Complaining about doctors

[notreallystars]

I feel as though I complain about my health a lot on here, but frankly there's so much to complain about that I need an outlet somewhere.

I wish people would stop trying to treat me for insomnia (a problem I don't have) instead of DSPD (a problem that I do have). "Would you like a short course of zopiclone?" Why would I want to take an addictive drug for two weeks to treat a problem that's lasted for more than ten years, and that I know from experience won't be fixed by meds making me sleep at normal times for a while? Two weeks of zopiclone might possibly make me sleep at normal times for two weeks. I don't think it actually would, but there's always a chance. After that two weeks, assuming the zopiclone actually did anything, things would go straight back to how they were, as if I'd never taken it. I know this because it's what happened when the melatonin, which is the appropriate treatment for DSPD, was stopped.

Intrinsic circadian rhythm disorders are life-long conditions. Why would I want a two week course of addictive medication when there is a non-addictive option that is recommended by specialists for treating DSPD, that causes me no side-effects?

Comments

[kitewithfish]

Doctors are their own special kind of dumbasses sometimes. I truly think that they will offer particular kinds of care based on how they *feel* about a patient and their symptoms, rather than if the care is strictly appropriate to the underlying condition.

Like, the doc in question is probably subconsciously thinking, "Oh no! A Chronic Condition- those are the WORST because I can't heroically swoop in and save the patient! Rats, I love being the hero of medical stories. I know what I will do! Because I *believe* This Patient is suffering, I will offer The Thing Every Patient Likes - PILLS! The REALLY GOOD PILLS! Total win, Self, patients love pills! Patient feels validated, I have helped, internal conundrum resolved!"

Like. Some of them have the time and spoons and personality traits to catch themselves doing this! And some of them don't.

[notreallystars]

I have had so many of those doctors! The frustrating thing about this particular moment is that there is a pill they can give me that I know works and instead they're offering literally anything else. It's very confusing.

[enemyofperfect]

Ugh, that sounds so frustrating, you have all my sympathy. Melatonin has been moderately life changing for me, and like you, I go right back to my old sleep trouble when I don't have it. I'm so sorry you're in that position.

I really hope your doctors come around to giving you the proper treatment soon. Also let me know if you'd be interested in hearing about a UK friend's positive experience ordering from France...

[notreallystars]

Ordering from France sounds like an excellent idea round about now, thank you for that link! There's a chance that in the next week or two my psychiatrist might see her way to prescribing it, but if not I'll definitely look into that.

[enemyofperfect]

Fingers crossed that your psychiatrist does see fit and the alternative becomes unnecessary, but I'm glad I could offer it!

[worlds_of_smoke]

Hey, I bitch about my health in my journal. I'm not going to gripe at you for bitching about your health in your journal. :P

DSPD seems like it'd be horribly inconvenient. Kat's last GF had it and it made her life so difficult.

[notreallystars]

Seems fair :P

And yeah, it's a massive pain. The world is arranged for people with normal sleep times and almost nothing works if you can't be one of them. Need a doctor's appointment? You should have called at 8am for a same day appointment, now there are none for three weeks. That's the most frustrating one at the moment.

[nachodiablo]

I'm sorry you have to deal with this! I know firsthand how frustrating it is to deal with chronic illness and a dismissive medical community. I hope things get sorted soon <3

[notreallystars]

Thank you :) there's at least a small chance that something good will happen in the next couple of weeks.