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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 1 of 1. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 22, 2003, at 11:36:44
In reply to Re: oxycodone addiction, posted by Alexander on November 21, 2003, at 17:54:09
> > >
> > > I can relate. Talking to MD's is not something that I consider a most comfortable scenario, and I know that they don't like me.
> > > Here's what you do.
> > > Get to know your rights.
> > > When your next visit comes up, you will think two days ahead of what you want to tell him, you will write this in some form of "essay format" making lot's of use of "tabs" so that he can see where something new starts, highlighting, etc.
> > > You might be surprised as this may actually give you a positive response, as it saves the doctor lots of time. This is because you have already spoken, efficiently and effectively. So you have spoken. Now it's up to him to say what he thinks,
> > >
> > > ...and if he knows his stuff he will know that he cannot "abandon" you, and that should he do that he will certainly never do that ever again (because you will sue him professional misconduct, and on top of that for battery - battery because of the pain that you suffered from the withdrawal)
> > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > Thanks for your input Alexander! I am just a newbie at this computer and I can't believe there are people out there who really care. I just watched Opra the other day and her guests were middle class mothers addicted to oxy. I am one of them. Its makes you feel like you can be a "Super Mom" and I am terrified I cannot be the same person I was before I started taking these drugs. Apparently, you can't. I'm not ready to take the first step yet. The women on the show were taking up to 40 tabs a day!!
> >
>
> Well, but here we are talking again about scenarios that are beyond the MDs control, and for which he ought not to be held liable.
> Because:
> a good MD will tell you that he is nothing but a councilor. That this is your ship, that it is your right to determine where you want to sail in it, and even which course to take (at which point he/she can decide if this is a course that he/she believes that can be taken or not). Like climbing a mountain: you are the climber, in charge, but there are always some "natives" who know (or should know) this area like their own pockets. You tell them you want to go this way, and they will tell you either "ok", "good choice", "risky", "there's a better way, in my experience", or "no, u r nuts - I cannot tell u not to take this course, but I won't lead you, because we both won't make it".
>
> And back to the "ship" analogy: the MD is the one who will hold the rudder, who knows the waters and who will advice you in your choice, and must have the choice to opt out.
>
> A good MD will make sure that there is "informed consent", that you know what you are getting yourself into and that you must understand that you can be the only one to really determine to which point the "pros" outweigh the "contras".
>
> He/she should tell you that you have the right to quality of life and that it is his job to "help" you get it back. But that he cannot read your mind.
>
> He/she will make sure that you have understood what constitutes quality of life and how to recognize, when you are stepping "over the top" and are about to fall down the other side of the hill that the MD has helped you to climb on (top = optimal therapeutic effect = quality of life).
>
> Now if you fail to tell the MD that it's no longer going uphill, after he/she, in trust, has been increasing the dose, on your request, asserting that the increase is necessary because you are not yet on top of the hill, while you are actually already on your way down in "free flight", that must not be held against the MD.
>
> And here we get into a seriously ethically questionable situation: he cannot abandon you. And you threaten to hold against him/her his/her willingness to steer you through difficult waters.
> That is just not fair.
> This is not what the judicial system was meant for.
> This is abuse.
>
> The MD, at this point also should have the fair chance to opt out, if he/she believes that he/she cannot help you no longer. And an MD who has taken you this far, "in good faith", will not abandon you, but, in case he seriously believes that he/she can no longer help you, refer you to someone who he/she seriously believes can.
>
> Keep in mind: a good MD knows the waters better than you, ...the waters on which you are trying to get yourself through on your ship to wherever u need to get and a good "captain" will have made you aware of the dangers of this course. If you still insist on taking it then there is should have been "informed consent" (in writing), and when the waters turn out difficult, don't turn to the courts, turn to your captain, because he/she will be the only ones that can "steer" you out of there, if at all. No court will be able to achieve that.
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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