med advice

I'm an R.N. Why do you people waste your time on these sites asking non professionals questions?????
Go to the source. Ask your doctor. What a waste of time posting stuff here.

[alijee]

Mr. you havnt understood this forum utility. it is not for medical support but for psychological support.

[masim58]

I did post a question about a friend of mine being newly diagnosed and lister her serum levels to get an idea of the urgency of the situation.  I got a reply form a fellow group member, not from a person stating any credentials.  If this is the area to ask these questions ( I also asked about telaprevir ) but no reply from the credentialed.  Seems as though someone trained to respond to that post would have commented by now.  Having gotten a reply from someone who has been down the same road and most likely done some of their own research in the past is better than nothing.  Actually I believe experience is the best teacher.

[fretboard]

Being an RN yourself then you know already that there are alot of doctors, RN's and NP's who don't know didley squat about HepC.  Is it truly a waste of time, when most ppl who answer these questions advise the person asking the question, to check with their doctors anyways?  There has always been a disclaimer on this site, so what's the problem?  

Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.

[Kristina538]

Why waste our time by bothering to post here at all?

Horses for Courses - different people get support from different areas and this is but one.

P.S.   I'm glad you're not my nurse.   Your lack of empathy and your blind faith in Doctors leads me to believe you may need some assistance.   I can only assume you are under stress.  Have you seen a psychiatrist?

[Kristina538]

Actually,  I have to say thanks.  "Venting" to you 4 hours after my 19th shot stopped me snapping at my family.    Thank goodness for this forum!!!

[pilgrim1951]

Yes, "thank goodness for this forum!!!"  Thanks Kristina.

Forum - Free

Advice - Cheap

Humor - PRICELESS

Pilgrim

[hope_for_my_dad]

are you serious? i have been registered on this site for a whole 9 hours now and i have received more knowledge and empathy than any of my dads doctors or nurses have ever provided. so with all due respect why don't you focus  your energy on something positive. do you know that my dad requested his bloodwork info from his doctor in key west so the doctors in Texas could get his medication ordered and begin treatment to SAVE HIS LIFE. that was was three months ago. he got jacked around by his doctor and "R.Ns" who were paid in full btw. we called every other day "where are his records?" he finally had to go get new blood work done in Texas it took all of three days.that was was last week. his shots arrived yesterday.  so if you want to talk down on someone start with your own.
The people here have done nothing but help me.
thanks
have a great day
please god don't let me ever have a nurse of this nature
Ross

[copyman]

Bonnie,
Perhaps you should spend some time here and become educated. You are exactly why patients feel compelled to come to these internet sites. Incompenent Doc's & RN's like you are why people come to these sites. I see why you would be upset, seeing how the knowledgeable people here can show your patients just how little you really know. Stick to getting the docs their coffee and changing bed pans.........

[charm27]

What a sad comment to make. Obviously you dont know what support we give to each other.....Being in the medical professional you should know better. I guess you dont.

Havent  you ever needed emotional support?
This tx we are on can be very brutal for some.

Hope one day when you find yourself needing help someone is there for you. Like these wonderful people on this forum! We are bllessed to say the LEAST to have each other.
CHARM27

[monkeyfro]

I can only add my comments to support the others, I post here occasionally, I have a forum I found that is a bit more personal, but for your comments...ugh!!!!! Do you even have HCV? your lack of empathy IS appalling....no where in any of these posts does a poster claim to be able to take the place of a doctor...I am sure you will not respond to these comments, maybe because  you see the error of your comment (NOT)!

[Isobella]

Kristina--Right On!!!  Thanks for reminding me why I love this place.

Bonnie-Nice job.wow.

All-Sadly, this is a perfect example of the "future" nurses I spend my time training with.

Izzy

[proud48]

I too am an RN but have gained more knowledge here. I got no help from the HCV nurse and minimum from my GI doctor that treated me. I know everyone here has had my experience and can give me emotional support and discuss problems we all share. It is a wonderful forum.  
proud48

[meakea]

Bonnie, you mean ask our doctors like I asked my doctor last week (without getting a response) and then I made 2 follow up phone calls and I STILL have not gotten a response from him or his nurse.  A freaking week later!  I better check to see if my doc's nurse is named Bonnie.

