President Obama had a CT scan yesterday

[malaise]

http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/dec/06/obama-medical-tests-after-sore-throat-complaint
<snip>
The White House said acid reflux was causing President Barack Obama’s sore throat.

In a statement released by the White House, Obama’s physician said a CT scan conducted on Saturday afternoon on the president was normal. Dr Ronny Jackson said Obama’s symptoms were consistent with soft tissue swelling related to acid reflux. Obama has been complaining of a sore throat.

Jackson said that on Saturday morning he supervised a fiber optic exam of Obama’s throat by an ear, nose and throat specialist. That exam revealed swelling in the back of the president’s throat.

Jackson said he and the specialist then determined that a follow-up CT scan should be the next step.
-------------------------
Love the openness - get well Pres Obama

[tavernier]

1. Acid reflux?

I'm amazed he doesn't have bleeding ulcers, dealing with the idiots on the hill.

[Stellar]

2. my thoughts exactly.

[riversedge]

3. plus one

[AwakeAtLast]

59. +1000! n/t

[treestar]

76. +10000

I hope he is feeling better soon.

[MrMickeysMom]

87. Agreed...

GERD is a sign that you really have stress. He obviously has exhibited stress over a long time, based on how his hair has aged. Also, I'd be inclined to do what Pickles did and sneak a cig.

Bleeding ulcers are more likely related to H pylori bacteria.

[dorkzilla]

110. Ugh...I recently was diagnosed with h pylori, an ulcer, hernia, and a whole host of other things.

Stress related. I opened a restaurant in April. Nah, I don’t stress much at all

the h pylori and treatment have been the WORST. I’m still feeling a lot of after effects of the antibiotic treatment, so I feel as awful as I did before the treatment. Phooey.

[MrMickeysMom]

113. Man!

I sure hope you are successful with that stressful industry. Chances are, you will accelerate getting your health back!

All the best, dorkzilla!

[dorkzilla]

115. Thanks!

Its VERY stressful but I also find it immensely rewarding; I started giving customers comment cards (they’re funny so I’m getting almost 100% back) and I was so happy to read how many of them say they feel just like family when they come in. I never expected that kind of response so soon by so many people!!

[pipoman]

4. The difference between the medical treatment received by the privileged

and the masses. Most people probably wouldn't have gotten the scope or the CT, their insurance wouldn't have approved the diagnostics. They would have gotten a prescription for an acid reduction drug and sent home.

[Tanuki]

8. I'm guessing the CT was done because of his smoking history

and persistent sore, swollen throat. Sounds like they wanted to rule out cancer.

[pipoman]

10. Yeah the privileged

get diagnostics most don't. This is why the presidential annual physical takes 3 days while everyone else takes an hour. Same with the wealthy. It's why so many famous people we hear have cancer etc. are often found very early and are successfully treated. They have the ability to self pay for semiannual pet scans etc.

[malaise]

19. Do you have a problem with Obama getting the best possible treatment?

WTF!!!

Some of us actually want the best health care for all.

[jen63]

45. Jebus people,

he's the President of the United States. Since I've been aware of politics, every time a sitting President goes in for a two or three day check up, I can remember them waving from the windows of their hospital rooms. Why is it that everyone thinks that this President doesn't deserve the same medical treatment given to every other President before him. FFS, I've never seen any thing like this. No State of the Union, shut down Air Force One. Sometimes I feel like I'm on a conservative board. This is gone beyond too far. HE IS OUR PRESIDENT, the same as the ones before him, who all had the same "perks", if you will. Color me more and more discouraged.

I'm on Medicaid and just had a CT scan of my head when I was assaulted. Do I not deserve that?!

[Cha]

129. Thank you, jen.. sorry you got assaulted! Every other POTUS gets the same treatment but

this President when he has a persistent sore throat and goes to the hospital it brings out the ODS.. A chance to spew cheap pot shots. Says everything about them and nothing about Obama.

Get Well PBO.. we want you 100% Healthy~

[jen63]

157. Thank you Cha!

The comments are getting ridiculous on this board.

[malaise]

150. I'm convinced we've been bombarded

by trolls. This is crazy

[jen63]

158. We have

and it's very obvious to me, and I'm pretty much a new comer. It's like they can't help themselves and feel compelled to crawl out of the woodwork. Apparently they think we're too stupid to figure them out!

[pipoman]

52. Too bad that isn't the case

And yes, as long as everyone has the same health care options....but alas, for the masses CMS and insurance companies decide what health care is recommended.

[Hekate]

98. Apparently he does have a problem with this POTUS getting good care. Same line of reasoning as....

....those here who insisted that Sasha and Malia should attend an inner city public school just because (or that no former Democratic POTUS or Cabinet member should avail themselves of the same earning prospects as Republicans after leaving office).

