How stubborn are you about drugs..

[SirFozzie]

Had a doctor, well, not yell, but chastise me pretty severely today when I went for my follow up appt after my accident last week.

He prescribed Motrin and Vicodin, I never got the Vicodin prescription filled (I am so pill-paranoid that I won't take anything that impairs me, even to sleep).

The last two nights the pain has been so intense in my arm, I found it very hard to sleep, and the doc really chewed me out for that, he said Pain is your body's way of telling you that you need to fix something. So now I gotta go out and get the damn prescription filled, and I can't even drive! *laughs*

(they are thinking a possible hairline arm fracture at this point, preliminary ER judgement was a bruised clavicle, but based on swelling and pain at this point, they think they were wrong)

[rkmsuf]

Was it doctor RosenRosen?

[gstelmack]

I would never not take a prescription my doctor ordered me to take, but I would question the need for the prescription with him in the first place. If he can't explain to me why I need it, but still wants me to take it, I'm looking for a new doctor.

Sometimes they'll give a prescription as more of a "just in case", but I also make sure I get clear instructions on when they suggest I take it vs. when it's okay to blow it off.

[bosshogg23]

I wouldnt have filled the prescription until it hurt so bad I couldnt sleep or my when my ears started to bleed from my wife yelling at me about getting it filled.

[sovereignstar]

Never do needles, but I'll smoke anything and am down for putting anything on my tongue (except balls).

[Glengoyne]

Regarding the Pain Medication, it really is a big part of healing a significant injury. If you are in pain you don't heal, because you compensate for or try to avoid the pain in other ways. Most physicians/nurses would urge someone recovering from a serious injury or surgery to take the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain. By that I mean if you are taking the pill because you are in pain now...then you are too late. You needed to take the med earlier to prevent the pain in the first place.

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by SirFozzie

Had a doctor, well, not yell, but chastise me pretty severely today when I went for my follow up appt after my accident last week.

He prescribed Motrin and Vicodin, I never got the Vicodin prescription filled (I am so pill-paranoid that I won't take anything that impairs me, even to sleep).

The last two nights the pain has been so intense in my arm, I found it very hard to sleep, and the doc really chewed me out for that, he said Pain is your body's way of telling you that you need to fix something. So now I gotta go out and get the damn prescription filled, and I can't even drive! *laughs*

(they are thinking a possible hairline arm fracture at this point, preliminary ER judgement was a bruised clavicle, but based on swelling and pain at this point, they think they were wrong)

I am pretty much like you in terms of pain meds. I don;t take much stronger than a BC powder.

pain my be your body's way of tell you to you need to fix something, but pain killers just make the message quieter. I would smile and tell the doctor to go fuck himself

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by Fritz

I am pretty much like you in terms of pain meds. I don;t take much stronger than a BC powder.

pain my be your body's way of tell you to you need to fix something, but pain killers just make the message quieter. I would smile and tell the doctor to go fuck himself

Isn't that why you go see the doctor, so you can fix whatever is wrong?

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by SunDancer

Isn't that why you go see the doctor, so you can fix whatever is wrong?

sure, if he can fix it. if you have a thorn in your foot and they pump it full of morphine, you still have a thorn in it. Would you call that fixed? Me, I want the thorn out.

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by Fritz

sure, if he can fix it. if you have a thorn in your foot and they pump it full of morphine, you still have a thorn in it. Would you call that fixed? Me, I want the thorn out.

Oh, I agree. Some doctors are just dumb when it comes to medicine. I was thinking you meant your against all meds in any situations.

[sterlingice]

This original post was about pain meds so this may not apply to you.

But if you don't take all your antibiotics because you don't like pills, then you're an idiot. If you don't take them for a full 2 weeks or 6 months or whatever your doctor perscribes, you get what you deserve when an antibiotic resistant strain pops up in your body and you're screwed. Every once in a while they have problems with TB outbreaks because some morons don't see fit to take all their pills for the full duration and drug resistant trains that are much harder to treat start spreading. I can just hear my mom's voice saying something like "do you want to take one pill or be in the hospital".

