Does being dependent on doctors scare you?

[poppy]

As a dry eye sufferer who is dependent on steroids, I feel like someone who is dependent on morphine for pain relief. ie Doctors don't want to give them to you, or they only give you limited quantities, they see you as a "drug seeker", and you live in fear of your medication being cut off. Your medication is limited to only one or two repeats and then you have to see a specialist and beg for it again and hope they don't dump you.

I feel like my life and my ability to function is totally out of my control due to my being dependent on doctors for steroids, I live in fear of the doctors and I really hate this. This is the worst thing about dry eye. I know steroids have side effects but I feel I should be able to make the decisions about what risks I will take in return for quality of life.

[Colin P]

Yes, i would imagine most people get anxious about this, over here our N.H.S is in freefall/cutbacks.
The meds i take are in slow release capsule form, my G.P told me the tablets of same strengh will do as they are half the price!.
When i got my first prescription from the Chemist, i took my previous now empty box, which read 'slow release capsules' and explained someone has made a slight error, and presumed tablets. The chemist typed something in the computer- obviously weighing up price difference (25£ or 50£ for capsules) and said yep no problem!!..
Ive had 4x repeat prescriptions so far........ and dont let on, i know that the capsule form is an extra £25...
We have a scheme on U.K where you get a small discount if youre going to be on medication for a long time, its called repeat prescription where you dont even see the doctor, just keep repeating the same meds order for 12months at a time...
Asking on here was a good idea, because it was a weight of my mind when i asked somebody about my meds? and they replied "been on them for last 3 years!"..

[MaryVa61]

Being dependent on doctors scares the heck out of me, especially when pain is very severe! Then the fear (of not getting any answers and, therefore, pain relief help) turns me into an anxious, babbling idot at appointments, which makes it even less likely I'll be taken seriously and will get help. They don't like desperation and my doc doesn't like dealing with dry eye pain in general.

I'm less anxious, and therefore communicate better, when I take a friend with me and take half a valium (lowest dose form) before the appt, and psych myself out by thinking, "This guy is just a tool to use and he's not the only tool available. I can walk out and find someone else.", then I'm calmer and more successful. I am going to try a homeopathic product for stress, instead of valium, next time, that 2 friends suggested, called Rescue Remedy. I only have a valium prescription for flying (which I do every 5 yrs or so) and doctor appts, which seems really ridiculous.

Now that I've found some solutions (from this site, with home tx ideas, & from allergists and dermatologist) to my dry eye and pain, I'm far less anxious anyway, so get better results in talking with doctors. It's all the reverse of how it should be.

[poppy]

Being dependent on doctors scares the heck out of me, especially when pain is very severe! Then the fear (of not getting any answers and, therefore, pain relief help) turns me into an anxious, babbling idot at appointments, which makes it even less likely I'll be taken seriously and will get help. They don't like desperation and my doc doesn't like dealing with dry eye pain in general.

I'm less anxious, and therefore communicate better, when I take a friend with me and take half a valium (lowest dose form) before the appt, and psych myself out by thinking, "This guy is just a tool to use and he's not the only tool available. I can walk out and find someone else.", then I'm calmer and more successful. I am going to try a homeopathic product for stress, instead of valium, next time, that 2 friends suggested, called Rescue Remedy. I only have a valium prescription for flying (which I do every 5 yrs or so) and doctor appts, which seems really ridiculous.

Now that I've found some solutions (from this site, with home tx ideas, & from allergists and dermatologist) to my dry eye and pain, I'm far less anxious anyway, so get better results in talking with doctors. It's all the reverse of how it should be.

LOL sorry for laughing but I feel exactly the same as you with Dr's appointments. Even a simple appointment with my GP leaves me feeling very stressed out. Next time I will try your idea and pop some of my valium beforehand. I imagine asking my psych for more valium, she'll ask why, I'll say I need it to come to your appointments and other doctors appointments...

[Colin P]

Poppy! what youre describing is anxiety, over here (U.K) on the Anxiety checklist 'appointments' is one of the 1st questions on the list.
Slowly, you will level up the chemicals which are causing this anxiety...

[mgshutterbug]

Yes, yes, yes being dependent on docs scares the heck out of me - because none of the corneal docs I've seen have listened and paid any attention to what I'm saying. Nor did either catch the macular hole which I'd developed, despite my very clearly telling the one for a YEAR that I had central vision loss. I hate seeing doctors. I get high anxiety whenever I see any of them. I do have an excellent retinal specialist now, but still haven't found a good corneal specialist. I'm going to try another different one the next time I go, which w/probably be in a month or so.

Maria