Random thoughts and questions

I have been quite physically ill recently and have asked myself many imes how people deal with sudden accidents where their bodies need to basically be re-build? How do people deal with the severe pain everyday after a bad burn or skin graft? How do we deal with a broken ankle with pins and a staff infection and 5 months with no income?

Yeah, I quess I have figured out the mental health stuff as I go but this medical stuff is a big question to me. I feel so at the mercy of the docs and hospitals. That is perhaps the main issue here, powerlessness and pain.

I learned that I will NEVER go to my local hospital for anything more serious than stitches again.

I learned that we need to really treat the whole self. I am wondering other's thoughts on these issues? I seem to have fallen into a new world and I don't know it well from my perspective.

By the way, the above trauma's are what I have seen around me lately. My illness turns out to be chronic and maybe improvable.

...one second at a time, then one minute at a time, then.......

(((((wisewoman))))) . . . i believe you are 100% correct about treating the whole person. i don't trust any healthcare provider who doesn't follow the biopsychosocial medical model. i've had so many appointments with so many providers. however, i've only had two counselors willing to address my spiritual needs (after i mentioned my spiritual longings). i'd love to find a family physician who followed the biopsychosocial model AND would ask me about spiritual stuff.

i am very scared going to every medical appointment. i feel powerless. however, since the birth of my son, i've been learning to say, "NO!" to doctors. some medical procedures that i don't feel are necessary for my son, i refuse for my son.

i have been fortunate that my pain issues have been addressed. i can't imagine being in your shoes. ((((((((((wisewoman)))))))

i find that when you have pulmonary or cardiac issues, those specialists docs usually use a multidisciplinary approach to treat. i think it's sad more docs don't treat the whole person.

something simple as my sleep apnea being not treated may increase the likelihood i'll have cardiac problems (which everyone on my mom's side of the family has). thank goodness i had a psychiatrist refer me to the sleep clinic (of course, he was stupid and gave me tons of sleep meds too).

there is no perfect healthcare provider. we need to empower ourselves to be our own advocate. we need to ask questions. i think it's especially important to ask questions and get a referral or second opinion when a doctor is prescribing something that possibly masks symptoms of some other major problem.

i'm sorry for rambling.

wisewoman . . . are you willing and able to keep looking for healthcare providers to address your needs??? do you have providers who follow the biopsychosocial model?

My decision is to stay with my pcp but any hospital needs or tests etc willbe done at a good teaching hospital. They know their stuff. My pcp does treat my whole self but she can't make sure the xrays or MRI is of good quality etc... Thanks for your thoughts.

I want to second Jennie's comments about the biopsychosocial model. It's amazing how everything influences everything else across all of these areas. Physical health and mental health issues do all have contributing factors that depend on biology, genetics, physical characteristics, social support, your environment(s), resources available to you (or not), your thoughts, feelings, and attitudes, your beliefs and spiritual connection. It all fits together, and changing one thing can change the outcomes.

With physical pain and illness, psychological support can help you deal with the powerless and discomfort. It can even help you heal faster. Physical pain sure can have an impact on your mental health too. And think how much it can help with either when you have a good friend who knows just what to do to help you, whether it is to get something for you, make sure you get a good meal, listen so that you can feel heard, or just be there.

Rap

how did I earn the honor of a double trigger icon for this post/thread?

Thanks for your feedback Wendy. Yes it is all connected. I want to speak at length about this with my T as I have hit on something very big and I also now know that I have a form of degenerative arthritis. Lots of questions.

the third leading cause of death is right here:
http://www.health-care-reform.net/causedeath.htm

oh how true!