Re: Advice please! How to be assertive with doctor? (Long, sorry!)
From: anne (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Wed, 28 Nov 2001 15:34:03 -0600 (CST)
Chris,
Make a list of your concerns, print out two copies, bring in print outs
from reputuable websites like medscape.com to support your position, or
books (not posts from forums). If the doctor wants to go a course you
don't like, tell her, I know you've had experience with this, but this
is my body, this is what I'd like to try and I'm willing to take full
resposibility for the choice.
I suggest two books to you - PCOS the hidden epidemic by Thatcher and
Women, Weight and Hormones by Vliet.
Don't assume your doctor is uptodate. Don't let their arrogance prevent
your getting the treatment you need. They may feel they are right, and
who knows they could be, but it is your body and you should have a say
in your treatment. You have every right to reject the urine of pregnant
mares (premarin) tell her your a member of PETA and you have ethical
objections to it if you have to.
If they will not work with you walk out and tell them you are looking
for a doctor who will partner with you, respect you, and not dictate to
you.
--
Anne
(who has had 4 ent's, 4 gastroenterologist, 5 endos, and 3 PCP's in the
last 5 years but who is now finally feeling well.)
At Wed, 28 Nov 2001, Chris wrote:
>
>Hi-
>
>I finally have a follow up appointment with my new endocrinologist. She
>drew blood the last time, and my results were normal except for high
>DHEAS (400), low estradiol (30), and a funky LH:FSH ratio (2:1). So
>anyway, here's my question...when you know what drugs may help you,
>*how* do you ask the doctor for them without seeming pushy? I have
>really made great strides in the last few months with getting more
>assertive, but I still have a problem with requesting drugs. For
>example, when I left the lst appointment, she gave me a sample of
>Estrostep bcp. I asked, "Wouldn't a monophasic pill be better?" And she
>said no, she's had good luck with this pill. So what could I say? Well,
>I got home and went into one of my research frenzies (!) and found that
>Estrostep has one of the highest androgen contents of all the bcps.
>(Acne is my main complaint of PCOS.) So I didn't take it. What I think
>I need is a higher estrogen, lower progestin and androgen monophasic
>pill for birth control (like Ovcon or Orthocyclen) and possibly a little
>extra estrogen, (like Alora or Vivelle but NOT Premarin) to help my
>fatigue and memory loss. I have read several articles that indicate
>that Premarin is the most widely prescribed estrogen, but contains no
>17-beta estradiol, which is our natural estrogen, and therefore many
>women do better with actual 17-beta estradiol given transdermally. But
>I can just see it now, she'll say, "Let's get you on a low dose of
>Premarin and keep taking the Estrostep." So, do I lie and say I spotted
>on the Estrostep (which I never took) and I'd like to try Ovcon? Do I
>say my mom had bad results with Premarin (another lie, my mom never took
>it) and I'd like to try a 17-beta estradiol? I hate to lie, but I also
>hate to be pushy and act like I know more than she does. How do I
>assert myself without sounding like a know-it-all? Help!!!!
>
>Thanks so much for your time-
>Chris
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