[Marcia2202]

I don't usually say this to people, but frankly, I think you're full of krap and ...  you are definitely wasting our time...

[jdwithhcv]

We do ask our doctors.  We also post questions, information, supportive messages and helpful citations to studies, data, etc.  Frequently we learn things from the experience of others.  Try opening your mind, you can learn a lot that way.  You may be an RN but unless and until you have walked in our shoes you have no idea what this disease and treatment do to a person's life.  

jd

[nygirl7]

What a great post.

If anything, it went to show why the people in here post on the forum perfectly:

Ignorance of this disease and it's treatments and the lack of understanding and support from medical "professionals".

Many of the old timer members in here have been acknowleged by leading Heptologists as having more knowledge and experience with this disease than most GI/RNs out there who still practice old, out of date, text book only treatment.

Plus - we understand what hep feels like to be treated, we understand the isolation of this disease and the stigma surrounding it more than any non-hepper ever will.

Had i listened only to my doctor and the nurses I would have failed treatment long ago. there were very NICE people but not current on the latest developments at all. Most likely you are not either judging by your question.

However, do to the fact that people in here knew of studies that the DOCTOR was not even yet aware of - I was able to get a second opinion on my treatment by Dr. Ira Jacobson ***********(who was one of the docs that acknowledged the impressive 'education' of the members in here as being superior to most GIs)********** one of the TOP doctor/researchers in the world in the field of heptology - and was able to follow the NEW DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS and have success.

My own GI admits without this forum I probably would not have gotten rid of this disease and he is a big NY based doctor!

So there you go.  We come here because of ignorance - a good case which you just proved pretty well.

[FlGuy]

I gotta wonder about a couple of things. First, she introduces herself as an R.N. which automatically gives her tons of credence.  At least she has a lot of confidence in her accreditation which probably very important to her, if no one else.  Second, she actually went to the trouble of resigstering on this site and then wonders why people come to this site. A waste of time posting here? Apparently, not for her. With that logic, she needs to get a government job.

[nygirl7]

Oh by the way thanks.....

We've been having some "family" type in fighting on the forum lately and this is the best thing anybody could have done to make us come together as a group.  WE can pick at each other but don't anybody else dare do it cause we ARE connected, each and every single one of us on here!

[susan400]

Breast cancer patients have a support system, Diabetics have a support system..., those of us who have Hepatitis B or C need support, too!   I think that you need to be in another field than nursing because you obviously do not have an understanding of what a patient goes through and don't have any compassion.

Susan400

[jdwithhcv]

Good point.  I wonder if she will spread her particular brand of sunshine elsewhere on MedHelp.  So far it has been confined to us heppers.  Makes me feel kind of special!

[jdwithhcv]

Hey, Bonnie, I have a great idea.  Head on over to the HIV prevention board and post something superior sounding there.  I bet those folks (Teak in particular) will give you an anatomy lesson - might even rip you a new one.  Then you can join the community on the Ostomy board where the subject matter is ALWAYS krap!

jd

[Willy50]

All the above and a few more things....

Since getting good care is paramount when you have a life threatening disease anything that one can add to ones care can likely have further benefit.

Since you are a nurse (although you don't say what type or area of expertise) you must be aware that all doctors are not equally proficient.  You must also be aware that some don't have cutting edge information, may not even be cutting edge hepatologists or gastros.  Some of the people who recieve "care" from doctors do not get state of the art treatments or doctoring.  Sadly some get inadequate care.

On the other hand..... many of the people here do have some of these leading edge doctors and they are good enough to share what their doctor does and WHY.  I'm afraid that many doctors don't bother sharing the "why" with their patients.

Unfortunately.....we are also aware that on occasion patients don't even get the proper care they should from doctors.  It is not typical..... but neither is it uncommon.  I can recall a number of gaffs that doctors have made simply because they are not up on correct treatment protocols, are just flat out wrong......or just in too big of a hurry.  Boards like this can at times actually save a treatment that is about to go wrong.

Boards like this can serve to educate those who are infected.  What better way to help fight an illness than to become a better patient.  If we learn about many aspects of the disease we can help ourselves and help our doctor help us.