SI

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

Was it doctor RosenRosen?

That sounds like a very familiar reference but I can't put my finger on it.

SI

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

This original post was about pain meds so this may not apply to you.

But if you don't take all your antibiotics because you don't like pills, then you're an idiot. If you don't take them for a full 2 weeks or 6 months or whatever your doctor perscribes, you get what you deserve when an antibiotic resistant strain pops up in your body and you're screwed. Every once in a while they have problems with TB outbreaks because some morons don't see fit to take all their pills for the full duration and drug resistant trains that are much harder to treat start spreading. I can just hear my mom's voice saying something like "do you want to take one pill or be in the hospital".

SI

Yeah. I agree. Trust me, having more then 40-some surgeries in 21 years, and the common dieases such as being sick, ect. I think you just need to make sure you trust your doctor, and your doctor is good in what he does.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by SunDancer

Oh, I agree. Some doctors are just dumb when it comes to medicine.

I'd advise you to be judicious in this approach. There really aren't all that many doctors who are out there trying to give you crappy advice. Especially when it doesn't pay them to do so -- that's the best sign of all that the advice is genuine (no boat payments involved).

And this comes from a guy who basically hates doctors.

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I'd advise you to be judicious in this approach. There really aren't all that many doctors who are out there trying to give you crappy advice. Especially when it doesn't pay them to do so -- that's the best sign of all that the advice is genuine (no boat payments involved).

And this comes from a guy who basically hates doctors.

I should rephrase my statement. I should of put it better.

Doctors aren't really trying to give you crappy advice. I think that experience and the understanding of the problems (which goes back to experience and the patient (does he know the patient's history, seen the patient before) you may have could be a factor.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

That sounds like a very familiar reference but I can't put my finger on it.

SI

It was either him or Dr. Van Nostrum.

[QuikSand]

I know it's fairly common, but I simply don't understand the whole "anti pain meds" philosophy.

Even when there isn't a strong underlying argument for the medicine (like, in many cases, when the pain meds are important as anti-inflammatories, not just because they dull the pain) -- I just don't get the resistence. I know a lot of people feel that way, I just don't get it. It's not like there is a long track record of horrific side effects of taking these meds -- on the contrary, there's a long track record of them being quite safe.

Why sit there with a banging headache, or an arm that hurst so much you can't stand it, when there is a harmless pill to take that makes your life better? *shurg*

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by rkmsuf

It was either him or Dr. Van Nostrum.

You going to tell me or am I going to have to Google it

SI

[rkmsuf]

Reference #1 is Fletch of course.

Dr. Van Nostrum is a Kramer.

[sterlingice]

Well, that explains it. I always kindof thought Seinfeld was stupid, so that's why I didn't get the second. Now I remember the first: it's the scene where he keeps giving silly names to the nurse in the hospital and keeps changing them.

SI

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

I know it's fairly common, but I simply don't understand the whole "anti pain meds" philosophy.

doctors are prescribing meds for what they think your feel. So it is largely a comfort thing. My pain tollerance tends to be high, so I would rather not take something I don't need. YMMV

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Even when there isn't a strong underlying argument for the medicine (like, in many cases, when the pain meds are important as anti-inflammatories, not just because they dull the pain) -- I just don't get the resistence. I know a lot of people feel that way, I just don't get it. It's not like there is a long track record of horrific side effects of taking these meds -- on the contrary, there's a long track record of them being quite safe.

Why sit there with a banging headache, or an arm that hurst so much you can't stand it, when there is a harmless pill to take that makes your life better? *shurg*

most serious pain meds make me feel quite disoriented, which is less pleasent than the pain.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Fritz

doctors are prescribing meds for what they think your feel. So it is largely a comfort thing.

