Did You Get the Treatment?
- Madhukar Dama
- 17 hours ago
- 15 min read
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Prologue
Did you ever pause and feel your body?
Not just the ache in your knee, the heaviness in your chest,
but the whisper of a symptom that wakes you in the night,
or the dull scream your joints carry when you rise in the morning.
You felt it first — a pain, a flutter, a confusion, a tightness.
A nudge from inside you saying: “Something is off.”
And immediately, the chorus begins:
Friends, relatives, neighbours, colleagues —
their voices lined up like a well-trained orchestra:
“Go see a doctor, do this test, take this medicine.”
The maze begins.
Each step rational, scientific, medical.
Your hand reaches for the consultation fee,
your feet tread to the diagnostic lab,
your eyes scan the labels of tablets.
Every month, every year,
the cycle repeats —
and you follow, like a good boy, like a good girl.
Tests confirm.
Diagnosis etched on paper, stamped in ink.
A label sticks to your life — hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, asthma, depression, PCOD…
And the prescriptions pile like leaves in autumn.
Each one a promise, each one a chain.
You did what was asked.
You obeyed.
You measured, you tested, you swallowed,
you counted days, weeks, months.
You tracked, reported, checked, rechecked.
And yet —
the ache remains.
The symptom lingers.
The disease lives.
And the world around you — the doctors, the labs, the pharmacies —
thrives on your obedience.
This poem is not just a story.
It is a mirror.
A mirror held up to our lives,
to our habits, to our trust,
to the fine line between care and captivity.
Step inside, reader.
Follow the footsteps of those who walked the maze before you.
Feel the symptoms, the tests, the medicines, the money,
and the silent question that never dies:
Did you get the treatment you paid for?
---
BP
You felt the pounding in your head,
the dizziness when you walked too fast.
Your friend said — “It may be BP, go see a heart doctor.”
The doctor checked you,
sent you for tests — ECG, Echo, Creatinine, Lipid Profile.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have high blood pressure.”
He gave you Amlodipine, Telmisartan, Atenolol,
told you — “Take one every day, for life.
Check BP monthly, creatinine every 6 months.
Never stop.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor takes his fee,
the lab takes its money,
the pharmacy takes its share.
And you?
You still live with blood pressure.
---
Diabetes / Sugar
You felt too thirsty all the time,
running to the toilet again and again.
Your cousin said — “Looks like sugar, go to a diabetes doctor.”
The doctor listened,
sent you for tests — Fasting Sugar, PP Sugar, HbA1c, Urine Sugar.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have diabetes.”
He gave you Metformin, Glimepiride, Dapagliflozin,
told you — “Swallow these every day.
HbA1c every 3 months.
Never stop.”
And you are doing it all from 8 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the medical shop gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with diabetes.
---
Thyroid
You felt tired all the time,
your hands shaking, your weight going up and down.
Your neighbour said — “Maybe thyroid, see an endocrinologist.”
The doctor nodded,
sent you for TSH, T3, T4.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have hypothyroidism.”
He gave you Thyroxine tablet (Eltroxin),
told you — “Take it every morning on empty stomach.
TSH every 6 weeks.
Never stop.”
And you are doing it all from 12 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with thyroid.
---
Arthritis
You felt pain in your knees when you climbed stairs,
your uncle said — “It may be arthritis, go to the bone doctor.”
The doctor pressed your joints,
sent you for X-ray, RA factor, Vitamin D, Uric Acid.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Osteoarthritis.”
He gave you Painkillers (Aceclofenac, Etoricoxib),
Supplements (Calcium, Glucosamine, Collagen powders),
told you — “Take them daily, use ointments,
do physiotherapy.
Later we will replace your knee with titanium.”
And you are doing it all from 9 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its knee package brochure.
And you?
You still live with arthritis.
---
Cancer
You felt a lump, or a strange pain that would not go away,
your skin changed, or blood appeared where it shouldn’t.
Your friend said — “Go see an oncologist, it could be serious.”
The doctor examined,
sent you for Biopsy, CT scan, MRI, Blood tests, Tumor markers.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Cancer.”
He gave you Chemotherapy, Radiation, Targeted drugs, Pain management medicines,
told you — “Take as prescribed.
Come for cycles every few weeks.
Never stop.
Follow up forever.”
And you are doing it all from 3 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the hospital gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with cancer —
or at least live inside the machinery built to treat it.
---
Asthma
You felt your chest tight at night,
cough not leaving you for weeks.
Your friend said — “Looks like asthma, see a chest specialist.”
The doctor heard your lungs,
sent you for Spirometry, X-ray, Allergy IgE test.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have asthma.”
