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Originally Posted by nbritton
I tell my doctor that weight inducing drugs are a deal breaker, it's up to you to tell them what's important to you. If they, repeatedly, don't listen then you should find someone else who will. You are paying them to help you, so be assertive with your wants and needs.
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You can't always shop around for a better pdoc though. In the UK there is the NHS (unless you are fortunate to be able to afford private treatment) and there's only a limited number of pdocs who cover your area. In Uni there were 2 pdocs working outpatient in my area. The first one I refused to see after a few appts, but luckily the second was much better. At home though there is only ex-pdoc who is a ***** and locums who change every couple of months and who go along with everything ex-pdoc says. Theoretically you can get a second opinion on the NHS, but the reality is very different :/
Quote:
Originally Posted by The_little_didgee
People taking anti-psychotics should be monitored by a medical doctor, especially if they have a family history of type II diabetes and cardiovascular disease, drink, use drugs, and smoke. This should be mandatory.
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In the UK, GPs are supposed to do annual physicals for people on APs, but bloods are only recommended for over 40s, which is stupid IMO.
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Originally Posted by Sometimes psychotic
Yeah I mean for me it seems obvious that pdocs should order labs when they start people on this kind of med---they are MDs and they can order blood draws/testing etc but my pdoc was more worried about my prolactin levels than fat/sugar issues....lame
Also when I was in the hospital I got dizzy taking my meds and had low blood pressure---sure they took me off that med but given that it can cause Qt prolongation, arrhythmia etc why didn't they just give me one of those little pulse monitors that clips on your finger----I mean I was in the freakin hosptial---why the substandard care?
It's almost like they don't consider the things that are induced by the meds to be their responsibility---like they forgot they are actually doctors....
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Yeah they just don't care about physical health :/
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Originally Posted by junkDNA
is it bad to have a high prolactin level? like is that bad for ur health?
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I don't think it's bad for your health per se, but it's bad for your fertility. High prolactin inhibits your periods because your body thinks you're breastfeeding a young baby and not in a good position to get pregnant yet. Thinking about it though, not regularly having a period *may* have an impact on risk of female cancers, but I'm not certain about that. (ETA: the research is mixed regarding the role of prolactin in cancers such as breast, ovarian, uterine, colorectal and prostate). It's best to switch a med that raises your prolactin IMO, but then future fertility is important to me.
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Originally Posted by faerie_moon_x
My MIL always says: You tell the doctor you're depressed, so they give you a med that makes you fat, which causes you to feel depressed. It's like a snake eating it's own tail.
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True!
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Originally Posted by VenusHalley
Well, they will try to pull the "fat and happy versus skinny and unhappy card" and some patients will sadly put up with it.
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Some people put up with it because they feel like they cannot be assertive about their care, or they don't realise that there are alternative meds that might not cause weight gain. Some people genuinely believe that fat and happy is better than skinny and unhappy.
*Willow*