Transparency about our addiction with doctors
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,942
Hi novips, I fessed up to my GP and it was the beginning of the end of my drinking days and the start of a new life. I later had to disclose my drinking history to a life insurance broker. Do you know how much it affected the premium? It didn’t make any difference. My records show I drank but stopped for good (2 years now) and have perfect blood test results and even a fibroscan.
There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by telling your GP. They know full well if someone is a heavy drinker or not, and going back to my life insurance, if I’d continued drinking and died as a result, I really doubt my insurer would pay up anyway.
There’s nothing to lose and everything to gain by telling your GP. They know full well if someone is a heavy drinker or not, and going back to my life insurance, if I’d continued drinking and died as a result, I really doubt my insurer would pay up anyway.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Thanks for the well wishes Dee, and for the latest posts everyone. I very much believe this is a very individual choice and would respect everyone's decision even if I were a doctor treating patients. Drinking (past and present) can definitely cause and interfere with medical conditions and treatments, but everyone should have the freedom to decide how they want to deal with these things, much like the freedom not to seek medical treatment if they don't want to. I also completely understand if someone chooses not to disclose addiction history or selectively because they are protective a professional or other position - I would say it's just good to be aware of how that might still affect their health.
I also think it's quite different if we disclose past addiction we successfully stopped (especially if the quitting is not very recent) and if it's ongoing in terms of how it may or may not go into medical records. They won't put "alcohol use disorder" for someone who sees a doctor, for example, for a new injury. They may note excessive drinking as part of a new patient's medical history, but I think it won't be formulated as a diagnosis or actual disorder.
I've already decided that I'll be open about all aspects of my past drinking with physicians running preventive evaluations, any doctor I see repeatedly whether it's a GP or specialist, especially if I have problems and seek diagnosis and treatment. But I don't see a point in disclosing, for example, to the medical student who administered my COVID vaccine, the technician who runs X-rays on me, and I guess I would not bother telling now an urgent care physician I only see once for a strep throat or something similar. All this given that I'm no longer drinking and am not in withdrawal or any other state related to recent drinking. This is actually a quite effective repellent for me now when I get the occasional cravings - can include in my "playing the tape" exercise how it would affect my dealings with health stuff and related communications, and I immediately just don't even want to entertain having to deal with a relapse as a possibility.
I also think it's quite different if we disclose past addiction we successfully stopped (especially if the quitting is not very recent) and if it's ongoing in terms of how it may or may not go into medical records. They won't put "alcohol use disorder" for someone who sees a doctor, for example, for a new injury. They may note excessive drinking as part of a new patient's medical history, but I think it won't be formulated as a diagnosis or actual disorder.
I've already decided that I'll be open about all aspects of my past drinking with physicians running preventive evaluations, any doctor I see repeatedly whether it's a GP or specialist, especially if I have problems and seek diagnosis and treatment. But I don't see a point in disclosing, for example, to the medical student who administered my COVID vaccine, the technician who runs X-rays on me, and I guess I would not bother telling now an urgent care physician I only see once for a strep throat or something similar. All this given that I'm no longer drinking and am not in withdrawal or any other state related to recent drinking. This is actually a quite effective repellent for me now when I get the occasional cravings - can include in my "playing the tape" exercise how it would affect my dealings with health stuff and related communications, and I immediately just don't even want to entertain having to deal with a relapse as a possibility.
Blue Belt
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Soberville, USA
Posts: 4,174
I told my Dr. I quit drinking.
With ultimate honesty
The only people that know the extent of my drinking are on this website. If I compare myself to others, I drank more than some, I relapsed more or less than some, etc etc.
I made my own bed, I am sleeping in it. I haven't followed any rules specifically, but I used what I wanted. I have my own way of staying clean and it got me this far.
I have a friend that looks for AA meetings everywhere they go. On a cruise, on vacation to Mexico, Disneyland, etc etc. By any means.
Judge not...
Thanks.
With ultimate honesty
The only people that know the extent of my drinking are on this website. If I compare myself to others, I drank more than some, I relapsed more or less than some, etc etc.
I made my own bed, I am sleeping in it. I haven't followed any rules specifically, but I used what I wanted. I have my own way of staying clean and it got me this far.
I have a friend that looks for AA meetings everywhere they go. On a cruise, on vacation to Mexico, Disneyland, etc etc. By any means.