But in this case it's about health care. Evidently if you're a Democratic President you should go to a Free Clinic until the coming of single payer for all.

[malaise]

118. Looks that way

Yes I too am banging my head.

[RedCappedBandit]

112. Interesting.

Interesting that you interpreted that as a problem with the care Obama is receiving, as opposed to a problem with the care others are NOT receiving.

[malaise]

116. This thread is about the President n/t

[RedCappedBandit]

117. Discussions take turns. Shrug. nt

[Cha]

130. Threads are hijacked by those who leach on to someone else's OP.

[jen63]

161. Did you have the same opinion

when all other Presidents before this one had two and three day physicals? If you didn't, you are the definition of hypocrite.

[RedCappedBandit]

162. What opinion?

That people not receiving care is a problem?

Uh, yeah, I did. The guy in charge isn't particularly relevant.

[LordGlenconner]

148. Sure sounds like the poster does indeed have a problem with it

POTUS can't do anything without pissing off someone, it seems.

[malaise]

149. That simple

Funny that I have never seen them complaining about health care for Poppy Bush, Junior Bush or the war criminal of a Dick Cheney.

[riverbendviewgal]

21. ah hem, as a Canadian

Privileged and poor get equal treatment.

My son had first time seizures and got a CT scan the same day. They saw something and was ambulanced to a major hospital. 3 days later he was getting brain surgery. He was not privileged.

Americans chose their medical system. Canadians chose a better one. It is up to you to change it.

Be happy he gets great care.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

48. Medicare is good that way...

My mom , god bless her memory, had a TIA. The vascular surgeon who saw her gave her a script for a CT scan which she was given immediately.

That being said I don't think a citizen in any nation is going to receive the same level of care as its chief executive.

[RobinA]

147. I Was Thinking

that only the President could get the CT so fast. The rest of us would hear, "Oh, yeah, some swelling here. Could be cancerous, but probably not. We'll schedule you a CT three weeks from next Tuesday just to make sure. Don't worry, though. See ya then"

[freeplessinseattle]

9. Well, he kind of has an important job

And it's not just for his benefit to be extra thorough.

[pipoman]

11. Yeah, that's what this nation is about..level of health care

Should be determined by one's importance.

[freeplessinseattle]

12. That doesn't even make sense. Next you'll express resentment for Secret Service protecting his life

When there's countless common folks at equal or more risk, say from abusive ex spouses.

[leftymon]

27. It makes perfect sense when one considers

how the rest of us would have been treated. A CT scan for a sore throat?

Yeah, I can see myself on the phone with insurance trying to justify that. What we have in this country is the elite and the peasants. I'll let the board sort out who is who.

[moriah]

66. Some might consider it delusions of grandeur to expect to be treated the same as a President.

We don't have Secret Service stalking us when we try to go to the bathroom, we don't have the press getting to find out about our acid reflux diagnosis, and we probably won't get a CT for a sore throat.

I think we're on the better side of the whole deal.

[Jamastiene]

153. Don't people deserve police protection from abusive ex spouses?

Why shouldn't they?

[freeplessinseattle]

155. Sorry, not at all what I am trying to say!

I thought that was obvious, but must never assume!

As a matter of fact, I volunteered at a couple of DV shelters for 4-5 years, if that helps underline my intent

[DemocratSinceBirth]

49. I don't believe a citizen in any nation is going to receive the same care as its chief executive.

It would bankrupt any system.

[pipoman]

50. Good for me, not for thee...

I thought I left the "bankrupt the system" crowd over on DI...

[Hekate]

100. You are just full of generalized resentment and unexamined assumptions today, aren't you?

[treestar]

74. Good point. eom

[Thor_MN]

16. They likely would leave with undiagnosed acid reflux, at least on the first visit.

Maybe a recommendation for OTC remedies for a sore throat. And a bill for the co-pay.

[pipoman]

17. yep

[jen63]

46. Acid reflux into the esophagus

is a main contributor to throat cancer. This needs taken care of ASAP!!

[Thor_MN]

54. I think you maybe meant to reply to someone else?

My comment is that people without gold plated insurance are not going to get an endoscopy and CT scan by going to urgent care with a complaint of a sore throat.

Your dramatic!! reply has nothing to do with what I said.

[jen63]

56. No I was replying to your

#16 comment.

