Does anyone else get bad reactions from telling nurses "no"?

[Anonymous]

You know, I really sympathize with the OP. Not about nurses particularly, but about officious women in any position. I was in a Coldwater Creek the other day and while I was waiting in line the woman in front of me was being grilled for her name, address, phone number, etc, by this store person who was almost talking to her like she was a moron (just because she was in her 70's). When it was my turn and the store person started the interrogation, I just told her, in a clear voice - "I'm not comfortable giving you that information - all the information you need is on my credit card" This woman would NOT let it go. Didn't wrap my purchase, just threw it into the bag, and was really nasty.

These kind of people (those nurses, that store person) have some kind of power issue where they need to force you into their box so that they can process you .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think the Internet while wonderful has made a lot of people think they have the knowledge of someone who has gone to medical school. Keep in mind folks that as we move to socialize medicine doctors will be more pressed with patients and will have less time to go through lengthy discussions on why you need that breast exam. If I were a doctor and a patient weren't listening to my advice --I would just tell them to see other medical attention. The majority of doctors don't mind if you have a question since that is understandable--they just hate when someone with no medical background emphatically decides how their case should be handled full stop. Breast exam and pap smear are not like asking for a CT scan or a spinal tap. Get over it already.

People just aren't listening to the OP! She is having a hard time with the *nurses* not the doctors. She said a doctor had no problem with her decision in at least one instance.

This comports with my experience - we aren't MDs but you do have a responsibility to try to be educated about your care and discuss things with your doctors. Doctors (again, not nurses) have happily allowed me a lot of the flexibility OP is looking for.

Geeez, you need to calm down. PP made some great points. Just because you read about medical conditions and tests on the Internet, it doesn't mean you have any medical expertise. Just read what the breast surgeon said above about skipping breast exams.

If you aren't going to honestly read OPs or anyone else's post before responding to it, I don't know what to say.

[Anonymous]

People just aren't listening to the OP! She is having a hard time with the *nurses* not the doctors. She said a doctor had no problem with her decision in at least one instance.

This comports with my experience - we aren't MDs but you do have a responsibility to try to be educated about your care and discuss things with your doctors. Doctors (again, not nurses) have happily allowed me a lot of the flexibility OP is looking for.

Geeez, you need to calm down. PP made some great points. Just because you read about medical conditions and tests on the Internet, it doesn't mean you have any medical expertise. Just read what the breast surgeon said above about skipping breast exams.



If you aren't going to honestly read OPs or anyone else's post before responding to it, I don't know what to say.

[Anonymous]

efeldman wrote:

As a breast surgeon, I will tell you that women who are 30 can still get breast cancer, the sensitivity of your fingertips is about a 2cm cancer whereas for a trained health care professional it is about 1cm, and there is a disturbing incidence of breast cancer in pregnant women. Just something to think about.

If I really believed there was no chance that I could get breast cancer now, I would skip every breast exam until I was 45. If you are a surgeon, then you should also understand the the likelihood that I will suddenly develop breast cancer at the age of 30 is not very high.

And are you saying that pregnancy increases your chances of developing breast cancer and/or cancer is more common during pregnancy?? I think you may be alone on those beliefs if that is what you are talking about. I am having trouble trying to sort out what "disturbing" means from a scientific standpoint.

[Anonymous]

The surgeon is not alone in her beliefs.

[Anonymous]

I seriously doubt it is a surgeon

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The surgeon is not alone in her beliefs.

Cite, please.

[Anonymous]

http://www.rcog.org.uk/resources/Public/pdf/Pregnancy_breast_cancer_No12.pdf

[Anonymous]

Pregnancy-Associated Breast Cancer: A Literature Review
Surgical Clinics of North America - Volume 87, Issue 2 (April 2007)

[Anonymous]

It is my understanding that the majority of research says that the risk for breast cancer is slightly increased for a short time AFTER pregnancy, but pregnancy decreases the chances later in life.

[Anonymous]

Don't ever let anyone pressure you into doing tests or touching you when you don't feel comfortable with it. If anyone touches you without your clear and unpressured consent, they are commiting assault.

I think the best way to avoid this type of pressure is to choose a practicioner who will listen to you, respect your choices, and engage in a conversation with you about the pros and cons of each exam/test. After much searching, I found that only a CNM would provide the caring dialogue I need. I love Birthcare in Alexandria. I have opted out of a number of their "routine" procedures and have received no pressure to the contrary. When tests are really required, we discuss why and what results might occur.

Your body is yours alone. No one can decide for you what type of care you need. Please don't let doctors or nurses make you feel bad about turning down any care, touching, or testing, especially where taking your clothes off is concerned.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: If anyone touches you without your clear and unpressured consent, they are commiting assault.

I agree (in spirit) with what you're saying, but lets not get carried away. People who touch you without your "clear and unpressured consent" is almost never "assault".

[Anonymous]

Just want to second the Birthcare recommendation. Sounds like the kind of practice you would really click with and are looking for. They are great.

[Anonymous]

I don't remember when the OP is due, but Birthcare is full through November -- maybe December even. They are extremely popular and have a long waiting list. There are other WONDERFUL midwifery options in the DC Metro area, such as the DC Birth Center midwives, Midwifery Care Associates, and Special Beginnings. OP, I strongly encourage you to check out some of these practices. Simply interviewing them gets your questions answered and doesn't require any commitment on your part!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

efeldman wrote:

As a breast surgeon, I will tell you that women who are 30 can still get breast cancer, the sensitivity of your fingertips is about a 2cm cancer whereas for a trained health care professional it is about 1cm, and there is a disturbing incidence of breast cancer in pregnant women. Just something to think about.

If I really believed there was no chance that I could get breast cancer now, I would skip every breast exam until I was 45. If you are a surgeon, then you should also understand the the likelihood that I will suddenly develop breast cancer at the age of 30 is not very high.

And are you saying that pregnancy increases your chances of developing breast cancer and/or cancer is more common during pregnancy?? I think you may be alone on those beliefs if that is what you are talking about. I am having trouble trying to sort out what "disturbing" means from a scientific standpoint.

While I'm not a surgeon or a doctor, I have been told that since estrogen is high during pregnancy, it can cause breat cancers to grow quickly during pregnancy and the year following a birth of a child.