famnd
05-14-2009, 12:48 AM
by Jerome Groopman, MD. A must read for those of us who have had multible DR's in the pursuit of a healthy b/p.
He suggests ways of providing info that is essential for one's Dr. while he decides on a diagnosis.
I can really relate to the examples Dr. Groopman provides given my numerous drug reactions. Often I was told that these reactions were not related to the drug I had just started. Thank goodness I had the courage to disagree with my DR. when I had the Cozaar reaction which damaged my body extensively. Fam
He suggests ways of providing info that is essential for one's Dr. while he decides on a diagnosis.
I can really relate to the examples Dr. Groopman provides given my numerous drug reactions. Often I was told that these reactions were not related to the drug I had just started. Thank goodness I had the courage to disagree with my DR. when I had the Cozaar reaction which damaged my body extensively. Fam
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flowergirl2day
05-14-2009, 11:39 AM
Thanks for the information!
Have you ever noticed that doctors don't always seem to communicate very well with each other? This seems to be an on-going problem and can probably be blamed on the very limited amount of time our doctors have to spend on administrative issues and correspondence. However, important medical information, such as test results and changes in medication should be shared with other doctors treating the individual. It should not be up to the patient to inform his family physician about these changes. :dizzy:
I agree with you that there are times when we have to disagree with our doctors. It never hurts to get a second opinion. If the issue at hand is drug-related, a pharmacist's input is always appreciated. I rely on their opinions heavily, because pharmacists have a thorough knowledge of drugs and their effects on the body. They are also more willing to acknowledge the existence of adverse effects. :)
flowergirl
Have you ever noticed that doctors don't always seem to communicate very well with each other? This seems to be an on-going problem and can probably be blamed on the very limited amount of time our doctors have to spend on administrative issues and correspondence. However, important medical information, such as test results and changes in medication should be shared with other doctors treating the individual. It should not be up to the patient to inform his family physician about these changes. :dizzy:
I agree with you that there are times when we have to disagree with our doctors. It never hurts to get a second opinion. If the issue at hand is drug-related, a pharmacist's input is always appreciated. I rely on their opinions heavily, because pharmacists have a thorough knowledge of drugs and their effects on the body. They are also more willing to acknowledge the existence of adverse effects. :)
flowergirl
famnd
05-15-2009, 12:04 AM
I've given up on Dr's communication. It's almost nonexistent in my case. I go to my Dr's visit armed with recent labs etc. & quickly inform the Dr or nurse what is pertinent.
I haven't had good luck with pharmacist with the exception of a conversation with a Walgreen's pharmacist in the midst of my HCTZ mystery. I called her late one night in desperation for someone to talk with who could give me a profession opinion regarding my detective work. I told her that I wasn't a customer of the Walgreen Pharmacy because of my insurance issues & my med requirements. I find my pharmacists are just overwhelmed with work so they have very little time to spend with patients.
That book would have helped me so much when I was going through the b/p merry-go-round. Although I probably wouldn't have been able to appreciate the advice as much as I do now after going through so much. Thank goodness we live in an age when so much info is available. Fam
I haven't had good luck with pharmacist with the exception of a conversation with a Walgreen's pharmacist in the midst of my HCTZ mystery. I called her late one night in desperation for someone to talk with who could give me a profession opinion regarding my detective work. I told her that I wasn't a customer of the Walgreen Pharmacy because of my insurance issues & my med requirements. I find my pharmacists are just overwhelmed with work so they have very little time to spend with patients.
That book would have helped me so much when I was going through the b/p merry-go-round. Although I probably wouldn't have been able to appreciate the advice as much as I do now after going through so much. Thank goodness we live in an age when so much info is available. Fam
flowergirl2day
05-15-2009, 02:46 AM
Fam, :)
Thank goodness we live in an age when so much info is available.
I think many people would agree. It has become necessary for us, the patients, to take the initiative and become informed about our medical issues. It is expected of us. Have you ever been asked to read a specific article or a study? Some doctors even send us the articles they want us to read - homework, I guess. :) Beats trying to explain the issue in two minutes.
