I met an elderly lady........

[Moggie]

whilst in hosp this week, she was very confused, which the hosp staff handled well, and soon calmed her down and sorted her out a bed.

After she was settled in the bed opposite mine they then went through her meds with her and it went like this.

Diabetes drugs

beta blockers (for irregular heart beat)

Warfarin

Anti depressants for anxiety

medication to lower cholesterol

medicatin to lower blood pressure - and as the list went on I was automatically ticking off thyroid symptoms and labels that doctors are often only to quick to label us with (like depression) and low and behold, right at the end of this very long list was THYROXINE, I then heard her say "but I dont really know why I am on this as there is nothing wrong with my thyroid now as it CURED itself!!!!"

It was heartbreaking (and frightening) for me to lay there and listen to this as, as far as I am concerned, she is a classic example of how wrong the doctors can get thyroid illness and how many of her illnesses may never have happened if her thyroid condition had been managed properly. Was she of Mercury Pharma levo that was causing the irregular hear beat - as it has done for so many of us - which then led to beta blockers and warfarin. The anxiety and depression diagnoses speaks for itself, how many on this site have had to battle against this label being added to their medical records, but I think the worst thing for me was that I couldn't help her - she was to muddled and to old to take in anything I would have said to her and her attitude that "the doctors know best" was heartbreaking to listen to. She had even arrived at the hosp a day early for her admission and they didn't have the heart to send her home so they found her a bed for the night. She was also constantly hunger (another thyroid symptom) and, being nil by mouth, was getting very agitated when others were eating. I then watched the nurses allow her to swallow her thyroid meds along with the many other pills she was taking.

I myself had to hide my proper thyroid meds (which were bought from Germany) as I had visions of the hosp staff having a hissy fit on me. They took my Eltroxin (the few I had saved especially for my hosp stay) and locked them in a cupboard as though I was a six year old and not responsible enough to be in charge of them and only dished out the exact amount (little did they know I had the German brand in my bag in case my stay was extended) and the best news of all was that my heart behaved perfectly according to the anesthetist.

Apart from their total lack of understanding of all things thyroid related (it was a gynea ward) they were brilliant throughout my stay, my op went well - although they did have to take both ovaries in the end - and the nurses and other staff were really great. I am now home and looking forward to a speedy recovery.

Moggie x

[dotti]

How very,very sad Moggie

Its a damn disgrace and thats putting it mildly, wishing you well and quick recovery from your op.

Dotti x

[Moggie in reply to dotti]

I actually felt sick watching the scene play out - she was so distressed, confused and unhappy that I had to heave myself out of the bed at one point (not an easy thing to do when your stomach muscules have just taken a hammering) and hobble out of the ward. Also made me feel very nervous about my own old age.

Thanks for the well wishing.

Moggie x

[Clutter]

Tragic about the old lady. Worse, I cant see any improvement in diagnosis or treatment in the forseeable future

I'm glad your op went well. Are you in pain or has the op relieved you of pain? Yes, to the latter part, i hope

If i have to go into hospital ill be sure to take the MP rubbish with me to hand over. Thanks for the tip

Take it easy and get well soon, Moggie x

[Moggie in reply to Clutter]

In a lot of pain at the moment - shuffling about a bit like a little old lady myself at the moment but hopefully it wont be for to long. Cant wait to have a nice bath and get into my comfortable bed tonight. I'm sure they make hosp beds so uncomfortable so that you dont prolong your stay - as if!!!!!. But the staff were lovely, which made it bareable.

Moggie x

[Marz in reply to Moggie]

Glad to hear you are on the mend Moggie. Did you wake up on that sandy tropical beach with the warm waves tickling your toes ?

The story you told I am sure could be repeated a million times up and down the country - it is so very sad and possibly costing the NHS extra millions. The only people that benefit are of course the Drug Companies - oh and the GP's who are paid for prescribing certain medications I believe.

When my Mum was in hospital before she died - I remember asking to go through her charts with the Docs and check out what seemed far too much medication - stuff to make her go - stuff to stop her going and many other contradictions. I was of course very angry - hope

it made them look more carefully - just hope it helped others....

Hope you continue to improve Moggie - take it steady and rest whilst you can. Never stand when you can sit - and never sit when you can lie.....

M x

[Moggie in reply to Marz]

As always wise and kind words. Did not use your tropical beach tip when going off to sleep but did have cause to use it regarding another very delicate matter but will have to do that privately Marz as I am not going to embarrass myself on this thread. Had a good old laugh with Sue about it though.

Moggie x

[nightingale-56]

Hi Moggie, such a sad but common tale. Nice to know that you are now 'this side' of your op and hope that you are soon on the mend. Janet.

[Moggie in reply to nightingale-56]

Thank you Janet - Must admit that it is a weight off my mind now I'm through the worse but feel very sad about the damage the medical profession has caused that poor lady.

Moggie x

[Fruitandnutcase]

Glad your op went well Moggie - hope you are up and about soon. Like you I saw poor confused old ladies like that when my mum died and I worry about that myself.

Get well soon. x

[Hidden in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Glad you are okay and its all over. X

[Moggie in reply to Hidden]

Ditto - now I can relax for six whole weeks which will be bliss.

Than you.

Moggie x

[Moggie in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I was reading a discussion just before I went in about this exact subject but didn't fully understand why the people in the discussion were so worried but now I totally understand. Is there an answer or solution to this or to stop it happening to us or our loved ones?

Thank you for your support.

Moggie x

[helvella]

Good to hear from you. Even though it is a sad little tale you relate.

