Sorry if this is the wrong place, I just really need to vent somewhere.
I had a followup today to discuss the next steps since neither guanfacine nor atomoxetine worked out. I’ve been waiting for this because I know stimulants are the first line treatment and I’ve had nothing but awful experiences with the other meds. He had me take a drug test ahead of time - to make sure I wasn’t already taking stimulants, he said. I’ve been open about everything I’m on and he said it would be fine. That was a lie.
I tested positive for a bit of weed, which I told him about. It’s legal in my state. Despite saying it was fine before (I asked, specifically), now he changed his tune and said he’s going to keep testing me and if I test positive three times he won’t prescribe me any stimulants.
The kicker? I even have a prescription for it, because I worry about exactly things like this. It’s for chronic pain, but tbh helps my depression and anxiety too. I don’t even use much - about $150 in edibles over the last year. But if I spent that much on alcohol every weekend, that would be no barrier to getting a prescription.
I went in for help and was nothing but honest, and I left feeling attacked over prescription medicine that’s been helping me. What the fuck. I’m so frustrated and angry I just want to cry. Why is it so hard to get help?
If it’s legal in your state, I would expect there would be some sort of medical board you could report him to. Either way, this might be a sign that you need to find a new GP, if they are explicitly stating that they are going to refuse treatment over a drug test showing something you have a script for.
Small question: Did you remind him he had told you it was fine previously and that you had a script for it? It might help to state the question very directly: “I just need to make sure we’re on the same page here. You are refusing moving forward with the next steps of care due to a drug test showing positive for a substance I have a perscription for?”
You can’t assume they’ll remember this shit or be aware of your other scripts. A new person took over for my retiring GP and somehow got the bright idea to refill me at double my fucking dosage. Supposedly it was recorded that way in my file (despite never being a problem for literal years).
Yes, I brought up that we already discussed the edibles. Given how long after use you can still test positive I told him the results probably wouldn’t change, and he straight up said that if I don’t stop using it entirely then he doesn’t want me as a patient. It felt so judgmental, and that part of it really upsets me too. I promise I’m not that exciting lol
Sorry about your medication mix up. Every time they have me update my info it has a list of all the meds I’m taking and I’m supposed to correct any dosages that have changed or cross them out if I no longer take them. Every time I cross out the same ones and re-correct the dosages again. My file has a totally different picture from reality - it’s kinda scary.
Decriminalization or “state-legal” != legal, it’s still federally illegal so I doubt a medical board will give a damn unfortunately.