Dear Doctor #6: Drug Pushers
Laura Bzowy who writes CFS Squared: Tales of CFS had this letter for her primary physician and another doctor she saw at a walk-in clinic.
Dear Doctor,
You and your team of health care practicioners -acupunturist is included in that are wonderful. You all take your time with me, and we work on ways to manage my “illness”. You make me feel like I am a part of the solution, not the cause of the problem. Thank you for the great relationship we have.
However, if I am not able to get in to see you, my regular doctor, and I am in need of some health help- I go to a walk in clinic. This is where the problem lies, I can get a prescription for Ativan (i think thats how you spell it), or some other equally addictive drug to help me sleep, without even having to ask for it. If I have bronchitis and its keeping me awake and as a result stressing me out ( I used to get bronchitis a lot for 10 weeks at a time -seasonally, until I discovered acupuncture) a clinic doctor would give me ativan for my anxiety. What anxiety????? I just hurt from coughing.
So I guess my question to those doctors is: Why are you pushing drugs on me that I don’t need or want….is there some kind of quota you have to fill?
But to my team…I should say. You are doing a great job, my health is very much improved. Thank you for all of your efforts.
Laura
Thanks, Laura! People who have chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS) are often dismissed by their physicians. Glad to hear you’ve got a great healthcare team caring for you.
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2 opinions for Dear Doctor #6: Drug Pushers
laura
Nov 3, 2006 at 12:52 am
Thanks for sharing my story.
I really do have a wonderful team. I know all about the horror stories, and I am really thankful and appreciative of what I have right now.
Believe me when I tell you, without them I would be in no condition to even write my blog, let alone have a very full life.
Hsien-Hsien Lei, PhD
Nov 7, 2006 at 10:46 pm
laura: Hurrah for your healthcare team!
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