My doctor told me to f*ck off when I told him about my problem
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
My doctor told me to f*ck off when I told him about my problem
I finally plucked up the courage to go see my doctor about giving up drink. I told him that if I try to quit drinking, I get bad comedowns. Sweating, bad dreams, night terrors, cannot function, bed ridden, wake up with terrible headache, fatugued, the lot.
He basically gave me the number of some clinic, and that was it. He said the clinic was rough and ready, and for people who have lost their way in life.
Is this the normal thing for doctors to do ? I thought he would help me, but he couldn't wait to show me the door.
I asked if he would take my blood pressure, and it was as if I had asked to screw his wife.
He said 'Why do you want me to check your blood pressure ?'
I smiled and said, ' because I want to see if it's ok.'
He threw his arms in the air, and said ' well I can tell you now, your blood pressure is high because of your drinking'.
I asked if I needed any drugs, and he said no.
Is this normal behaviour for the doc, or am I going mad ?
He basically gave me the number of some clinic, and that was it. He said the clinic was rough and ready, and for people who have lost their way in life.
Is this the normal thing for doctors to do ? I thought he would help me, but he couldn't wait to show me the door.
I asked if he would take my blood pressure, and it was as if I had asked to screw his wife.
He said 'Why do you want me to check your blood pressure ?'
I smiled and said, ' because I want to see if it's ok.'
He threw his arms in the air, and said ' well I can tell you now, your blood pressure is high because of your drinking'.
I asked if I needed any drugs, and he said no.
Is this normal behaviour for the doc, or am I going mad ?
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: The Sooner State
Posts: 1,725
Im sorry you experienced that. Some Dr's have no bedside manner. Most are absolutely terrified of a malpractice suit...so...if you are talking about addiction and he isnt an Addiction Specialist..you get the cold shoulder. Forget how rude he was and take the advice. Get to that rehab. Things will be much much better.
A friend of mine went to her Dr about her drinking. She was completely honest about her consumption. The doctor told her to continue drinking at that rate until he could get her into a clinic that specializes in alcoholism. he was afraid she would have a stroke if she abruptly quit drinking and didnt want it to be on his watch. Doctors are all different and all human.
Let us know what happens!
A friend of mine went to her Dr about her drinking. She was completely honest about her consumption. The doctor told her to continue drinking at that rate until he could get her into a clinic that specializes in alcoholism. he was afraid she would have a stroke if she abruptly quit drinking and didnt want it to be on his watch. Doctors are all different and all human.
Let us know what happens!
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Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
10. Medical Advice: No Posts giving medical advice, medication advice, or psychiatric advice. Do not use the forum to give or ask for professional medical or psychiatric advice. If you are a medical professional, please remember the forums and chat are for peer support only and not to be used for distributing professional medical advice and/or using the forum to represent your professional services. Medical and Psychiatric advice includes giving a diagnosis, treatment plan, medication advice and dosage suggestions, over the counter and natural home remedies that should be approved by medical professionals. Detox can be dangerous and life threatening at times. Please consult with your physician.
Many people do quit drinking who have not been to treatment centers
I am one of them.
Last edited by CarolD; 04-02-2011 at 08:51 AM.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
DibaNamhar....welcome to SR....
I'm sorry your doctor was dismissive of your concerns
.
I have no idea about the place he suggested
or what they do.
I do think it's worth checking out however.
I'm sorry your doctor was dismissive of your concerns
.
I have no idea about the place he suggested
or what they do.
I do think it's worth checking out however.
Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 587
If you feel uncomfortable with the doctor and you feel that you do not trust him, I would find one that I trust and take the recommendations from the trusted doctor.
In short, go to other Drs until you find one you are comfortable with.
In short, go to other Drs until you find one you are comfortable with.
Forward we go...side by side-Rest In Peace
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Serene In Dixie
Posts: 36,740
If members can't share with a welcome or support
they do not have to share on this thread or on SR.
Posts have been removed and others that quoted them
Please stop sniping at each other...thank you.
they do not have to share on this thread or on SR.
Posts have been removed and others that quoted them
Please stop sniping at each other...thank you.
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No posts that attack, insult, "flame", defame, or abuse members or non-members. Respect other members of the community and don’t belittle, make fun of, or insult another member or non-member. Decisions about health and recovery are highly personal, individual choices. "Flaming" and insults, however, will not be tolerated. Agree to disagree. This applies to both the forums and chat.
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Last edited by CarolD; 04-02-2011 at 09:10 AM.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UT
Posts: 161
Welcome Diba to SR!