One of my earliest on line friends phrased it quite well.  He said; "before I found this board..... not only did I not know the answer...... I didn't even know the question."

Ask yourself...... IF you wanted information.....a "second opinion" would you be happier with just on reply.....ot 30.  Keep in mind that each of the 30 replies might either add to the information..... or qualify what people had written or provide interesting sidebars...... or one might get information on what other different doctors did in a similar event.  One ends up with a banquet of information instead of a single reply.  Which would you prefer?  (and ...... how are you finding this in the way of these answers to your question so far?)

These boards also provide humor, company and support for the HCV infected folks.  Did you know that people who have a support base have better medical results than those who go it alone?

I hope that some of these answers serve to open your eyes a little.

best,
Willy

[Trinity4]

Echo what Nygirl says.  Had the people on this forum not given me information regarding the latest treatment protocols, I would have never known about extending treatment, henceforth, my chances of SVR would have been greatly reduced given the treatment protocols my current doctor follows.  I learned on this forum and sought out a doctor who confirmed exactly what all the generous and caring people here had already told me.  So where's your logic with that?  This forum is not only for psychological support.  There is a wealth of information for those suffering with physical side effects like myself.  
Really, you are clueless, and should not speak of what you do not know.  Because of your lack of knowledge and compassion about this disease, you gave us little jolt, a reconfirmation of how much we really need and appreciate each other on this forum. I thank you for that.  If you feel you have any more intelligent information to contribute, please feel free to do so.
Trinity

[charm27]

That staement was perfectly said. COuldnt of said it any better if I tried.

Take care
CHARM

[mikesimon]

I doubt she's a nurse anyway. I couldn't care less what she posts here regardless of her credentials or lack thereof.
Mike

[Bobby1952]

       I came on this site 3 months into treatment and it was the best thing I ever did. When I told my G.I. of certain side effects like rashes and such he told me it was the Interferon or Riba causing it. No SH**  Sherlock.
       What I got from this forum was how to treat the sides which my DR knew nothing about. As each side effect came about I would ask about it on this forum and someone would tell me what helped them thru treatment. I would go to my DR with it and he would say oh yeah that might help and would give a prescription for it.
       Most DR's know only how to treat with Interferon and Riba which is really easy. A monkey could do it. They do not however know how to treat the side effects. Members come and go on this forum but they pass down the treatments for side effects and pass on other gratefull knowledge they have accumulated.
      It figures that you are a nurse. My experience is that most nurses are too full of themselves to help anyone. They think they are more knowledgeable and smarter than they really are. I am willing to bet that you could learn a lot if you put your prejudices aside and stayed on this forum to learn about HCV and its treatment. I recieved 10 times the info about treatment on this forum than I got from my GI and 100 times more than I got from his nurses.  

Bobby

[nygirl7]

NYGirl agrees with MikeSimon - just cause someone says they are something doesn't make them one. Unless you are me of course - but you all already know I am a rockstar supermodel astronaut in space anyways.

I doubt we'll hear from this person again - but it made it fun!

[jmjm530]

"Nurse" Bonnie: Why do you people waste your time on these sites asking non professionals questions?????
----------
Probably because they first asked the same question to a "professional" like yourself  and came out wanting. BTW I did ask my first NP what she thought about an important study and her response was that she's too busy to read studies. Can't remember if her name was Bonnie, but now that I think of it...

[Trinity4]

Bonnie just got more attention in 7 hrs than she's probably ever gotten in her life.  
Amazing the tactics some people use.

[eureka254]

On the list of recommendations given to us by my husband's Hepatitis Treatment doc and NP is the following:

"Join a Hepatitis C Support Group."

Perhaps Bonnie could explain to the doctor, who happens to sit on the Board of the American Liver Foundation, why she feels it's a waste of time (in her very professional opinion, of course).  

Thanks to everyone else for saying so well all the things I wanted to say but was too angry to. As Pilgrim1951 says... you are all absolutely priceless :).

PS: FlGuy, she's definitely a good candidate for a governement job, but I dunno if she'd fit the "civil" servant title...

[Marcia2202]

I love you guys... you are all making my day!!!!

