Petty Vents

[PrincessFiona60]

I used to get flu shots free at work, but I quit getting them now that I'm retired. For one thing, I have never had the flu in my life. Bad colds, but no achy, fever,etc. The other reason, a good friend of ours recently developed Gillian Barre syndrome after getting the flu shot. He is in very bad shape now. I know, my doctor told me that is very rare, but it seems if something can go wrong, it will go wrong for me. So I choose not to get it.

I will never cave to a nurse again, PF. In the past few years I have been in the hospital for 3 10day stays for surgery, and 2 5 day stays for other things. I've learned a lot and realize that everyone can make a mistake and I have to look out for myself as much as I can. Don't do something just because a nurse tells you to. I respect them for what they do. They have a hard job. But no one is infallible.

As a nurse, I pay attention to what my patients say and I enjoy patients who are informed. I would rather hold a medication and get clarification from the doctor. One thing about being a patient lately, I've learned how helpless you feel when in the clutches of our healthcare system and nurses that act like robots, never questioning and being the patient advocate - which is what we are supposed to be...the patient advocate.

 

[bakechef]

I have to agree about overblown news stories. Here in Canada it is the mayor of Toronto. I don't know how I feel about him, I just know I am tired of hearing about it.

My real vent is about my new cell phone. It is great. It is how we were treated and how we got ripped off. My plan was due for renewal last Sunday. Up until then the company we are with (Fido for Canadians) was advertising the Samsung S4 for $200 with renewal. When we went there the person we have been dealing with for a few years was off. The two that were there were speaking the whole time to each other in their own language. They told us the phone was now $300 and if we wanted we could wait 2-3 weeks until the S5 comes out and the S4 would probably be lower. My phone and my tablet both weren't working and TB wanted me to have the new phone ASAP so we paid the $300. When I mentioned that we were regular customers the woman said we weren't in her system. No deals were discussed and we were treated like we were buying a candy bar.

Just yesterday TB got an email from Bestbuy advertising the S5 (different providers) for $229.

He is phoning Fido today saying either refund the entire price of the phone, give us the S5 instead and match the price or, cancel the whole thing and we will take our business elsewhere!

First the van and now this - why can't anything be simple anymore!

That's awful! That it's way too much for that phone! That it's a very good phone, but it has been out for a while so it shouldn't be nearly that expensive! Here the s4 on Verizon is $99 (USD) on contract and the s5 is $199. I believe that the s5 is even on a bogo deal right now.

Sent from my IdeaTabA2109A using Discuss Cooking mobile app

 

[cave76]

I never get flu shots. Couple of years ago my doctor talk me into it, so I did. Guess what, this was the time I got flu in years, if ever.

Rotten luck!

I have never gotten the flu shot and I probably won't ever get one unless they hold me down. That doesn't mean that flu shots are dangerous or ineffective for the most part even though the flu vaccine for a present year is made on some educated 'guesses' which are usually right but sometimes not.

If a person is worried about the thimerosal (contains a tiny amount of mercury) then it's best to only get a flu shot from an individual vial (one shot per vial) instead of those used by places that give multiple shots from the same vial. (Those multiple shot vials contain the thimerosal as a preservative and the single dose ones don't.)

If getting the flu vaccine from say a drug store or other facility that uses the multiple dose vial, if that doesn't worry you, always make sure you see the nurse open the sterile syringe and needle package in front of you.

Some will be inclined to say-------oh, that could never happen here in the U.S. Yet why does the CDC put this warning out on their site if it's never happened?

"A Patient Safety Threat – Syringe Reuse
Important Information!
Please read this fact sheet if you have received a letter stating that you may be at risk due to syringe reuse by your healthcare provider.
Patients need to be aware of a very serious threat to their health - the reuse of needles or syringes, and the misuse of medication vials. Healthcare providers (doctors, nurses, and anyone providing injections) should never reuse a needle or syringe either from one patient to another or to withdraw medicine from a vial. Both needle and syringe must be discarded once they have been used. It is not safe to change the needle and reuse the syringe - this practice can transmit disease."

CDC - Syringe Reuse - Injections Safety

I personally have been a patient in a doctors office where someone got Hep C from just that very thing! This was not a sleazy, dirty office but a very clean one with nice doctors and staff.

The decision whether or not to get a flu shot is individual but please be aware of some pros and cons first.

Sometimes the decision is 'made for you'----sometimes as a condition of employment (schools, nursing facilities, hospitals etc.) Some states (all?) require children in school and pre-school to get a flu shot. If I had a child that had to get a flu shot I'd try to have that child vaccinated by my personal doctor (single injection vial). If that's not possible, financially, then I'd sure stand by and make sure both a sterile syringe and needle is used and not just have the needle changed.

CDC has also deemed the problem of multiple uses of syringes and/or needles prevalent enough to issue this warning:

" A survey of US healthcare workers who provide medication through injection found that 1% to 3% reused the same needle and/or syringe on multiple patients "

CDC also stated :
"Whenever possible, use of single-dose vials is preferred over multiple-dose vials, especially when medications will be administered to multiple patients."

