: "Well, can I at least get two days of sick leave before the weekend?" But that's just how Americans are...
Huh, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but you can always request the swabs. I don't know what the current guidelines are. :/
They are actually trying to fix this by using recurring prescriptions and digital referrals. But, I suppose the logic behind our system is that a family doctor needs to maintain oversight of your overall health and treatment plan. If you say you need referrals every month, then I guess one has to wonder what exactly you are doing with them?
I really shouldn't meddle in how other people do their jobs or judge their work ethic, but honestly, some of them are just complete animals.
I suppose I have to agree... the food can be absolute garbage; and it is quite strange how much it varies from one hospital to the next. My experience at the Mayo Clinic was actually great, but my time at the local county hospital was just awful; for breakfast, they literally serve you a single slice of whole wheat bread, one tiny sliver of bologna, and a small cup of black coffee.
True, they don't strictly need it—though they actually do, but let them pay their own way—just like people shouldn't be taking sick leave for a simple cold. Actually, when I really think about it, I wouldn't even want people with colds coming into the office and spreading viruses around. Working in that environment, I have my own chronic condition to manage, and every single virus someone brings in could seriously impact my health. So, maybe we should all consider asking people to just STAY HOME when they're dealing with viruses, strep throat, or the flu. When it comes to medication, I feel like we’re seeing a real disconnect in how treatment is handled. Many patients living with MS should ideally be on something like interferon while they still have a genuine window of opportunity to slow down or even halt the progression of the disease, yet so few actually receive it. On the flip side, doctors are prescribing a mountain of different medications, half of which end up sitting in a trash can because they aren't right for the patient—all while people are left footing the bill. It’s a tough situation when you consider that many patients simply can't afford to shell out nearly $1,100 a month just for interferon.
I have to agree with that; those old-school partisan tactics have never actually yielded anything positive, not even once.
That is quite possibly the most glaring example imaginable; I suppose this is where you'll finally see just how fundamentally flawed this entire reform actually is. 😢
I suppose being a chronic patient changes your perspective quite a bit, though I suspect most people don't realize how different that reality is. Our healthcare system is fundamentally built on the premise that an expert manages your care while you collaborate with them, rather than following a completely deregulated or hyper-liberal model. It seems like many people mistakenly view their specialist—say, a diabetologist—as the ultimate authority in their lives, when in reality, your primary care physician should be the one steering the ship, acting as the central coordinator who consults specialists only when they need a second opinion or recommend specific follow-up tests. What we’re looking at here is a fundamental crisis in primary care. I guess you could say that a huge chunk of the work currently being handled by specialists at major institutions—like the Mayo Clinic—could easily be managed by general practitioners without any real issues. They could handle hypertension treatments, manage diabetes cases (provided they aren't extreme), perform wound care, or even prescribe medication for depression. These aren't exactly complex medical feats, but I suppose patients today seem to have this irrational obsession with seeing a specialist for everything. I suppose you're clearly young enough to be proactive about managing your own health, but in my experience, I found that most people—especially older patients—were far more appreciative when I took the time to actually walk them through specific procedures, explain what a disease really means, interpret their lab results, or just provide a concise summary of everything. Older folks generally require a much higher level of guidance than you probably do.
But I suppose I agree that we have a fundamental issue here: you send someone to an institution to deal with a specific problem, and then they just don't follow through completely... which is honestly quite tragic, because it seems the administrators are constantly at war with family doctors over money; for instance, some hospitals won't even let you use their own treatment while you're admitted, instead asking if you have your own supply from home first. Similarly, they might avoid sending you for a necessary test that could easily be done in-house, preferring instead to say; oh, it isn't urgent, it isn't vital, let someone else pick up the tab. It doesn't happen every single time, but I've seen it, and I guess that is really the deciding factor between a good department and a bad hospital.