[Marcia2202]

and my treatment bearable

[lchou]

You hit the nail on the head.  Obviously a sad clueless person that needs attention.  

[jacksonblue]

unbelievable doctors our like mechanics there our good and bad ones most gp have little knowledge of this desease last year when isaw my doctor he asked if i could give copy of viral load tests because he is using outdated testing going done to 600 copies and last time i saw my  gastrenolitist he took 5 articles from me i have being doing research daily for 10 years i should probably post more but find it difficult on treatment i have been to aasld meeting and 1st canadian conferance on hepatitis yet i have still learned things from this site i wish i had found it sooner there our alot of caring people here that go out of there way to help others sometimes it does get a liitle heated but that does not take away from what this forum is all about if i post what i really think of your post iam sure this would be deleted comments like yours our not needed

[bajawoman]

Look here Bonnie  I am frightened with having being recently diagnosed and need more knowledge on this disease I cannot find out from my doctor as he is a GI is savvy but very busy and no time to do research I would assume this as he should so I help him out he is not offended by my suggestions or requests he has his opinions
But without this site I would have totally been in the dark
Even my friend who is an alternative dr in TMC said I should join a forum  It is good to relate symptoms to people who understand and have time for you  I can;t go to my DR everyday or call him continuously and being here helps to see what others are going through and the information is very helpful
Not sure why you posted that you have a right to your opinion but Why did you post?? what interest is it of yours anyway if you do not think the site is good for people? I don't understand your reasoning to post?

[mcmcorp45]

Sometimes just to know your not alone in a struggle is more treatment than any professional could give. And this nurse abviously has some serious issues. But there are many good nurses out there and good doctors who support this kind of community and understand how this community can give you the extra energy to get out of bed. And by the way the "source" is the people you see here. The doctors read OUR blood results read OUR biopsy and Take OUR ultrasounds and listen to OUR comments. The researchers study OUR disease. If it wasent for OUR struggle and battle in life and the brave patients that go into clinical trials with hope to have THERE results read by "professionals" the doctors whould be as clueless as you are Bonnie...  

[wantalivlong]

Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to state what you obviously think is the obvious.  

Tell me.......does your nose bleed up there?

......give me the grace to accept with serinity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other.

[zazza]

"Probably because they first asked the same question to a "professional" like yourself  and came out wanting." (Jmjm)

Exactly so. The people here on the forum answered the questions my doctor and nurse could not answer.

[GGraphix]

Did you hear about the nurse who swallowed a razor blade? She gave herself a tonsilectomy, an appendectomy, a hysterectomy, and circumcised three of the doctors on her shift.                                                                                                                              Always remember, 50 % of all nurses and doctors graduate in the bottom half  of the class.    

[CoWriter]

"I'm an R.N. Why do you people waste your time on these sites asking non professionals questions????? "
-------------

If RNs like you learned about Hepatitis C and volunteered at places like this, then they wouldn't have to ask "non-professionals", would they?

But you don't.  So you have no right to judge those that are trying to help themselves.  

Because I'm a nurse too, I will be measured by the same ruler as you...so please, say no more.

Co

[comeagain]

What is your real problem Bonnie isn´t your Man given you what you need.

Try to talk to each other tell him what turnes you on ( got to get over your shyness here) let him tell you what turnes him on.

Good luck there is always help for every issue just you put some energy in to solving it.

ca

PS this adwise was toll- free

[Marcia2202]

LOL

[sldb]

I too am an R.N.and have been following this forum for the last 3yrs. since i completed tx for hep c.  I have gained more knowledge about hepc and updated info than i  ever recieved from my doctor.  I would not have known about extending tx (which probably saved my life) without this forum.  YOU maybe someone who puts their life into a medical professionals hands, but they are not always right.  I am in charge of my life and i do whatever i can to preserve it.  My hep is an expert in hepc, but wasnt very good at giving me much needed info so i could make choices in my healthcare.  I guess what bothers me the most about your statement is the damage it could do to someone who really needs help, has no support system, and shys away from this forum... Shame on you....

