Posted by Meri-Tuuli on June 6, 2007, at 5:59:01
In reply to What if you find something that helps?, posted by linkadge on June 5, 2007, at 14:48:38
Hey
Well I think in an ideal world, the patient should be able to tell the doc what he/she is doing themselves and that the doc should be receptive and supportive of that choice.
But....I know how it works IRL. I think it all boils down to a) control and b) the doctors ego.
Docs like to think that they're the ones calling the shots-- when in reality, I bet some of us here are far more knowledgable about what works for us and what drugs we'd like to try etc. But I think that we can be great pharmacologists, just as long as we know the risks, interactions, etc. With most of the ADs I've tried, it has been me who has suggested them. The docs suggestions were usually way off to be honest - they'd recommend a sedating AD when I was sleeping to much already, simple things like that.
Plus there's the docs ego, I have a feeling that alot of them tend to not realise how intelligent some of their patients can be. I guess its something that drummed into them. 'We're the doc, we know best' mentality -- but sometimes, they don't know best, and they don't like to accept this.
Anyway, well I would like to think that the relationship is good and that patients and doctors can work together to figure something out -- I don't see why a doc would freak if you re-started something they already prescribed or whatever. I think they would like to know what a patient is up to! Having said that, it depends on the doctor, you know? But I don't see how a good one would be angry over things. Afterall, the goal is to help patients, no? So I really urge everyone just to talk to the docs about all the things you're trying etc. Otherwise, how else can you get the best treatment from them? You're not giving them all the information are you? They might think you're doing fine on X when in fact, you're messing about with Y as well -- they need to know everything thats going on.
Just talk to them, I've found that quite alot are receptive and supportive - you just need to gently discuss matters with them and build up a rapport.
Anyway I'm rambling.
Meri
poster:Meri-Tuuli
thread:761155
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20070604/msgs/761461.html