[Thor_MN]

57. Well then please elaborate your segue as what you posted has nothing to do with what I posted.

[mnhtnbb]

159. We have a very close friend who just died after 3 years fighting esophageal cancer

It is NOT a good one--not that any cancer is a 'good' one--but is one of the worst
for mortality rates. The sooner it is caught, of course, means a better shot at
curing it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

53. Not with a history of smoking...

I have pressed vocal cords which gives me a raspy voice. It's of no medical significance though. I saw a gp whom I had never seen before, hearing my raspy voice, she immediately referred me for an endoscopy on the fear it might be polyps. Lo and behold it was pressed vocal cords.

[Thor_MN]

55. Huh, never heard a rasp in the President's speech...

[DemocratSinceBirth]

62. No but he presented with a sore throat with a history of tobacco abuse (smoking)

Doctors sometimes give patients short thrift but if a patient presented with a sore throat and a history of smoking that doctor leaves himself open to a medical malpractice suit if it turns out to be throat cancer and he or she didn't investigate further.

I'm not a physician but I immersed myself in the literature in the 48 hours or so in when the GP thought I had vocal polyps and I saw the otolaryngologist. In that time I learned a lot about throat cancer. Most sore throats aren't throat cancer of course, but many people who had throat cancer presented with a sore throat.

I also believe untreated acid reflux disease can lead to throat cancer.

[Thor_MN]

65. Many doctors might give short >shrift< to people...

Your premise is that because your personal experience with one doctor, with symptoms totally different than what the president presented, means that most doctors would immediately order expensive and invasive procedures for everyone that comes in in with a sore throat... Do I have that correctly? Your own, personal, one time experience predicts most medical outcomes?

Did I ever claim that a sore throat couldn't possibly be anything else? What I said is that most people are not going to get an endoscopic procedure and a CT scan on complaining of a sore throat. Period. Anything else you get out of that is your own overactive imagination projecting your mindset.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

69. My contention is that if a patient presented ...

My contention is that if a patient presented with a sore throat and a history of smoking and the attending physician didn't investigate further he or she has not delivered the appropriate standard of care and if it should be throat cancer he or she is likely to find himself or herself in court as a defendant in a malpractice action.

[Thor_MN]

71. Based on your raspy voice experience, which the President doesn't have.

Got it.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

77. Really, Thor, that's what you got out of my post...

Let's start with the basics:


In legal terms, the level at which the average, prudent provider in a given community would practice. It is how similarly qualified practitioners would have managed the patient's care under the same or similar circumstances. The medical malpractice plaintiff must establish the appropriate standard of care and demonstrate that the standard of care has been breached.


If a patient presented with a persistent sore throat with a history of smoking and the attending physician didn't investigate further and it turned out to be throat cancer, and that delay in diagnosis caused serious consequences, that physician has failed to meet the appropriate standard of care and is liable for the damages his or her delay in diagnosis caused.

Your turn, Thor.


I patiently await your response.

[Thor_MN]

81. I patiently have been waiting for you to explain the relevence of scattered responses.

You first tried some fantasy that I was distinguishing Barack Obama from other presidents. When that became apparent that was simply some inane thought that you inserted into my simple comment, you tried to cast me as sexist. Now you are morphing into some uncredited google bait argument.

Seriously, relax. Enjoy your Sunday afternoon. If you can't do that and trying pick arguments is your only form of entertainment, go find someone else.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

85. Reading comprehension must not be your forte, Thor. I will address your points slowly.

1) That was another poster who suggested you were sexist
2) That was yet another poster who suggested you were distinguishing President Obama from other presidents.
3) My initial response regarding the suspected vocal polyps which turned out to be pressed vocal cords, an innocuous condition unless you are a singer or a public speaker, was to illustrate the small time it took for me to get an endoscopy. I had a PPO so I chose the otolaryngologist, saw the otolaryngologist in a couple of days. I shared it to illustrate the time it took me from a diagnosis, albeit a wrong one, to a test that ruled it out, nothing more, nothing less
4) In those ensuing days I was concerned about my throat. That's where I learned more about throat cancer than I care to know now.
5) You drew a bunch of inferences which weren't supported by the evidence , not me.
6) Maybe the fall from your high horse is the genesis of your confusion, maybe.

[Thor_MN]

88. Sorry, got off track with all the inane attacks for noting that a sore throat will not likely

get one several expensive tests ordered.

Back to your experience. Glad you got the tests and that it turned out to be something not serious. I do doubt that any one person's personal anecdote has much bearing on the state of medical care in the nation. Feel free to think that your experience is representative of everyone else's.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

92. Perhaps, Thor, if you didn't lash out indiscriminately at your interlocutors...

Perhaps, Thor, if you didn't lash out indiscriminately at your interlocutors you wouldn't have to defend yourself from what you perceive as "inane attacks".


