new tattoo for doctors....

I have come to decide that I'm not really looking forward to the possibility of going on steroids again; although, I do understand that there are cmpletely appropriate medical uses for them.
In my case, though, the doctors really should have given me some better instructions and information before giving me the infusions and oral tablets. Until I was actually OFF the steroids, I had no idea of the long term effects they can have, or, of even the short term effects - other than the vaguely described ones on the pharmacy's mandatory paper stapled onto every rx bag.
Had I known about steroid induced diabetes, I would have told someone off for blood testing me for diabetes and then putting a note in my file that I might be diabetic.
Had I known about steroid induced psychosis, I would have understood why they repeatedly prescribed me psychological drugs without telling me - i.e. lithium or other anxiety meds - although, I don't believe that should have been done without any need for them.
Had I known that they were going to mess with my glucose and water retention, I wouldn't have eaten so many cookies or sweets or such while taking them, and I would have questioned why the docs didn't put me on a reduced sugar, reduced sodium diet while in the hospital.

I do know this now, but only after being off the steroids and doing lots of web research.... and after gaining enough weight that other than loose mesh shorts, or extremely stretchy jeans, none of my clothes fit any more!

Why, oh why, do doctors fail to inform their patients of all the known, and very likely side effects? Why do they do tests and interpret them as if there are no cohorts altering the readings, when they should know that the meds they prescribed are in fact altering the readings?

Just my little gripe for the day.

Too bad doctors don't come with a tattoo on their foreheads.... "How is my practice? Call ###-###-#### and give your report. id no.#######"

While we're at it, I'd also like to suggest the same tattoo for office staff, which would also be relayed over telephone interactions in which their forehead is not visible. Unfortunately, I worry that calling that number for the office staff may only result in reaching another individual about whom a phone call is warranted.

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