My doctor is an ass.

[Nahbus]

SWIM goes in for his regularly scheduled session with his psychologist.
This psychologist knows SWIM and his family are having money problems recently. SWIM has an outstanding balance with the doctor, but had plans to work it out over time.
SWIM goes in at 10:00am and leaves at 10:02am. He was charged for a full session, and wouldnt respond when he said "OH, twenty bucks for a minute, huh?"
Anyway, the reason this doctor is an ass is because he told SWIM he cannot come back untill he pays the outstanding balance in full, and only gave him a Valium refill for 3 days. WTF?
He could have givin him a full months like usual.
Does this doctor NOT KNOW that stopping benzos can cause grand mal seizures and such? Does he not care about SWIMs well-being and mental health? All he cares about is money.
SWIM goes in there ready to talk about problems that he has been having, but this doctor didn't even listen to it, he just got into the money and shuffled SWIM out the door.
Needless to say, SWIM was very rude and does not plan on going back, but is very upset about this 3 day valium script.
Argh...

[Nahbus]

SWIM is trying to think of a way he can get his doctor to just give him his usual script. I still cannot believe he did that!
Maybe he should just go to a new doc and tell them what happened, and hope they continue his medication (I don't see why they wouldn't).
SO many of these doctors are just about money, though! It's sad.

[Alfa]

The outstanding debt is a problem when getting a new doctor. The new doc would call the old one for SWIY's medical record. When the new doc hears about outstanding payments, SWIY would have little chance.
Consider that there may be more at play than money alone. The US gov is getting tough on GP's prescribing these drugs to often. Is there any chance the doc is considering SWIY a problem case in this regard? If so, that could bring along a lot of prejudice in regards to money.

[Nahbus]

well, SWIM plans on paying his debt, because.. well... its his debt that he owes and agreed to. Hopefully by the end of this week.
As for a problem case: I wouldn't think so. He knows about his past cocaine/drug abuse, but knows SWIM isn't doing that anymore.
I am aware of the issue of perscribing benzos, but SWIM has been perscribed this for about a year straight (which isn't all that good in itself either), and just finds it odd that the doctor would only give him 3 days worth. SWIM isn't drug dependant on these, but when he is anxious he really really needs them, he gets VERY intense social anxiety. Just the thought of going out without them makes SWIM shudder. Let alone coming down with a bout of anxiety with nothing to remedy it.
GAH.

[old hippie 56]

Money issue should not brought up in the transfer of medical records. Something to do with privacy. But, this swim would find another doctor. He sounds like a real dickhead.

[Nahbus]

yes, he definately plans to. I'm afraid for SWIM, though, that the new doctor may not like SWIM being on valium for such a long period of time... but it truly helps with his anxiety, and he doesn't take it everyday, nor does he abuse it (save for the couple times he uses it to 'come down' on some drugs [LSD, Stimulants]).
We'll see, I suppose..

[Nagognog2]

Putting a patient at risk of harm - seizures from drug-withdrawl - is in direct violation of the Hypocratic Oath all physicians are bound by. I'd be looking for a lawyer, rather than a new doctor. Then let the lawyer find SWIM a doctor while preparing a nice, fat malpractice suit.

[Nahbus]

SWIM hardly has the money for a lawyer, though. That would be very ideal..

EDIT:
SWIM should take a loan out or something and really get a good lawyer... because this is obviously unacceptable... especially for putting SWIM in harms way... on purpose. What would the end result be if SWIM won a case like this?

[Alfa]

No cure, no pay lawyers?

[Nagognog2]

A lawyer will take lawsuits for free. They only get paid if they win the case. Then they take a set percentage. So it's in their best interests to win and win BIG!

[Nahbus]

SWIM should try and talk to a good lawyer about this and see if he has a case. If so, he will act upon it, most definately.

[Benzhead]

Originally Posted by Nahbus

SWIM should try and talk to a good lawyer about this and see if he has a case. If so, he will act upon it, most definately.

If I were SWIY, I'd get my meds situation straightened out....Stat! Then consider consulting an attorney. I don't know what dosage of Valium(diazepam) SWIY is on, but this would seem the prudent course.

Benzo withdrawal as you know can be very difficult, and SWIY really needs to address this issue above all other concerns.

SWIY will also likely function a lot better simply knowing that the meds are secured.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Very kind of you to be looking out for another persons well-being! Good on ya, man.