My own dr vent

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-07-2010, 09:46 AM

I am not a fan of these legalized drug dealers in the first place but I am more than livid at DH's experience yesterday.

DH has had a cough since our last sickness. He has had cold/exercise induced asthma diagnoses before so we assumed he would get an inhaler or something.

DH walks in and the dr gets hung up on the fact that he is 50. The dr tries to get him on GERD meds (doesn't have reflux), high blood pressure meds (129/65), cholesterol meds (normal), diabetes meds (normal)...now here is the one that made me laugh...the dr tries to get him on Viagra. My DH does NOT have the little blue pill problem yet (or any of the others).

Now I'm off to hit my home remedy books to see what we can do about his cough -- the reason he went in. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

**Molemommy** · 01-07-2010, 10:42 AM

That is the way it is... so sad.. My gram (84 years young) went to the dr for a bad cough and he wanted her to start taking this list of pills a mile long.... My gram is in great health and is on no prescription meds just vitamins and she looked at him and told him so... he said well good for you... what is your secret for your health ? she just said no meds and no drs visits... she only goes if it is absolutly necessary like she had bronchitis.
Also when I take the kids to dr for bad sore throats to get them tested for strep and they want to put them on antibiotic right away.... I say no thanks I will wait for the test results...if + I will treat if not nope.. my youngest is nine and has only had antibiotics 3 times in his life.... that is what your body does fight things off and if you fill it full of antibiotics your body dont know what to do....

**JanieD** · 01-07-2010, 11:17 AM

I also try to avoid doctors & meds whenever possible. If doctors would address the problem you go in for (cough) instead of looking for other chronic issues to keep you following up w/additional office visits, we would all benefit. However, they don't get pay for getting you well, they get paid for just "seeing" you. Sorry, I just had to say it. I know this isn't true for all doctors, but sometimes it seems they just want to keep you coming back.

**stinkbug** · 01-07-2010, 11:36 AM

You need to find a new Dr.

**thesightofoneself** · 01-07-2010, 11:47 AM

i love my doctor, i just hate the copays and the fact that they dont take medicaid

**Mom2-3** · 01-07-2010, 11:57 AM

I'm sure you know that not all Docs are like this. Our family Dr. is very into natural healing and OTC meds before scripts.

Sorry you had such a time at the Dr's office. BTW- that cough will linger for a couple weeks! I just finally got over mine. I drank warm tea and used hard candy.

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-07-2010, 03:57 PM

The first thing I told DH was that he was not going back. He is taking advantage of the blood testing but we will treat anything it shows naturally. I would love to find a good, natural dr around here.

**bluedog** · 01-07-2010, 05:24 PM

Isn't there something online to help find professionals?? Annies List or some such??

**frugalfranny** · 01-07-2010, 07:49 PM

Gees, 2GG, that sucks. Sorry this happened and hope he gets better.

Always makes you want to ask them how much stock they have in the companies, doesn't it?

Can you find anything in your phone book under naturopath?

**2ndGenGranola** · 01-07-2010, 07:54 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Can you find anything in your phone book under naturopath?

From what I hear it is just as hard to find a good one here. I would so love to have the dr I had in grad school.

**Imarachne** · 01-07-2010, 08:27 PM

I like my primary care doc but lets face it--its a business that needs return customers. If you go for the extra stuff they tell you that you need--they make out !!

**Palooka** · 01-08-2010, 02:31 AM

Originally Posted by 2ndGenGranola

I am not a fan of these legalized drug dealers in the first place but I am more than livid at DH's experience yesterday.

DH has had a cough since our last sickness. He has had cold/exercise induced asthma diagnoses before so we assumed he would get an inhaler or something.

DH walks in and the dr gets hung up on the fact that he is 50. The dr tries to get him on GERD meds (doesn't have reflux), high blood pressure meds (129/65), cholesterol meds (normal), diabetes meds (normal)...now here is the one that made me laugh...the dr tries to get him on Viagra. My DH does NOT have the little blue pill problem yet (or any of the others).

Now I'm off to hit my home remedy books to see what we can do about his cough -- the reason he went in. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Sadly most MD's is ran by the pharmaceutical companies. I witnessed first hand working for internal doctors of all docs!

I would be typing for days and days how this worked. I blame those nice pushers making me spinach lasagna every tuesday for them thinking I was helping them only being in medical records and sometimes bringing a patient to their room.

They do get a kick back from a med they prescribe to any patient.

It's another reason why I slap my hand to my forehead...in total anger to the US health care system.

**McD** · 01-08-2010, 11:08 AM

One of the reasons I love our doctor so much is that prescribing medicines is never his first reaction unless there's nothing else that can be done. The second reason is because he actually listens to the concerns I have for myself and for my kids without passing judgements or acting like I'm neurotic.

Sorry you had a bad experience! Hope your DH gets better.

**pita1213** · 01-10-2010, 01:12 PM

As much as it stinks to actually do it, you need to find a doc that will listen to you. Since you or your insurance is paying them to treat you, they need to actually work for you. Trying to prescribe medicines just based on a person's age is not working for you but against you.
I've had doctors who have not listened to me when I have told them what is going on (I have a chronic condition) and even argued with me about my symptoms and even the meds they prescribed. I'm sorry you didn't update your notes but I have the bottle in my hand kind of thing. They were fired. It took a few tries to find a PCP that was willing to work with me and my issues, but I finally did. I even lucked out and found another doctor in the same practice that I can change to should she decide she wants to stay home with her kids.
Figure out what you want in a doctor and make a list of questions. When calling a potential doctor, you may be able to get some of those questions answered by the receptionist. The others you would need to ask at a consultation, but treat it like an interview.
I can be a difficult patient both because of my chronic condition and because of my attitude (I won't be bullied or dismissed), but asking questions at the first visit can put us on the same page if I want to keep seeing the doctor, or save a lot of time in the long run if I decide I don't want to see the doctor again.

**mauimagic** · 01-10-2010, 02:12 PM

Most doctors seem to want to treat the symptoms and not cure the cause....very frustrating. Interviewing doctors is a great suggestion. I do this when I need to find a chiropractor in a new place.

Could you contact the doctor you had in grad school and see if that doctor had any recommendations in your area? Doctors do have contacts nationwide.

Good luck and keep fighting for what's right!