Do doctors really care or do they just label us!?

Question

I am a single mom and I suffer from bipolar2 and...I have many phisical illnesses also ( irritable bowel disease, severe endometriosis, cystic ovarian disease, chronic back pain - my pelvic was broken when i gave birth to my daughter in 2003 -, ....) My phisical pain is so unberable that I am unable to work and somedays getting out of bed and standing up is horrible!!!

I am being followed by a psychiatrist for my bipolar and I go to therapy twice a month.

For my "other" health issues, I had a GP doctor following me, and she prescribed dilaudid for my abdominal and back pain. It has now been two years that I am taking dilaudid (2 to 4 mg every 6 hrs), I asked my Gp to find a cure for my pain and not just mask the pain with harsh narcotics (heck I'm only 31, what will I take or do for the rest of my life!!) Not knowing what to do anymore, my GP simply told me she didn't want to follow me anymore!!!

So I've been without a GP since january. My "old" GP will refill my prescriptions but won't see me...(yeah figure that one out!!??) I had finally found a "new" GP (that I waited 4 months to see), hopping that this new GP would help me get cured and off those d**n pills...To my BIGGEST dissapointement, this new GP told me that she was refussing to be my doctor BECAUSE I was on narcotics (even though I told her I hated taking them and wanted to be taken off of them!!)

I feel as though I was automatically labelled dangerous or drug addict because I'm bipolar and on narcotics!!! I was sent home with no help and feeling as though it wasn't worth fighting for anything anymore...I work REALLY hard on my mental and phisical health, but their comes a time where you need a doctor ( for blood test, referals, etc.)

I've been crushed and crying eversince I got back home from that USELESS appointement...I have lost all fate in the medical board and, I am honestly scared of seeing another doctor (fear of being judged and labelled again!!...) I'm at a point now where I can't see the positive side in life. I'm not suicidal because I have a wonderfull daughter but, I feel like society doesn't give a d**n about me!!!

How can someone deal with this feeling of abandonnement, especialy when it is comming from people that are supposed to help and cause no harm!!?? What do I do now?? Am I stuck with a label?? Will I ever be seen as an intelligent human being even though I'm bipolar!!??

Please help!! Any suggestion would really be appreciated.

Answer 1

they don't care about you at all.  My late wife saw a psychiatrist for several years and when she died the doctor just signed a blank card. no real concern at all.

Answer 2

I suffer from borderline personality disorder and one of the symptoms is fear of abondanment.  This is a big issue for me.  I see a psychiatrist and when I talk to her it seems like she really cares, but then when it comes down to everything I'm just another body helping pay for her car insurance.  I think they care but they won't care for free, ya know what I mean?  When you see a psychiatrist they do have pressure for labeling you for insurance reasons.  Insurance won't cover appointments unless you have an illness so sometimes psychiatrists will just say you have depression or so forth so they can get the payments.  It's rough and confusing, I know!

Answer 3

I don't blame you for feeling depressed!  I doubt if your bipolar disorder is the reason for this kind of treatment. Physicians are often afraid to work with people who require ongoing narcotic medication because they are afraid of getting into trouble themselves for prescribing the medication (yes, it happens.)  There is a solution to this; see a pain management specialist, who will understand chronic pain, and whose prescriptions are not scrutinized in the same way. It sounds like maybe you should look for one who specializes in back pain and/or pelvic pain.  You may need a referral from a GP--hopefully your old doctor will be happy to do this, because s/he feels bad about abandoning you. When you look for a new GP, be clear that your pain issues are being dealt with by a specialist, or that you are seeking one.

Any chance of increasing your therapy to weekly?  Chronic pain is enormously stressful, and you could use this support.  With that extra time, the therapist might also be able to teach you some techniques to help deal with the pain.   IBS and back pain are made worse by stress but you can learn to keep that stress from impacting you so much physically.  I think the best way to deal with feelings of abandonment is to be assertive and determined in your search for a doctor who will deal with you properly!

DM

Answer 4

I'm really sorry that u suffer so terribly.  I don't have suggestions or an experience that comes even close to urs but at the weekend I was at the hospital (I had some sort of anxiety attack) and although it was after a night out and I seriously told them that I did not take drugs they still didn't believe me....they wouldn't even talk to me until the blood tests were back....it felt horrible and as it was my first time in hospital and im only 18 I was very worried and they wouldn't tell me anything...

again Im sorry that you suffer this way, If I was a doctor I would try and help you....

Answer 5

i believe if you find the right doctor you feel comfortable with he really cares and dont just lable you.  

Answer 6

Ask your psychiatrist to recommend a GP or an internist. They should work together to help you.