Judge not...
Thanks.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Just wanted to add that, since the overwhelming response on this thread seems to favor disclosing even past addiction to physicians treating us, I hope no one feels unwelcome if they have a different view, approach or experience. When I posted this, I was genuinely interested in any opinion (not only encouragement/advice for me) and still am 
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,942
It also gives a sense of accountability. If I go and see my GP for whatever reason, they ask if I’m drinking. I can truthfully say no. Who wants to lie to their GP? My GP did say I looked way better, but I’m not 100 % convinced they believe I’m not drinking. I’m afraid that’s a result of too many patients being economical with the truth.
I’m not planning on joining MI5 which might consider my drinking history to be a factor, but I’ve been security checked for defence and teaching jobs, plus I mentioned life insurance above, and it’s been no problem to have drinking on my medical record.
I’m not planning on joining MI5 which might consider my drinking history to be a factor, but I’ve been security checked for defence and teaching jobs, plus I mentioned life insurance above, and it’s been no problem to have drinking on my medical record.
Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: North Ga
Posts: 251
I always lied about the amount. Two more three at night- usually on the weekends. Etc was my go to. My liver enzymes were always elevated. What should be 30-60 would be 75, etc. they ordered a scan where my liver was Inflamed. I always said I took Tylenol for my neck, etc. my numbers got where they should be now that I have quit. I didn’t want to tell the truth because I didn’t want to hear what I already knew. That and if I told him I was drinking at least a pint a day- I’d worry they would want to throw me in treatment.
Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,408
I never lied to my doctor. In fact I had to catch myself from crying when I told my doctor how much I drank. It caught me by surprise but it dawned on me that he was the first person I ever talked to about it. It was a relief to be totally honest.
Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 424
I owned up to it with a new doctor. Told her from the 1st meeting. I relapsed and when I went back, I owned up to my relapse as well. She offered some options for me. When I went back recently, with 2 months under my belt, I told her my plan to keep sober and the steps I was taking. She was genuinely caring and supportive. I check back in with her next week.
I have been a loner since birth. Middle child, only girl and desperately wanted my dysfunctional family to see me—no one ever noticed me. I did everything for myself — got a car, put myself thru college, lived on my own and paid rent, paid for my wedding, etc etc. I have really been accountable to no one but myself for a very very long time. Until the birth of my kids, and now I am accountable to them.
I am in my mid forties and I’m tired of doing it alone. It wasn’t getting me anywhere and it certainly didn’t keep me from drinking. Telling my doctor was the first step for me. Getting a sponsor was the next step for me — one day at a time, but being honest and accountable has its perks.
I have been a loner since birth. Middle child, only girl and desperately wanted my dysfunctional family to see me—no one ever noticed me. I did everything for myself — got a car, put myself thru college, lived on my own and paid rent, paid for my wedding, etc etc. I have really been accountable to no one but myself for a very very long time. Until the birth of my kids, and now I am accountable to them.
I am in my mid forties and I’m tired of doing it alone. It wasn’t getting me anywhere and it certainly didn’t keep me from drinking. Telling my doctor was the first step for me. Getting a sponsor was the next step for me — one day at a time, but being honest and accountable has its perks.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Thinking of accountability is a very good idea. I'm also one of those who has never truly been accountable to anyone strongly and consistently. I grew up in a very supportive, loving family with a lot of freedom, which was nice and constructive in many ways, especially for creating self-esteem and confidence. But also meant no one really taught me how to do self-care well, checked on how my responsibilities were going, even though I had good role models for these things in my parents and other adults around me. They were more teaching me by example and encouragement, not via checking and discipline. Definitely not dysfunctional, but probably a bit too much freedom and a general atmosphere not to cultivate limits, which certainly stuck in me well Then the same style more or less continued throughout my life, including in my professional environments... and now will only expand, becoming fully self-employed and all that. I listen to a lot of like-minded, autonomous entrepreneurs though and pretty much all the competent and successful ones suggest having good mentors and solid support for physical and mental health, and at all times, not only when problems have already developed.
