Doctors issuing placebos without patients' consent

[recycleanimals]

I picked up my university's daily newspaper today and read an article about how half of American doctors in a new survey say they regularly give patients placebo treatments without telling them. I'm going to summarize the article since I can't find a link on the newspaper's website

Comments

[elvenqueen86]

I'm not sure how that would work either. I've gotten samples of meds from my doctor, but they're all unopened in the manufacturer's packaging. I'd be so pissed if I found out my doctor was somehow doing that though :-/

[recycleanimals]

I would be too! I seriously couldn't believe this when I read it. I had no idea this was happening.

[elvenqueen86]

Me either. If the doctor doesn't believe their patient is actually ill they need to say so, at the very least so the patient can find a doctor who does believe them!

[recycleanimals]

Seriously! Basically those doctors are just saying their patients are delusional and what they're suffering from isn't legitimate enough to require actual medication. I'm so happy I found a good doctor who understands fibro, although it took me 9 doctors of telling me I was a drug-seeker to find him.

[house_draven]

Look the drug up in the PDR (Physician's Desk Reference).

[recycleanimals]

Well, I know I'm not getting placebos because my prescriptions always say amitriptyline and tramadol. But that is a good idea.

[cuppykate]

I duno how either.. I always look up on the net what Im taking and what the packet says and the medication information..

[elvenqueen86]

Same here. I wont go on any medication until I've fully researched it. I'm kind of a geek like that.

[cuppykate]

well yeh.. and there are so many illnesses that come along with fibro.. its good to know what the medication side effects are so you can work out whats doing what too!

[elvenqueen86]

lol that too :-P

[4pawzonthefloor]

I think you being an informed patient is always good. I always tell people to be educated.

I'm on the fence on this issue. Yeah, i'd be pissed if I got this. It feels like they are invalidating the disease/condition. Would you give a placebo to a person with cancer? It's insulting.

The other part of me is like...well damn. If it works - it works. Power of mind is pretty damn strong. And as long as the person is giving relief, who cares if it's from the pill for from the 'idea' of the pill.

So, I dunno. Just be smart people. :)

[recycleanimals]

I think it's really insulting because the doctor is pretty much saying that he doesn't believe you have a legitimate illness that doesn't require "real" medicine.

[rimestock]

Does your university have its paper online? I'd be curious to read the article, if you can find a link to it, or their research.

[recycleanimals]

I looked on the website, but they don't have the article posted, which is weird considering all the other ones from today are on there.

[odetoverse]

http://www.webmd.com/news/20081023/50percent-of-doctors-give-fake-prescriptions