Yeah, so of course what this means is that if your doc perscribed you pain meds then you bitched too much in his office and you're a wuss

SI

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Fritz

most serious pain meds make me feel quite disoriented, which is less pleasent than the pain.

Now that, I find to be perfectly valid. A completely defensible and understandable position -- choosing pain over disorientation.

What I don't get is choosing pain over "just taking a pill" as a matter of principle.

[Fritz]

Originally Posted by sterlingice

Yeah, so of course what this means is that if your doc perscribed you pain meds then you bitched too much in his office and you're a wuss

SI

I hope you get a papercut the next time you use lemon pepper seasoning

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Fritz

I hope you get a papercut the next time you use lemon pepper seasoning

That sounds rather unpleasant. I hope I don't.

SI

[Raiders Army]

I find it funny that people will do all sorts of research for a car that they will drive 3-5 years, yet just arbitrarily pick a doctor for their healthcare. A car is important, but not as important as your health.

[rkmsuf]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I find it funny that people will do all sorts of research for a car that they will drive 3-5 years, yet just arbitrarily pick a doctor for their healthcare. A car is important, but not as important as your health.

Give me Consumer Reports - Doctors and I'm golden.

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I find it funny that people will do all sorts of research for a car that they will drive 3-5 years, yet just arbitrarily pick a doctor for their healthcare. A car is important, but not as important as your health.

This comes out of nowhere, but okay...

Isn't it possble that the difference is not in how much people care but rather in the degree to which there is easy, reliable information available? I have a primary doc I can trust for referrals, in general. But past that -- I'm not quite sure what I'd do if I had a need for a specialist in a specific area. I don't think I'd go askinf friends and colleagues if they ever had inguinal hernia surgery (or whatever) and see hiw it went, and who performed it.

Cars are easy to research, look 'em up, see who rates highly, and factor that in. Docs -- a tougher proposition, even if you really would like to do a good job with the selection. Shopping around is a bit tougher, too.

[primelord]

Originally Posted by Raiders Army

I find it funny that people will do all sorts of research for a car that they will drive 3-5 years, yet just arbitrarily pick a doctor for their healthcare. A car is important, but not as important as your health.

The way you made this statement it seems you have a solution for screening doctors. I am interested to hear what the process is. Other than going with a doctor who a friend or family member recommends (and keep in mind they likely chose that doctor after doing very little research themselves ) how do you suggest you research a good doctor?

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

This comes out of nowhere, but okay...

Isn't it possble that the difference is not in how much people care but rather in the degree to which there is easy, reliable information available? I have a primary doc I can trust for referrals, in general. But past that -- I'm not quite sure what I'd do if I had a need for a specialist in a specific area. I don't think I'd go askinf friends and colleagues if they ever had inguinal hernia surgery (or whatever) and see hiw it went, and who performed it.

Cars are easy to research, look 'em up, see who rates highly, and factor that in. Docs -- a tougher proposition, even if you really would like to do a good job with the selection. Shopping around is a bit tougher, too.

What he said.

Most of us are on HMO plans that don't give us a lot of choice. We can take into consideration whatever word-of-mouth references that friends and family give us regarding medical professionals, but, in most cases, you take a job, you're given a list of benefits options, and a list of healthcare providers, and that's it.

In my case, I live in a rural area. My healthcare plan demands that my wife and kids must select a primary care physician/group that is within 35 miles from my home address. Because I'm in a rural area, that limits me to basically one group of doctors.

This doesn't really bother me.

The only times we'll see a doctor:

1. Colds, flu, shots, etc.: Any bonehead from medical school can prescribe antibotics. I don't care who the doctor is.

2. Accidents (broken bone, severed artery, etc.): Going to the nearest hospital anyway. Plan covers it. I have no choice who the ER doc is under any circumstance. So, again, a non-issue.

