[AnxietyMaster]

Hello all!

Whenever I go and see a doctor, I always feel like some crucial information goes in one ear and out the other. This is partially my fault, since I tend to blab on about symptoms, but partially theirs since they do not make note of symptoms.

Have you ever asked your doctor "What are my symptoms" before they prescribe you medication to check if they actually know what is going on with you?

This gets really TMI below this line, so anyone with a weak heart should leave.

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The reason I say this, is because I recently saw my medical records with notes from a certain doctor and it was way off of what I had said/experienced. I have mainly chronic constipation, with diarrhea when I am stressed. His notes literally just said "Chronic diarrhea with stomach pains". I wonder if I am taking the right medication...

Anyway has anyone done this? Has your opinion of your doctor changed afterwards?

[Blue_Bird]

It looks like they've got you on 2 meds for anxiety, the buspar and xanax. What do you think about that? do they help you? It seems like they're targeting the anxiety mainly which seems to be the root of your problems.

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by Blue_Bird

It looks like they've got you on 2 meds for anxiety, the buspar and xanax. What do you think about that? do they help you? It seems like they're targeting the anxiety mainly which seems to be the root of your problems.

The issue is, I am not sure the BuSpar is doing anything. As you have seen in other posts, I am afraid of SSRIs because of withdrawal, and side effects. Plus, Lexapro isn't covered by my insurance, and would cost upwards towards $300 a month. I think the last I heard was the generic was $70 a month? I am not too sure

This wasn't aimed too much at "Psychiatric Medication" but instead towards general medicine. I just feel that some doctors just ignore some symptoms, and I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

[eeyorestail]

Hey. As we discussed in your other thread, I have a hard time being assertive with docs, and I have had similar experiences to yours where I feel they aren't quite hearing me.

I don't know that I would quiz my doc about my symptoms, but when they prescribe me something I might say, "why this particular med" or "which of my symptoms will that treat."

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[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by AnxietyMaster

Hello all!

Whenever I go and see a doctor, I always feel like some crucial information goes in one ear and out the other. This is partially my fault, since I tend to blab on about symptoms, but partially theirs since they do not make note of symptoms.

Have you ever asked your doctor "What are my symptoms" before they prescribe you medication to check if they actually know what is going on with you?

I think that is an excellent idea. I also feel like most p-docs really don't 'get' my symptoms. They tend to focus on the oddest things, and not necessary what's really bothering me.

[Chummy]

My current pdoc does takes good notes of my symptoms. Everytime I tried a new med or got an higher dose and I came back after a few weeks, he would ask do you still feel this, do you still have that, etc.
I don't ask my pdoc questions, I'm not assertive enough to do that, even though he asks me if I have questions. But he explains what he prescribes me. He's much better than other pdoc's I've had.

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by Chummy

My current pdoc does takes good notes of my symptoms. Everytime I tried a new med or got an higher dose and I came back after a few weeks, he would ask do you still feel this, do you still have that, etc.
I don't ask my pdoc questions, I'm not assertive enough to do that, even though he asks me if I have questions. But he explains what he prescribes me. He's much better than other pdoc's I've had.

I hope my pdoc takes good notes. Also I hope he is good at dissecting information from my blabbering. I am so glad that you found someone good! Thanks for your response.

I hope my pdoc also explains why he is prescribing something. My other doctor doesn't explain just writes, and I don't like it.

[AnxietyMaster]

Originally Posted by LauraBeth

I think that is an excellent idea. I also feel like most p-docs really don't 'get' my symptoms. They tend to focus on the oddest things, and not necessary what's really bothering me.

I feel the same way. Doctors tend to focus on odd things. You are so right. I go to this doctor *looking at you gastro doctor* and he tends to focus on things that aren't happening to me. No, I'm not bleeding, like I told you when I came in. I find that sometimes they also brush off the side effects of drugs.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by AnxietyMaster

I feel the same way. Doctors tend to focus on odd things. You are so right. I go to this doctor *looking at you gastro doctor* and he tends to focus on things that aren't happening to me. No, I'm not bleeding, like I told you when I came in. I find that sometimes they also brush off the side effects of drugs.

Yes, and they REALLY disregard the withdrawal that most psych meds cause when we stop taking them.

Maybe most doctors tend to stay in the areas of experience they have, rather than venturing into 'unknown territory'. Western medicine is so linear.

Chummy, that's good to hear - encouraging.

[Nike007]

Originally Posted by AnxietyMaster

The issue is, I am not sure the BuSpar is doing anything. As you have seen in other posts, I am afraid of SSRIs because of withdrawal, and side effects. Plus, Lexapro isn't covered by my insurance, and would cost upwards towards $300 a month. I think the last I heard was the generic was $70 a month? I am not too sure

This wasn't aimed too much at "Psychiatric Medication" but instead towards general medicine. I just feel that some doctors just ignore some symptoms, and I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

I don't know if I have insurance that covers what I take (Lexapro), but it only costs $33 in Canada for me. Maybe part of it is covered by OHIP (Ontario health insurance plan), but not $300 a month. At that price, mine would last about 9-10 months.

Anyways, about your post, I think it happens sometimes. Not often for me. My mom wanted my doctor to refer me to someone for my legs, since I am unable to walk straight (something with the hips) and all my doctor (old one now) had in mind was surgery and I don't need surgery. It was dumb.

My pdoc seems to take in what I say a lot because she knows I do my own research and know a lot about mental disorders and health. Maybe that only happens for me but.

Hope this helps .