[jankar]

Well bonnie, finally someone to vent my riba rage at - you try the treatment yourself and then ask that question.  This site has been my sanity and support during the first UGLY weeks of a very stressful and unimaginably difficult experience.  The people are informed and knowledgable and we are not idiots - we know about grains of salt and such things.  Glad you are not my nurse.  My nurse thought it was great there was somewhere I could get support from fellow treatmenters.  First time I have ever used a chat room - now I really get it!

And along with grains of salt, I re-iterate what the others have said - I have learned more about Hep C and the treatments available from this forum than from anywhere else.  I have learned what questions to ask and have a forum to check the response - I do not have blind faith in anything, let alone the medical profession.

Ps.  So far my team of pracitioners in one of the major hospitals in the South Pacific are RIGHT ON TO IT!  I know - I can check with the treatment everyone else is receiving.

No response from bonnie any more - probably stopped reading, not interested - gone on to something else - wish I could leave my riba like that....

[catqueenjune]

This is just what I needed to see today.  I have ten weeks left and they might pull me off treatment.  Dermatologists are so busy their first available appt was April 2nd.  We'll see if the Urgent on my files will get me seen or not.

As for Bonnie, it's almost like she was trying to show just how bad nurses can be in attitude and lack of empathy.  Burn out is common in that profession I guess she's down to her last bit of wick.  As Jankar said this treatment is UNBELIEVABLE.  I have never suffered so much.  God bless you all, white light and love.  June

[cathy77]

To Bonnie, you being an RN with an attitude like yours adds up to your understanding of hepatitis, have you personal experience of this disease, do you know what its like to infected, well we do and share our experiences your referral to professonals advice for many is non existent for many thats why we come on these forums for support. Please dont be so critical it shows ignorance.
cathy77

[Magnum]

I for one, would like to thank you all for letting me waste my time here. I've learned things here that I've passed on to my Gastroenterologist, who was unaware of the updates on Hep C that we, who are constantly searching and not concerned about how many patients we can see in one day to fulfill our quota to pay for our insurance costs and the lame medical assistants’ incomes.

Let's keep wasting our time here so we can learn more and pass the new info to our busy doctors...

Magnum

[Bill1028]

With 47 replies, I thought we had another unprotected sex with a hooker story going.

[jmjm530]

That's here, Bill, but only 18 replies so far.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/683630

[jdwithhcv]

Perhaps its because some of us are being dazzled by Matt Chin's soulmate selling snake oil.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/683944

[Deb_c430]

be nice guys even rns loose their minds, their licenses,  even their goodsense@

[Trinity4]

Interesting , it only took you 2 minutes to find that thread Jim?

[Trinity4]

I didn't look at the thread b/4 commenting.  I really thought it was a hooker story you had stashed back somewhere.  But then again, why stash one back, another always pops up doesn't it?
It's the bogus urine on the tire - blood on my hand thread.  

[jmjm530]

It actually took two seconds but spent the first 118 seconds laughing at Bill's post.

[stubby226]

Bonnie, Is your RN stand for register Nurse Or REGISTER NUT!!!!!You certainly presented yourself as a nut.  I too am an RN, have been thru tx only to have Hep C reoccur.  I never felt closer  to others or better then when I  joined these support groups.  They listed sx that I never knew was related to the Hep C.  I just thought I was loosing my mind.  Until you have walked a mile in our shoes you have not earned the right to put us down.  As a NUT be careful you do not CRACK.

[Mary4now]

Where'd Bonnie Go?

[meakea]

My hunch is that "Bonnie" was just a pot-stirrer...probably not an RN at all.  

[Bill1028]

I was wondering what happened to Mattchin.  The last time he posted, he was about produce evidence of curing his mom and dad.  I’m a bit concerned because there were reporting’s of UFO’s over Turkey that day.  I hope he is okay.

[jt57]

I have one simple question.  Why are you on this forum???

You profess to be an RN with a lot of confidence in Drs.  So why are you even lurking on this forum in the first place?

Jean

[pjhep80]

bonnie you ignorant ****...

im sorry snl flashback...

lol

dont think whoever this is is an RN on any other kinda N just someone who enjoys screwing with people... you know, those cowardly, sad, pathetic, lonely, websurfer type people with no real life of their own so they get their rocks off antagonizing people in a 'virtual world'...

great replies everyone ...