FG
Thank goodness we live in an age when so much info is available.
I think many people would agree. It has become necessary for us, the patients, to take the initiative and become informed about our medical issues. It is expected of us. Have you ever been asked to read a specific article or a study? Some doctors even send us the articles they want us to read - homework, I guess. :) Beats trying to explain the issue in two minutes.
FG
ACE28
05-15-2009, 10:27 PM
Flowergirl - I believe all doctors should get a taste of their own medicine before they dispense drugs like candy. They want you take high dosages of multiple medications and feel normal?? Let doctors sample the medicines they
take for about 4 weeks. I assure you, they would be taking numerous sick days. They would probably need a doctor.
take for about 4 weeks. I assure you, they would be taking numerous sick days. They would probably need a doctor.
tjlhb
05-16-2009, 01:08 AM
FSome doctors even send us the articles they want us to read - homework, I guess. :) Beats trying to explain the issue in two minutes.
At least that means that s/he probably already read the article.
On the other hand, it may be difficult for a primary physician to keep up on everything (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment) that a patient could possibly walk in with.
Perhaps it may tip the odds in your favor to choose a primary physician with an interest in things that apply to your health situation (some medical groups have physician profiles on their web sites). Also, choosing one of the same gender and similar or slightly older age may increase the chance of the physician personally encountering the same health situation that you do.
At least that means that s/he probably already read the article.
On the other hand, it may be difficult for a primary physician to keep up on everything (symptoms, diagnosis, treatment) that a patient could possibly walk in with.
Perhaps it may tip the odds in your favor to choose a primary physician with an interest in things that apply to your health situation (some medical groups have physician profiles on their web sites). Also, choosing one of the same gender and similar or slightly older age may increase the chance of the physician personally encountering the same health situation that you do.
flowergirl2day
05-16-2009, 02:09 AM
ACE,
I had the exact same thoughts as you dozens of times! Side effects or adverse drug reactions were not up for discussion with my former doctor. According to him, any problems that arose could be classified as either: nothing to worry about (because everyone gets this), age-related and thus inevitable (no intervention required), or brought about by anxiety (imaginary). The fact is, the only times I experienced true anxiety was when I had to deal with him! :dizzy:
I agree that a taste of their own medicine should be mandatory. Getting as sick from it as we sometimes do would teach them some badly needed compassion.
I have often wondered whether our doctors truly believe that the drugs they prescribe have no side effects. Why else would they become so defensive when their patients complain? None of the drugs I am on have any side effects, (especially the statin), according to my former doctor. This is why I prefer discussing drug-related issues with pharmacists. :)
flowergirl
I had the exact same thoughts as you dozens of times! Side effects or adverse drug reactions were not up for discussion with my former doctor. According to him, any problems that arose could be classified as either: nothing to worry about (because everyone gets this), age-related and thus inevitable (no intervention required), or brought about by anxiety (imaginary). The fact is, the only times I experienced true anxiety was when I had to deal with him! :dizzy:
I agree that a taste of their own medicine should be mandatory. Getting as sick from it as we sometimes do would teach them some badly needed compassion.
I have often wondered whether our doctors truly believe that the drugs they prescribe have no side effects. Why else would they become so defensive when their patients complain? None of the drugs I am on have any side effects, (especially the statin), according to my former doctor. This is why I prefer discussing drug-related issues with pharmacists. :)
flowergirl
flowergirl2day
05-16-2009, 02:28 AM
tjlhb,
good point!
I am very happy with the physician I now have, an exact opposite of the former one. Because of the on-going shortage of physicians, changing doctors without a compelling reason is not advisable. It took me several months to find a doctor who was still accepting new patients.
FG
good point!
I am very happy with the physician I now have, an exact opposite of the former one. Because of the on-going shortage of physicians, changing doctors without a compelling reason is not advisable. It took me several months to find a doctor who was still accepting new patients.
FG