Pressure to write prescriptions

So many of us complain that it seems like all our Dr's want to do is write us a prescription vs taking part in our overall "wellness".  Well guess what??  I got a major insight into how this happens the other day.  I had my regular appointment with my Endo guy, and he pulled out my file and said "Warren, I saved these just so I could show you".  What he gave me was  a letter from some company that I didn't recognize, discussing my stats. 

He told me this letter was from the company that Blue Cross Blue Shield uses to monitor the lab results he has done on me. (news to me, I thought only the doctor was supposed to see that stuff).  The letter basically criticized my doc in no uncertain terms for not having me on Altace since I had elevated Albumin in my urine, not being on a statin since I had elevated Cholesteral, etc. etc. 

My doctor was more amused that pissed off as he said, "This was after you came out of the hospital recovering from a major infection with your BS out of control and I'd only seen you once at that point. (He refused to follow those recomendations and since my Cholesteral, BP, urine and everything has come back to normal as we brought the BS under control.....and he suspected this)

My point is this!!!  Our Docs are under enormous pressure as you can see from this example to PRESCRIBE MEDS (or risk being dropped by the insurance company).  So where do you think this attitude of "prescribe a pill for what ails you "comes from??  Well until the other day I never really suspected my insurance company!!!

Fortunately I've got an Endo guy that simply ingnores that stuff and reviews faxes of my numbers every week!!

 Warren

Post Edited (Warren) : 12/2/2005 2:44:14 PM (GMT-7)

Im not a doc so I'm certainly not going to presume to tell you what drugs to take and what not to take.  Personally, Im convinced that over the long haul statin drugs are not great for you BUT, high cholesterol is a SIGNIFICANT risk factor to your health, being a definte precursor to heart attack and stroke.

If you are going to ignore your doctors advice, please please educate yourself about cholesteral and start SOME sort of EFFECTIVE regimin to bring it into a safe range. Your doctor and your insurance company have highlighted the problem.  If you don't like the solution its very much your responsibility to make sure you do something about the problem! 

Don't get your diabetes under control and die on us cause your out of control cholesterol gives you a coronary!

 Warren

PS - I was on lipitor for a year and after talking it over with my doc, started a Niacin (vitamin b3) treatment coupled with diet. Im now off the lipitor and normal but Niacin isn't for everyone.