3. Major disease (Cancer, whatever): Referred to specialist for treatment. I can take my time finding a good one while the cancer eats me alive.

4. Childbirth: With the final kid on the way, we won't have to worry much longer - but my plan, like most, lets you select an OB you like. My wife is high-risk, so we're already in a good OB clinic. Again, my choice of family doctor has no bearing on this.

So, my point is, I'm getting a lot more mileage out of my car than I am out of my primary care physician.

[Eaglesfan27]

Like others have said, it is important to stay ahead of pain. Besides the unnatural movements that your may undertake in an effort to avoid hurting, you can have many involuntary problems such as muscle spasm around the injury.

I'd recommend taking the medication that the doctor recommended, however, I understand the reluctance to take strong pain killers. Vicodin does have a significant addictive potential, and that would make me reluctant to take it as a patient. However, I'd risk that if I was in significant pain.

[Loren]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Even when there isn't a strong underlying argument for the medicine (like, in many cases, when the pain meds are important as anti-inflammatories, not just because they dull the pain) -- I just don't get the resistence. I know a lot of people feel that way, I just don't get it. It's not like there is a long track record of horrific side effects of taking these meds -- on the contrary, there's a long track record of them being quite safe.

umm actually there IS a long track record of horrific side effects I have a nice list of NSAIDS prescribed to me of which i take none because id rather have one thing wrong with me than a handful of others caused by the medications and sorry but most yeah i said MOST doctors are assholes, they treat by the book moreso than by actual experience..i had a dr "whatever" me last year then turn around and charge me 6,000 for putting me in a good amount of danger regarding a certain medication to which he never explained the direct side effects of.. so yeah, no thanks..if anything my medication was getting pissed at him and making myself better

[Fritz]

dont like the funny red text

[Loren]

Originally Posted by Fritz

dont like the funny red text

omg get overrrr ittttt only girls are supposed to whine

[Draft Dodger]

Fritz IS a girl.

[Suicane75]

Do any of you have any spare oxycotin laying around?
That shizzles the izzle.

[ISiddiqui]

If my doctor says take pain meds, I'm taken them.. Vicodin is good shit, btw.

[Raven Hawk]

If you don't trust your doctor, get a new doctor.

If you don't like taking pills, here are some suggestions:

1. Stop smoking.
2. Eat right.
3. Exercise.
4. Get a good night's sleep every night.
5. Don't do anything stupid.

Thanks, that'll be $200, please.

I personally don't like taking pills and I avoid the OTC medications as much as possible. But listen to your damn doctor. If they say take the pills, take the damn pills. They are the experts. Or you could chose to not listen to them and let natural selection have its way with you.

[sterlingice]

Originally Posted by Loren

omg get overrrr ittttt only girls are supposed to whine

Well, it does smack of "I just want my text to look different than everyone else"

SI

[Jets80]

That fact that you did not fill a Vicodin perscription....you are an idiot !

[lurker]

And, it kind of defeats the purpose of choosing different skins. I use "Day at the Office" because I don't want to go on any colorful websites at work. The red combined with the numerous emoticons really stands out and it sucks for some people.

[Franklinnoble]

Originally Posted by lurker

And, it kind of defeats the purpose of choosing different skins. I use "Day at the Office" because I don't want to go on any colorful websites at work. The red combined with the numerous emoticons really stands out and it sucks for some people.

What she said.

[SunDancer]

Originally Posted by Loren

umm actually there IS a long track record of horrific side effects I have a nice list of NSAIDS prescribed to me of which i take none because id rather have one thing wrong with me than a handful of others caused by the medications and sorry but most yeah i said MOST doctors are assholes, they treat by the book moreso than by actual experience..i had a dr "whatever" me last year then turn around and charge me 6,000 for putting me in a good amount of danger regarding a certain medication to which he never explained the direct side effects of.. so yeah, no thanks..if anything my medication was getting pissed at him and making myself better

What if that one thing is something that could very serious if not treated? Your always going to have risks in meds, but I think you would pose more risks if you did not treat something as long as you tell your doctor your history, any problems (blood pressure, past illnesses, ect). Just curious, did you read the label of the medication that dr. "whatsever" subscribed to you before you took it?

