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Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:22 pm
by jlk
I bet your kids sleep techs. were on-line during their study time. That explains why calist is posting so much betweem 11:00 pm and 5:oo am. Anyone else notice that, he should have been watching patients, not surfing websites. It explains what happened in my study now. I thought my tech. must have went across street to pump gas or flip burgers. john
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 5:48 pm
by elena88
I think he sounds like a disgruntled employee or imposter..
I would hate to think he was using someone elses name and spreading all this havoc.
I cant believe he actually works here:
http://www.nationaljewish.org/programs/ ... index.aspx
I think he is the sort of person who cant function around people for very long without alienating them.. so a long term job history.. uh, no...
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 6:23 pm
by lbw
Over 26 years in Nursing from Acute Care, Neuro and Cardiac, now in Long term Care
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:58 am
by So Well
Madalot wrote: I am blaming him and his abuse for the fact that I had a horrible night, choking on and off throughout the night ON THE VENTILATOR that he claims I'm not using and had one of the worst overnight pulse ox tests I've had since I started all this. I'm hoping I was just irritated by him and it's not a sign that I'm in big trouble. But I had a horrific night.
Jumpin' jeepers creepers Batman. Put that vermin on your "Foes" list and stay away from him. Don't make this your crusade. He is not worth one of your nights. Plenty of other good people here to whack that rat back into his hole.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:02 am
by Madalot
So Well wrote:Madalot wrote: I am blaming him and his abuse for the fact that I had a horrible night, choking on and off throughout the night ON THE VENTILATOR that he claims I'm not using and had one of the worst overnight pulse ox tests I've had since I started all this. I'm hoping I was just irritated by him and it's not a sign that I'm in big trouble. But I had a horrific night.
Jumpin' jeepers creepers Batman. Put that vermin on your "Foes" list and stay away from him. Don't make this your crusade. He is not worth one of your nights. Plenty of other good people here to whack that rat back into his hole.
Agreed. And last night was a whole lot better.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 3:05 pm
by Sillyme
Guest
Also Posted As:
(Calist)
Reply with quote Re: help me address these comments
by Guest on Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:28 am
What bothers me is the need to be deceptive. You really played it out - even answering yourself. That's not a good sign - even if you're an incredibly bored sleep tech watching people snore all night. The other problem is the lack of tact and maybe compassion. 90% of patients may not be 'stupid', they may need to be encouraged or empowered or educated to take responsibility for their own well-being rather than depend on a doctor to 'fix' them. Telling it like you see it is ok by me, but there are more constructive ways to 'see it'. Anyway, I have trouble getting past the split personality. You're credibility is pretty well shot for me.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:24 pm
by cwied
Sillyme wrote:Guest
Also Posted As:
(Calist)
Reply with quote Re: help me address these comments
by Guest on Sat Oct 09, 2010 3:28 am
What bothers me is the need to be deceptive. You really played it out - even answering yourself. That's not a good sign - even if you're an incredibly bored sleep tech watching people snore all night. The other problem is the lack of tact and maybe compassion. 90% of patients may not be 'stupid', they may need to be encouraged or empowered or educated to take responsibility for their own well-being rather than depend on a doctor to 'fix' them. Telling it like you see it is ok by me, but there are more constructive ways to 'see it'. Anyway, I have trouble getting past the split personality. You're credibility is pretty well shot for me.
I'm not sure I should jump in here, but I think the vendetta against calist is getting a little out of hand. It's quite obvious that the most recent time he posted as "Guest" he accidentally forgot to log in (especially since he posted the same message again while logged in). I've seen this happen to several other posters. Some people seem to think that the other guest poster (who later registered as "The Guest") also was calist, but I personally suspect that they are actually different people due to the lack of confrontational style from the other poster. When I posted a message asking calist a question without attacking him,
I was accused of being another alias for calist, so perhaps I have a little more personally biased opinion of this.