It's because some fool wrote into the law that healthcare in America is accessible and free to everyone. Which, obviously, isn't true since you still have to cover your co-pays. Though I do agree; I feel a sense of disgust seeing people throw tantrums just because they have to pay for some cough syrup. "Doctor, is there anything available that won't cost me anything?" I hear that every single day. I agree that people lack funds, but at the same time, most of these medications aren't even necessary for them. The whole system has become inverted: some people seem to think that if a drug can be bought over the counter without a prescription, it isn't a real medicine but just some placebo, while others believe that everything worth having costs a fortune, so if you have to pay for it, it must be effective (which just causes them to lose all faith in the system). A real-life example: a woman comes in her late 30s with a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough that's lasted three days (! I honestly can't believe how many people think a cough becomes a serious symptom if it lasts longer than a day and a half!), I examine her, listen, and the findings show nothing but slightly swollen tonsils—that's it! I tell her: "What you have isn't dangerous and it will pass; it's just a sore throat and a cold; drink plenty of fluids, suck on some spicy lozenges, you don't even need special medication, just take Tylenol if a fever develops." And she responds: "Oh, so you don't think I need antibiotics?" I tell her: "No, there's no reason, no pus, lungs are clear..." and then she asks: "Well, can I at least get two days of sick leave before the weekend?" But that's just how Americans are...
Huh, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but you can always request the swabs. I don't know what the current guidelines are. :/
They are actually trying to fix this by using recurring prescriptions and digital referrals. But, I suppose the logic behind our system is that a family doctor needs to maintain oversight of your overall health and treatment plan. If you say you need referrals every month, then I guess one has to wonder what exactly you are doing with them?
I really shouldn't meddle in how other people do their jobs or judge their work ethic, but honestly, some of them are just complete animals.
I suppose I have to agree... the food can be absolute garbage; and it is quite strange how much it varies from one hospital to the next. My experience at the Mayo Clinic was actually great, but my time at the local county hospital was just awful; for breakfast, they literally serve you a single slice of whole wheat bread, one tiny sliver of bologna, and a small cup of black coffee.
What I mean is that until I hit my 30s, I was seeing a public gynecologist and was honestly pretty clueless about specific screenings. I used to think a Pap smear was plenty. When I finally decided to switch to a private specialist, I nearly had a heart attack when they asked if I’d done certain specific swabs—and I just sat there looking blank. You can carry a ton of infections without even knowing it, yet they can lead to infertility or cervical cancer. These screenings really should be the gold standard; I get them done once a year now, and I sleep much better for it. It feels like so many women only find out they’re carrying things like HPV or chlamydia once they actually get pregnant.
I have to agree with that; those old-school partisan tactics have never actually yielded anything positive, not even once.
That is quite possibly the most glaring example imaginable; I suppose this is where you'll finally see just how fundamentally flawed this entire reform actually is. 😢
I suppose being a chronic patient changes your perspective quite a bit, though I suspect most people don't realize how different that reality is. Our healthcare system is fundamentally built on the premise that an expert manages your care while you collaborate with them, rather than following a completely deregulated or hyper-liberal model. It seems like many people mistakenly view their specialist—say, a diabetologist—as the ultimate authority in their lives, when in reality, your primary care physician should be the one steering the ship, acting as the central coordinator who consults specialists only when they need a second opinion or recommend specific follow-up tests. What we’re looking at here is a fundamental crisis in primary care. I guess you could say that a huge chunk of the work currently being handled by specialists at major institutions—like the Mayo Clinic—could easily be managed by general practitioners without any real issues. They could handle hypertension treatments, manage diabetes cases (provided they aren't extreme), perform wound care, or even prescribe medication for depression. These aren't exactly complex medical feats, but I suppose patients today seem to have this irrational obsession with seeing a specialist for everything. I suppose you're clearly young enough to be proactive about managing your own health, but in my experience, I found that most people—especially older patients—were far more appreciative when I took the time to actually walk them through specific procedures, explain what a disease really means, interpret their lab results, or just provide a concise summary of everything. Older folks generally require a much higher level of guidance than you probably do.
But I suppose I agree that we have a fundamental issue here: you send someone to an institution to deal with a specific problem, and then they just don't follow through completely... which is honestly quite tragic, because it seems the administrators are constantly at war with family doctors over money; for instance, some hospitals won't even let you use their own treatment while you're admitted, instead asking if you have your own supply from home first. Similarly, they might avoid sending you for a necessary test that could easily be done in-house, preferring instead to say; oh, it isn't urgent, it isn't vital, let someone else pick up the tab. It doesn't happen every single time, but I've seen it, and I guess that is really the deciding factor between a good department and a bad hospital.
