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Wife will not see a physician of any kind

Posted by lewisb @lewisb, 1 day ago

Why wife has AD...Stage 5-6. She refuses to go to the doctor unless she is in pain. She will not go to the dentist, get her annual physical, get her annual eye exam, etc. She has some kind of wart-like growths on both heels that at times are very painful. When I make appointments, by the time the appointment rolls around, she forgets that she had pain and refuses to go. Absent preventive care, I am very concerned about her longterm health. Any suggestions?

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judimahoney | @judimahoney | 1 day ago

@lewisb
Are you able to log in to her patient portal and message her Doc for advice?

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 1 day ago

Hello @lewisb welcome to connect. I had this very situation with my aunt. I know this was driven by anxiety for her but she would get pretty awful about it. Since her doctor knew me and I was on her account so they could talk to me, I went to her appointment and explained the situation, since it was too late to cancel as well. The doctor prescribed an anti anxiety pill for her to take an hour ahead of leaving the house. The most amazing thing was she was very easy and not anxious or worried in fact she was even jovial about it. The last two years of her 92 years was physically so much better for her. She got great care and was not unhappy about it.
The other thing they did was a few phone appointments to check in with her. I don’t know if any of this helps, but maybe gives you some ideas of your own. Does your wife refuse to leave her home for other things, or just for the doctor?

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lewisb | @lewisb | 1 day ago
In reply to @auntieoakley "Hello @lewisb welcome to connect. I had this very situation with my aunt. I know this..." + (show)
Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor @auntieoakley

Hello @lewisb welcome to connect. I had this very situation with my aunt. I know this was driven by anxiety for her but she would get pretty awful about it. Since her doctor knew me and I was on her account so they could talk to me, I went to her appointment and explained the situation, since it was too late to cancel as well. The doctor prescribed an anti anxiety pill for her to take an hour ahead of leaving the house. The most amazing thing was she was very easy and not anxious or worried in fact she was even jovial about it. The last two years of her 92 years was physically so much better for her. She got great care and was not unhappy about it.
The other thing they did was a few phone appointments to check in with her. I don’t know if any of this helps, but maybe gives you some ideas of your own. Does your wife refuse to leave her home for other things, or just for the doctor?

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@auntieoakley I recently tried Ativan for anxiety, but was not happy with the results. What did your aunt take? BTW my wife will not participate in virtual appointments either.

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Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | 1 day ago
In reply to @lewisb "@auntieoakley I recently tried Ativan for anxiety, but was not happy with the results. What did..." + (show)
Profile picture for lewisb @lewisb

@auntieoakley I recently tried Ativan for anxiety, but was not happy with the results. What did your aunt take? BTW my wife will not participate in virtual appointments either.

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@lewisb I am sorry, I truly don’t remember. It might be trial and error as we all respond differently to medications.

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