I like the idea of using medical professionals for accountability for me, because I am a science and medical person myself, and if there is any authority I relatively easily understand and accept, it is those things. Much better for me than, say, a counselor who has little training and experience with biology and physiology. Or a single person in peer recovery groups. Groups and using a variety of people as source of information and support work much better for me and easier to stay motivated to be in touch and honest that way. I'm only now building a medical team for myself, and while it's annoying that the tests identify issues and I have to go back for me evaluation, it's not entirely bad for me right now, a bit of pressure. I'm still only going to see the primary care doctor I like based on her professional portfolio in about 10 days (the others are specialists) - hopefully that will work out, as it's definitely better if someone else oversees all of my medical care rather than just myself juggling specialists.
Then the same style more or less continued throughout my life, including in my professional environments... and now will only expand, becoming fully self-employed and all that. I listen to a lot of like-minded, autonomous entrepreneurs though and pretty much all the competent and successful ones suggest having good mentors and solid support for physical and mental health, and at all times, not only when problems have already developed.I like the idea of using medical professionals for accountability for me, because I am a science and medical person myself, and if there is any authority I relatively easily understand and accept, it is those things. Much better for me than, say, a counselor who has little training and experience with biology and physiology. Or a single person in peer recovery groups. Groups and using a variety of people as source of information and support work much better for me and easier to stay motivated to be in touch and honest that way. I'm only now building a medical team for myself, and while it's annoying that the tests identify issues and I have to go back for me evaluation, it's not entirely bad for me right now, a bit of pressure. I'm still only going to see the primary care doctor I like based on her professional portfolio in about 10 days (the others are specialists) - hopefully that will work out, as it's definitely better if someone else oversees all of my medical care rather than just myself juggling specialists.
Samantha
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 2,031
I was getting my blood done once and the guy asked me how many drinks I have DAILY, which is a weird question. I said none, because I've never drank daily.
looking back I maybe should have done him that if you average it out it probably would be 1?
I dunno. Too late now.
looking back I maybe should have done him that if you average it out it probably would be 1?
I dunno. Too late now.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,942
Hi Aellyce, with you on the counsellor comments.
My GP showed obvious approval when I fessed up about drinking. You think about it, they have to deal with all manner of lifestyle-related issues, and it must be like banging heads on walls. There’ll be the obese types who just want a pill to fix their joint pains when all they need is to go on a diet. And as for smokers.... But then one of us good people turns up and is being proactive about our health. No wonder they want to help.
And then there’s the counsellor I saw to get a box ticked. She spent the first half of the session ticking boxes. She had zero people skills and offered no support. I remember walking out of there and straight away buying a bottle of wine. If she’s helped anyone quit, I’ll eat a whole shop full of hats I’d be a better counsellor than her. Phew! Rant over. As you say, GPs are way better.
My GP showed obvious approval when I fessed up about drinking. You think about it, they have to deal with all manner of lifestyle-related issues, and it must be like banging heads on walls. There’ll be the obese types who just want a pill to fix their joint pains when all they need is to go on a diet. And as for smokers.... But then one of us good people turns up and is being proactive about our health. No wonder they want to help.
And then there’s the counsellor I saw to get a box ticked. She spent the first half of the session ticking boxes. She had zero people skills and offered no support. I remember walking out of there and straight away buying a bottle of wine. If she’s helped anyone quit, I’ll eat a whole shop full of hats
I’d be a better counsellor than her. Phew! Rant over. As you say, GPs are way better.
Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: US
Posts: 264
After telling my doctor about my drinking I was mortified that Alcohol abuse was stamped on my health records never to be removed. Now that I haven't had a drink in over a year it no longer bothers me. Funny isn't it. I can proudly tell the doctor and his staff I no longer drink. No shame here.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
I think keeping the active addiction in secret is mostly motivated either by not really wanting to quit or shame/guilt, probably most often a combination of both. I easily understand how that happens, not even irrational at all, just how addiction works. But the secrecy and lying are definitely other forms of self-sabotage and destruction. The good thing for me is that I feel zero shame about my addiction now, pretty much see it as any kind of physical or mental health condition, not some lack of competency or personal weakness. Still a big spot on my history since it's so recent, but with time and continued sobriety, it will lose its dominance among the myriad of other things that I deal with in life.
