ok my friends are starting to have serious things go wrong with their bodies and they are fucking up going to the doctor. Y’all. here’s my cheat sheet:
1. literally no doctor cares if you’re tired or in pain or can’t work. *but* they do care about Activities of Daily Living (ADL).
Google it, and focus on *those* as the reason why your problem is a big problem. e.g. my back hurts when I bend over => I can’t put on socks and shoes
Google it, and focus on *those* as the reason why your problem is a big problem. e.g. my back hurts when I bend over => I can’t put on socks and shoes
2. when they say “Well, we could [insert treatment]”.
Immediately reply to this with “Will that help?” and potentially follow up with “Will that help me complete [ADL]?”
Often their answer is “most people don’t find it helps but sometimes some do” 🙄
Immediately reply to this with “Will that help?” and potentially follow up with “Will that help me complete [ADL]?”
Often their answer is “most people don’t find it helps but sometimes some do” 🙄
3. Show up in kind of a decrepit state. Doctors are power freaks and they dismiss you if you’re put together. Super over-do your ADL- if you can’t put on socks, walk in barefoot. They need to see evidence of how your problem negatively affects your life when you walk in the room.
4. every problem that a man has is more important than any problem a woman has. if you’re a woman, speak to how this issue creates a problem for you husband (or make one up).
https://twitter.com/kelleyboothe/status/1481736837194563586
5. you can google stuff to come up with hypotheses but NEVER tell a doctor you have googled or what your theory is. instead, figure out what type of doctor is an expert in your hypothesis and ask your doc “please refer me to an endocrinologist so we can rule out anything there”
6. they think you’ll go away if they prescribe something so they’ll just prescribe you something random and innocuous (like “prescription-strength” ibuprofen 🙄). just skip any prescription you don’t want, e.g. I’ve never filled any of the metformin scripts I’ve been given
7. prices for procedures, imaging, etc is random and varies a TON. if you have more time than money, they are 3rd party sites that tell you how much each thing costs at different places with your insurance.
I used to spend hours to take Caltrain to San Jose to save $$$$ on MRIs
I used to spend hours to take Caltrain to San Jose to save $$$$ on MRIs
8. another great way to save money: if you think you are DYING, go to ER. check-in, and when they say they want to admit you, decline and say you just want to hang in the waiting room as long as you’re still conscious. if you pass out, they’ll admit you ASAP. if not, you owe $0
9. doctors ability to read imaging is also random: depends on how much they care about you, how tired they are, how much they remember about your context. KEEP YOUR FILMS/CDs and make sure every doctor gets them. Other doctors will see different things in the same report!!!
10. whether because they’re arrogant or they’re trying to incite your confidence in them (and thus the placebo effect), if you bring them an explanation to a new doctor they will scoff and doubt prev doc’s credentials. pretend to agree, take every new explanation with skepticism.
11. oh you know how every doctor gives you a 5 page form to fill out with all your family history of every possible disease? just skip it and give it back to them blank. they don’t even notice or look at it 🤷♀️
ooh here are some A+ phrases to use
https://twitter.com/wuggle_/status/1480701823182786561
y’all are so horrified at my money saving tips but I don’t understand how so many people have so much money they don’t need to worry about this????
here’s another one: local anesthesia is *always* WAY cheaper than general anesthesia. always choose local when you have the option
here’s another one: local anesthesia is *always* WAY cheaper than general anesthesia. always choose local when you have the option
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