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Judgmental doctors/dentists

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Posted 1/15/2015 3:17 PM (GMT 0)

So, I posted about my dentist a little while ago. I had some problems with the filling placed in my tooth. When I first told my dentist I was having a reaction to the gold filling in my mouth, he looked at me like I was making no sense and was going crazy. He said 'Never heard of it. It's all in your head'. Oh thank you very much! mad No, it's not in my head. I didn't create the metal taste in my mouth. I didn't create the tingling sensation on my tongue. I went to a specialist and he said people do have reactions to metal fillings and my symptoms were not strange at all. HA! It wasn't in my head. I hate that my dentist was so judgmental that he told me these reactions were not real...but from my anxiety....when it actually was happening. This is why I suggest people get everything checked before jumping to conclusions and blaming it all on anxiety. If I had kept that filling in my mouth longer, my symptoms would have gotten worse. I am not going to hide what is going on and pretend I am fine because I am afraid of being ridiculed or labeled a nutcase.

Thank you for letting me rant. smilewinkgrin

 

Posted 1/15/2015 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Melodee!

I am sorry you had to hear such words. It always makes me rage when I hear such things like "it's all in my head".
Did you tell your dentist about your anxiety issues before? While I usually find it helpful to mention about my health anxiety to DRs, I sometimes regret it to be honest.
Some of them really understand it and try to help with explaining more about the diseases and all to reassure me (which can be quite convincing for me). But some of them treat me like I am making all up which makes me go crazy.
Posted 1/15/2015 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Rrakkma!

No I have never told my dentist (or other dentists) about my anxiety because I KNOW he/they would think I am making everything up and not take me seriously. That's the worst thing that can happen. I am glad I went to a specialist this time because without their opinion, my dentist would have completely ignored my symptoms.
Posted 1/15/2015 4:40 PM (GMT 0)
I had a doctor who never treated me the same after I answered on the physical form that I'm gay. He treated me like a second-class patient and he just gave me a prescription and got me out of his office as fast as possible. He alwats would look at me when he walked in like, "Really? You again?" Thankfully he recently retired and I now see an LGBT friendly doctor.

On a side note, I should show that dentist the rash I get if I wear a ring made of pretty much any precious metal. My class ring I had to coat in nail polish to prevent the metal from touching my skin.

EDIT: Grammatical errors corrected. I hate my iPod's autocorrect...

Post Edited (michboy) : 1/15/2015 10:41:45 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 1/15/2015 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
michboy,

I'm sorry that you had to go thru all that. That is awful. I seriously cannot understand how these doctors can be unprofessional and discriminative. Good for you that you never have to see him again.

As for precious metal, even if you buy nickel-free or high-karat gold, you can still get metal allergy...as it always contains a small amount of alloy...since gold itself is too soft to use as a dental filling or any kind of jewelry unless mixed with non-precious metals. I was surprised that my dentist was unaware of this.
Posted 1/15/2015 7:49 PM (GMT 0)
M.,

Great job for advocating for yourself, and not backing down!

We sometimes forget that we are the customer...paying either directly, or through our insurance, to our medical professionals.

If we are unsatisfied, we can and should seek services elsewhere!

Fortunately, this kind of treatment seems to be the exception, not the rule...and many people find their dr.s to be kind and helpful advocates for their health.

S.C.
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