The gravamen of my argument is that there is standard of care, it is recognized by law, and if a patient presented with a persistent sore throat with a history of smoking and the attending physician didn't investigate further, and it turned out to be throat cancer with attendant measurable damages that physician, Thor, has violated the standard of care , and is liable for damages.

If you don't believe that is so I can not disabuse you of that notion.


P.S. I hope and pray the pres is okay and is getting the best treatment possible. That is my hope for every patient.

[Thor_MN]

97. Perhaps, if people didn't lash at me for things I didn't say...

Yes, I agree with you, your personal word, with just your opinion and nothing backing you, does set the standard of care for the nation and all doctors that send people with a sore throat on their way without thousands of dollars of tests that insurance will not pay for are instantly sued for malpractice.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

101. There you go again, Thor. You also threw in a red herring for good measure.

I didn't invent the term, "standard of care", Thor. It is a recognized principle of tort law.

I never suggested that a physician violated the "standard of care" by not ordering a battery of tests for a patient who presented with a sore throat. (That's the red herring you introduced into our tete a tete.) I did suggest that a physician who presented with a patient with a persistent sore throat with a history of smoking who failed to investigate further and that patient developed throat cancer and suffered damages as a result of that delay in diagnosis , that physician has left himself or herself exposed to a medical malpractice action.



Your turn, Thor.

[Thor_MN]

102. I've given you my opinon on your opinion.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

104. If I say the earth is flat, Thor, that's an erroneous observation and not an opinion.

If Mr. X says a physician failing to deliver the standard of care applicable is not actionable that is an erroneous observation and not a fact


If you agree with my comment sense assertions I will be charitable and let you bow out of our tete a tete gracefully.

[Thor_MN]

107. Well, "comment sense" (sic) tells me that you are convinced that your personal experience

is representative of the entire health care system, while common sense tells me that can't be.

Have a good day. Take all the bows you want.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

109. What does my personal experience have to do with the "standard of care"?

And a good day to you as well, Thor.

[jen63]

58. You want to draw a distinction

between John Q. Public and the President. Strawman. Every President before PBO has had the same kinds of physicals and batteries of tests. He is the leader of the free world. If you don't see the distinction, then I can't help you. You sound like one of those, "but what about me" people.

[Thor_MN]

60. Wow, you have an active imagination. You should consider writting fantasy novels.

Your ability to flash between reality and undercutting your own argument is truly stunning. Your inability to document your claims though might cause you some difficulty, however.

I'll refrain from following your "logic" and avoid posting a factual, but totally irrelevant tidbit with multiple exclamation points.

[jen63]

61. Well you're so special! n/t

[Thor_MN]

63. Just as special as you think you are.

[jen63]

64. What exactly does your #16

reply mean then? That the President should get the same treatment as any one else presenting at the ER? That's how I interpret it. Did you have the same opinion with other Presidents when they went for two or three day physicals, or had other health issues, or just this President?

[Thor_MN]

67. Whatever you are smoking, it might be wise to ease up a bit.

Do you have eyes? Can you read? Your comprehension needs a bit of work.

I said that most people are not going to get expensive tests on a complaint of a sore throat. End of comment. Your fantasy that I'm making some sort of dig at Barack Obama is ridiculous and the product of YOUR brain.

[jen63]

68. You certainly think I'm dumber

than I am and can't read between the lines of your ridiculous post. You may want to look at that.

[Thor_MN]

70. Here's a clue. Don't try to read between the lines.

All you are going to find there is your own fears staring back at you.

I said that most people are not going to get expensive tests on a complaint of a sore throat.

There are no lines to read between. Your fevered imagination is producing whatever else it is that has you so riled up. So relax, enjoy your Sunday afternoon and refrain from inventing things to be upset about.

[jen63]

72. "Pats the little woman on the head." n/t

[Thor_MN]

75. Damn, you do like to project.

Poor little you with the persecution complex. Seek help.

[jen63]

78. You're hilarious!

Have a nice day!

[Thor_MN]

84. I've been wishing you a good afternoon for quite awhile...

[moriah]

80. But, the thing is, you say it like it's a bad thing.

At least, that's how quite a few of the posts asserting this have come across.

Now, I'm actually rather glad that my President has great medical care. And if I had to trade in all the bullshit he has to deal with as President for a CT when I got a sore throat, I would say it's a bad trade and decline. I'm rather glad I don't live the life of a President, with my medical history open for public scrutiny and review, my every movement watched for my own safety, etc. Not to mention doing the job we elected him to do. No, thanks.

But that's just me.

[Thor_MN]

83. Did you bother to read the post that I responded to for context?

The person that I respond to said that the average person would walk away with a prescription for acid reflux medication. My response is that most people wouldn't even get an acid reflux diagnosis.

