Posted by Alan on July 23, 2002, at 15:54:47
In reply to frustration - the medical monopoly, posted by Elizabeth on July 20, 2002, at 2:24:11
> We all know that doctors sometimes appeal to morality -- their own subjective morality -- in making medical decisions. I just wish that my ability to be well didn't depend on whether I can find a doctor whose morals don't make him/her too rigid to prescribe the medication that works for me. It seems like most doctors in average American cities are pretty rigid, alas.
>
> Anyone else having similar thoughts and feelings?
>
> -elizabeth
===============================================Sorry you're having so much trouble elizabeth. I've enjoyed your posts over many months and remember the last one concerning your move and finding a new doc.
The suggestion about contacting the drug Co. seems to be a good one but you may run into resistance (if you haven't already) for not being able to identify yourself as a doc. Drug seeking behaivor? I remember the post almost verbatium that faschad went on about titled "The Controlled Substance Catch-22" Remember that one? Sounds like you're there in a certain kind of way.
I've had the exact same experience with BZD's and pdocs. I know more about them vis-a-vis my health than any doc could ever know and the present pdoc is my 4th! And all over the evil seed, BZD's. I lost 5 years of my life because the first three docs wouldn't listen to what I was telling them - that AD's did not feel right for my GAD and when they added BZD's, I felt better!
Finally I found a doc that was highly regarded amongst their peers (ironiy of ironies) for "thinking outside of the box". Why does someone have to think outside of the box to prescribe a medicine in monotherapy that the patient tells them works and is designed explicitly as an anxiolytic?
Prejudice, ideology, or just plain rigidity and stupidity. Those that refuse to or are incapable of, for instance, making the distinction between "addiction" and medical dependence. I don't know how many times I heard from the first 3 docs that word - "addictive." Totally out of place for the term and inappropriately explained to me vis-a-vis BZD's. I was so conflicted about a med that made me feel better that was going to put me in the same class as "drug addicts" that the anxiety was greatly worsened and THAT is what almost left me with nothing. Literally nothing.
Much I found is a problem with the doc, while perhaps having best intentions in mind, is certainly ego driven and under the constraints of limited information that has been manipulated by commercial interests. That was the case with my first 3 docs.
I wish that I could offer some advice. I can only offer empathy because of a system that is really broken when you examine it with any scrutiny at all. Individual cases are treated with no respect for the individual much of the time. Hence your feelings re: loss of your individual freedom I suspect.
My very best to you,
Alan
poster:Alan
thread:112998
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020718/msgs/113427.html