On counseling - I think it can be great and very helpful for many people. I see it pretty much like recovery methods/programs, the best result occurs when someone finds a good fit or combination. For many people, recovery involves counseling and it's great if it's helpful. I actually saw a pretty good therapist in the past who was quite compatible with me: had a good deal of neuroscience training, open-minded, pragmatic. But what can he do if I am not being honest and mostly use him as a conversation partner? Surely his fault was probably allowing that, so wasn't the best fit in that he never called me out on my BS or challenged me much, and I know I would do better with someone who does those things. Doctors can show us direct, no-nonsense evidence of our condition. But with any kind of help, we still need the desire and willingness to stop - no one else can give that to us, not even the best therapist or doctor on Earth, it is an internal job. I think even in a program like AA, which works with a higher power, strong desire and will need to come from the person who is trying to recover. Of course the competency and integrity of whoever else helping in whatever way is important, too.
On counseling - I think it can be great and very helpful for many people. I see it pretty much like recovery methods/programs, the best result occurs when someone finds a good fit or combination. For many people, recovery involves counseling and it's great if it's helpful. I actually saw a pretty good therapist in the past who was quite compatible with me: had a good deal of neuroscience training, open-minded, pragmatic. But what can he do if I am not being honest and mostly use him as a conversation partner? Surely his fault was probably allowing that, so wasn't the best fit in that he never called me out on my BS or challenged me much, and I know I would do better with someone who does those things. Doctors can show us direct, no-nonsense evidence of our condition. But with any kind of help, we still need the desire and willingness to stop - no one else can give that to us, not even the best therapist or doctor on Earth, it is an internal job. I think even in a program like AA, which works with a higher power, strong desire and will need to come from the person who is trying to recover. Of course the competency and integrity of whoever else helping in whatever way is important, too.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,942
Thanks - I’m being a bit stubborn and narrow minded about my counselling experience. A good counsellor who gets on with people whilst being a good listener and motivator would be a huge help to anyone.
I shouldn’t make light of it, but my appointment with the counsellor was near my house and my local supermarket. Directly after the counselling, almost as a symbol of how effective the session was, I went into the supermarket to buy my evening bottle of wine. I was almost wanting that counsellor to walk in and see me queuing up to pay for my wine. Just as in my job, I get feedback I have to act upon, that would’ve been her feedback from that session.
I quit a few weeks later without seeing her again, but if I was earlier on in my cutting down/quitting journey, a stronger counsellor would undoubtably have helped.
I shouldn’t make light of it, but my appointment with the counsellor was near my house and my local supermarket. Directly after the counselling, almost as a symbol of how effective the session was, I went into the supermarket to buy my evening bottle of wine. I was almost wanting that counsellor to walk in and see me queuing up to pay for my wine. Just as in my job, I get feedback I have to act upon, that would’ve been her feedback from that session.
I quit a few weeks later without seeing her again, but if I was earlier on in my cutting down/quitting journey, a stronger counsellor would undoubtably have helped.
Member
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,942
Again, Alleyce, I can’t think of any situation in which your drinking on your medical history will be a problem. I gave examples of life insurance and being screened for defence and teaching rules. The insurance company of course asked questions and my GP had to do some paperwork, but the premium was unaffected. Lying to an insurance company makes no sense.
You’ve 100% done the right thing
You’ve 100% done the right thing
Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: Houma, LA
Posts: 35
Aellyce2,
Great for you going the sober route. I wish you well. I’m on day 38 and hanging in there.
As for honesty to the Dr., after 28 years in a military career, I lied my ass off. But, these days with HIPA laws, my retirement from AD and me worried about my health, I fully disclosed everything back in Nov. Man, I sure am glad I did, that was the final lift I needed to be successful in this endeavor.
Life is so much better when you can sleep normal, think straight and make good decisions.
Great for you going the sober route. I wish you well. I’m on day 38 and hanging in there.
As for honesty to the Dr., after 28 years in a military career, I lied my ass off. But, these days with HIPA laws, my retirement from AD and me worried about my health, I fully disclosed everything back in Nov. Man, I sure am glad I did, that was the final lift I needed to be successful in this endeavor.
Life is so much better when you can sleep normal, think straight and make good decisions.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Some follow-up on the medical evaluations, without any advice So I think I've found a good primary care physician. Had my first appointment with her early this week and she did a very comprehensive exam both in the office and lab tests, and got all of my blood results back in two days, which is pretty good for a routine physical. All seems good except my resting heart rate was really too high (but blood pressure and everything else on the ECG they did was fine) - it was surprising to me because I monitor it and it's never that high, and it was also normal in another doctor's office recently. And I need a couple vaccines because my immunity from one wore off and never had the other one that is available and a good idea to have for anyone. She told me to go back in a couple weeks, with my home BP/HR monitor, to take another reading and compare my machine to the one in their office - that's a great suggestion.
