Emergency Room Dr. on Vaping

[Katcandoo]

I had the unfortunate occasion of visiting the ER this weekend. They took the usual vitals and history, and when the Dr. asked if I smoke, I said no, but I vape. Her immediate response was then you're a smoker. She went on to say recent studies show its just as bad or worse than smoking.

I wish I had been in better shape to discuss the benefits of vaping with her. It probably would've been an exercise in futility because she obviously had her mind made up. But, she was a good doctor, and thankfully I am happily vaping at home, sporting a snazzy full arm cast with an ortho referral.

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Sorry about your arm. I have a doctor sort of like that. I keep her around because she is damned good at what she does even if a little uniformed about vaping.

 

[Chuck64]

I was in the hospital in March with blood clots in my lungs and my doctor not only approved of vaping, but was a vaper himself.

 

[Vandal]

Where on earth do these doctors get these studies? Why do they always seem to get the ones that cast vaping in an unfavorable light? Do "public health" agencies and organizations cherry pick the worst of them and make sure all doctors get copies? I don't get how so many are so misinformed. Do they not bother doing a bit of research on their own?

And if they are so wrong about that, what else might they be wrong about?

 

[mcol]

If I'm in the hospital with an arm injury, and a doctor
I've never met before asks me if I smoke, I'll answer.....
"NOPE".

 

[Eskie]

Where on earth do these doctors get these studies? Why do they always seem to get the ones that cast vaping in an unfavorable light? Do "public health" agencies and organizations cherry pick the worst of them and make sure all doctors get copies? I don't get how so many are so misinformed. Do they not bother doing a bit of research on their own?

And if they are so wrong about that, what else might they be wrong about?

Yeah, pretty much. There is such a glut of information from so many sources that it takes tremendous effort to stay current, especially if it's outside their specialty. But there are those who do understand, and as with any new idea or approach, it will filter down to be a standard of care should long term results turn out as good as they currently look.

Best approach? Nod, thank you, and move on. If their mindset isn't open to the possibility, you'll just feel more aggravated trying to point out the error of their ways.

 

[sofarsogood]

I had the unfortunate occasion of visiting the ER this weekend. They took the usual vitals and history, and when the Dr. asked if I smoke, I said no, but I vape. Her immediate response was then you're a smoker. She went on to say recent studies show its just as bad or worse than smoking.

I wish I had been in better shape to discuss the benefits of vaping with her. It probably would've been an exercise in futility because she obviously had her mind made up. But, she was a good doctor, and thankfully I am happily vaping at home, sporting a snazzy full arm cast with an ortho referral.

A cousin of mine was a scientist (chemistry) and then a physician. Here's what I learned. Scientists and doctors are NOT the same thing at all. Medicine is way way older than science. It has ancient roots and a value system much older than the scientific method. Modern medicine got a huge boost from scientific discoveries but doctors are still doctors. Doctors probably read more medical science stuff than most of us but they still aren't scientists. Docs don't know much more about ecigs than what they read in popular press because, ironically, they aren't treating illnesses caused by using ecigs because--THERE AREN'T ANY! lol

 

[AzPlumber]

I would have asked for a different Doctor, one that doesn't believe in junk science.

 

[anavidfan]

I would still tell them I used nicotine and no other details. Only reason is that Id like to make sure they know I use nicotine in case of any drug interactions.

 

[Katcandoo]

Thanks everyone for your replies and support. I came clean on the vaping in the ER because I wanted them to have all my current physical details for the best possible treatment, and I felt they needed to know I vape. The ER trauma room isn't the place to be semantic. I just wanted to share the mindset that were up against.

 

[Completely Average]

Where on earth do these doctors get these studies? Why do they always seem to get the ones that cast vaping in an unfavorable light? Do "public health" agencies and organizations cherry pick the worst of them and make sure all doctors get copies? I don't get how so many are so misinformed. Do they not bother doing a bit of research on their own?

And if they are so wrong about that, what else might they be wrong about?

My mom has been an RN for more than 50 years, specializing in ER, Intensive Care, and Hospice. She has always told me.....

There is a reason they call it PRACTICING medicine.

As in, they don't have all of the answers and they often get things wrong. Doctors are the reason the Bell Curve exists.

 

[OlderNDirt]

My doctor and my cardiologist both give vaping a thumbs up and changed my records to former smoker. Others have shared similar stories. Then we hear stories like this where some doctors vilify vaping. The sad truth is the AMA, which has put forth an enormous amount of effort to eradicate smoking, will not put forth any effort whatsoever to arrive at a consensus based on verifiable science and then publicize their stance to all doctors and the public.

Having said all that, I am not comfortable thinking the AMA has any interest in forming an opinion. And if they did, I fear there would still be doctors opting to stand by their own personal opinions, wrong as they may be.

 

[Steamix]

Where on earth do these doctors get these studies? Why do they always seem to get the ones that cast vaping in an unfavorable light? Do "public health" agencies and organizations cherry pick the worst of them and make sure all doctors get copies? I don't get how so many are so misinformed. Do they not bother doing a bit of research on their own?

And if they are so wrong about that, what else might they be wrong about?

“We Are Trained To Misinform” – Ex-Big Pharma Sales Rep Speaks Out About The Deception In The Pharmaceutical Industry

http://www.pharmexec.com/insider

 

[rico942]

Docs don't know much more about ecigs than what they read in popular press because, ironically, they aren't treating illnesses caused by using ecigs because--THERE AREN'T ANY! lol

This is a very critical point, many doctors do focus on illness, not wellness ...

