Thursday, May 6, 2010

Priorities

Dr. Grumpy: "Why did you stop your Plavix?"

Mr. Choochoo: "Quite frankly, doc, it's too expensive. I can't afford to pay for the pills and still meet my other living expenses."

Dr. Grumpy: "I understand that, but I'm concerned that without it you'll have another stroke."

Mr. Choochoo: "After insurance, Plavix is still $75 a month. Model trains aren't cheap."

Dr. Grumpy: "Model... trains...?"

Mr. Choochoo: "Yeah, I'm building a whole new track loop onto the set in my garage, and the trains and miniatures cost a lot." (whips out iPhone) "Here's some pictures of how it looks so far..."



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29 comments:

Helen said...

I was feeling kind of sorry for him until you got to the iPhone.

The Plaid Cow said...

We may not agree with his decision, but it is his decision to make. I wonder if the insurance company could do a cost-benefit analysis to find a way to offer this drug with a lower co-pay?

Anonymous said...

Priorities?????

Melanie said...

I once had this young twenty-something talk me out of paying his 300.00 acct balance at our clinic during the convo I started noticing things like his D&G sunglasses, his Iphone, his diamond chain he wore, and diamond earrings he had in... needless to say I didn't let him talk me out of a 300.00 acct balance ;)

stargirl65 said...

The trains could entertain all the other drooling people at the NH after he has another stroke and ends up there.

Then it might look nice at his funeral. People can turns running the trains around his casket.

Sigmoid Freud said...

Didn't someone famous once say, "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of model trains"? Or was it, "Give me an iPhone, or give me death"?

Celeste said...

All aboard the Stroke Train! Next stop, the cemetery.

Too bad he can't make the connection between avoiding a stroke and being alive to pursue his hobby. Here's the saddest part--his widow isn't going to be able to get anywhere near what he paid for that stuff when she goes to clear the place out after he dies.

Anonymous said...

Did you tell him if he has another stroke there's a possibility he won't get to play with his choo-choos again?

Some people. I mean, my God.

John Woolman said...

Aspirin? If he can take it it may be better than nothing. And model trains are life enhancing after all.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Aspirin failure. That's why he's on Plavix.

AngryPharmacyTech said...

HAHAHA gotta love patients that complain about the high drug prices but show their expensive gadgets, jewelry etc.

http://www.angrypharmacytechnician.blogspot.com/

Celeste said...

Here's a timely link:

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126560286

I still can't get over how he's had one stroke but doesn't fear another. The more I think about it, I wonder if he's in denial about what strokes can do.

Anonymous said...

Is there an app for autodialinig 911 when he has his next CVA?

CardioNP

Anonymous said...

If this guy doesn't get his priorities straight really soon, natural selection is gonna take its course.

outre said...

what the... *brain cells are attempting seppuku from the stupid but getting upset at lack of bowels to disembowel*

$75 isn't that bad. Everyone has a vice, but really? At least drugs are 'worth' the price, unlike his model trains which I bet were made overseas at a fraction of the retail price. Hopefully, he doesn't have a stroke while driving or doing something that can harm others when he becomes incapacitated.

Killy said...

I am surprised you have not yet been institutionalised Dr. You must have a cluster of nutbags in your area!

Moose said...

Hey, I'm all for self-absorbed idiots taking themselves out of the way.

At least he didn't ask to get on some special get-it-cheaper program. I'd have to come smack him around then.

Today's captcha word is: flybi. I will do flybi smacks upside the head on people like that.

jewels said...

so when patients do this do you try to convince them they have the wrong idea? Or you just let them keep talking and amuse yourself?? Hahaha

love your blog dr. G, always makes me LOL and make my coworkers stare at me like I just lost my mind

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Ms. Executive Slave- Maybe I have been institutionalized, and you guys just don't know it. For all you know I'm writing this blog when the orderlies aren't looking, and before my Thorazine kicks in.

Killy said...

Haha very good point. You very well could be doing that... Just make sure you avoid the sharp objects. Seriously I do not know how you don't stab yourself in the eye just to get away from them!

Anonymous said...

So I take Plavix and it is an expensive drug...but I'm actually a student and you should feel sorry for me because it IS expensive along with the other 9 medications I take. But I promise I don't have a model train set...I do splurge for air conditioning though because I'm a puddle of mush without it and I can't afford to be that stationary for that long.

Melissa

Grumpy, M.D. said...

Air conditioning is NOT a splurge. Some days it is a matter of life and death.

Grumpy, M.D. said...

And, for the record, I can't live without air conditioning.

Kimbra Kasch said...

Maybe it's a company phone and the train set is for his kids. You know we parents always sacrifice for our kids - sometimes way more than we should.

JoAnna Wahlund said...

I live in southern Arizona, where summer daytime temps can get to 115 degrees F. Air conditioning is pretty much a necessity.

Regarding the guy in the OP, he really needs to get his priorities straight.

Anonymous said...

Diet pepsi (diet coke) before expensive meds

;)

By the way, My clients have commented on my diet cola addiction...

Anonymous said...

Thanks Dr. Grumpy. I love my airconditioning. I'm sitting right next to it because it's as hot as hades here today.

Anonymous said...

I know Aggrenox is expensive, but what about ASA and dipyridamole? The head to head studies showed superiority with Aggrenox, but if he's not taking his medication, it's not going to do any good. I'm assuming the stroke is NOT cardioembolic in nature, otherwise, warfarin could be cheap option.

Unknown said...

Quick reality check:

NNT for avoiding another stroke with clopidogrel?

Vs NNH for bleeds?

Sounds logical to me (but then I've always had a soft spot for trains!)

 
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