Comments on Boomers Guide to Chronic Pain: Complaining Does Not Change the Outcome

Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Kaye, that not everyo...

2008-11-19T16:59:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the reminder, Dr. Kaye, that not everyone wants to hear the gory details of any medical issues we are having. Unless more details are asked for, it is best to keep to keep the details to ourselves.

One thing you wrote that especially drew my attention was where you said that your doctor should want to hear every detail about how you feel.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case. In this world where everyone is always rushing around with one ear up against their cell phone or their thumbs in the midst of writing a text message, doctors often seem to be rushed as well. It can be daunting to vocalize ailment details when you feel that your doctor is in a rush to see the next patient or to get out of the office.

It sometimes seems as though doctors don't allow enough time with patients, which makes all the appointments run late. Hence a vicious circle of the doctor wanting to rush through other appointments and patients feeling like they don't have enough time too speak with their doctor.

If that is the case, perhaps it is time to switch doctors to find one who doesn't make you feel like you are impinging on their time.

Everyone would be fortunate to have a doctor like you, someone who wants to hear all the ailments and truly listens.

I certainly do agree with you Dr Kaye that as we g...

2008-11-18T18:20:00.000-08:00

I certainly do agree with you Dr Kaye that as we get older it is important that we start taking better care of ourselves, just like you suggested by - staying healthy, exercise, creating proper nutritional habits, and to take the time to de-stress ourselves.

But something else struck me when I read your blog, which was - how important it is to make sure that; whatever you have to say or complain about (especially when it comes to your health) it is important that you share your woes with someone - who can actually help.

When Tim complained to Bob about his bowel troubles, Bob could only lend a sympathetic ear (even if it did put him off his meal) but Tim was really complaining to the wrong person because Bob could not actually help him.

However, it was lucky that your new patient was smart enough to not just complain about his condition (to his friends or family who, like Bob, could not have done very much about it) but he was smart enough to share this significant information with someone who could help. As it turns out, your actions were life saving.

Thank goodness he took the time to share this information with you Dr Kaye - rather than just a friend!

Funny, I know people like that too; never ask them...

2008-10-24T10:35:00.000-07:00

Funny, I know people like that too; never ask them how they are feeling before sitting down to a meal, that is what I have learned.

Now as the saying goes, "there is no such thing as a stupid question". I can't say for sure that isn't true but in the case of your health, better to reveal all to your doctor no matter how embarressing or irrelevent it may seem. Everything in your body is connected in some way.

I think complaining frankly is a matter of choice. Now making fun of it is my choice but I believe in the healing power of humor, except after you've just had a lot to drink. I see the body as this amazing instrument that gets played hard and beaten down and yet we still expect it to just stay in tune. I guess to stay with this metaphor you've got to listen to your own music. If complaining makes you feel better then by all means, dive in it is healthy to vent, but please not at the table... :)