The high HR can well be due to stress - the morning I had the appointment, my anxiety was off the charts, not so much because of the appointment but it's just a very high-stress period for me right now and every other day at least is like that. I recall thinking it may be the worst time to have a physical, but there is little I can do about the current stress except making sure I eat, sleep relatively okay and get some exercise and relaxation. Some days are really overwhelming and I frequently feel my anxiety of off the charts, but manage it pretty well. Definitely a good idea to consider carefully how many and what kind of serious changes we take on in early sobriety, but I don't regret mine and don't feel it threatens my sobriety - more the opposite, the stress and all these tasks keep me super busy and focused. Hopefully the worst of it will be over in less than 3 weeks, once I'm done with my job and can start a few months of vacation I've never had even a full month of vacation in my life since I started working full-time after college, looking forward to the break so much!
I talked with the doctor in detail about my alcoholism and recent quit and it indeed felt great to finally disclose everything to a physician, be able to ask questions without holding back info etc. She didn't make any comments on it other than asking what recovery program I'm in (because I put it in my intake form that I use self-recovery and peer support) and said it will be informative to see my liver function results (which, now I know, are all normal - yay!). My alcohol use didn't go anywhere in my medical records, but I never thought it would as it's not current. But, like others here suggested, I would not care even if it went on my records. I don't even have life insurance (or plans to get one) or anything else that could be affected by it, especially now that I'm quitting working for medical institutions as a full-time employee.
I also had a bunch of other routine preventive tests done by specialists in the last 2 months and there is nothing concerning anywhere in the end. So it seems my body has come out of all the self-destruction pretty intact - I can take that as an incentive to continue with my new lifestyle goals, and finally have a couple good doctors to see in the future. Hopefully they will take my new insurance, but I'll have quite a bit of freedom to choose insurance in the future as a self-employed person. I ask all of these doctors offices (including my dentist that I really like) what kinds of insurance they take and will try to see if I can find private insurance that would cover all of them and everything else I need in the future.
So I think I've found a good primary care physician. Had my first appointment with her early this week and she did a very comprehensive exam both in the office and lab tests, and got all of my blood results back in two days, which is pretty good for a routine physical. All seems good except my resting heart rate was really too high (but blood pressure and everything else on the ECG they did was fine) - it was surprising to me because I monitor it and it's never that high, and it was also normal in another doctor's office recently. And I need a couple vaccines because my immunity from one wore off and never had the other one that is available and a good idea to have for anyone. She told me to go back in a couple weeks, with my home BP/HR monitor, to take another reading and compare my machine to the one in their office - that's a great suggestion.The high HR can well be due to stress - the morning I had the appointment, my anxiety was off the charts, not so much because of the appointment but it's just a very high-stress period for me right now and every other day at least is like that. I recall thinking it may be the worst time to have a physical, but there is little I can do about the current stress except making sure I eat, sleep relatively okay and get some exercise and relaxation. Some days are really overwhelming and I frequently feel my anxiety of off the charts, but manage it pretty well. Definitely a good idea to consider carefully how many and what kind of serious changes we take on in early sobriety, but I don't regret mine and don't feel it threatens my sobriety - more the opposite, the stress and all these tasks keep me super busy and focused. Hopefully the worst of it will be over in less than 3 weeks, once I'm done with my job and can start a few months of vacation
I've never had even a full month of vacation in my life since I started working full-time after college, looking forward to the break so much!I talked with the doctor in detail about my alcoholism and recent quit and it indeed felt great to finally disclose everything to a physician, be able to ask questions without holding back info etc. She didn't make any comments on it other than asking what recovery program I'm in (because I put it in my intake form that I use self-recovery and peer support) and said it will be informative to see my liver function results (which, now I know, are all normal - yay!). My alcohol use didn't go anywhere in my medical records, but I never thought it would as it's not current. But, like others here suggested, I would not care even if it went on my records. I don't even have life insurance (or plans to get one) or anything else that could be affected by it, especially now that I'm quitting working for medical institutions as a full-time employee.