He gave you Inhalers (Budecort, Foracort, Salbutamol),
told you — “Breathe twice daily.
Check lungs every month.
Never stop.”
And you are doing it all from 7 years like a good boy.
The doctor takes his fee,
the lab takes its fee,
the pharmacy takes its fee.
And you?
You still live with asthma.
---
Depression
You felt sad without reason,
sleep broken, nothing gave you joy.
Your colleague said — “It may be depression, go see a psychiatrist.”
The doctor asked questions,
sent you for screening, thyroid check, Vitamin B12.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have depression.”
He gave you SSRIs (Fluoxetine, Escitalopram), sleeping pills,
told you — “Take these every day.
Come back every month.
Don’t ever stop suddenly.”
And you are doing it all from 5 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with depression.
---
Acidity / GERD
You felt burning in your chest after meals,
your cousin said — “It may be acidity, go to a gastro doctor.”
The doctor listened,
sent you for Endoscopy, H. Pylori test, Ultrasound.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have GERD.”
He gave you Omeprazole, Pantoprazole, Domperidone,
told you — “Take before food every day.
Repeat endoscopy if it doesn’t settle.
Never stop suddenly.”
And you are doing it all from 10 years like a good boy.
The doctor takes his fee,
the lab takes its fee,
the pharmacy takes its fee.
And you?
You still live with acidity.
---
High Cholesterol
You felt heaviness in your chest when walking,
your brother said — “Could be cholesterol, see a heart doctor.”
The doctor nodded,
sent you for Lipid Profile, ECG, TMT.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. High cholesterol.”
He gave you Statins (Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin),
told you — “Take every night.
Check Lipid Profile every 3 months.
Don’t even dream of stopping.”
And you are doing it all from 11 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with cholesterol.
---
Neuropathy
You felt tingling in your feet at night,
your aunt said — “Maybe nerve weakness, go to a neuro doctor.”
The doctor tapped your legs,
sent you for Nerve Conduction Study, Vitamin B12, HbA1c.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Peripheral neuropathy.”
He gave you Pregabalin, Gabapentin, Methylcobalamin
told you — “Swallow daily.
Come back every month.
It won’t go away.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with neuropathy.
---
Vitamin Deficiency
You felt tired after little work,
your hair falling, nails brittle.
Your neighbour said — “Might be Vitamin D, go check.”
The doctor agreed,
sent you for Vitamin D, Vitamin B12 tests.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have deficiency.”
He gave you Calcitriol sachets, Vitamin D3 injections, B12 shots,
told you — “Take weekly.
Check levels every 3 months.
Keep repeating.”
And you are doing it all from 4 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with deficiency.
---
PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)
You felt irregular periods, weight gain, hair fall.
Your friend said — “Looks like PCOD, see a gynecologist.”
The doctor listened,
sent you for Pelvic Ultrasound, Hormone profile.
Reports came back.
She said — “Yes, confirmed. You have PCOD.”
She gave you Metformin, Oral contraceptive pills, Myo-Inositol sachets,
told you — “Take daily.
Ultrasound every 6 months.
No stopping.”
And you are doing it all from 7 years like a good girl.
The doctor gets her fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with PCOD.
---
Fatty Liver
You felt heaviness in your right side,
your brother said — “Looks like liver, go to a gastro doctor.”
The doctor pressed your belly,
sent you for LFT, Ultrasound, FibroScan.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have fatty liver.”
He gave you Essentiale, Ursodeoxycholic acid, Vitamin E capsules,
told you — “Take daily.
Repeat scan every 6 months.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 5 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with fatty liver.
---
Migraine
You felt half-head headache with vomiting,
your cousin said — “Looks like migraine, go see a neuro doctor.”
The doctor asked questions,
sent you for MRI Brain, Eye check, Blood pressure tests.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Migraine.”
He gave you Propranolol, Flunarizine, Sumatriptan,
told you — “Take every day.
Come back monthly.
Never stop suddenly.”
And you are doing it all from 9 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with migraine.
---
Insomnia
You felt awake at midnight,
your mind not switching off.
Your colleague said — “It may be insomnia, see a psychiatrist.”
The doctor nodded,
sent you for Sleep study, Thyroid test, Vitamin D.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Insomnia.”
He gave you Clonazepam, Zolpidem, Melatonin,
told you — “Take nightly.
Check every month.
Never stop on your own.”
And you are doing it all from 3 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with insomnia.
---
Gout
You felt sudden pain in your big toe,
swelling, redness, you couldn’t even touch the bedsheet.
Your uncle said — “Looks like uric acid, see a rheumatologist.”
The doctor pressed your foot,
sent you for Uric Acid, ESR, X-ray.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have gout.”
