I have not, but I'm afraid this is just a fact of life. I think the attitude is lessening from how extreme it was years ago, but one is still judged on one's appearance. About fifteen years ago I was chummy with the wife of a well-known pro baseball player. She would wear jeans and a t-shirt, hair pulled back with sunglasses and a cap to go shopping and would be ignored, or the clerks would look at her like "can you afford to be in this store?" But if she looked "nice" people would fawn over her. If in a very busy restaurant where people are trying to get a table, the well-dressed person will get attention ahead of others. I could go on and on and on.

This in no way reflects on you, but on the "smallminded-ness" of others. Do you notice this attitude with your doctors?

Maybe you could carry your "nice" clothes on a hangar...

Don't let it get to you.

Gwennie

Have you tried wearing scrubs at all? I understand that nerve damage can make even the slightest brush of a sheet feel like razor blades. Is your pain so bad as to not allowing you to wear a pair of scrub pants? They are inexpensive and come in all kinds of styles, even those that mimic nice clothes.

Just another thought in case you haven't already tried it.

"C"

because the pale blue scrubs that our surgeons wear would suit me!{i have vivid blue eyes}! and they would be comfy ..but i think you are referring to something else?@my doctor is find with me}
STRAKER

That is exactly what I am talking about. The scrubs that medical personnel wear are available to anyone and can be ordered in all different colors, styles, lengths and sizes. You can use your internet search engine to search for medical scrubs and will find there's a huge number of places they can be ordered from and at good prices. If you are interested, PM me and I can give you links to some of my favorite scrub sources.

"C"

i will have a look
STRAKER

Either that or some nylon jogging pants. Since it will be getting cooler now you could buy the complete jogging suit (paints and a jacket) and wear a T-shirt underneath.

Hope you can find your happy medium somewhere!

If you do it right the hospital people will give you more respect instead of less.

It is a common sight here at the local hospital for medical staff to wear scrubs AND crocs! So, just get the scrub tops and pants, put on your fav crocs and GO!

The only issue I heard about the crocs was from an anesthitist who was angry they would not let her wear her crocs! At that time most crocs had open heals and that was not allowed in the OR. Now that you can get crocs in so many different styles that have heels on them she is back to happily wearing her crocs to work!

I once wore some scrubs in as a friend had given them to me and I was having same day surgery. The staff was oh so much nicer to me, most just treated me like a colleaque without even asking if I worked there or anywhere else in the medical field!

Yes, I totally understand your post and it's so true. I basically live in gym shorts and white tees -- also because it's so darn hot here in orlando. I went without putting on makeup and just had my hair up in a ponytail when I was in severe pain. Being stylish went out the window. But, you are so right, doctors and medical personnel seem to treat you better if you look "Nice".

Hey, the scrubs are an excellent idea -- easy, comfortable, and no one will will look at you cross eyed. The Wal Mart I go to is directly across the street from the hospital -- it's a sea of scrubs in there with all the medical personnel coming in to grab groceries on their way home from work. And, of course, they all were crocs. I would love a pair of crocs but I have "Fin" feet (skinny) and I could fit both my feet into one croc (LOL!).

How's it going with getting a new MRI?

Take care,

Judy

the MRI is on the 7th of nov then i have a consultation with the neurosurgeon on the 26 nov .so i will know what needs doing by the end of nov ..i am scared because i have NEVER been so ill in all my life .all i do is sleep and lay on my recliner because if i try to do anything i feel ill with pain ..i have never known so much pain and pain that last so long in my life ..i used to be able to get get about a 3 hour window where i was nearly pain free {about 5 pm until 8/9 pm } then the pain started to creep up again ..but now its permanent ..the only time it takes a dip is when i have sufficient pain killers ans sleeping pills to knock me out for a bit ..since this has gotten worst over the last few months .i have really got scared and worried and i can see just how quickly people go off the boil and die .i am 43 but i don't have the kick in me that i did only a few years ago ..i just want to be out of pain .its taken years off my life span i feel very old and worn out even the simplest of things like showering is now a major effort {and i must shower as it would distress me to be sat in my own filth } i am a very clean person and like my environment and person to be clean ..if this was taken away from me ..i would not like to even go there!
i am just happy that i have my wife and home to ease the pain and suffering ..i know that this may sound a bit over the top and dramatic but i feel that there is something serious wrong with me ..only the MRI will find out !!!!!!!
STRAKER

