Londongirl08

Hi,

My husband and I are new to the Bay Area, but he grew up here, and has a bit more faith in the US health system than I do right now!

Don't get me wrong, I do acknowledge it as a world-leader in lots of ways, but does anyone out there feel that their doctor is always writing a mile-long prescription?

Can anyone recommend a good OBGYN in the Palo Alto/Redwood City area? My dad is one in the NHS, so I'm finding it hard to find one I can trust not to over-medicate me.

Thanks!

Duncan Roberts

I can't recommend one but I can offer something that people seem to overlook. Just because they write you a prescription doesn't mean you need to accept it.

If they want to prescribe something, ask what it is, what all the approved uses are, all the side effects that can go along with it and most importantly, why they think it would be a good thing for you to take. If you don't like the answers, refuse the prescription. If after all that and the discussion it will spark you feel that it would be beneficial and the good outweighs the bad, you will be comfortable taking it.

Deedee13

never thought of that.. impressed. Will keep that in mind next time i am at the docs

although when kelly had her wisdom teeth out on friday i didnt get the prescription made up. Thought i would just sit it out and wait and see. I gave her normal tylonol and she did just great.

Mallory

I believe you have to take a different mindset, and do things a little differently. You are dealing with 2 different systems.

In the UK health care, medicines, are budgeted. The dr. will only prescribe you what is absolutely necessary.

In the US, meds certainly are only budgeted by what you are willing to pay. The dr. gives you several prescriptions, if you want them, you can try them and see if it works. I personally don't fill half the prescriptions I get. I either have the same med in my medicine cabinet, or I feel I really don't need it.

For instance, Sally Field on TV advertising for Boniva, the bone loss stuff. If the dr gave you a script for that, you could decide to take Boniva, take cheap calcium from the drug store, or not take anything at all. The doctor feels like it's yr choice, but he'll give you the prescription if you want it. Doesn't mean you have to fill it - it's just there if you want it.

Bluegrass Lass

Yep. There's been a few times I've been prescribed pain pills, and I've never even filled the Rx.

Not sure what the OP is worried about with respect to a gyno. The only thing my gyno has ever given me is birth control pills. But then, I've never been preggers so maybe I've not had to worry about/ask for other meds a gyno would typically hand out.

lisag8070

Yea I had my yearly physical a few months back and I had to wait a few days for the results so I just told them to call me when they were in.

Four days later I get a phone call from the surgery telling me my prescription is ready.. so I tell them no sorry you've got me confused with some-one else, I just came in for a physical and I'm waiting for the results...so the receptionist puts me oh hold and comes back telling me that she hadn't got the wrong person and that indeed the prescription was for me..

So I ask why? whats wrong with me and whats the medication for...it seems my cholesterol was 1 point above normal (its supposed to be 150 and I was 151) so they wrote a prescription for some drug to lower it...

The receptionist was very shocked and taken aback when I told her that I didn't want the prescription and that how about I try and lower it myself first with just plain old diet and exercise..

and yep one month later...I'm good..(I ate oatmeal every day)..

Muppets..

Londongirl08

Thanks for your post. I am lucky to have the opportunity for advice from NHS doctors in my family, and yes, it is a matter of mindset, I suppose.

another bloody yank

Too bad you're not closer. I do a little doctoring on the side.

Bob

perving doesn't count lol