He gave you Febuxostat, Allopurinol, Colchicine,
told you — “Take daily, avoid food you like.
Repeat uric acid every month.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with gout.
---
Psoriasis
You felt thick red patches on your elbows,
white scales falling like dandruff.
Your neighbour said — “Looks like skin problem, go to a dermatologist.”
The doctor looked,
sent you for Skin biopsy, Vitamin D, CBC.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Psoriasis.”
He gave you Steroid creams, Methotrexate, Biologics injections,
told you — “Apply daily, swallow weekly.
Check liver tests every month.
This is lifelong.”
And you are doing it all from 11 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with psoriasis.
---
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
You felt stomach pain every morning,
motions never normal, gas and bloating all day.
Your cousin said — “Looks like IBS, go to gastro doctor.”
The doctor asked questions,
sent you for Colonoscopy, Stool test, Ultrasound.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have IBS.”
He gave you Antispasmodics, Probiotics, Antacids,
told you — “Take daily.
Come back every month.
No cure, only control.”
And you are doing it all from 7 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with IBS.
---
Eczema
You felt itching patches on your hands,
skin burning, cracking, not healing.
Your friend said — “Looks like eczema, go to skin doctor.”
The doctor saw your skin,
sent you for Allergy panel, IgE, Skin scraping.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Chronic eczema.”
He gave you Steroid creams, Antihistamines, Tacrolimus ointment,
told you — “Apply daily.
Use moisturizers forever.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 9 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with eczema.
---
Kidney Stones
You felt sharp pain in your side,
like a knife cutting through your back.
Your neighbour said — “Looks like kidney stone, see a urologist.”
The doctor pressed your belly,
sent you for Ultrasound, CT-KUB, Urine routine.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have kidney stones.”
He gave you Tamsulosin, Painkillers, Alkalizers,
told you — “Take daily.
Come every 3 months.
If bigger, we will do laser surgery.”
And you are doing it all from 5 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its stent packages.
And you?
You still live with kidney stones.
---
Obesity
You felt tired when climbing stairs,
your clothes tight, your knees aching.
Your relative said — “Looks like obesity, go to a weight clinic.”
The doctor measured,
sent you for BMI, Lipid profile, Fasting Sugar, Thyroid test.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have obesity.”
He gave you Orlistat, Liraglutide injections, Protein shakes,
told you — “Take daily.
Check weight every month.
If not reducing, we will do bariatric surgery.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its surgery brochure.
And you?
You still live with obesity.
---
Anxiety
You felt your heart racing for no reason,
palms sweaty, fear rising from nowhere.
Your colleague said — “Looks like anxiety, go see a psychiatrist.”
The doctor listened,
sent you for Thyroid profile, Vitamin B12, ECG.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have generalized anxiety.”
He gave you Clonazepam, Escitalopram, Propranolol,
told you — “Take daily.
Follow up every month.
Never stop suddenly.”
And you are doing it all from 5 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with anxiety.
---
Sleep Apnea
You felt sleepy during the day,
snoring like a motor at night.
Your wife said — “Looks like sleep apnea, go to a sleep clinic.”
The doctor checked,
sent you for Polysomnography, Chest X-ray, ECG.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have sleep apnea.”
He gave you a CPAP machine, Nasal mask, Sedatives,
told you — “Use nightly.
Come back every 3 months.
Never stop.”
And you are doing it all from 4 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the device company gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with apnea.
---
Osteoporosis
You felt backache when lifting small weights,
even small fractures came too easy.
Your aunt said — “Looks like osteoporosis, see an orthopedist.”
The doctor nodded,
sent you for DEXA scan, Calcium, Vitamin D tests.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have osteoporosis.”
He gave you Bisphosphonates, Calcium, Vitamin D3 sachets,
told you — “Take weekly.
Repeat scan every year.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 7 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with osteoporosis.
---
Infertility
You felt the years passing,
still no child, hope turning into fear.
Your neighbour said — “See an IVF specialist.”
The doctor smiled,
sent you for Semen analysis, AMH, Hormone profile, Ultrasound.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Infertility.”
He gave you Hormone injections, Ovulation tablets, Antioxidants,
told you — “Repeat cycles, do IVF if natural fails.
Costs will go up, but don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 3 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its IVF package.
And you?
You still live with infertility.
---
Hypertension Relapse
You stopped your medicines once,
BP shot up again, the fear doubled.
Your friend said — “Don’t play games, go back to the doctor.”
The doctor checked,
sent you for Blood Pressure log, Kidney function, ECG.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Hypertension relapse.”
He gave you Losartan, Amlodipine, Diuretics,
told you — “Never try stopping again.
Take lifelong.
Every 3 months review.”
And you are doing it all from 15 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with hypertension.
