What if you disagree with doc

[anxiouscase]

I don't want to lose this GP but I came home after he prescribed something and I totally disagree with what he wants me to take. He wants me to take depression meds and I am not depressed. When I was in his office of course I had no real idea what it was until I did some research on google.

Do you think doctors mind if you disagree with them and refuse to take something? Will they be insulted?

 

[thisisinteresting]

If your doctor gets insulted by you not wanting to take depression meds (being that you're not depressed) then he's probably on some sort of power trip. I mean, are you sure the medicine's only use is antidepressant? Still though, you should be able to voice your opinion with your doctor. It's your body even if he is the expert.

Disagreement is fine but if he gets butthurt over it I would be wary.

 

[justsimon]

I don't want to lose this GP but I came home after he prescribed something and I totally disagree with what he wants me to take. He wants me to take depression meds and I am not depressed. When I was in his office of course I had no real idea what it was until I did some research on google.

Do you think doctors mind if you disagree with them and refuse to take something? Will they be insulted?

Tell him you don't think taking this medication is the appropriate course of action and you'd like to try something else. If he isn't willing to listen to your concerns or at least explain his reasons, you should find a new doctor.

 

[anxiouscase]

My doctor's a really good friend, we argue all the time but in the end of it all, they're professionals, you're not. It is your responsibility to tell him what you feel comfortable with. They're there to help, if you wish to take their advice/help, that's up to you. I stopped taking anti-depressants along with sleeping meds almost two years ago, haven't looked back since.

If it bothers you, get a second opinion from a different doctor and go from there.

You mind me asking why you stopped and when you finally decided to take them? To be honest i am most worried about the side-effects..thats why i take it so seriously, everyone reports major weight-gain..and that would kill me. i can't be a fatty lol

I have problems with sleep and anxiousness but I am not depressed. Like I feel I could do anything and have ambition if I could just get some sleep. I feel I have more possible personality disorders...some paranoia/avoidance issues..but I am a pretty damn happy and ambition guy. And yes this medicine is for mood and depression, panic disorder, ocd) So it does help with calming down..but i dont think thats my main issue.

Don't get me wrong, I think I have some pretty big issues..I have a f'ed up past..but i'm pretty certain i'm not depressed. And being naturally anxious is not my problem..it comes from something else.

I just hate that I said few words and he jumped to the drugs so fast.

 

[anxiouscase]

some "depression meds" are used for other reasons (problems)

you didnt say what your reason was for seeing the doc

That's because he barley listened to a word I said. This was my second time seeing him for the same reason. Last time he gave me this really really light anti-depressant, but it didn't work, just gave me more adrenaline.

He said, so what can i help you with. I said, "I still can't sleep". He started to say that he's sending me to a sleep clinic. This was right after I said I couldn't sleep.

I stopped him and said "well, I don't think that's it. You see, I think its anxiety when it comes to not being able to sleep. You see how it happened was that I was working a night job..and one day I didn't sleep before heading to my job..big mistake..i felt so horrible that nite...i felt drugged..like a nightmare..my perception of things was different. And it created this fear in my head...after that I thought to myself "omg what if i couldn't sleep from now on and i had to be like that every day". That fear drove me to never be able to sleep again. It's been three years since that day.

So then he says, "you have major general anxiety disorder" and prescribes this. It's called citalopram.( think also called celexa)

But I wanted to explain it more, that I wasn't depressed, etc That its more that I am paranoid about things and they become mental blocks in my head. I am anxious about not being able to sleep..which is natural when you can't sleep for 3yrs.

Just wish he would have listened more. i mentioned i thought it was a good idea if he could refer me to a psychiatrist because id really be interested in an evaluation. he ignored that part.

I'm not a drug guy, last resort. I'm not a test-dummy. I need proof of things, real evaluation, before I will take something.

 

[jaysizzles]

I have problems with sleep and anxiousness but I am not depressed. Like I feel I could do anything and have ambition if I could just get some sleep. I feel I have more possible personality disorders...some paranoia/avoidance issues..but I am a pretty damn happy and ambition guy. And yes this medicine is for mood and depression, panic disorder, ocd) So it does help with calming down..but i dont think thats my main issue.

I'm an advocate for taking control of your own health and well-being...not completely relying on Doctors and pills, etc., and it's wise to question them and learn everything you can about their diagnosis...as well do your homework.

However...several years ago I felt many of the same symptoms as you described... anxious, sleep deprived and a few other problems...but can honestly say that I didn't actually feel sad/depressed. The doctor said it was still a form of depression though. I reluctantly agreed to be placed on Xanax ...just to take the edge off...which it did to a certain extent. I made the decision that it would be a temporary solution because I feared dependency, plus I wanted to find out why this was happening to me and explore a natural remedy as an alternative. Through my own research and diagnosis...I learned that a lot of my problems were due to food intolerances and now with proper diet and exercise I no longer suffer from many of the problems that I once had...with no medication. I did continue to see the doctor throughout...let him know what I was doing as well he offered some advice along the way.

So...perhaps the medication will help as a temporary fix to take the edge off of the anxiousness and sleep deprivation...giving you the opportunity to focus on finding an alternative remedy.

 

[swerve]

WHY would you WANT to keep a GP that won't listen to you???

There are a LOT of REALLY GOOD doctors out there that will...