Glad you didn't have any heart issues.

[Moggie in reply to helvella]

Thank you Rod and my anesthetist certainly lived up to my expectations. My heart did start playing up soon after I arrived at the hosp at noon (my op wasn't until 4pm) and by 2 oclock it was all over the place. When my anesthetist came around for the normal chat I confessed all but after looking at all the tests I had undertaken in the last year, and hearing me say "I know this is adrenal" his comment of "that's why you are having the gold standard pain relief" I knew I was in safe hands. In fact the other three members of his team were all just brilliant and actually had me laughing as the epidural was being done. But his caring act of making a special trip back to the ward to tell my daughter I was o.k. and then returning to me after I was fully awake with the sole purpose of putting my mind at rest by telling me that my heart had behaved itself is what, in my book, makes this man so exceptional. The nurse who was looking after me in recovery said he was " a special man" and I totally agree.

Makes you wonder if we would have all ended up like that poor lady if the internet, and sites like this one, had never been invented - scary thought.

Moggie x

[helvella in reply to Moggie]

It is rather reassuring that there are such people! We read so many stories about doctors who have not managed to make their patients feel cared for, we need to be reminded of the best.

[Moggie in reply to helvella]

Agreed.

Moggie x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Moggie]

Special man indeed!

[Moggie in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

I am going to write to the powers that be at the hosp and inform them exactly how exceptional this man actually is - the nurse who called him "a special man" did so with sadness as she added "I dont know what we will do when he is gone" and when I asked what she ment she told me he was near to retirement, which made me feel really lucky to have been under his care before all his knowledge and kindness is no longer available. Sadly I dont think there are many like him, who are truly caring, still left in the NHS.

Moggie x

[rosetrees]

I'm pleased your op went well and even more pleased that all the hospital staff were kind and caring to both you and the old lady. It's refreshing to hear as that is so often not the case.

Her story is the classic example of why the drug companies don't want thyroid problems to be properly treated. The cocktail she was taking make them far more profit.

When my father was dying 20 years ago I had a stand up "discussion" with his cancer consultant where I insisted that he be taken off all his medication. He was dying and he was confused. The consultant knew she was beaten and at one point lamely tried to tell me that he needed to stay on one drug in case the level of some chemical in his blood started to rise. I replied that he didn't, they could measure it and if necessary put him back on it.

[Moggie in reply to rosetrees]

Such a shame that at such a sad and stressful time you also have to fight with the people that you are supposed to trust.

I must say that I can do nothing but praise Ipswich Hosp, not just regarding my op, but for their treatment throughtout the last year in which I went through test after test with several different hosp departments. It is sad that my experiece, and this hosp, is now an exception to the rule and not the norm.

Moggie x

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to Moggie]

Isn't it just. So sad that your wonderful man is retiring. Hope his retirement is long and happy.

[paigie]

Good to hear Ipswich Hosp. is so caring. When I was admitted to a Scottish orthopedic ward 6 years ago, the nurse looked at my Oil of Evening Primrose capsules I've taken for 20 years for dry eyes, grabbed them, locked them in a locker, saying "They're not prescribed by your doctor so you can't have them". No discussion. Next time I was admitted for a hip replacement, I hid them in my wash-bag. BE WARNED !

[Moggie in reply to paigie]

Mad isn't it that the medical profession assume you are not capable of looking after your own health and must be automatically deemed so even if you are of sound mind.

Glad you also found your way around this issue.

Moggie x

[hairyfairy]

I have read that a lot of the drugs that elderly people take are unnecessary, & that doctors over medicate just too keep them quiet.

[Moggie in reply to hairyfairy]

My daughter, who is a carer, used to trust doctors until she went into this profession and was telling me only this week of a resident in her care home that is kept permanently sedated for convenience sake - criminal.

Moggie x

[hairyfairy]

I had a similar experience in an adolescent unit in the late 60`s. I was sent there for school phobia, & some of the staff, not all, mind were just interested in their pay packets at the end of the week, & would get the liquid cosh out at the first sign of any disobedience. One girl wouldn`t take tablets, so they held her down & gave her an injection. I was so scared of needles that took the tablets without complaint. I think that the average pshychiatric hospital is just a prison for people who don`t conform to what`s considered normal in our society.

[Moggie in reply to hairyfairy]

That must have been a living nightmare - how did these people get away with such abuse, because I dont care how it is dressed up and what name they wanted to call ths behavour, it was pure and simply abuse.

Can't comprehend having such an awful childhood memory but I am so sorry that you do.

Moggie x

[ianessex]

hi,, sorry I missed this post, only just seen it. hope your on the mend. I also bet they didn't even think about her vitamin d levels, you take care. rest up and recover soon. best wishes,, Ian

[Moggie in reply to ianessex]

Thank you.

Moggie x

[hairyfairy]

I think that things have changed for the better, now that society is starting to listen to young people, but in those days we were`nt considered human until we reached 21!

[Moggie in reply to hairyfairy]

The hosp staff where very good with her but it was the total mismanagement by her GP of her thyroid condition that made me so very sad.

Moggie x

[Hidden]

Oh my gosh, that's so sad. I would have been itching to say something but no doubt would have said the wrong thing. So saddened by your story. Glad your op went well though.

[Moggie]

I know, I wished she had not been so muddled or so agitated and I would possible have tried to talk to her but she didn't know where she was or why she was there so trying to talk to her about her thyroid condition that had "cured" itself would have been useless.

Yes op went well thanks.

Moggie x