I struggled for years and years wanting to tell my primary care doctor about my addiction and asking for help. I just couldnt let the cat outta the bag. I told myself that documentation in my medical records would effect my ability to get health insurance and skyrocket my premium etc.(alcoholic rationalization). I was afraid of how she would react. Doing a little research online, I finally made an appt. at a university neuropsychiatric clinic. I liked the fact that I would would have anonymity of sorts there. Before an appt could be scheduled, they sent me a 15 page questionnaire that took me about 2 tear filled weeks to fill out! My honest answers stressed me out and made me realize that I really needed help. Just scanning it back to their office was extremely difficult because I knew it would change my life, and it did. I told the doc I saw that I couldn't afford residential care. He decided that I could DETOX at home for a week with the help of a drug that protects you from heart and brain damage as well as the other symtoms of withdrawal. He warned about drinking while on this med. and what side effects that could appear that I would need to call him back immediately if they occured. Long story short: It worked! After that 1st week sober, he prescribed other drugs that would take the edge off any urges that I may have to drink. Again, it is working! I am still on those drugs, but I am also going to AA and reading everything I can and posting here on SR and getting tremendous support from my family. I am now 6 weeks sober and doing work to stay that way.
This week I had my annual physical. I knew it would be hard for me to face my primary care doctor with the facts, but she needed to know. Essentially, I have lied to her(and myself) about my physical well being for a very long time. So telling her the truth was terrifying to me.
She was very supportive and thankful that I had the courage to tell her. Funny thing was that she would have helped me also with detox drug support too.
I am telling you this because not all doctors would react the way yours did. I know how hard it must have been for you to bear your soul, and then basically get slapped in the face. How devastating! Obviously your doctor believes in "tough love". The clinic he suggested may just thing for you. Whatever choice you make please DO NOT DETOX on your own. Help is out there. Good luck to you.
I struggled for years and years wanting to tell my primary care doctor about my addiction and asking for help. I just couldnt let the cat outta the bag. I told myself that documentation in my medical records would effect my ability to get health insurance and skyrocket my premium etc.(alcoholic rationalization). I was afraid of how she would react. Doing a little research online, I finally made an appt. at a university neuropsychiatric clinic. I liked the fact that I would would have anonymity of sorts there. Before an appt could be scheduled, they sent me a 15 page questionnaire that took me about 2 tear filled weeks to fill out! My honest answers stressed me out and made me realize that I really needed help. Just scanning it back to their office was extremely difficult because I knew it would change my life, and it did. I told the doc I saw that I couldn't afford residential care. He decided that I could DETOX at home for a week with the help of a drug that protects you from heart and brain damage as well as the other symtoms of withdrawal. He warned about drinking while on this med. and what side effects that could appear that I would need to call him back immediately if they occured. Long story short: It worked! After that 1st week sober, he prescribed other drugs that would take the edge off any urges that I may have to drink. Again, it is working! I am still on those drugs, but I am also going to AA and reading everything I can and posting here on SR and getting tremendous support from my family. I am now 6 weeks sober and doing work to stay that way.
This week I had my annual physical. I knew it would be hard for me to face my primary care doctor with the facts, but she needed to know. Essentially, I have lied to her(and myself) about my physical well being for a very long time. So telling her the truth was terrifying to me.
She was very supportive and thankful that I had the courage to tell her. Funny thing was that she would have helped me also with detox drug support too.
I am telling you this because not all doctors would react the way yours did. I know how hard it must have been for you to bear your soul, and then basically get slapped in the face. How devastating! Obviously your doctor believes in "tough love". The clinic he suggested may just thing for you. Whatever choice you make please DO NOT DETOX on your own. Help is out there. Good luck to you.
Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Coast
Posts: 1,906
Originally Posted by DibaNamhar 
I finally plucked up the courage to go see my doctor about giving up drink. I told him that if I try to quit drinking, I get bad comedowns. Sweating, bad dreams, night terrors, cannot function, bed ridden, wake up with terrible headache, fatugued, the lot.
He basically gave me the number of some clinic, and that was it. He said the clinic was rough and ready, and for people who have lost their way in life.
Is this the normal thing for doctors to do ? I thought he would help me, but he couldn't wait to show me the door.
I asked if he would take my blood pressure, and it was as if I had asked to screw his wife.
He said 'Why do you want me to check your blood pressure ?'
I smiled and said, ' because I want to see if it's ok.'
He threw his arms in the air, and said ' well I can tell you now, your blood pressure is high because of your drinking'.
I asked if I needed any drugs, and he said no.
Is this normal behaviour for the doc, or am I going mad ?
He basically gave me the number of some clinic, and that was it. He said the clinic was rough and ready, and for people who have lost their way in life.
Is this the normal thing for doctors to do ? I thought he would help me, but he couldn't wait to show me the door.
I asked if he would take my blood pressure, and it was as if I had asked to screw his wife.
He said 'Why do you want me to check your blood pressure ?'
I smiled and said, ' because I want to see if it's ok.'
