Is Your Doctor Prescribing Medicine You Don’t Want to Take?

If there's 1 major lesson I have learned over the years working in public health, it is to listen to the people I am trying to help. I have long COVID and have had difficulty getting my lungs under control. I set an appointment to see a pulmonologist but had to wait 3 months to see him. By the time my appointment finally arrived, I was feeling better.

Over the years, your medical team can change

I decided to see him anyway because I was curious to see what he was like. My family Allergist (who also treated our asthma) passed away a few years ago. We were lucky to have him take care of our allergies and asthma for 20 years. We all loved him and still miss him!

So we needed a new lung doctor.

My first visit with a new pulmonologist

This pulmonologist reviewed my medical conditions and medications, including my allergy and asthma medicines. I have tried several combinations of allergy pills and nose sprays over the years and found 2 that work for me.

He asked if I had seasonal allergies, and I told him no: I have allergies year-round. I am allergic to cats, dogs, trees, flowers, bushes, dust, mold, etc.

Suggesting a new medication

Then, the pulmonologist said he wanted me to add a new allergy medicine to what I was already using. I told him no to this request because the medicine he suggested to me had potentially serious side effects.

He said he had never heard of the side effects. I informed him that I'm a Certified Asthma Educator and pride myself on keeping up to date with any new medications or changes in them. The warning about potentially serious side effects were reported nearly 2 years ago. In my opinion, he should have heard about them by now!

Getting into an argument with my doctor

He kept arguing with me. In fact, he was leaning forward in his chair and locking eyes with me. I felt like he was trying to intimidate me. He repeatedly told me that I had to take this medicine. I persisted in my refusal.

Finally, I looked at him, narrowed my eyes, and said, "Agree to disagree." He snorted and then leaned back in his chair.

Self-advocacy is important in your healthcare

If there is 1 thing that I hate, it's when people try to make me do something I don't want to do. I may be short and a female, but that doesn't mean I'm a pushover. So STOP pushing me!

Had this pulmonologist ever heard of shared decision-making? Shared decision-making is when the doctor shares his thoughts, I share mine, and we decide what is best together.

Dealing with rude doctors

Not only did he try to make me take a medicine that had severe side effects, but he was also rude. When I showed him my inhaler technique, he said, "You're wrong."

I use inhaler technique videos from CDC and National Jewish Hospital to teach patients. I know them by heart! He wanted me to add a step that is not evidence-based (he made it up, y'all)!

Then he said, "I'll show you how to use your nasal spray since you are most likely not using that right either." Also wrong. He showed me the steps, which were exactly what my children and I have been doing for over 20 years.

Nobody should force you into a decision

At no point should a patient be forced to try a different medicine. It's my body; I'll do what I want to. I will NEVER go back to that pulmonologist.

My husband went with me to the appointment and said, "That was really weird. That guy was scolding you."

Aspects of a good doctor

How many other patients had a bad experience with this pulmonologist? Will they find a new doctor? Will they leave and not fill the prescription? Or will they fill the medication, so he can see that they completed it but not take it?

I can't tell you how much I miss our Allergist, who passed away from cancer. He was brilliant and also kind. He gently explained things to us and asked our opinion on treatment decisions.

A message to doctors from a fellow patient

Doctors: please don't scold or try to intimidate patients. We want to get better and need your help. It's our body, so we have every right to be involved in our medical care. So please listen when we share our thoughts and worries.

Has anyone else had a doctor try to force them to take a medicine?