It's because some fool wrote into the law that healthcare in America is accessible and free to everyone. Which, obviously, isn't true since you still have to cover your co-pays. Though I do agree; I feel a sense of disgust seeing people throw tantrums just because they have to pay for some cough syrup. "Doctor, is there anything available that won't cost me anything?" I hear that every single day. I agree that people lack funds, but at the same time, most of these medications aren't even necessary for them. The whole system has become inverted: some people seem to think that if a drug can be bought over the counter without a prescription, it isn't a real medicine but just some placebo, while others believe that everything worth having costs a fortune, so if you have to pay for it, it must be effective (which just causes them to lose all faith in the system). A real-life example: a woman comes in her late 30s with a sore throat, a runny nose, and a cough that's lasted three days (! I honestly can't believe how many people think a cough becomes a serious symptom if it lasts longer than a day and a half!), I examine her, listen, and the findings show nothing but slightly swollen tonsils—that's it! I tell her: "What you have isn't dangerous and it will pass; it's just a sore throat and a cold; drink plenty of fluids, suck on some spicy lozenges, you don't even need special medication, just take Tylenol if a fever develops." And she responds: "Oh, so you don't think I need antibiotics?" I tell her: "No, there's no reason, no pus, lungs are clear..." and then she asks: "Well, can I at least get two days of sick leave before the weekend?" But that's just how Americans are...
Huh, I'm not entirely sure what you mean by that, but you can always request the swabs. I don't know what the current guidelines are. :/
They are actually trying to fix this by using recurring prescriptions and digital referrals. But, I suppose the logic behind our system is that a family doctor needs to maintain oversight of your overall health and treatment plan. If you say you need referrals every month, then I guess one has to wonder what exactly you are doing with them?
I really shouldn't meddle in how other people do their jobs or judge their work ethic, but honestly, some of them are just complete animals.
I suppose I have to agree... the food can be absolute garbage; and it is quite strange how much it varies from one hospital to the next. My experience at the Mayo Clinic was actually great, but my time at the local county hospital was just awful; for breakfast, they literally serve you a single slice of whole wheat bread, one tiny sliver of bologna, and a small cup of black coffee.
I go to psychotherapy. That’s one referral per month. And for the record, I haven't taken a single sick day in eight years. If I need to stay home for a couple of days because of a virus, they just deduct it from my vacation time, and that's that.
Since you brought up the USA, it’s actually pretty fascinating how they topped a recent study on the best places to live. They looked at everything, including the quality of the healthcare system. Up until recently—and I know Obama started some reforms, but he didn't go nearly far enough—it was basically a "pay up or die" situation, or you end up drowning in debt. You either have no coverage at all, or you have a policy that covers absolutely everything except the one thing that actually happens to you. Honestly, if you look at it that way, it feels like one of the most inhumane societies out there, and I’d argue their healthcare system is probably the worst ever. So many people there just don't get treated because they can't afford it, and that includes the middle class and even the upper-middle class. I honestly don't see the point of having such supposedly "genius," cutting-edge healthcare, world-class specialists, and elite hospitals if the average person can't access them. For whom is it intended?
Getting back to our own system here—there is so much that needs to change, and frankly, three pages wouldn't be enough to list it all, ranging from massive systemic failures to specific individual incidents.
Here is my top list of issues: 1. Milinović and the issues surrounding assisted reproduction. 2. Milinović and the merging of hospitals. 3. Milinović and Vuk Vrhovec. 4. As a chronic patient, I need specialist follow-ups—but the process is ridiculous. First, I have to see a GP via a referral, then wait for an appointment, then have the exam, then take the results back to the GP just to get prescriptions and more referrals for the tests the specialist requested. WHY? It’s as if I can't just receive subsequent referrals and prescriptions directly from the specialist after that first visit. 5. The current situation where clinics are handing out medications like candy, deciding what people should or shouldn't take, while chronic and critically ill patients have to live in fear wondering if their expensive life-saving medication will be approved. Why can't people just pay for their own nasal sprays or a box of antibiotics (which are overprescribed anyway), instead of forcing people to fight for their very lives? 6. Gynecologists who don't think it's necessary to send women for full swabs, opting for just a Pap smear instead—at least once! Not just right before pregnancy. 7. If I am on a permanent therapy regimen and need the exact same prescription and referral every single month, why am I forced to show up and wait two hours at the GP's office every time? Surely there could be a way to issue (semi)permanent orders. 8. The sheer rudeness and laziness of certain medical staff. You see nurses at the reception desks creating lines that stretch out the door simply because out of three people working, only one is actually helping while the other two are busy gossiping. 9. The level of hygiene and food quality in hospitals—we're talking dirty, stinking bathrooms and unappetizing cafeteria food that isn't fit for purpose, let alone meeting the dietary needs of recovering patients.