I didn't even mention the President, did I?

[moriah]

89. Yes, I read the thread quite closely. All of it.

You're being extremely hostile over the fact our President happened to receive overkill in medical testing, to numerous posters. Something about it bothers you.

Well, he's the President. His health is of such extreme national interest that we're discussing his diagnosis at all. Naturally they're going to put more tubes down his throat and expose him to far more radiation than either you or I should ever want in our health care over something as simple as a sore throat.

The fact is, while yes, it sucks that on the first visit not everyone gets their exact diagnosis on the first visit and that the practice of medicine is not 100%, and that doctors can be wrong, far more won't get an acid reflux diagnosis simply because they never are able to get to see a doctor in the first place than ones that are misdiagnosed.

[Thor_MN]

94. Let me spell this out for you. I DID NOT MENTION THE PRESIDENT.

You apparently didn't read that closely, even after I pointed it out. If you can find a spot where I said that the president received undue attention, please cite it.

The only thing bothering me is people attacking me for something I didn't say, something that people dredged up out of their own feelings.

If you want to have a discussion of the President's recent exam, please take it to another subthread and find someone else to try and misinterpret.

For the record, I have absolutely no issues with the President's health care.

[moriah]

96. For the record, I think you read far more into what someone says than I do.

As I said, I read what you posted in the entire thread, as well as the subthread.

And you're on a thread about the President's most recent exam, so don't be surprised when your comments are interpreted in that context.

Basically, you're being really negative on a thread about our President's health, and I think that's one of those things that makes DU suck. And that's why I addressed you.

Edit to add: but more the point, I don't know if you've ever had the "gold plated endoscopy" you mentioned, but I've had a bronchoscopy, pretty damn close. I wouldn't want one again if I could avoid it. The average person really doesn't need or want to have every expensive diagnostic test on the market. Many times those scans find things that are nothing at all, and just waste more money. Not to mention scaring the patient to death when they find something innocent but that "has to be investigated further" just to be sure, because they found it. Conservative measure are actually best for first visits, as there are many reasons for a sore throat. Just because the rich have something doesn't mean we really want it.

[Thor_MN]

99. I have explained myself repeated. I did not comment on the president's healthcare until my last post

Yet you and others have attacked me for YOUR misperceptions. I'm being negative in response to being attacked for YOUR lack of comprehension.

One of the things that makes DU suck is self righteous crusaders inventing arguments by "reading between the lines." Taking a simple statement and inventing a windmill to tilt at.

I've been accused of racism and sexism for commenting that our nation's health isn't great. WTF?

[moriah]

103. I've not accused you of either, I'm actually trying to address what you said.

Yet, you must admit, that posting about the average health care in this country on a thread about the President's health care does have the effect of contrasting the two, even if that was not the intent.

[Thor_MN]

106. "But, the thing is, you say it like it's a bad thing."

A comment you made, on the invention of something you created in your own mind. Either that or you are saying that the average health care in this country being not great is a good thing?

Posting a response to someone other than the OP is, surprise, a response to something other than the OP. I don't don't know, maybe your thing is to take things out of context and make up random stuff. In any case, have a nice afternoon and find someone else to make up fantasy arguments with.

No, you did not accuse me of racism and sexism, that was another poster. I didn't say it was you.

[moriah]

108. Perhaps your thing is to be overly defensive.

"My comment is that people without gold plated insurance are not going to get an endoscopy and CT scan by going to urgent care with a complaint of a sore throat."

And my comment was that most people don't need or want a endoscopy or CT for a complaint of a sore throat. As I said. "You're saying it like it's a bad thing."

[edhopper]

31. I have never had a doctor recommended test denied

That includes CT scans and MRIs, and I just have run of the mill employee insurance.

Yes we have a lousy system with too many uninsured and too much profit.

But ordinary people do get good care.

[pipoman]

40. True, "doctor recommended" are the key words

Doctors know what will and will not be covered by health insurance and they recommend based on that. Go in for acid reflux and see if your doctor recommends a ct. If you were wealthy and self paying. ...the recommendations would be completely different.

[edhopper]

42. The CT was because a growth was found in his throat

I had a CT because of something seen on an x-ray that was not related to the injury.

[pipoman]

43. So you believe you get the same care

With private insurance/medicare as you would if you were wealthy self pay? How long does your annual physical take? Do you get semi annual full body pet scans and annual full body CT scans as part of your physical? My wife bills for a hospital and these things are part of wealthy self pay patient's physicals.

[edhopper]

44. I think the healthcare payment system in this country

sucks. I do think most with insurance get good care, but obviously not as good as the wealthy, but they get better health care in almost every country, they pay for it.

