Why I hate the clinic

[blas]

I had to get my Depo shot this morning. I really, really hate the clinic. Fortunately, for maybe the second or third time ever, I got an intelligent nurse when I made the appointment and got offered an 8:00 appointment. Which starts my lists of pet peeves:

1) The receptionists cannot understand what it means when I say "I work 3rd shift, so as early as possible would be great". I don't demand an appointment the next day. I get a 2 week window to get my shot, so it doesn't have to be that very moment. I'm flexible with whatever day works best for them. But all the receptionists seem to think "early" means 10:00, 9:30, 11:20, etc etc. Sometimes with them, it's like bartering in India!

2) Getting my shot literally takes 3 minutes. Going into the room, me dropping trou, and the nurse putting the shot together, wiping my cheek with alcohol, and giving me the shot, and me pulling my pants back up and walking away with a bruised bum. Why, I ask, WHY is it even if I am the first person there, am I the last person called in? A NURSE gives me my shot, not a doctor. It's really not that hard compared to what everyone else is probably there for that day! I've waited anywhere from 15-45 minutes to get my shot before.

3) I got reminded that I need to make an appointment for my yearly Pap. I have been wanting to ask that I get my doctors switched. The lady who performed my cryosurgery was very humorous and made me feel more comfortable than my regular obgyn. But guess what? She doesn't take patients who are on any form of birth control because of her religious beliefs. Which makes me wonder WTF because I've been on the shot for 3 years and she was the one who treated my abnormal cells and not my regular doc. So no funny doc for me just because I'm on the shot :(

4) I HATE being patronized because I smoke too much, eat too much fast food, drink too much caffeine. They take my blood pressure and it's normal, they prick my finger for a cholesterol reading, it comes back LOW, they see on my chart that I exercise 30 minutes every day. Does that count for anything? No. Half of the time, the nurse or doctor patronizing my diet and lifestyle is easily 50-100 pounds heavier than I am. Not really in any positon to be telling me what I should and shouldn't be doing.

5) Yes, I am still young, but I've been telling the nurse and doctor every Pap smear since I was 16 years old that I don't want children. I want to donate my eggs in a few years. They think I'm nuts!

6) I cannot get my shot in my arm. I need both my arms at work. I have ALWAYS gotten my shot in my rear end. They are supposed to keep track of that. But since I seem to get a different nurse every time, they always sigh and/or roll their eyes when I say "I usually get it in my hip". Oh God, heaven forbid I pull down my pants and you see my butt! Most nurses and doctors see many women's full frontal genitalia a hundred times a day. It really can't be that disturbing to give me a shot in my rear end.

[Banrion]

And you list the myriad of reasons I love the fact that my mom is a nurse. I got my Depo shot on Thansgiving, right after the potatoes and gravy went in the fridge. My fiance got his flu shot right after me.

It might be time to start shopping for a new doctor outside of the office you currently go to, if it is this much hassle just to get a shot. I just went through the HPV series, and a standard pharmacy doesn't typically carry vaccines, so that was 3 trips into the office I had to make, and they always got me in early if at all possible because I was so quick and easy.

I don't want you to take this as a lecture, but I know you are about my age, and have smoked about as long as I did. I just want to tell you that the Chantix that is out now is wonderful, and if you have any desire to quit whatsoever it is worth a try. I had tried to quit 3 times in the past, and the withdrawal made me such a bitch I couldn't stand to be around myself, nevermind making other people put up with me. With the Chantix there was no withdrawal, no mood swings, and very little cravings to overcome. I am 3 months quit now, and it has seriously helped my wallet. I pay myself every Saturday. The $20.00 a week I used to spend on butts goes into a "For ME!" envelope. It adds up quickly.

[hawkchick11]

I didn't know you could get Depo in your arm, I thought it had to be on your hip/cheek.

Now I've gotten the Gardisil (HPV) shot.. that is the most painful shot I've ever gotten. I got the 2nd shot in the series a little over a month ago and my arm hurt for 4 days afterward.

[Banrion]

I didn't know you could get Depo in your arm, I thought it had to be on your hip/cheek.



A long long time ago, when Depo was fairly new to the market, its prescribing instructions ONLY indicated the hip as an injection site. As time went on and more studies were done, it was realized that it is just as effective being injected into your arm, or in fact any muscle. There are some Dr's who refuse to change the practice, and others who give the patient the option of injection site. It has never bothered me to get it in my arm, so that's where I get it, except once, when I couldn't get home to see my mom, so I had to inject myself, that time it went in my thigh.