So, this started about ten months ago, yet you’re looking at a month and a half wait just to see a dermatologist? Honestly, given how hard it is to snag an appointment with a skin specialist these days, I can't say I'm surprised that wasn't your first instinct. But here's the thing: if your condition was so severe that you couldn't even sit or walk comfortably, that's considered an urgent medical situation. You shouldn't be sitting around waiting for a routine appointment in a case like that.ž Plus, let's not forget that there are always private practices and specialists available if you need faster access.
I'm just having a hard time wrapping my head around what you've been doing for the last ten months.
I think I’m actually a perfect example of this. I live with asthma, so whenever I catch a virus—and I can usually tell just by the symptoms when it's happening—it’s a bit of a gamble. If I just take it easy and follow all the standard recovery protocols, everything usually clears up fine. But sometimes, instead of getting better, things take a turn for the worse. I’ll start coughing heavily, bringing up yellow phlegm, running a low-grade fever, and feeling like it’s settled deep in my lungs. When I head to the doctor in those situations, they almost always prescribe an antibiotic. It’s pretty clear that things have become complicated; that yellow mucus is a dead giveaway that a bacterial infection has moved in, especially with the risk of an asthma attack, a lingering fever, and that worsening cough... For over a year, I didn't even have a sniffle, but then suddenly, twice within three months, I dealt exactly what I described above. I had to take antibiotics, and it wasn't until then that I finally started feeling better.
Lisa Nelson70 said:I actually had a really unpleasant experience once: I went to see a well-known doctor to get tested for STIs, and he basically told me, "Look, if you weren't living the kind of lifestyle you're living, you wouldn't even need the testing."
And you didn't just turn around and vanish into thin air like a magician? Why didn't you?
For years, I saw a doctor at a public clinic, and he never once—not even once—brought up getting swabs done. A friend of mine finally recommended a private specialist, which honestly hadn't even crossed my mind before; I didn't realize you could just opt for private care. So, I went in. The doctor looks at me and asks, "Have you had testing done for this?" Well, I didn't know. He basically told me if I wasn't sure, then I hadn't done it. Then he started pointing to different things, asking about this or that. He suggested I should get all these tests, even though I wasn't experiencing any symptoms. Since they were being recommended one by one, and none of it was cheap, he suggested I just go back to my regular public health provider.
Honestly, I was already so frustrated that I just snapped. I told him to just run EVERYTHING right then and there, regardless of what it cost, because I had absolutely no intention of ever stepping foot in that public clinic again.
It ended up costing me about $567. Maybe over $2,000? I can't remember the exact amount.
So, there I was, seeing public doctors for about ten years, getting my Pap smears and everything else, and nobody ever mentioned these specific swabs. I genuinely thought everything would show up on a standard Pap test.
It’s possible we’re looking at an emerging psychosis, potentially of a schizophrenic nature. Honestly, the best move you can make right now is to just ignore him and refuse to engage in any arguments. However, since his behavior has completely crossed the line of professional conduct, you really ought to have a conversation with his supervisor. If this keeps up or gets even worse, don't hesitate to reach out to the psychiatric team at Johns Hopkins for some professional guidance.
swiftpanther52 said:That’s all well and good in theory, but I’ve personally met far too many people who would actually try to kill you over something stupid. It’s not that I have anything against everyone, but looking at the people in my own neck of the woods, there are just way too many of them.
-Great, now we're both going to get banned for off-topic posting, but let's be honest, Scott Allen10 is the one who kicked off the season here.
Come on, tell me—you've actually met that many people in your local area who attempted suicide??
I mean, in my entire life, I haven't personally met anyone who attempted suicide; I don't even know someone through a friend of a friend, and I live in New York City and I'm about 15 years older than you. I think this is the first time I've ever actually asked someone this—where exactly do you live?
*Correction to my previous point: I can recall two cases of suicide that I heard about second or third-hand—one was about 18 years ago, and the other was a few years back outside the US.
Or they’re clinically depressed. ☕ They don't necessarily need a specific trigger; sometimes the illness itself just strips away your basic survival instinct, so I would be incredibly careful about judging anyone who takes their own life. And yeah, to echo what Scott Allen10 said—most of them really do need psychiatric help. But that isn't an excuse to mock or look down on them; these people are genuinely suffering.