That said I am a solid proponent of single payer and think everyone should have access to healthcare.
I don't think the problem is the healthcare provided, i think it is not providing it economically to everyone.

And yes, my physicals are pretty thorough.

[pipoman]

51. CMS and health insurance companies decide what care most people will receive,

not the attending physician.

[edhopper]

119. True to an extent

and it is one of the problems in for the profit system. But even national healthcare plans have non medical people deciding on care.
And i have had my Dr.s push back against the insurers and get me needed services. I also think the ACA has helped in this regard.
As I said, I am no defender of our system, but I think he problem lies with the insurers, not the Dr.s and over all i have gotten good care.

[Terra Alta]

125. I had an MRI and an EEG earlier this year

Due to a pre-existing neurological disorder. Both were approved by my insurance and I am far from being rich or privileged. I am glad Obama is getting the care and tests he needs, especially considering all the BS he has to put up with on a daily basis, not just from Repukes but from those who call themselves Democrats, too.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

126. Well

I hope that it is not something serious.

[NanceGreggs]

127. Yeah, the difference is mind-boggling!

POTUS also has the Secret Service to protect him, lives in the White House, has his meals prepared for him, is surrounded by all kinds of staff from chefs, secretaries, political consultants, chauffeurs, etc.

Where the fuck does he get off? Why can't he just drive himself around DC in a rent-a-wreck? Why can't Michelle just whip up some Hamburger Helper every night? Why can't Obama arm himself with some pepper spray when he leaves the WH? Why can't he track of his OWN appointments on his laptop, instead of expecting others to do it for him? Why can't the Obamas live in a trailer down by the river?

Hey, as soon as you assume the responsibilities of being POTUS, please PM me. I'll be happy to throw in a few bucks to ensure that YOU get the best of treatment as well.

Jesus Hussein Christ - do you REALLY THINK that anyone dealing with the responsibilities of the Presidency of the United States should be given two aspirin and told to call his doctor in the morning?

Reading BS like this makes me wonder how some people manage to tie their own shoelaces. And my guess is they don't - because they don't have the intellectual capacity to do so.

[pipoman]

128. Glad you love the US health care system. Long live the elite!

[Cha]

134. Yes, how dare President Obama get the best health care available to a POTUS.. it's not like

he's earned it or anything.. Only the hardest working man on the Planet.. including the shite he has to put up with all the liars out there trying to make a buck off of him.

Of course a thread on the President's persistent sore throat would get someone whining about the health care he gets and what they don't have. There wouldn't be an ounce of class to wish the President a speedy recovery.

E ola aku, President Obama~ Pronouced A oh-la ah-koo..

Mahalo Nance~

[steve2470]

137. +1000000000000000000 nt

[kentauros]

160. There ya go :)

This one also seems to have a chronic case of

"How dare you be better off than me?! How can you call yourself a True Liberal and get better care than me?"

Syndrome.

[Jamastiene]

152. I didn't.

They told me to take Pepcid AC and did not give me any prescriptions. It is actually pretty painful.

[blackcrowflies]

5. CT scan?

I have a long term substantial acid reflux problem, and have undergone testing. A CT scan was never among the tests even mentioned. I think something else was involved here.

Normally the tests include an endoscopy and possibly a scope by an ENT. These are expensive tests.

I think they were looking for a growth as a possibility for the swelling.

[malaise]

6. Maybe

I suspect they were taking no chances and that is good

[LittleGirl]

13. I used to have GERD

I cured it when I quit eating oatmeal every morning. I was told by my doctor that I needed to eat oatmeal to lower my cholesterol. That doc was a quack. The GERD was awful so when I gave up oatmeal and grains (bread, wheat, corn, etc), the GERD disappeared. I've done some research and most GERD is caused by a food allergy. Doing an elimination diet usually helps to figure out the culprit. Or food allergy testing by a doctor. Have you considered that? My insurance paid for all of the allergy testing.

I hope the President is okay and gets better.

[pipoman]

14. Yep, you aren't important enough...and your insurance company says it's unnecessary. .

[NutmegYankee]

26. Usually GERD just causes chest pain.

The sore throat probably had the doctors worried about cancer. I have GERD and take Prilosec for it. My grandfather also had it, and died from the cancer it causes.

[pipoman]

29. I do too and take otc. My mother died from stomach cancer

Related to h. pylori. Ten years before her diagnosis I told her primary care physician that I suspected h.pylori, he said she would have to self pay for a test (expensive at the time) because the insurance company denied the relationship between h.pylori and ulsers/ cancer.

[blackcrowflies]

41. GERD can cause a sore throat

It depends on how high up it gets. ENTs know that, GI doctors, not so much.