[gstelmack]

Originally Posted by QuikSand

Even when there isn't a strong underlying argument for the medicine (like, in many cases, when the pain meds are important as anti-inflammatories, not just because they dull the pain) -- I just don't get the resistence. I know a lot of people feel that way, I just don't get it. It's not like there is a long track record of horrific side effects of taking these meds -- on the contrary, there's a long track record of them being quite safe.

As Loren so "colorfully" pointed out, they are actually starting to find MAJOR side effects from some of these anti-inflammatories. Vioxx and Celebrexx are both in the same class of drugs as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc, and have had to be yanked due to major side effects. Aspirin still has the ulcer issue associated with it. The latest Discover had an article talking about these.

[miked]

Anti-inflammatory meds are much much different than pain killers, which I think what was mainly being discussed. You can find a laundry list of side effects for most drugs because new FDA regulations force drug companies to disclose them no matter how rare they are. So if a few people out of thousands in the study get mudbutt, they have to list mudbutt as a possible side effect.

It's not like doctors are prescribing something you don't want. You complain of intense pain, they'll prescribe you a pain killer. They're not holding guns to your heads. If you don't take the meds they prescribe you, then what was the point of going in the first place?

[QuikSand]

Originally Posted by miked

So if a few people out of thousands in the study get mudbutt, they have to list mudbutt as a possible side effect.

And, if one assclown with a weblog decides to post that taking aspirin made his head spin around, there will be a certain segment who will adopt that as gospel, and will advise the world population to instead start eating treebark extract or whatever is the trendy "alternative" this week.

loser: rationality
winner: people who manufacture and sell treebark extract (or snake oil of choice)

[rkmsuf]

mudbutt.

that makes me laugh.

[Glengoyne]

Just pretend I quoted the funny looking red text above.

Actually I'm thinking QS has more the right of this than you Loren. Most of the commonly precribed pain killers, including some NSAIDS(like ibuprofen) have a fairly innocuous list of side effects. That doesn't mean that the rare patient(You) doesn't have an occasional bad reactions. In other words, I wouldn't necessarilly blame the doctor or the Medication if you have a reaction to it. Now not all NSAIDs are as innocuous as Ibuprofen, so that may also be your specific situation. I guess I'm just saying that Most commonly prescribed pain killers do have a pretty good track record as far as side effects go.

[QuikSand]

And just to be clear on the original issue -- I completely understand people who decline to take a specific medicine because of a specific reason -- a personal side effect, specific concern about that particular medicine, and the like. I have no quarrel with that rational decision.

People who won't take acetominophen when they have a pounding headache, on the ground that "I just don't like taking medicine" -- I don't get it.

[Glengoyne]

Originally Posted by gstelmack

As Loren so "colorfully" pointed out, they are actually starting to find MAJOR side effects from some of these anti-inflammatories. Vioxx and Celebrexx are both in the same class of drugs as aspirin, ibuprofen, etc, and have had to be yanked due to major side effects. Aspirin still has the ulcer issue associated with it. The latest Discover had an article talking about these.

I'm no pharmacist of physician, but I think it is a bit alarmist to lump asprin and Ibuprofen into the same "class" as Vioxx and Celebrex.

I bet you are probably technically correct in that at least Ibuprofen is a NSAID. I'm not sure about asprin actually, but it does have Anti-Inflamatory properties, and it isn't a steroid so it may be. But the two newer drugs vioxx and celerex are very similar to each other in their mechanism.

In other words there is a movement to remove celebrex from the market just like Vioxx, because the drugs are so similar. There is no such movement regarding Ibuprofen or Asprin.