I like you cannot stand to wear clothes due to being uncomfortable. Crocs now have a new shoe that is a bit dressier and have all the comfort of regular crocs. They look like a regular shoe that comes in suede, leather and cloth. You would never guess they are crocs. My doctor wears them. They are more expensive but maybe an answer to your problems. I also wear jogging suits.(everyday). I try to buy some nice jogging suits with matching jacket and think I look just as good as everyone else. Adidas and Nike make some nice looking suits. Have you tried the tennis shoes with the spring in the heel? Those are also a life saver for my neck and back. They absorb alot of impact when walking.
Susan

I too got the looks when I wore "comfy" clothing. Yep scrubs changed the way the public seen/treated me.

I agree it stinks we should even have to think about this. When I see someone such as you said you look I always assume they are in pain and/or don't feel well - but that is because I have been there - done that lol

Scrubs can be costly but look around at second hand clothing stores if cost is an issue for you.

Now days I have fun with my scrubs. I buy holiday ones like for Christmas - Halloween etc etc.

Hope the scrubs also helps you

shorts because i carnt stand anything on my legs
STRAKER

I just recently had same convo with someone online, if you go to docs or even ER,anywhere really sadly, how you appear WILL affect how ppl treat you, how fast you get service, etc.

The convo went along the lines they see you take care of yourself, then they will, but many don't realize that baggy clothing is easier, some can't have certain shoe or this or that, or can't even raise arms and use fingers to put on least amount of makeup,,,,

Grrrr,

Hope you are doing okay. You know, it's funny, at my pm appointment this week, an older lady came in, and she was in her fuzzy pj pants!! I was in my combats, as my appointment was in the afternoon and I had been at work. Anyways, she came over and sat beside me and started chatting, and she said something about how she was in her pjs. I said don't even worry about it, some days, it's hard to put anything else on, and I was lucky as my combats are just like wearing pjs, I just wish I could wear slippers and not the boots, as they cause me great pain. I think my point is that people who don't experience pain, just don't know, as we've said many times before, but it extends to wearing certain clothing as well. Don't pay any attention to the ignorance of those people, and continue to be as comfy as you can be. The scrubs sound like a great idea, or even the nylon wind pants, or warm up pants. Anyways, goos luck, and have fun shopping!!

I too don't like wearing regular, stylish clothes due to being uncomfortable. I am in my sweats and t-shirt with hair in ponytail most of the time. I do manage to try to do something with my hair and dress a little nicer when I go out in public depending on how I'm feeling because I hate going out in public with sweat pants on. I do change right back into them as soon as I get home. I usually only wear sneakers when I go outside the house too unless I'm going to a funeral or fancy function which is rare. I can't stand wearing dress shoes anymore, even flats.

It makes me feel so unattractive though and I feel my husband has lost interest in me because I do look so sloppy all the time. He really does notice on the days I do my hair, put on a pair of jeans and nice shirt and put some make up on but these are rare occasions.

For a long time I couldn't wear regular shoes, I had to wear sandals with socks. Even in the winter! And I taught preschool dressed that way, UGH! But the nerve pain was so bad and I could kick the sandals off quickly. I can only wear flat shoes which makes dressing up a challenge. And now I wear men's size tennishoes because my bunions make my foot so wide! I also wear my jeans baggy because of the many sensitive scars on my back. Our band is going to an open mic night on Sat. and I'm singing a few songs. I want to make a good impression, baggy pants and white tennis shoes won't work! I'm going to have to get creative. I am so sorry you are feeling horrible, I hope you catch a break soon !

Faith M

I have had the same problem since 1999 at first it was just one leg ( shin & ankle )but now I have the same problem with both shins, ankles and my spine' I cannot lie on my back for very long in bed before I'm woken with the pain through the day I cannot wait to wear my shorts I find vibrations and loud noises hurts as does the wind (the outside wind that is) touch feels like a kick! people think I'm mad and so did I!until I found this website
I do get some relief taking Gabapentin tablets and wearing Duragesic pain patches ( Gabapentin 600mg and Duragesic patches were fantastic at first I would like my dose increased because the relief does not last as much as it did when I first started using them )I have had operations on both shoulders nearly a year ago and I cannot lie on either shoulders or my back so I have to sleep sitting up.