I also had a bunch of other routine preventive tests done by specialists in the last 2 months and there is nothing concerning anywhere in the end. So it seems my body has come out of all the self-destruction pretty intact - I can take that as an incentive to continue with my new lifestyle goals, and finally have a couple good doctors to see in the future. Hopefully they will take my new insurance, but I'll have quite a bit of freedom to choose insurance in the future as a self-employed person. I ask all of these doctors offices (including my dentist that I really like) what kinds of insurance they take and will try to see if I can find private insurance that would cover all of them and everything else I need in the future.
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Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,912
Just thought an interesting update would fit here. So, after my most recent relapse, I have been sober for a bit over 2 weeks. This time primarily focusing on AVRT as a technique to deal with my drinking urges.
Where this fits in the medical thread: I've had a very unpleasant dental issue experience again in the last 3 days. I posted on various other threads how I'd had a bigger dental project to complete since mid-last year, it had various complications, but I was so happy with the final result of my treatment plan a few weeks ago, both medically and aesthetically. Part of the most recent work was done primarily for cosmetic improvement reasons (and almost some mild inconvenience, like food getting trapped due to an old and now misaligned crown), but the teeth also needed an upgrade medically and more work had to be done than originally planned. Still, I was thrilled about the result...
Until earlier this week, when one of the newly root canal-treated, crowned and aesthetically now really beautiful tooth started to hurt. Kinda off and on, it never felt like the pain descriptions associated with a dental abscess (I've never had an abscess / acute infection, so can only compare with others' descriptions of it), but it was very bothersome and slowly increasing in intensity. I must also say that, for anyone who believe stress/anxiety can exacerbate not necessarily medical conditions but our perceptions of them - I'm just in the middle of moving into a new apartment, organizing and upgrading a lot of my home life, but it's far from finished and still a lot of work every day.
As far as dental issues - I am a known tooth grinder and, to some extent, this alone can cause pain and exacerbate other dental conditions. So I've had this increasing pain for ~3 days, in the middle of last night so intense, very little-responsive to pretty high doses of Ibuprofen - I made an emergency appointment around 1am at a different office from my regular dentist. The regular dentist now only works 2 days a week, and I would have had to wait for him until next Wednesday (also the day when I plan to complete my move). No way!
So I went into the new dental office earlier this morning, and received what felt like probably the most comprehensive, knowledgeable, and also personable evaluation, diagnosis, and recommendations. I definitely expected something like that, given this is one of the most established and highly reputable dental offices in New York City. I don't even have dental insurance right now, so paid out-of-pocket, but didn't want to take sloppy chances, and wanted a reputable second opinion at least.
Turns out I don't have any signs of infection at all, and it is (still) most likely a bite / grinding teeth at night issue. I was evaluated by the head and founder of this multi-specialist office, and he was not only extremely thorough, but also showed a lot of interest in everything, and fantastic bedside manner. Cutting the long post just a bit shorter: I don't have an infection or abscess (things I'd feared constantly during the past 3 days, probably even added to the pain perception mentally). This dentist also complimented a lot on how good the state of my mouth is, and also on my regular dentist's recent superb work. Said the root canals and crowns look perfect on the X-rays, and also lovely aesthetically. I know the latter - would be very disappointed having to destroy these new crowns, let alone pull the teeth...
He said I don't need any treatment for infection, but thinks it's primarily an issue with the bite occlusion and my night grinding. Personally, I recognized a good strategist entrepreneur (being one myself and knowing good strategies with clients) in him. Did not try to sell me whatever they can offer, but he took a lot of time to evaluate and discuss, then just did a very minor bite adjustment (asking multiple times if I wanted it) and recommended going back to my original dentist, if more issues arise. He really took his time to go through all the tests, possibilities and recommendations with me. It felt good emotionally even just having this thorough diagnostic, rational, realistic discussion form a second source. Also recommended a new OTC pain relief regimen I'd never tried before.
I came home very satisfied, and with little left of the pain that kept me up at least for two nights, kept me obsess about all sorts of worst-case scenarios (including dying of sepsis caused by untreated or mistreated dental abscesses). The silver lining is that I almost never want to drink when I feel unwell, so this kept my AV pretty quiet for a few days. But now I feel very good again and can't rely on the "discomfort intolerance" management of my AV.
