nervous going to new dr

[Guest]

So I finally found a new dr in my area who will take my insurance. I'm hoping, praying that he may be compassionate and a good fit for me. The reason I feel nervous is I just don't know how honest I can be without warning signs going on. Obviously being in chronic pain for so long, I have a large history with different treatments, medications, etc. However I have not actually been treated for my back in over 6 years. Except for an emergency room visit after a recent car accident. Do you think I need to go way way back to 20+ years ago when I first started with this? Or just a brief overview? Sometimes I feel like I should just start over new. I definitely need a new MRI. Just wondering if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions.

Gratefully

Gal

 

[skschmidt]

it is not always the right dr you need - sometimes it is enough when you have the right pharmacist!

 

[aintnouse]

If I were in your shoes, I would probably start with a brief overview.  I think seeing a new Doc for the first time

is going to be a feeling out process by both parties involved.  Hopefully the Doc will take the time to listen to your concerns

and not pre-judge you. It should be obvious to the Doc that you have legitimate pain issues you are dealing with and you 

aren't just shopping.   I know it's unnerving, but try not to overthink it  /default_smile.png  You will be fine!

Just remember  "Once in awhile you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right!"

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[Kurt Codean]

yeah just explain what kind of pain you have. He should be able to test you by applying pressure to the areas you say you feel pain in, or making you do certain tasks like touch your toes or something. You can tell him when it started and how long you've had it and that it interferes with your life, and since he's a doctor it's his job to make you feel better. It shouldn't matter what your past history is. I doubt that a doctor will even spend the time to review your whole live's history anyway. I don't know if you are looking for a specific medication but I guess that's where it can get tricky. You might have to settle for something less potent than what you are looking for. I guess that's up to the doctor. If he doesn't want to give you anything or if he is only willing to give you something light like gabapentin or ibuprofen I guess you would have to try saying that you need something stronger. If he refuses then you might have to try a different doctor. 

 

[2earls]

Once my doc agreed to prescribe pain meds, she wanted my long history of treatment on file, I assume so that she had as much documentation of why she was prescribing them. I didn't want to go through every treatment that I had already been through again either.

I know it's nerve wracking but try and just relax and be honest and hope for a good compassionate doctor. If they don't fit the bill, nothing you do or say will matter much anyway. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

Well that didn't go to well but honestly I didn't have my hopes to high. Naproxen!! But at least I got my referral to physical therapy. Although usually I need something stronger to even be able to do physical therapy. he was nice and said if I had any problems to give him a call. its probably better to be patient and take it slow these days anyway, build up the trust. Thank you for all your kind words and advice!

 

[aintnouse]

I am sorry to hear that.   I think you are right to take things slow and see how it progresses.   I imagine the way things are nowadays he is probably gun shy on prescribing things until he realizes that you 1. aren't Dr. shopping 2. you are making an attempt at physical therapy and 3. you have a couple visits under your belt.    Depending on where you are in the country and the age of your Dr.  it may take a couple of visits.   Where I live they thump on Bibles (while they get shitfaced drunk) and wag their fingers in judgement against anything they think is "wrong".  It is so conservative and backasswards that people always think the worst regarding Medmary, or a prescription for legit pain.   

I certainly hope things get a lot better for you!  Have a good Turkey day or Tofurkey Day depending on your preferences!

 

[Guest]

Thanks! He was about 95 years old lol or at least it seemed. I liked him though so I'm going to be patient. I get what I need from here anyway, for now. That sounds scary in your area! Up where I am its not to bad, a lot of drs I've seen have been pretty easygoing with the meds (at least until lately). I'm up in New England. I've even been told, usually by older drs, that they will prescribe what they want, they don't give a f what anyone says because they've been doing things their way for so long. Also the more money you appear to have, the better you get treated, sad but true. Even my dentist prescribes perks for a toothache. The trouble I have is finding a dr (near me) who takes my insurance. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well!

 

[georgiagirl]

Can I ask what you ment by that? 

it is not always the right dr you need - sometimes it is enough when you have the right pharmacist!

 

[humboldtguy]

Can I ask what you ment by that? 

I imagine its about what pharmacy you go to. There is one particular pharmacy I used to go to several years back and they had all kinds of things to say about what my prescriptions where. My doctor at the time told me to never use them again as a pharmacy, since they were not the prescribing doctor and he was. This was a chain brand pharmacy. The mom and pop shops are so much better where I live as far a privacy and letting you doctor prescribe what he or she feels is best.

much love

HG

 

[SleepyMonkey]

Thanks! He was about 95 years old lol or at least it seemed. I liked him though so I'm going to be patient. I get what I need from here anyway, for now. That sounds scary in your area! Up where I am its not to bad, a lot of drs I've seen have been pretty easygoing with the meds (at least until lately). I'm up in New England. I've even been told, usually by older drs, that they will prescribe what they want, they don't give a f what anyone says because they've been doing things their way for so long. Also the more money you appear to have, the better you get treated, sad but true. Even my dentist prescribes perks for a toothache. The trouble I have is finding a dr (near me) who takes my insurance. I hope you have a great Thanksgiving as well!

I've noticed the older docs around here (Minneapolis) are the same way. They believe you need what you're asking for because that's what their whole job revolves around and they've been doing it for so many years. Seems like most docs these days forgot about the Oath they took... especially this part:

"I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God."

 

[ROOSTERMAN]

  I also have issues with Dr's and anxiety, phenibut helps, But I always have a complete written medical history, with copys of lab works and other tests procedures along with what pharms I was on when for what reason and how/if they worked.  I also have all my complaints/questions written out so I dont have to remember.  I walk in with litterly 1,000's of pages, CD drives,   but its necessary documentation, any half ass quack will want to see, and will have no excuse that he cant locate the info in the computer.  I also have a list of pharms I want prescribed and second choices (Im rather conservative on my choices of scheduled stuff as today's climate).   But when I walk into a doctors office I have no questions, all I need is my prescriptions filled and im honest about that as no one has done more research on my conditions than myself, Some doctors hate this but others respect it.

     GOOD LUCK

 

[Dr Disrespect]

It’s just the nature of the beast now unfortunately. Older doctors are likely the way to go. Nevertheless, if you’re truly in pain, which it sounds like you are, then you have a right to treatment. Whether that requires certain meds or alternative therapy, I can’t say. But, regardless, doctors have an obligation to treat the presented condition. Don’t be afraid to ask for what you think you need, articulate a reason, ask if he/she can help, and then wait for the answer. Pro-Tip: Don’t go into the Dr.’s office half-cocked, unkempt, lacking sleep, or with whatever. People are judgmental AF and doctors are no less so, unfortunately. Thus, present yourself as someone who has his or her shit together, demand respect, and you’ll get more scripts filled. 

 

[Kendall]

@ROOSTERMAN phenibut helped? 

 

[SleepyMonkey]

It’s just the nature of the beast now unfortunately. Older doctors are likely the way to go.

^ This is the key right here. While not all older docs are liberal with their prescribing practices, there are LOTS of them out there. You just have to know how to find one and get to know one. Once you've got a nice, comfortable relationship you it's pretty easy to get almost anything really.