He threw his arms in the air, and said ' well I can tell you now, your blood pressure is high because of your drinking'.
I asked if I needed any drugs, and he said no.
Is this normal behaviour for the doc, or am I going mad ?
some doctors aren't good.
you don't have to go to a rehab to get medically detoxed. look in the phone book for an immediate care center. they are the same places you can go on the weeknights and weekends when you get sick with the flu or bronchitis and call one of them and ask if they treat alcohol withdrawal. most do. it'll cost about $50 and it could save you from a stroke or heart attack which can happen with a cold turkey detox.
not everyone has the time or money for a rehab. it's saved alot of alcoholics i know who couldn't afford to go to rehab but needed to be mediucally detoxed.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: UK
Posts: 39
Congratulations on recognising and making the firsts steps on dealing with your problem - many people find going to the dr one of the most difficult aspects of facing up to things and as you have done this off your own back I think you deserve a massive pat on the back 
. I'm very sorry for how your dr reacted and I can totally relate...
I remember when I first went to my dr about my problem (admittedly - I was drunk so this may have beeen a factor) he too just chucked a phone number at me and was quite mean about the whole thing. However, I now have a dr who is just wonderful beyond belief and he even books appointments in advance to see how I am getting on with my anxiety etc - a very kind man!. He seems very happy whenever I tell him I have not been drinking...
I say this to reassure you that there are very kind and understanding drs who will help you so it is definately worth seeing several... you could try and bluntly say to the receptionist 'I have a problem with alcohol and I'd like to talk to a dr who would be sympathetic towards that'.
Also, when you find a kind dr try not to worry to much if your blood pressure is elevated whilst you are drinking. I understand that everybody is different and such but I would just like to reassure that my BP was around 135/80 whilst I was drinking and within a few weeks of stopping it is now around 110/65 - a much more comfortable figure for me! as you say tho as he didn't even bother to check it may well be within normal limits
.
anyways, best of luck in contacting the place he referred you too - if you are having horrible withdrawls they may be able to at least help you out with detox, or guidance on cutting down safely...
best of luck!!
. I'm very sorry for how your dr reacted and I can totally relate...I remember when I first went to my dr about my problem (admittedly - I was drunk so this may have beeen a factor) he too just chucked a phone number at me and was quite mean about the whole thing. However, I now have a dr who is just wonderful beyond belief and he even books appointments in advance to see how I am getting on with my anxiety etc - a very kind man!. He seems very happy whenever I tell him I have not been drinking...
I say this to reassure you that there are very kind and understanding drs who will help you so it is definately worth seeing several... you could try and bluntly say to the receptionist 'I have a problem with alcohol and I'd like to talk to a dr who would be sympathetic towards that'.
Also, when you find a kind dr try not to worry to much if your blood pressure is elevated whilst you are drinking. I understand that everybody is different and such but I would just like to reassure that my BP was around 135/80 whilst I was drinking and within a few weeks of stopping it is now around 110/65 - a much more comfortable figure for me! as you say tho as he didn't even bother to check it may well be within normal limits
.anyways, best of luck in contacting the place he referred you too - if you are having horrible withdrawls they may be able to at least help you out with detox, or guidance on cutting down safely...
best of luck!!
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Wappingers Falls, NY
Posts: 618
Re:My doctor told me to f*ck off when I told him about my problem
What to do? what to do? Good question...That doctors response gave us clues to a possible answer. Find another doctor...Now...
can you say unprofessional?
can you say unprofessional?
Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Toronto, ON
Posts: 1,591
No clue where you are or what the doctor's problem is, but it's true that you can find a better medical professional to work with you. I just don't know how far you have to go in the search for one. It sounds as though he just has this notion that you have a willpower and morality problem and can't just screw your head on properly, so "don't waste my time, I'm disillusioned with the number of you lost souls invading my medical career that should be focussed on other things that really matter."
So just leave him and his attitude behind and find the someone who is going to look at the right medical problems that may exist now because of your drinking. At the same time, don't think that the medical attention is the only thing you need to include in your work on moving beyond your drinking issue, because most people probably have to work on many levels.
So just leave him and his attitude behind and find the someone who is going to look at the right medical problems that may exist now because of your drinking. At the same time, don't think that the medical attention is the only thing you need to include in your work on moving beyond your drinking issue, because most people probably have to work on many levels.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 6,262
Sounds like you went to the wrong kind of doctor who tried to steer you to the place where you really can get help. Doctors without special training know nothing about alcoholism. Have you called the clinic? It's a good place to start.
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SR Rules have been posted....replies removed ..it was briefly
closed earlier.....more confusion and disrespectful post. ....
it's over. ,it's closed.
Thanks to the members who shared with compassion and support.
closed earlier.....more confusion and disrespectful post. ....
it's over. ,it's closed.
Thanks to the members who shared with compassion and support.
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