The gaurdasil didn't bother me too much either. The bruise feeling stuck around longer, but it didn't really hurt me any worse or bother me. It was fun because I got my 3rd gaurdasil in my left arm last Wednesday, and the Depo in my right on Thursday. Thank god I got my flu shot at the beginning of the month, cause I was out of arms.

[blas]

It's too late for me to have the Guardisil shot, I'm already beyond help :(

My appointment isn't for 2 more weeks (my Pap and whatnot). I really just hate the lecturing and the patronizing. I hate being yelled at for going tanning as well.

I didn't know nurses could refuse to administer shots in the hips....hope I don't get one of those any time soon! But yes, there are some who honestly roll their eyes or sigh at me. If they are offended by a buttcheek, they are in the wrong line of work!

[BookstoreEscapee]

She doesn't take patients who are on any form of birth control because of her religious beliefs.

At the risk of starting a Fratching-worthy something-or-other, this really bothers me. I'm not on birth control, but personally I wouldn't want to be seen by a doctor that has that attitude towards patient care. It's not the doctor's place to decide what kind of lifestyle I should live. There are many reasons people use birth control (especially the pill - lots of non-pregnancy-related reasons for it). And frankly, from everything I've read on the subject, I believe that the "science" that they use to support their position is dubious at best.


they always sigh and/or roll their eyes when I say "I usually get it in my hip".
I wouldn't even phrase it like that. "I need it in my hip." Don't even give them an opening to argue!

[blas]

I don't want to start a debate either. But unfortunately, they can make their own rules like that and we must abide. My mom clarified for me that this doctor treated my cervix because it wouldn't involve perscribing birth control. So the reason I can't be one of her regular patients for Pap Smears is because I am on birth control and because of her beliefs, she doesn't perscribe it or see girls that are interested in it, etc etc. I still think she's a great doctor with a great sense of humor, and if things go wrong with my girly parts again, I will definetly go to her.

All I really care is that my gyno is a woman.

[Misanthropical]

You guys are getting Depo? :eek: That is some nasty stuff!

[Banrion]

You guys are getting Depo? :eek: That is some nasty stuff!

It is the best stuff in the world EVER! I have been on it for almost 11 years, and can absolutely not live without it. I am aware of the research, and I do take care to monitor problem areas closely. I even had a bone density scan last year at 24 years old. I will still be growing bone for another 10 years, and am in normal range. My BP is low, and I have quit smoking to help keep it that way. I am a lucky one in that I have not put on weight from it, but quitting smoking sure packed on 13 lbs pretty quickly, that I am hoping to resolve next year, I just can't do it all at once.

[blas]

I'm allowed to stay on the Depo shot (they prefer most girls don't stay on it for more than a few years because of the risk of weight gain, depression, bone loss, etc), but I haven't gained any weight (well no more than what's natural) and I'm still sane (I think LOL) and nothing seems too out of whack. I don't believe those Depo horror stories.

Believe you me, I do NOT need to have a menstrual period if I don't want to. There is no real reason for me to have one. There is no reason at all why I should have to suffer if I don't want to. I also don't want any "accidents", and since I was a Pill baby, no way in HELL will I ever go on the Pill. The Patch? I've had friends who were on it. They are like bandaids when they come off, leaving residue all over the shoulder or arm or abdominal area. Yuck. IUD? No, that's a little complicated. The shot is simple, practically painless, and I only have to do it 4 times a year.

Yes, medically and scientifically, a period is totally natural, so there is a reason to have one. But I don't want one. And it's covered 100% by insurance. That's the main reason I use the Depo shot, is so that I don't have to have a period.

[Misanthropical]

I was one of those Depo horror stories. My hair started falling out, the bleeding wouldn't stop and I would cry at the drop of a hat. I would snap at everyone and was always depressed. I thought it was the nastiest stuff ever put in my body.

I'm glad it works for you guys though. I'll stick to birth control to control my cycles.

[Amethyst Hunter]

At the risk of starting a Fratching-worthy something-or-other, this really bothers me. I'm not on birth control, but personally I wouldn't want to be seen by a doctor that has that attitude towards patient care. It's not the doctor's place to decide what kind of lifestyle I should live. There are many reasons people use birth control (especially the pill - lots of non-pregnancy-related reasons for it). And frankly, from everything I've read on the subject, I believe that the "science" that they use to support their position is dubious at best.


