Comments on: Are You Getting the Atrial Fibrillation Treatment You Deserve?

By: Doug A.

Doug A. — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:24:33 +0000

Started having terrifying bouts of afibs in 1955, continuing until 1975, when I stopped drinking. No physician would tell me what it was (I assume because they couldn’t cure it). No problem from ’75 to ’88, when fibs returned rather frequently. Beta blockers were useless. About 1990 amiodarone kept me free of fibs until 2001, when drug caused significant damage, Have had chronic afibs (24/7) since then (I’m 83 this year). Wish I had gone to Cleveland Clinic 20 years ago, as local Mom& Pop doctors simply couldn’t handle it properly.

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 00:32:36 +0000

Pete,

Yes, it is frustrating when they think that because we’ve reached a certain age, we’re starting to lose our capacity to do normal things.

And why do they feel the need to talk down to us? Perhaps they just don’t realize that they are.

Mellanie

By: Pete Backlund

Pete Backlund — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:39:33 +0000

On a visit to a doctor’s office recently a nurse asked me who drove me to the clinic. That is another bit of elderspeak, assuming I’m to old to drive a car. I’m 68. Very annoying. I have been patronized by doctors too, assuming I’m going to believe anything they tell me in a condescending tone.

By: Mellanie

Mellanie — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 01:51:17 +0000

Dorothy and Dianne,

Good for you. We have to help people know how to treat us; perhaps they just don’t realize how it comes across.

Mellanie

By: Dianne Welsh

Dianne Welsh — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:54:44 +0000

The article about older women and men being addressed as sweetie and dear hit home. I’ve never had it happen to me yet because I don’t look my age but I know it’s coming. At that time I’ll tell them MY NAME IS DIANNE! Hope all of you speak up also.

By: Dorothy Donaldson

Dorothy Donaldson — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:26:06 +0000

The “Sweetie” and “Dear” reference is right on the money. My 100-year-old mother constantly fretted about being patronized by such terms, and now that I am 79 I share her disgust. The next time a health care professional calls me “honey” I shall answer by calling him or her “kiddo”.