Exactly, that’s my point—it seems like for this guy, being overweight isn't even considered a disease, let alone something that leads to one. Or maybe it won't.
I would honestly love to hear a professional explain that whole "inflammatory process" they kept bringing up in that show I was watching (they used American teenagers as the case studies). Regardless of what actually caused the weight gain—though if you look at their daily diets, nobody could argue it wasn't just straight-up overeating. We're talking zero fruit, zero vegetables, no soup, no stews, nothing whole grain... just donuts, burgers, fried eggs, sandwiches, and massive portions of all of it. They found that inflammatory marker in everyone on the show, but I can't recall if they actually treated it with anything. And honestly, does treating inflammation even make sense if these kids are still eating the exact same way?
Alright, now that we’ve touched upon potential causes—personally, I don't believe there's just one single reason; what applies to one person doesn't necessarily apply to everyone else.
If we look at an American teenager who grew up eating McDonald's and massive amounts of other junk food, I'd assume their weight is the result of a combination of socially accepted unhealthy, fatty, and sugary foods, alongside the habit of overeating (which is also socially conditioned, since portions can be up to five times larger than what a person actually needs). Overeating can also stem from psychological states, just as avoiding food can. For some people, perhaps an excessive appetite is triggered by an underlying physical disorder.
But the question still remains: is obesity itself a disease? I recently watched a show about obesity where they stated that in obese individuals, there is an inflammatory process occurring throughout the entire body. If I recall correctly, they were discussing this as a cause, not a consequence.
Since I’m not a doctor, I don't quite understand exactly what kind of inflammatory process that is, or how one would go about treating it.
I would say we can categorize the causes of obesity into psychological, physical, and social (lifestyle) factors. Once obesity has set in, is it a disease in and of itself (for instance, due to that inflammatory process), or can a person be perfectly healthy and "just" have excess adipose tissue?
Does a disease cause obesity, is obesity a disease, or is obesity not a disease itself but rather a generator for other illnesses (like high blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.)? It's certainly an interesting topic to dive into.
Apparently, side effects are pretty common, but they usually taper off once your body gets used to the medication (I haven't personally dealt with meds myself, so I'm just passing along what others have shared). You should check out Psychology Today online; there are tons of threads covering everything from specific prescriptions to various mental health conditions. It might be a good idea to head over there and swap stories with people in similar situations. Fingers crossed for you, and definitely let me know how things progress!
melloworca6 said:If we were just talking about panic attacks, she wouldn't be dealing with things like ringing in her ears or irregular cycles.
To me, this sounds like a hormonal issue. 🤷
Well, they’ll definitely run all the necessary tests—checking hormones, the thyroid again, and so on.
Regarding physical symptoms linked to anxiety and panic, there's a full list right here on this link (there are over 100 listed, so just scroll down)—it even includes things like tinnitus or ringing in the ears. It doesn't specifically mention menstrual changes, but we all know how stress can throw a cycle completely out of whack.
The description provided seems to align perfectly with anxiety, specifically panic disorder—those intense panic attacks along with all the physical symptoms that come with them. Of course, the first step is always to rule out any other underlying medical causes, much like the ones already mentioned. If it turns out to be panic disorder, it can be very successfully managed through medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both approaches.
Just take it from the top and this time, actually listen to what your doctor says. There’s an emergency room right there that everyone keeps recommending; if I remember correctly, you don't even need a referral to get seen. They'll get you something to help, you can talk things through with someone, and I think they even handle follow-up appointments too.
She was only thirteen at the time. It’s hard to wrap my head around the idea that events like sexual assault (whether it happens at thirteen, thirty-three, or any other age), experiencing the horrors of war, or losing someone close to you wouldn't cause trauma. In fact, it would be an understatement to say they don't cause significant psychological trauma...
The truth is, extreme, overwhelming stress is enough to inflict deep trauma on absolutely anyone, even someone who seems to be the most mentally resilient person you know.
It’s just great. Milinović’s healthcare reform has managed to drag us into the bottom three countries globally when it comes to fertility treatments, all while focusing on firing and sidelining doctors instead of trimming the fat from those protected administrative bureaucrats in places like Little Rock. But hey, I guess that’s exactly what we should have expected.