CDC - Safe Injection Practices - Injections Safety

 

[LPBeier]

That's awful! That it's way too much for that phone! That it's a very good phone, but it has been out for a while so it shouldn't be nearly that expensive! Here the s4 on Verizon is $99 (USD) on contract and the s5 is $199. I believe that the s5 is even on a bogo deal right now.

Sent from my IdeaTabA2109A using Discuss Cooking mobile app

It looks like we are getting at least a partial refund for the phone, but don't know for sure yet. They will call us back today. They were really digging in their heals about it. Canada just came up with new cell plan rules that were to make sure costs were regulated, but the companies have found ways around it of course.

On another vent, Samsung emailed this morning saying that they will not cover my Taichi repair under warranty because it was most obviously dropped. Huh? I am so careful with that thing it isn't funny. TB even laughs about how if I had a baby he knows I would be a great Mom! The power cable just stopped working one day but there were no obstructions or visible damage to it or the notebook/tablet.

I am beginning to hate electronics

 

[bakechef]

It looks like we are getting at least a partial refund for the phone, but don't know for sure yet. They will call us back today. They were really digging in their heals about it. Canada just came up with new cell plan rules that were to make sure costs were regulated, but the companies have found ways around it of course.

On another vent, Samsung emailed this morning saying that they will not cover my Taichi repair under warranty because it was most obviously dropped. Huh? I am so careful with that thing it isn't funny. TB even laughs about how if I had a baby he knows I would be a great Mom! The power cable just stopped working one day but there were no obstructions or visible damage to it or the notebook/tablet.

I am beginning to hate electronics

Check out if there are any local repair places for the tablet. It sounds like maybe the charging port went bad. If you have another charger that fits the port and it still doesn't work, it is likely the port. We have had many cell phone repair shops open in the last couple years and they work on tablets as well. If it is the charging port (that's a somewhat common failure) it shouldn't cost much to repair.

I try to take good care of my electronics as well. It amazes me to see the condition that some people's phones are in!

 

[Addie]

You have to be very proactive when in the hospital, refusing medications you know you are not supposed to take and those you are supposed to take. I was considered non-compliant because I refused to take the Lantus insulin. I had no problem taking the regular insulin and insisted on taking my normal Victoza. They also tried changing my cholesterol medications...didn't happen.

Don't cave in when in the hospital, just tell the nurse, "no". You can also demand a different nurse.

I have been "non compliant" for so long, I wear the title like a badge. I know what meds I am on and what I am not on. And every time I go to any of my doctors for a visit, they always go over my complete list which is in the hospital computer as well as Winthrop. I also bring a complete printout from Winthrop with me. I have a couple of meds that neither Medicare or Medicaid will pay for. So my ESP pays for them. One is $105 a tube. Anytime I have had to go to the hospital, I grab the tube which is right by my bedside and bring it with me. Only ESP is willing to pick up the complete cost for this med. And the hospital does not have it. All the hospital has to do is check my record from Winthrop and the computer record of the hospital.

The Elder Service Plan, (Winthrop) shares their patient information with the BMC. All their patients are instructed to go there as they have a contract with the hospital. ESP has complete access to Boston Medical Center records of their patients and visa versa. ESP has a list of meds that are listed "Upon request only" such as stool softener, inhaler, etc. that is separate from my daily meds. I love this system. There is no mix up on my meds ever at the hospital. Stool softeners as far as Medicare is concerned can be bought OTC. But should I ask for one in the hospital, they know that ESP will pick up the cost.

As much as I gripe about ESP, I am so grateful for them. I think I have the very best care anyone could ask for. I pay absolutely nothing for copay. I pay nothing for transportation. All meds are delivered right to me in my hand, in my home. If it is an OTC, all I have to do is ask for it. I get a large jar of Eucerin cream each month for my skin graph. If it is after hours, and I need some attention, but not at the hospital, there is a nurse on 24 hr. call. And there is a duly trained medical aide in the building where I live around the clock. I have no complaints.

 

[taxlady]

I never get flu shots. Couple of years ago my doctor talk me into it, so I did. Guess what, this was the time I got flu in years, if ever.

I only started getting the flu shot in 2012. I had started getting the flu every winter. In 2013, Stirling came with me and got the flu shot for the first time. This past winter was the first time he ever got the flu. But, it was most likely a different strain than what he was vaccinated for. He would have gotten it whether or not he had the flu shot. He was appalled at how awful the flu is. He swore he would get the flu shot every year. He is going to do what he can to hopefully prevent ever getting the flu again. I haven't had the flu since I got my first shot. Yay!

 

[Addie]

I have never had the flu or the flu shot.

 

[PrincessFiona60]

Norovirus is going around our sister facility that I worked at a couple of weeks ago. Now we are getting their admits until they can resume admitting...so I'm going to be doing assessments and paperwork on people who will be with us just a couple weeks.

 

[Addie]

I just got through another bout of it also. Not fun!

 

[cave76]

Norovirus is going around our sister facility that I worked at a couple of weeks ago. Now we are getting their admits until they can resume admitting...so I'm going to be doing assessments and paperwork on people who will be with us just a couple weeks.