I'm not familiar with that drug -- but my overall opinion on anti depressive medicines is that they are OVER prescribed...

Do your body and mind a FAVOR -- and consider alternatives...

 

[LongBeachBill]

You have every right to disagree with a doctor, who cares if you insult him?! It's your health in question. From what you described, I would have walked out and put in a complaint about him to my HMO.

 

[anxiouscase]

WHY would you WANT to keep a GP that won't listen to you???

Because I've seen him maybe 3-4 times total only.
Because its hard to find a new GP.
Because he has good ratings on an md site, good reviews,and people say he is compassionate, listens..apparently just not me. lol

 

[hotdog1846]

In my experience, GPs do tend to diagnose "generalized anxiety disorder" and prescribe things pretty quickly. They're under tremendous time pressure and can't take time to get to know you, listen to your case history, and so on. (Blame this stupid health care system we have.)

SSRIs do help a lot of people with anxiety disorders, but not everybody. As with any psychoactive substance, different people react differently. If you opt for medications, it can take time to find the right one and the right dosage.

You could, in parallel, pursue other options, like stress management, exercise, diet, and so on. You don't have to do just medications OR the other stuff. (That said, be careful about combining herbals and medications -- herbals can be pretty potent and you can get into trouble when combining them.)

You might want to see a psychiatrist instead of a GP with this issue. A psychiatrist will take time to talk with you and try different options. It'll cost more (lots more), though, and a lot of insurance plans don't cover psychiatrists.

 

[star-warrior]

My sis had some pain someplace and was perscribed an anti-depressant. I think some medecines have more than one use, so, if its given to you, maybe the doctor is aware of its usual uses and also its other uses...

 

[anxiouscase]

You might want to see a psychiatrist instead of a GP with this issue. A psychiatrist will take time to talk with you and try different options. It'll cost more (lots more), though, and a lot of insurance plans don't cover psychiatrists.

Here in Canada, if you get referred from your GP, its all free. But to go to any specialist, you need a GP refferal.

I asked for that, he ignored that part.

 

[bluedragon4]

Doctors can be clueless also. I had a small rash on my forehead and chest. My doctor insisted it was scabies. You don't get scabies on your face and only your chest. Than he tells me to use the scabies cream 12 hours a day for 12 days!!!! I told him right there that I know it's a one time 12 hour application!! He argued with me and pushed me out the door. I work in the health field and have had experience with scabies and the med. I told the pharmacy what he said and they told me I was right it's one time and my doctor could have poisoned me. I never went back to him. I went to a new doctor and I just had a heat rash. When I work out I sweat the most on my forehead and chest. It was a simple fix but I had to suffer with it longer than I should have and spent money I didn't need to spend. You don't have to do what your doctor says.

 

[GM1985]

You go and tell him you disagree, and give him your reasons!

If he is a proper Doctor he will take onboard what your concerns are and explain his reasoning!

If you still don't agree, request a different Doctor!

 

[anxiouscase]

should i suggest to him i had some bad side-affect and tell him once again then id rather just get full evaluation from psychiatrist?

 

[mrcorbin]

i can't be a fatty lol

That is your reason as to why you don't need the medicine?

Talk to your GP - but have a better reason than that please.

And to the others claiming their is some sort of scam between doctors, insurance companies, and pharmacology companies, please quit thinking we are all out to get you. Most physicians don't spend that many years of their lives for school and around $250k to ruin your life.

 

[rareboy]

So someone who chooses a username of 'anxiouscase' doesn't
think their Doctor knows best.

My suggestion?

You need to see a therapist, not just a GP. A mental health specialist may be able to assist you with sorting out your problems without meds.

However, meds used for depression are also useful at treating hyperanxiety.

Which it would appear that you have.

If your GP has ignored your request for a referral to a psychiatrist, contact the nearest mental health provider and talk to them. You can likely go to an assessment clinic and they will match you with the appropriate counselling professional. Don't give up.

 

[NVRMOR]

You should ask a doctor's rationale for writing a prescription while he's writing it, not after you google it. Google isn't a substitute for 8 or so years of medical school. Sometimes doctors use drugs for off-label effects. The drug companies aren't allowed to publish some indications because they haven't been fully researched and documented, but doctors know of them and use the drugs accordingly.
I don't like to use wikipedia for an authoritative reference, but the following from that site is accurate:

Off-label use of medications is very common. Up to one-fifth of all drugs are prescribed off label and amongst psychiatric drugs, off-label use rises to 31% (Radley, et al. 2006).

I think you should discuss your concerns with your doc with an open mind. Give him the benifit of the doubt and try his recommended therapy.

Either that, or you wasted your money

 

[anxiouscase]

Just to be clear, i'm not questioning his knowledge. He seems smart, and he's the doc, not me. I'm questioning how he went so quickly from one thing to another and was so intent on prescribing something. First, he is scribbling something about sleep clinic. Then I say just a few words about anxiousness and now he is scribbling something new. If I had mentioned next that my heart hurts and i think i need surgery..would he set that up too without doing any test?

Right now I'm considering talking to a doctor who works with gay community, who is a general physician/psychotherapist.

 

[BRIOHAZARD]

My doctor diagnosed me with severe depression. I got a second doctors opinion and it turned out I had gastroenteritis.


Always helps to get a second opinion.