Of course, especially for those who are a bit familiar with my patterns... this experience today turned out strong food for my AV - once again, super predictable, once I got the "all clear"at the dentist. The Beast surfaced almost before I left the dental chair! But I gave IT a huge, ugly middle finger in mind. It is still suggesting all sorts of BS, but I'll just keep applying the technique.
Where this fits in the medical thread: I've had a very unpleasant dental issue experience again in the last 3 days. I posted on various other threads how I'd had a bigger dental project to complete since mid-last year, it had various complications, but I was so happy with the final result of my treatment plan a few weeks ago, both medically and aesthetically. Part of the most recent work was done primarily for cosmetic improvement reasons (and almost some mild inconvenience, like food getting trapped due to an old and now misaligned crown), but the teeth also needed an upgrade medically and more work had to be done than originally planned. Still, I was thrilled about the result...
Until earlier this week, when one of the newly root canal-treated, crowned and aesthetically now really beautiful tooth started to hurt. Kinda off and on, it never felt like the pain descriptions associated with a dental abscess (I've never had an abscess / acute infection, so can only compare with others' descriptions of it), but it was very bothersome and slowly increasing in intensity. I must also say that, for anyone who believe stress/anxiety can exacerbate not necessarily medical conditions but our perceptions of them - I'm just in the middle of moving into a new apartment, organizing and upgrading a lot of my home life, but it's far from finished and still a lot of work every day.
As far as dental issues - I am a known tooth grinder and, to some extent, this alone can cause pain and exacerbate other dental conditions. So I've had this increasing pain for ~3 days, in the middle of last night so intense, very little-responsive to pretty high doses of Ibuprofen - I made an emergency appointment around 1am at a different office from my regular dentist. The regular dentist now only works 2 days a week, and I would have had to wait for him until next Wednesday (also the day when I plan to complete my move). No way!
So I went into the new dental office earlier this morning, and received what felt like probably the most comprehensive, knowledgeable, and also personable evaluation, diagnosis, and recommendations. I definitely expected something like that, given this is one of the most established and highly reputable dental offices in New York City. I don't even have dental insurance right now, so paid out-of-pocket, but didn't want to take sloppy chances, and wanted a reputable second opinion at least.
Turns out I don't have any signs of infection at all, and it is (still) most likely a bite / grinding teeth at night issue. I was evaluated by the head and founder of this multi-specialist office, and he was not only extremely thorough, but also showed a lot of interest in everything, and fantastic bedside manner. Cutting the long post just a bit shorter: I don't have an infection or abscess (things I'd feared constantly during the past 3 days, probably even added to the pain perception mentally). This dentist also complimented a lot on how good the state of my mouth is, and also on my regular dentist's recent superb work. Said the root canals and crowns look perfect on the X-rays, and also lovely aesthetically. I know the latter - would be very disappointed having to destroy these new crowns, let alone pull the teeth...
He said I don't need any treatment for infection, but thinks it's primarily an issue with the bite occlusion and my night grinding. Personally, I recognized a good strategist entrepreneur (being one myself and knowing good strategies with clients) in him. Did not try to sell me whatever they can offer, but he took a lot of time to evaluate and discuss, then just did a very minor bite adjustment (asking multiple times if I wanted it) and recommended going back to my original dentist, if more issues arise. He really took his time to go through all the tests, possibilities and recommendations with me. It felt good emotionally even just having this thorough diagnostic, rational, realistic discussion form a second source. Also recommended a new OTC pain relief regimen I'd never tried before.
I came home very satisfied, and with little left of the pain that kept me up at least for two nights, kept me obsess about all sorts of worst-case scenarios (including dying of sepsis caused by untreated or mistreated dental abscesses). The silver lining is that I almost never want to drink when I feel unwell, so this kept my AV pretty quiet for a few days. But now I feel very good again and can't rely on the "discomfort intolerance" management of my AV.
Of course, especially for those who are a bit familiar with my patterns... this experience today turned out strong food for my AV - once again, super predictable, once I got the "all clear"at the dentist. The Beast surfaced almost before I left the dental chair! But I gave IT a huge, ugly middle finger in mind. It is still suggesting all sorts of BS, but I'll just keep applying the technique.
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