Norovirus is one of the nastiest things around! I had it once, about 10 years ago and hope I never get it again. And I hope you don't get it, PF. Have you had the vaccine for it?

"Significant outbreaks occur in health care facilities, childcare centers and other places where people are in close quarters, including in the military and on cruise ships."

Norovirus vaccine reduces symptoms by half - Medical News Today

When an outbreak occurred in the city I was living in, I scrubbed my hands so often I almost took the skin off. And I wore a mask when going shopping.

It's one big mutthah of a disease!

 

[taxlady]

I think C Difficile can give it a run for its money. A friend of mine contracted it in the hospital and it nearly killed her. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile

 

[cave76]

I think C Difficile can give it a run for its money. A friend of mine contracted it in the hospital and it nearly killed her. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clostridium_difficile

There's no doubt that C. diff is a very serious problem. I hope your friend is o.k. now.
C. diff is a huge problem in hospitals, nursing homes, etc. That's probably the 'best' way to get it---- or go on a cruise ship.

But the notion that just 'over-use'of antibiotics is a crock which is the take-away-point of many articles about C. diff---- unless a person is in the hospital where nurses, doctors and other staff may be the people who help pass it along. Or on a cruise ship.

Door knobs are major offenders of C. diff and norovirus. Learn to use your elbows.

I took antibiotics for about 17 years with nary a C. diff problem. I'm not the only one---- go to any Lyme forum and just see how many cases of C. diff are reported---- all long time, heavy users of antibiotics. (Very rarely reported and usually after a hospital stay.)

The main difference between norovirus and C. diff is norovirus affects 'both ends' and C. diff is usually just the bottom end.

I'm not making light of C. diff because I know it's very serious.

 

[taxlady]

Yes, my friend is fine now. It was a couple of years ago. It took months, a visiting nurse, and the help of a number of friends. I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't called when I did. She sounded so awful, I rushed right over. It's one of the reasons I try to make sure I frequently keep in touch with my single friends.

 

[Addie]

As a nurse, I pay attention to what my patients say and I enjoy patients who are informed. I would rather hold a medication and get clarification from the doctor. One thing about being a patient lately, I've learned how helpless you feel when in the clutches of our healthcare system and nurses that act like robots, never questioning and being the patient advocate - which is what we are supposed to be...the patient advocate.

One of the things I love about BMC is that when the nurse comes into your room, they pull up a chair to talk to you. They don't do it standing over you. Before they give me any meds, sitting down they tell me what they are giving me and the dosage. Then they tell me what the next pills will be and what time she will be back with them. They don't talk "down" to you.

 

[cave76]

O.K.---- major steam coming out of my ears!!

I had a suspected urinary tract infection, had the test done and my doc rx'd a drug I'd never taken before for one.
But I took it and started feeling a little worse (than normal). No big deal. Then one evening I got some very sharp pains in my left shoulder, migrating down my left arm and some pains near my heart!

I've never had any heart problems but knew enough to think "maybe a heart attack"? But I didn't go to the ER and yes I know I should have----- but I also know enough about ERs and EKGs etc to think that they're never going to find out what was wrong. So I went to bed, had a hard time sleeping but survived (while thinking "come on! If you're gonna do it---- make it big time and get it over with!)

Next morning, after having survived, I checked the side effects of the drug. Guess what I found?? Shoulder pain, joint pain, feeling 'not good' yada yada. Read a Swedish medical journal article that spoke of just the same type of side effects with the conclusion that that drug should probably be removed from use!!

Ok, finally to my vent! I emailed my PCP about the side effects I had. He emailed back "I've never had a patient react this way to XXXXX even if it is listed as possible side effects".

Well, it wasn't listed as 'possible' but as one of the most common side effects! And I don't give a hoot if he'd never had a patient react like that!!!! I DID! The wording really got to me. If he had just said ' I've never had any other patient react as you did. Let's try to find another med' ---- that would have sufficed.

I'm pissed! There's a plaque in the waiting room telling patients how that office is 'patient centered'. I know where I'd like to put that plaque.

$&#@%##!!

 

[Addie]

CDC - Syringe Reuse - Injections Safety

I can honestly say I have never seen a nurse or doctor or any medical personnel not toss a used needle. I see them put the cap back on the needle and then bend it and place it in the Hazardous Waste container that is in every room. Whether it be BMC or Winthrop. Those containers cannot be opened without a certain key.

I am not saying reusing the needles does not happen, just that I have never seen it.

 

[LPBeier]

After all the trouble with our van (and we still haven't gotten a settlement yet), we can't believe that the sales manager mailed a sale flyer to us personally today.

Last time he tried phoning here TB emailed and said we were dealing with GM Head office and everything must be in writing from now on.

We were expecting a letter of apology and a cheque, not an invitation to buy a 2013 Camaro!

 

[Andy M.]

...We were expecting a letter of apology and a cheque, not an invitation to buy a 2013 Camaro!

Clearly, customers who drive a van are your target audience for a Camaro.

What a tool!

 

[taxlady]

Clearly, customers who drive a van are your target audience for a Camaro.

What a tool!

I agree, but I'm still about the wording of your reply.