Have you ever done this?

[historyteach]

I've had this pain in my side and my stomach for a month.
My doc sent me to the hospital after he examined me last month.
He's known me for over 15-20 years or so.
He's no fool; he's an excellent doctor who's been voted by other doc's "Best Doctor of the Year" TWICE!
And I couldn't hold him in higher esteem.
So, when he said I had to go to the hospital for test, and a possible gall bladder surgery, I didn't argue; I went.
I was in pain, and I knew something was wrong, and I trust him completely.

Well, a CAT scan, ultra sound, ex ray, blood test, urinalysis, and hida scan later, nothing can be found, but, the pain is still there. Not as severe, but, there.

My doc sent me to a gasterologist today. He examined me after taking a history. He, too, discovered my areas of pain by poking and prodding. (why do they all have to find it themselves, I wonder? Can't they believe me or all the *other* docs who've already poked and prodded? LOL!)

Anyway, he too, can't figure anything out. So, he gave me two prescriptions. One for IBS. No, I don't *have* IBS, and I told him so. He told me to "just try it and if it doesn't work, stop taking it."

The other one is for an ANTI DEPRESSANT!
Furthermore, it's an older, tricyclic antidepressant, hardly used anymore because of the side effects!

Well, I've got a problem here!
First, I'm *not* depressed.
Is he thinking this very real pain I'm experincing is in my head?
My doc who *knows* me knows it's not!
And that's nothing short of insulting, if this is his way of treating me!


And again, he told me to try it and if it doesn't work, to stop taking it.
Well, I told him, I don't want to take a pill for the sake of taking a pill! That's absurd! And, it's known for increasing blood sugar. Those of you who know me, know I've been fighting this issue, (successfully thus far), for years. Why would I willingly take a pill I don't need for depression I don't have that is known to cause diabetes that I'm already prone to?

I also asked him if he were *me* would *he* take these pills.
The delay in his response was quite telling. He said yes, but, there was a very real delay before he responded. :>(

I talked to my pharmacist. He saw *no* reason for the anti depressant for my stomach pain! I asked him to hold the prescriptions on file until I spoke to my regular doctor. I am in *no* hurry to take this garbage!

I don't want to pit one doc against another, mind you. I'm concerned about *my health. Has anyone ever done this before? Asked one doc to make a judgement about another's prescribing? And what type of response did you get?

Shalom!

[Bamboozle]

Originally Posted by historyteach

I don't want to pit one doc against another, mind you. I'm concerned about *my health. Has anyone ever done this before? Asked one doc to make a judgement about another's prescribing? And what type of response did you get?

Shalom!

No, teach, I haven't, but good for you in looking out for yourself!

I don't let doctors dismiss my concerns anymore. I was told by several people here that I need to be an advocate for my health....so I speak up and out until someone takes me seriously.

Be well.

[otterbearcat]

This hasnt happened to me, no.
BUT Im glad to hear you are listening to your gut (no pun intended).

If something doesnt seem logical to you then maybe it isnt?

[historyteach]

Thanks, Bamboozle!
It's just that I hate taking pills to begin with.
Let alone just taking them for the sake of taking them!
And he was so cavalier about it. It made no sense to me.

I've never seen this doc before and he was just covering for the other guy who I have seen and will see next week for a proceedure. But, I won't be able to talk to the other doc, cuz, he'll be putting a tube down my throat.
But, at least I've met him before.
(He was putting a tube else where that time! )
Needless to say, this is *not* the type of doc I enjoy going to see! LOL!

But, today's doc was just a sub for the regular doc. So, I don't know him at all. There's no relationship at all. And I have *no* trust in him. That's why I want it checked out too.

I guess I'm just rambling on.... LOL!
(I can do that well! )

Thanks again!

Shalom!

[cmc]

Teach...some of those old anti-d's work wonders on inflamed areas of the body(elavil in particular); I bet that's why he suggested you try it. Inflammation would be one thing that would be more difficult to 'feel for' in an exam or to see on scans.
I hope you feel better soon.

[historyteach]

Cmc,

Now that's an interesting point.
Why didn't he say that? I gave him plenty of opportunity to offer that type of relevant information. And that *would* have made sense to me!
Thanks!
I'll still wait to hear from my doc today, and if he says that, or wants me to take it, then I will. At least I trust him.

Shalom!

[cmc]

Why didn't he say that?

I don't know...but maybe because that's not what it's generally used for...maybe even so that your insurance would pay for it. Lot's of meds are being used for condtions that they were not designed for--and I think there may also be some sort of restrictions about that too...I'm not sure though.

I have a family member who was prescribed Elavil for an inflamed shoulder. It worked too..and she only took if for a brief period of time- so side effects were not a concern. There were less risks for side effects with that rx than to use the other alternatives-not to mention that she got better quickly.

[historyteach]

Thanks, too, OBC!

That's interesting, cmc. I knew many were used for alternative reasons. But, an antidepressant for a shoulder! LOL! *That's* a new one, for sure!

I heard from my doc. He said that it can relieve bowel pain. (sorry)
So, I'm going to try it for a while.
But, if I get any reactions other than lack of pain, I'm stopping it.
I've had too many bad problems with meds and I don't want that repeated.

I thank you all for your feedback.
I really learned alot!

Shalom!

[historyteach]

Well, I hate to admit it, but, it's working!
The pain is subsiding pretty well.
I actually don't have to take the NuLev for pain!
The elevil is working that well... :
It does make me very tired though. That's the only drawback.
I'm hoping that it is temporary.

I had the endoscopy done yesterday.
They found some erythema in the antrum, (gastritris), and som erythema in the gastroesophageal junction, (don't know what that is yet, till I hear from my doctor.) In essence, the lining of my stomach and where it joins something else is all raw. Guess that's what's causing the pain. They took the biopsies of both areas, and I will hear in two weeks what they say about them.

I'm supposed to follow an anti-reflux diet -- whatever that is??? I'll look on google. Too bad I didn't bring this to the dietician today; I saw her and we started talking about diet. I'll see her next week, but, I did discuss what was going on, so, she's aware. Anyone ever hear of that type of diet?

Anyway, I'm doing better, but, I still have a problem. It's just not painful like it was, thank goodness! And that med *is* helping! It also gives me a *great* night's sleep! LOL!

Shalom!

[Bamboozle]

(((teach)))

[arobert]

Teach please

[ElegantlyWasted]

Thanks for the post. Just goes to show, in my opinion, that if you don't do your own thinking, someone else will and usually not in your best interest. Caveat emptor! The doc was probaby trying to get enough points with his drug rep for a free vacation when he prescribed an outdated depression med! "depression hurts!" come on doc think outside the context of a tv add headline.