I think that is great to go with your gut instinct and advocate for yourself.
I am sure Diane would agree (and I think she was suggesting) that you DO tell your doctor that you are not taking the recommended dose, as this is also part of advocating for yourself: actively, openly and honestly disagreeing with your doctor.
This absolutely does not mean that you need to follow doctor's orders, it does not mean you go against your gut. What it does mean is that you are receiving the best care that you can, it means your patient-doctor relationship is strengthened (mutual trust and reciprocal communication, as you expect your doctor to not "withhold" information), and that your doctor is "in the know" in regards to your medicine. Please know that side effects can happen with less medicine, too, and your doctor will need to know what dose you are taking, in order to continue providing excellent care. In other words, your doctor is unable to provide you with the best care if you willingly keep important information from her.
Lastly, imagine if your numbers do come back in normal ranges, and that you are feeling good...your doctor will think it is due to the 560mg, and continue prescribing this to you, and other women! It would be great for her to know that your results are due to a lower dose (80mg).
Please let us know how your test results are, and how your doctor appointment goes!
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I think that is great to go with your gut instinct and advocate for yourself.
I am sure Diane would agree (and I think she was suggesting) that you DO tell your doctor that you are not taking the recommended dose, as this is also part of advocating for yourself: actively, openly and honestly disagreeing with your doctor.
This absolutely does not mean that you need to follow doctor's orders, it does not mean you go against your gut. What it does mean is that you are receiving the best care that you can, it means your patient-doctor relationship is strengthened (mutual trust and reciprocal communication, as you expect your doctor to not "withhold" information), and that your doctor is "in the know" in regards to your medicine. Please know that side effects can happen with less medicine, too, and your doctor will need to know what dose you are taking, in order to continue providing excellent care. In other words, your doctor is unable to provide you with the best care if you willingly keep important information from her.
Lastly, imagine if your numbers do come back in normal ranges, and that you are feeling good...your doctor will think it is due to the 560mg, and continue prescribing this to you, and other women! It would be great for her to know that your results are due to a lower dose (80mg).
Please let us know how your test results are, and how your doctor appointment goes!
February 7, 2010 - 8:27amThis Comment
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