I have only one friend who is a licensed physician. He's an anesthesiologist, so his patients don't really discuss their issues with him while they're unconscious ...

When I told him a couple of years ago that I had quit smoking, he was delighted. When I told him I did it by vaping, he started in with all of the "anti-freeze/exploding batteries/marketed to kids" nonsense from the mainstream media. When I disputed this, I got the "I went to doctor school, you're just an engineer" attitude ...

So I deluged his email with pro-vaping articles and studies, mostly acquired here on ECF ...

He finally relented and admitted that he could see the corruption and ideology that drives the ANTZ movement ...

But unfortunately, his patients are still knocked out, and won't benefit from his change of opinion ...

My hope is that there will be some lively discussions about vaping in the doctor's lounge ...

 

[FlamingoTutu]

Where on earth do these doctors get these studies? Why do they always seem to get the ones that cast vaping in an unfavorable light? Do "public health" agencies and organizations cherry pick the worst of them and make sure all doctors get copies? I don't get how so many are so misinformed. Do they not bother doing a bit of research on their own?

And if they are so wrong about that, what else might they be wrong about?

They get it from BP reps that bribe them.

True story, no lie. I went to the doctor with a sinus infection that had gotten pretty bad. My doctor was away and had to settle for some quack. I spent over 20 or so minutes listening to this idiot talking to some BP AH on the phone through the wall. It was all love, kisses and giggles. He then came in and diagnosed me, immediately, without even looking at my nose, with a vaginal or bladder infection and wrote a non-generic prescription.

I know one end from the other and didn't fill it. Got an appointment with my doctor. By then puss was continually draining out of my sinuses. He wrote me the proper prescription and said the other "doctor" had "moved on" to another position in the SW, I hadn't been the only one completely misdiagnosed.

It's not just vaping. Take charge of your medical needs and do your homework if you have any question about your care. Your life, or those you love, may depend on it.

 

[Two_Bears]

They get it from BP reps that bribe them.

True story, no lie. I went to the doctor with a sinus infection that had gotten pretty bad. My doctor was away and had to settle for some quack. I spent over 20 or so minutes listening to this idiot talking to some BP AH on the phone through the wall. It was all love, kisses and giggles. He then came in and diagnosed me, immediately, without even looking at my nose, with a vaginal or bladder infection and wrote a non-generic prescription.

I know one end from the other and didn't fill it. Got an appointment with my doctor. By then puss was continually draining out of my sinuses. He wrote me the proper prescription and said the other "doctor" had "moved on" to another position in the SW, I hadn't been the only one completely misdiagnosed.

It's not just vaping. Take charge of your medical needs and do your homework if you have any question about your care. Your life, or those you love, may depend on it.

You got that right.

My Uncle was seeing a Doctor Dr. Bux about 25 years ago. After Uncle Bill had been in and out of the hospital Like 4 times in 3 months. I saw the doctor and I called him Mr. Bux he stood straight trying to impress me and he said "Thats Dr. Bux'

I said when you start acting like a Doctor i will call you Dr Bux

Some people get a degree and think theybgot a new infusion of brains.

 

[Baditude]

I'm a retired surgical physician's assistant and registered nurse. When I quit smoking five years ago with the help of vaping before my retirement, I proudly announced to my fellow co-workers (surgeons, nurses, surgical assistants) that I was three weeks smoke-free. They all said, "That's great! How did you do it?"

I told them that I quit with the help of e-cigarettes. The usual question after that was "When are you going to stop using the e-cigarettes?"

I said that "I don't plan to quit vaping. Vaping is simply harm reduction. I'm receiving nicotine in a safer manner than smoking. I'm not inhaling the smoke and other carcinogens that are in cigarette smoke. Nicotine by itself is no more harmful than the caffeine that you gorge yourself with in the break room."

There was usually nothing but silence after that.

My personal doctor approved of my vaping and confirmed that I was no longer a smoker. He called my vaping device a "water pipe".

 

[mattiem]

I had a doctor visit a couple of months after I switched to vaping. My doctor at the time changed my chart from smoker to non-smoker. She was very interested in what I was using. She wanted me to show her how it worked and said she wanted to get her sister to switch. I have since had to change doctors. My new one isn't quite as open minded but she is slowly coming around.

All we can do is talk to them and try to overcome all the bad press they see and hear from all sides.

 

[Eskie]

This past weekend, I had a physician friend staying over to attend a wedding here. He's a pulmonary specialist from Harvard. When I told him I had stopped, and explained my vaping to him, he was quite pleased, and wanted more info to learn if he could recommend it, or at least support his patients who did stop that way.

Not all physicians are anti-vaping. And not all are unwilling to learn. OTOH, no one wants to get caught supporting something that turns out to be harmful. Hopefully with all the new attention, more funding will go into vape research. Unfortunately, it will probably too late for it to change the upcoming disruption of over-regulation.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

I just mentioned my thought on the challenge that doctors have to stay up to date on information in another post. Besides that, the periodicals want to make money, have full pages, and cover increasing expenses. Donations rarely come without riders.

If I was getting donations that covered 1% of my costs and I got used to it, then someone calls me up and says certain progressive articles are bad and that if I did it again, my 1% would be terminated...hmm.

I worked pretty hard for a lot of years and I need new equipment and, oh, the lawsuit about the idiot that slipped on the ink...hmm.

Do I throw it all away now, or do I wait for the kids to finish college?

Life can be cruel.