[jen63]

47. And depending how long

a person let's it go, it's the leading cause of cancer of the esophagus.

[Historic NY]

23. I've had it since my 20's when all the new drugs were...

just coming out. I was one of the lab rats during trials. They did an endoscopy then when they had to give you some drugs to almost put you under. I suspect they went this route to avoid those crazy transfer of power rules.

I rarely take medicine for it any more, changed sleeping positions and put blocks under the headboard of my bead. Changed some lifestyle habits etc.

[madokie]

7. Get well Mr. President

I know to some here it doesn't seem you are in our corner but to me and a few more of us we know for sure you are on our side.
The road to the top of the mountain is long, hard and with lots of nooks and crannies. You keep driving Sir and I'll keep on the look out for us both.

[malaise]

20. Duck before they attack you

[madokie]

39. Spot on

I've grown some mighty thick skin since I joined up here.
I won't link to it as it wouldn't be cool but the last nice thing I said to/about the President I got three replies with numerous sub-threads concerning it, pretty much calling me every name in the book beside I'm a damn good old boy


We have way damn too many trolls around here if you ask me

[Android3.14]

15. Openness?

That's something we've never seen, especially with this administration. More like the standard pat the masses on their heads.

[malaise]

22. GTFOMT n/t

[Android3.14]

37. Perhaps. just perhaps

If you only want people to post things that make you feel fuzzy wuzzy, you should go over to the Teletubbie's forum.
It's just a thought, and as you know, sending thoughts/prayers/vibes is an effective way to help people.

[Cha]

132. Your post only shows that you're spewing ignorant talking points. Bought right into the crap.

[Android3.14]

141. Torture report, NSA spying, TTP, etc.

Who has bought into the crap?

[Cha]

142. Wah wah wah.. you have.

[mountain grammy]

18. Hope all tests are negative and the president is feeling better.

[malaise]

24. Don't you know you're supposed to attack the President

for having access to good health care

[mountain grammy]

28. I know, right? How ridiculous is that?

[MoonRiver]

30. I think he should be homeless to, because

most of us will never get to live in such a big house.

[malaise]

33. And he has no right to the Secret Service either

because I have to provide my own security or depend on the police

[MoonRiver]

35. That right.

The unmitigated gall of the man!

[MoonRiver]

25. Sending positive thoughts for good health to President Obama!

[lunasun]

32. needs to talk to Larry the Cable Guy get some Prilosec OTC !

I watched a Madea Christmas last night = he was hilarious in it and worked in a line in the movie about Prilosec OTC

[malaise]

34. I do love Madea movies

They are fall down funny with good messages

[lunasun]

82. Always a good message after the laughs

Besides the Prilosec OTC recommend it had many thought provoking subjects it touched on and Perry and Larry were a good tag team

[NightWatcher]

36. Get some Omerprazole, it's over the counter and does wonders

[BeyondGeography]

38. Good that he is in the best hands, medically speaking...I want him to live a long life

We need as many wise, happy humans on this planet as possible.

[Reter]

105. He will, all Presidents do these days

The last President to die at a "young" age naturally was LBJ at 64. He would have lasted much longer with the doctors and medicine Presidents and ex-Presidents have access to today.

[jwirr]

73. But what is causing the acid reflux?

[Cleita]

79. I wonder if it was that Kentucky bourbon he shared with

Mitch McConnell.

[jwirr]

86. Not likely. My disabled daughter had acid reflux most of her life due to digestive issues. In her

case she could not swallow properly. But usually there is some underlying digestive cause that can cause it.

When Terri had it the doctors could not find a cure - until we gave her a medication for muscles that we were trying to help to increase their range of motion. Ironically the medication did nothing for the muscles we hoped to help BUT the reflux stopped. As a social worker for DD persons I would go to staffings of another client that had the same problem and spread the word. It really worked.

So there is some other problem going on.

[sakabatou]

91. Stress?

[jwirr]

93. That could be a good explanation.

[WinkyDink]

121. Are we his doctors?

[jwirr]

144. Just pointing out that the problem is not solved by telling us what it is not.

[99Forever]

90. Anyone know what his out of pocket expenses will be for this year?

Mine will be $6200 on and income of $19,500 before taxes and a monthly premium of $244.89 for a policy mandated by law that I carry. Thanks.

[suffragette]

95. Best hopes for him to be well soon

[louis-t]

111. I KNEW it was repugs that gave him this!

Oh, I mean, close enough.

[WinkyDink]

120. Look, we ELECTED THIS ONE MAN. Is anybody here REALLY trying to say the PRESIDENT ought to

be regarded as simply one of the guys?!