There is no question that calist is confrontational and angry at what he perceives to be ungrateful and ignorant patients. On the other hand, I don't think there's any evidence to suggest that he's going out of his way to deceive in the way that's been suggested here. Certainly posting his real name here is not a sign of that.
It's clear that calist has issues and is not very quick to admit to the fact that the current knowledge of the medical field allows for a fair amount of grey area, but I don't think that this board is improved by the three to five personal attacks that are posted in every thread every time calist decides to let post something (whether it is a troll or informative post).
I suspect that many here have encountered resistance or condescension from medical professionals while trying to understand their ailments and as such are very sensitive to suggestions that patients should be less self-empowered. This doesn't mean, however, that we can't learn from medical professionals. calist is certainly not the easiest person to talk to, but I think he does occasionally give real answers to technical questions.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 4:41 pm
by scrapper
deleted by author
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 5:56 pm
by Sillyme
scrapper wrote:What in the heck are you talking about?
I think you're mixing up quotes. Go back and re-read the previous two posts. Anyway, I guess I didn't need to pile on. And I
have learned a few things from the discussion that's been generated.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 6:54 pm
by Madalot
cwied wrote:I suspect that many here have encountered resistance or condescension from medical professionals while trying to understand their ailments and as such are very sensitive to suggestions that patients should be less self-empowered. This doesn't mean, however, that we can't learn from medical professionals. calist is certainly not the easiest person to talk to, but I think he does occasionally give real answers to technical questions.
I respect what you're trying to do. And I agree that many medical professionals can be "difficult" at times. Where I have more of a problem is that even though he occasionally gives real answers to technical questions (and I admit that he probably does), he also provides extremely INACCURATE information. And when he's proven wrong, he gets hostile and insulting.
What if some newbie takes some of his advice literally and the advice is dead wrong and the person suffers because of it? Calist basically told me numerous times to read the disclaimer at the bottom of the screen which states that this site does NOT intended to replace medical professionals -- and that HE was the medical professional that I should be listening to. And his opinion regarding my situation was absolutely incorrect.
I have serious doubts that he is the medical professional he claims to be. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty certain of it.
That, in my opinion, makes him an extremely dangerous individual to be posting in a forum of people (both patients and professionals) that are trying to help each other with accurate information. How do you know which things of his are correct and which are wrong?
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:19 pm
by Calist
JohnBFisher wrote:Greetings Calist, if you are hunting for other medical professionals here in the forum, you can find them as you search previous posts. However, since the focus of the forum is to allow users of xPAP therapy help one another, you will tend to find them not making a big deal of the fact they are medical professionals. Some use xPAP therapy themselves. Some just want to try to better help the patients with whom they work.
Why have a forum that does not try to gain the guidance of medical professionals? Could poor information be provided?
Well, the first question is that there is a SIGNIFICANT difference between prescribing and setting up xPAP devices and living with them - as you would know from your list of equipment. There is also the fact that by living with a therapy, the collective experience of the group exceeds that of any single individual. There is value in this. You will find members here taking a considerable amount of time and effort. Many consider it a method of "paying it forward". We all found help as we started the journey of xPAP therapy. Sometimes we get the chance to help others starting that journey.
There is also the advantage of having a LOT of members using the same therapy. Often you will find folks here who found answers to that worked for them. And it is that personal experience that makes this forum so brilliant. Someone might want to know what other full face mask might be available. Or they might wonder how others use the data from their machines with doctors. Or... The fact is that with all the members here, we stand the chance to learn from one another. By not "re-inventing the wheel", we stand the chance of attaining an effective therapy that addresses our needs, without spending as much time and effort.
This is not to say that medical professionals are not valued in this forum. You will see many of us making it very clear that while we can suggest things that have worked for us, we HIGHLY recommend the individual discuss their therapy with their medical team.
For the record, I freely and cheerfully disclose that I do not work in medicine. However, due to my own health issues, I had to learn FAR more than most people about sleep, central nervous system disorders and other health issues. I try to share this knowledge in an effort to help others attain a therapy that works for them. Sometimes I can help. Sometimes not. But I do try.