---
Memory Loss / Early Dementia
You felt lost in your own lane,
forgetting names, misplacing words.
Your daughter said — “Looks like memory loss, go to a neuro doctor.”
The doctor examined,
sent you for MRI Brain, Vitamin B12, MMSE scoring.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Early dementia.”
He gave you Donepezil, Memantine, Vitamin E,
told you — “Take daily.
Come back every month.
No cure, only control.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with memory loss.
---
Allergic Rhinitis
You felt your nose blocked every morning,
sneezing a hundred times before breakfast.
Your neighbour said — “Looks like allergy, go to ENT doctor.”
The doctor looked,
sent you for Allergy panel, IgE, Sinus X-ray.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. You have allergic rhinitis.”
He gave you Antihistamines, Nasal sprays (Fluticasone), Montelukast,
told you — “Use daily.
Repeat allergy test every year.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 8 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with allergy.
---
Varicose Veins
You felt heaviness in your legs,
blue swollen veins shining through skin.
Your uncle said — “Looks like varicose, see a vascular surgeon.”
The doctor examined,
sent you for Doppler ultrasound, Venous pressure test.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Varicose veins.”
He gave you Stockings, Daflon tablets,
told you — “Wear lifelong.
Later we will do laser surgery.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 5 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its laser package.
And you?
You still live with varicose veins.
---
Piles
You felt pain and bleeding in the toilet,
fear each time you sat down.
Your cousin said — “Looks like piles, go to a surgeon.”
The doctor checked,
sent you for Proctoscopy, Stool occult blood test.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Hemorrhoids.”
He gave you Lactulose syrup, Ointments, Suppositories,
told you — “Take daily.
Come back when it grows,
we will do stapler surgery.”
And you are doing it all from 4 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its operation package.
And you?
You still live with piles.
---
Back Pain (Spondylosis)
You felt stiffness in your back each morning,
pain shooting down your legs.
Your colleague said — “Looks like spondylosis, see an ortho doctor.”
The doctor examined,
sent you for X-ray spine, MRI, Vitamin D.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Lumbar spondylosis.”
He gave you Painkillers, Muscle relaxants, Calcium tablets,
told you — “Physiotherapy lifelong.
MRI every year.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 10 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with back pain.
---
Sinusitis
You felt headache around the eyes,
blocked nose, thick phlegm that never left.
Your neighbour said — “Looks like sinus, go to ENT.”
The doctor checked,
sent you for CT PNS, Nasal endoscopy, IgE.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. Chronic sinusitis.”
He gave you Antibiotics, Steroid sprays, Antihistamines,
told you — “Take for months.
If not better, we will do surgery.”
And you are doing it all from 7 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
The hospital waits with its FESS brochure.
And you?
You still live with sinusitis.
---
Chronic Acidity’s Cousin — IBS with Constipation
You felt bloating and constipation alternating,
a stomach that never obeyed.
Your aunt said — “Looks like IBS, go to gastro doctor.”
The doctor listened,
sent you for Colonoscopy, Stool culture, Ultrasound.
Reports came back.
He said — “Yes, confirmed. IBS with constipation.”
He gave you Laxatives, Probiotics, Antispasmodics,
told you — “Take daily.
Colonoscopy every year.
Don’t stop.”
And you are doing it all from 6 years like a good boy.
The doctor gets his fee,
the lab gets its fee,
the pharmacy gets its fee.
And you?
You still live with constipation.
---
Epilogue
And now, after hundreds of symptoms, thousands of pills,
doctors’ orders, labs’ bills, pharmacies’ receipts,
you sit in your room, counting the years,
and wonder quietly:
All this time, you have done it all “like a good boy, like a good girl.”
You measured, you tested, you obeyed.
You trusted. You followed.
You survived the treadmill of instructions,
and you never paused to ask the question that matters most.
What did you really get?
The medicines line your cabinet,
the injections line your fridge,
the inhalers and ointments stand by your bed.
The machines hum, the appointments tick by,
the invoices stack, the reminders buzz.
But the disease —
it still lives.
It curls around your days, whispers in your nights,
and waits for you to breathe, to move, to think.
Did you get the treatment you paid for?
Or did you pay for the treatment you did not need,
while the disease continued its quiet rule?
This is the irony of modern living:
obedience is rewarded, not cure;
attention is measured, not healing;
and life becomes a ledger of fees and follow-ups.
Yet — in this reflection, there is power.
In this awareness, a spark.
Because you can see the cycle,
and even if you cannot break it,
you can watch it, name it, question it,
and, perhaps, laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The poem ends,
but the question lingers,
echoing softly in every pulse and ache:
Did you get the treatment you paid for?
---