DID YOU JUST FIND OUT HE LIVES IN THE WHITE HOUSE? THAT HE HAS AIR FORCE ONE? A LIMO AND DRIVER?

THAT HE IS, IN FACT, THE LEADER OF THE FREE WORLD, WITH THE WEAPONRY AND ARMED FORCES TO BACK HIM UP?

CUT THE WHINY CRAP.

[99Forever]

124. Perhaps if medical expenses ...

... were driving you into bankruptcy despite participating in "Obamacare," you might have more class than to call legitimate comments as to double standards in healthcare availability "whiny crap."


But somehow, I doubt it.

[WinkyDink]

133. And YOU might have more brains than to think the President of the United States---any--

is merely part of the 1%. As I pointed out, he has "perks" far beyond any other citizen's. Do you also protest THEM?

"Gee, how come WE have to buy our own food and transportation, and don't have chefs and drivers and pilots?"

"Gee, how come WE can't send drones to attack human targets in other countries?"

"Gee, how come WE can't request that musicians and other artists come perform for us?"

But if you want to persist in your stance that he is just another guy, nobody special, with an unfairly better health-care plan than you, then that's that.

[Cha]

131. They have no class.. this is about the President's persisent sore throat.. they could always start

their own OP and list all the complaints they have about their own health care but that would mean they couldn't leach on to someone else's thread and attempt to hijack it.

[malaise]

140. I think you replied to the wrong thread n/t

[LadyHawkAZ]

122. Thanks for the thread

It has now confirmed what was once only a suspicion- that there is absofuckinglutely nothing that some people won't hate on this President for.

[malaise]

151. That's the absolute truth

It would be funny if it weren't so sick

[Terra Alta]

123. sending good thoughts, vibes, and prayers to President Obama

Hope he heals up soon!

[Cha]

135. Mahalo for your thread, malaise.. E ola aku, President Obama.. Pronounced A oh-la ah-koo

Get Well Soon, President Obama

[steve2470]

136. a rant, do not read if not in the mood....

WTF is up with people nitpicking at the level of care given to the POTUS ? Of course, it's a no brainer that we ALL here on a progressive board want EVERYONE to have the best possible health care and single payer.

So, until 100% of the USA population gets platinum-level healthcare, the POTUS needs to go to a public health clinic near the White House, sit in the lobby for an hour like the rest of us do, and get that level of healthcare ? THAT MAKES NO GODDAMN SENSE. The guy has one of the most important jobs in the entire country, if not THE most important job. He FUCKING DESERVES the best possible healthcare. Yes, I'd say the exact same thing for a Republican president. Right is right.

Yes, it fucking sucks many of our fellow citizens get crappy or no health care. It also sucks that, yes, some people in the country are still poor. Does that mean President Obama needs to live in a battered shack down by the Potomac ?

Sometimes General Discussion makes me fucking ill. Insane. Disconnected from reality. As Prism said:

No one I know in real life is as totally off the rails ideological as a lot of DU is. And I live in Berkeley.

If you don't agree with me, fine. I don't fucking care. I'm not going to respond to fucking nonsense and trollish attacks. Good day, GD lunacy.

[Cha]

138. Hey Mr steve! I like your rant..

President Obama wanted People to have health insurance that couldn't be turned down for Pre-existing conditions.

"Dunham's employer-provided health insurance covered most of the costs of her medical treatment, leaving her to pay the deductible and uncovered expenses, which came to several hundred dollars per month. Her employer-provided disability insurance denied her claims for uncovered expenses because the insurance company said her cancer was a preexisting condition."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_Dunham

It's helped a lot of people who otherwise wouldn't have it. Especially if you live in a state where the governor doesn't opt out because SCOTUS said they could.. many here blame that on Obama, too.. because they can and know there will always be those who mindlessly cheer them on. Ignorance is..blissfully raging on about gd Lies.

When I googled Ann Dunham.. there were a ton of rw lies that came up about her before I could find anything worth reading.. the rwingers have inundated the net with lies about everything.. especially this President. And, here we are trying to counter the lies on a "democratic" board.

[steve2470]

139. mahalo Cha, hope you and family are well! nt

[malaise]

145. Great rant

I cannot believe this madness

[steve2470]

146. thanks! nt

[LadyHawkAZ]

156. I wish I could rec this post a dozen times n/t

[Derek V]

143. They'll never give up, will they?

Obama wasn't born in Connecticut! He doesn't live in Connecticut! Hell, he hasn't even been to Connecticut since before the midterms!

Mr. Trump, do the world a favor and die soon, awright?

[Jamastiene]

154. I feel for him if he has acid reflux.

It is painful. It is not a 10 out of 10 painful, but enough that you notice it and it hurts.