Does that make me less qualified than medical professionals. Yes, in some ways it does. However, due to the equipment I use and my own burning desire to LEARN and not just blindly follow the advice of anyone, I have learned more about this than many medical professionals. And certainly most medical professionals do not live with the therapy.
Fortunately for me, my current neurologist understands that as an engineer, I want to understand the "why and how". He is patient. And he also listens to me, when I bring information to him. He (correctly) requests other tests to confirm the thoughts. But he LISTENS. And that is the most important trait for any medical professional. Too many jump to conclusions based on their limited experience. Anyone who has walked the road toward the diagnosis of a rare disorder knows of seldom medical professionals really LISTEN. Those who do and are willing to learn from their patients and are willing to refer them to a specialist if needed are rare indeed.
As I noted, we have some who come here to learn more. Imagine that. Learning from their patients! But it is a wise person indeed who admits they can learn from each problem they work. And the exerperience here often helps other patients find solutions that also work for them.
It actually sounds like a very noble ambition to create a forum where patients can come together and help each other. Of course as I'm sure you've seen it does give rise to external influence that wish to twist the forums into a vehicle of 'Hollistic medicine' and 'The power of prayer". Some of these individuals have even gone so far as to actively attack and attempt to drive away anyone with a credential in medicine.
I noticed the message at the bottom "The information provided on this site is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice." while this will certainly protect forum members from legal issues should anything happen, it may be easier to provide medical professionals with a daughter board of the forum and thus separate patient advice from medical advice. Just an idea.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:42 pm
by mreewh
Calist wrote:It actually sounds like a very noble ambition to create a forum where patients can come together and help each other. Of course as I'm sure you've seen it does give rise to external influence that wish to twist the forums into a vehicle of 'Hollistic medicine' and 'The power of prayer".
Yes, free speech can be a scary thing. Sometimes it requires us to think and form our own opinions.
Calist wrote:Some of these individuals have even gone so far as to actively attack and attempt to drive away anyone with a credential in medicine.
I think you're confused about something ... many medical professionals are welcomed here. But medical professionals, or anyone else, who doesn't have the data to back up their statements, will be questioned pointedly. Which is quite unlike olden days in the practice of medicine.
Calist wrote:I noticed the message at the bottom "The information provided on this site is not intended nor recommended as a substitute for professional medical advice." while this will certainly protect forum members from legal issues should anything happen, it may be easier to provide medical professionals with a daughter board of the forum and thus separate patient advice from medical advice. Just an idea.
Generally, medical advice provided via an Internet forum is risky as well. Which is why most "professional" sites have similar disclaimers.
You might want to look around and find some of the other medical professionals who participate here. If you read their posts, you may gain a sense of why they don't get flamed like you've been.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:48 pm
by Madalot
Calist wrote:Some of these individuals have even gone so far as to actively attack and attempt to drive away anyone with a credential in medicine.
This is absolutely untrue. Speaking for myself, I welcome any and all people on this forum. Many people have replied to my posts and claimed to be in the field or have medical credentials. I have no problem with it whatsoever. As long as a person treats me with respect, even if they don't agree with something I say, I am okay with it. And I believe the majority of the people that participate here feel the same way.
And I don't care who it is -- layman or professional with credentials -- if someone makes a false statement that is proven to be false, then attacks the person who made the claim to begin with, berating and insulting them, and refuses to acknowledge that they were incorrect in what they said, I am going to take issue with it.
I have asked Calist numerous times to address his comments to me about my ventilator and inaccurate statements he made. He has refused to do so. Professional with credentials or layman on the street -- it makes no difference to me.
And for those people that have come up and said that this is getting out of hand and this IS the internet, I understand what you're saying and agree with it -- to a point. It's one thing to come on to an internet site and be a jerk. People do it all theh time. And there's a good possibility that he will stay here and continue with his postings, some of which contain extremely false and inaccurate statements and information.
