the guy who didn't take painkillers for a headache reminded me of one of our patients... i'm secretary for a couple of colorectal surgeons, & one day a patient phoned. he'd had a haemorrhoidectomy a couple of days earlier & had been discharged home. now, i've never had a haemorrhoid op but i'm told it's very painful. therefore my bosses always send patients home with plenty of painkillers, instructions, etc etc etc. so anyway, this guy phones & the conversation went something like this: him "i need to speak to the doctor! it's urgent! i'm in terrible pain!" me "i'm sorry to hear that but, well, yes, you had your piles operated on 2 days ago, it is a painful thing" him "but i'm in terrible pain! i must speak to him!" me "didn't the doctor give you painkillers or a prescription for them when he discharged you? he always does, i'm surprised you haven't got anything for your pain" him "yes, he gave me painkillers" me "are they not working? perhaps he can prescribe something else if they're not strong enough" him "i didn't take them. i'm in terrible pain! i want to speak to the doctor!" me (did i really hear correctly???) "ah -- oh -- well -- so you've not taken anything for the pain?" him "no i haven't taken anything. i'm in terrible pain!" me (maybe i did hear correctly -- best make sure...) "nothing at all?" him "no, nothing, the pain is terrible!" me "ok, well, why don't you take the painkillers the doctor gave you, and call us a bit later if you're still in trouble" later that day he called again.... him "i took the painkillers" me "oh, ok, how are you feeling?" him "the pain has gone" talk about a miraculous recovery.