Totally agreed. I'm about to start Yaz to regulate the monthly curse. I have NO sympathy whatsoever for those types that think they get to decide based on *personal* beliefs what total strangers can and can't do regarding a decision that person has made (in accordance with their doctor) as to their own healthcare. They don't belong in that industry if they won't do the duties they're expected to perform.

[blas]

I've wondered that as well. I can't think of many jobs where people can flat out state "I refuse to serve these people". I can't discriminate trainees at work. I have to take who I get. I mean EVERYONE, even if I don't want to.

A few years ago, a pharmacist in Menomonie, WI was in some hot water for refusing to give a girl her birth control pills. This was in '04, so I'm thinking in the past 3 years, it has become OK for doctors and pharmacists to decide who they will and will not help, prescriptions they will and will not fill, etc...

[Saydrah]

That is just... ugh. Why become a physician if you're going to refuse to prescribe possibly the most common routine medication taken by women in this country?

[blas]

Just like with people judging handicapped people and their need for spots, you can't always judge a girl on birth control either. The original reason I went on the Depo shot was because my period would NOT stop. I'd have it for months on end with just a few day breaks in between.

The Pill is notoriously good for regulating cycles, clearing acne, and other benefits as well. Not every woman seeking birth control is some Jezebel out to have lots of pre-marital sex with every man possible. But of course, there's that judging again....they probably assume any girl looking for birth control just wants to have sex. But I say, better safe than sorry!!!

[Saydrah]

Is it so bad to just want to have sex AND no more cramps so bad they put me to bed for the entire day (this from a girl who walked on a cracked ankle for two weeks before realizing that ouchy feeling was lasting a bit long for a bruise, who got a metal pole jabbed three inches into her knee and tried to get back on the horse after that, etc., etc.)?

[Amethyst Hunter]

I can't discriminate trainees at work. I have to take who I get. I mean EVERYONE, even if I don't want to...This was in '04, so I'm thinking in the past 3 years, it has become OK for doctors and pharmacists to decide who they will and will not help, prescriptions they will and will not fill, etc...

This is, unfortunately, a growing trend across the country. It actually spurred our governor to sign into law (which infuriated the nutjobs who support such bullshit 'moral clauses') a bill stating that ALL Illinois pharmacies MUST fill the prescriptions they're handed, or else refer the customers to someone who will. If you go into an IL pharmacy, you should see a sign posted somewhere at the pharmacy counter referring to this "Fair Access To BC". (This came about after a Walgreens pharmacist tried to deny a BC script in or near Chicago in '06, I believe.)

It isn't just BC they're going after either. I have heard there is currently a law in Michigan stating that paramedics can refuse to treat anyone they believe is homosexual and/or pagan.

Why become a physician if you're going to refuse to prescribe possibly the most common routine medication taken by women in this country?

That's EXACTLY why some of them ARE going into medicine: to control who gets what access to which medications. And don't think it'll stop at BC - this is just the beginning. Women are the most convenient targets right now.

There is a growing movement in America to brainwash medical personnel into believing that birth control is morally 'wrong', and that physicians should have the right to refuse certain services to certain people based on these (IMO bullshit) personal beliefs. Not coincidentally, these people are also hellbent on forcing their beliefs to be codified into law so that EVERYONE has to live according to a small minority's misogynistic dogma.

Needless to say, this really cheeses me off. :rant:

[Saydrah]

I have heard there is currently a law in Michigan stating that paramedics can refuse to treat anyone they believe is homosexual and/or pagan.


:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: :eek::eek::eek:

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused::confused:

Is this for real, or am I being Punk'd?

[Amethyst Hunter]

Is this for real, or am I being Punk'd?

Well, I'm not from Michigan so I could be wrong - but I DO know there was at least one time when the *idea* of such a law was being bandied about in some legislative circles (this was a couple of years back, I think). If it is real, the mindboggling stupidity of it (among other things) sure makes me want to :puke: Of all the things to hate people for, being gay or picking a different religion other than the culturally dominant one should be the last reasons on earth, and they sure don't count as valid reasons for refusing service (especially in potentially life-threatening situations).

The 'conscience clauses' that pharmacists like to invoke to get out of dispensing BC to all those sluts (sarcasm alert) are unfortunately very real, though.