Use of quotes from people that he has abused shows that his position is weak. When your position is so weak that you can't defend it honestly, attack. And that's what he does.
But his claim that this site chases away any professional with credentials is stupid. Another example that his position is so weak that he can't function here without resorting to childish tactics.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:53 pm
by cwied
Madalot wrote:
I have serious doubts that he is the medical professional he claims to be. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty certain of it.
That, in my opinion, makes him an extremely dangerous individual to be posting in a forum of people (both patients and professionals) that are trying to help each other with accurate information. How do you know which things of his are correct and which are wrong?
I guess I'm still willing to extend the benefit of the doubt at this point. I feel like one reason calist has been so aggressive is the vehemence of the disagreements with his points when he strays into sensitive areas. I suspect that if given a chance to explain some of his statements, they might turn out to make more sense than is initially apparent. I feel like a response along the lines of "why do you think that" in many cases might have been more effective than "you're full of ..."
As to the second point quoted above - isn't all advice that is given here potentially inaccurate, whether given by someone who claims to be a professional or not? I don't think this board should be used as a substitute for all medical advice, but it rather it should be used to educate and give ideas of things to discuss with medical professionals. To me self-empowerment means making me a better partner in my treatment, not excluding the medical establishment in favor of my own ideas.
Don't get me wrong - I'm frustrated when the establishment treats me as if I'm ignorant and appears to want to keep me that way. I just believe that there is a way for me to reach the important people in the chain and work with them.
Maybe after I deal with Apria when my insurance has pre-certified my CPAP coverage I'll feel differently, but I hope not.
Re: Who here works in medicine?
Posted: Thu Oct 14, 2010 10:13 pm
by Madalot
cwied wrote:Madalot wrote:
I have serious doubts that he is the medical professional he claims to be. As a matter of fact, I'm pretty certain of it.
That, in my opinion, makes him an extremely dangerous individual to be posting in a forum of people (both patients and professionals) that are trying to help each other with accurate information. How do you know which things of his are correct and which are wrong?
I guess I'm still willing to extend the benefit of the doubt at this point. I feel like one reason calist has been so aggressive is the vehemence of the disagreements with his points when he strays into sensitive areas. I suspect that if given a chance to explain some of his statements, they might turn out to make more sense than is initially apparent. I feel like a response along the lines of "why do you think that" in many cases might have been more effective than "you're full of ..."
cwied,
I respect what you're saying. I'm not going to tell you that you're wrong because I really don't know. But his coming here and in one of his first posts said that patients are stupid. That attitude doesn't breed respect in return.
Have you read the other thread that involved me and my ventilator? My signature line indicates I'm on a ventilator using AVAPS, which is correct. He came back claiming that no ventilator runs in AVAPS, therefore he concluded that I am NOT on a ventilator, accused me of not having a neuromuscular disease (I've got a nasty one believe me), then accused me of working for cpap.com to make this board seem more active.
If even once he had come back and said something -- anything -- admitting that he was wrong about the ventilator (which was proven by link to Respironics website), I would feel differently and have more patience with him. But he has not. He has refused to come back and say something.
I don't care that he was wrong. Shoot, I really believe (don't know, but believe) that AVAPS technology with a home ventilator is fairly new and probably a lot of people, even credentialed professionals, may not think it exists. But he chose to try to discredit me on this forum because of his lack of knowledge. That's not fair.
Luckily I've been here a long time and a lot of people have gone down this road with me and know that I speak the truth. And whether or not Calist believes me, whether he can admit he was wrong or not, I don't care. He can do what he wants. But I truly believe that a person that is going to behave that arrogantly better have the facts to back it up. And he does not.
It is what it is.
And everyone here is free to make their own decision and opinion about him. That's the beauty of the internet. It's a blessing and a curse all at the same time.
cwied, thank you for being kind and courteous to me, even though I realize you don't agree with some things I've posted. And that's okay. I hope I have been courteous in return. I have tried because you deserve the same respect I feel you've given to me.