pregabalin (Lyrica)

[barq2]

I find the GPs in this country always seem to want to prescribe antidepressants before anything else, I know they can help many people but since I only take anxiolytics occasionally when required, which is less and less these days (touch wood), I shall discuss the options of gabapentoids with my GP. Another problem in the UK I find is that even if you show some knowledge of potential medicine it can be marked as drug seeking behaviour. I can understand it in the case of some medicines but they should give us credit for doing a bit of research ourselves, before taking any medicine I make sure to familiarise myself with all effects, interactions etc. Unfortunately many people don't pay much mind what they put in their bodies.

I agree with your observation about GPs and antidepressants. Many GPs have a relatively limited knowledge of all the medications at their disposal, so you may find that a GP has their "go-to" antidepressant which they know far better than the others (e.g. citalopram). Also, a relatively small amount of their training is on mental health despite making up a decent proportion of the cases they see every day.

GPs hate patients googling things. It is partly a power issue, and then there is a genuine problem about a little bit of knowledge being a dangerous thing. I think many GPs want to be the only expert in the room and a well informed patient, or someone who has training in a subject allied to medicine, threatens that position. These days I pretend to know far less than I do.

With some GPs asking for a medication by name will be a "drug seeking behaviour" flag. I've had to lie before in order to give them a more acceptable "My friend had x and it really helped, do you think it would be appropriate for me?". You will note it is a question, albeit a very leading one. Crucially you haven't directly asked for the medication, therefore it shouldn't be treated as "drug seeking". If the suggestion is sensible, and not contraindicated, there is a good chance they'll go with it. You only have a short appointment, so by supplying them with the answer, you give them an easy way to move onto the next patient.

I dislike playing these mind games just to get medical treatment, but sometimes it seems necessary. Luckily I have one GP who seems capable of treating me like another adult!

[invisiblejungle]

With some GPs asking for a medication by name will be a "drug seeking behaviour" flag. I've had to lie before in order to give them a more acceptable "My friend had x and it really helped, do you think it would be appropriate for me?". You will note it is a question, albeit a very leading one. Crucially you haven't directly asked for the medication, therefore it shouldn't be treated as "drug seeking". If the suggestion is sensible, and not contraindicated, there is a good chance they'll go with it. You only have a short appointment, so by supplying them with the answer, you give them an easy way to move onto the next patient.

I dislike playing these mind games just to get medical treatment, but sometimes it seems necessary. Luckily I have one GP who seems capable of treating me like another adult!

Barq, I totally know what you mean about having to "manage" our doctors, whether that means witholding information or sometimes even lying. It's just the nature of the game...