Would you tell your doctor about your mdma use?

[ellbell]

yeah my doctor knows
im the one that told her
she didnt ask
lol

 

[DivineMomenT]

I dont think I would share that information unless I was going to the doctor as the result of my MDMA use.

 

[mulberryman]

^^ yeah, even then I'd have to play dumb and say it was a pill a friend game me, I thought it was a anti-depressant or something, I mean he said it make me happier...

 

[Infinite Jest]

She was no help whatsoever. She just sent me off for some blood tests. Doctors don't know shit about ecstasy.

Well, certainly your doctor didn't. I've found in my experience with GPs that some lack knowledge in some areas. That's really the nature of the beast; they are after all general practitioners .

Some are very knowledgeable - I'd take Julie Holland's knowledge of MDMA over just about anyone's....

 

[panic in paradise]

I mentioned my Mdxx use(when i used, to an extent) to doctors I had, both psychological and physical. None of them had much negative to say.

 

[hoptis]

If I had a regular doctor than yes I would.

 

[GreenMachine]

I totally would if I needed to see the doctor for a serious reason, and if drug use was an issue

 

[delta_9]

I would if it was relavant and the info was important in diagnosing me or something. But I've had doctors ask me before what drugs I use and I usually just tell them I smoke weed.

 

[sjmikenet]

It's important to note that *most* physicians would keep your discussions with him/her private, but "private" does have it's limitations.

I know that most docs do write down most everything you tell them, and herein lies the problem.

Your medical file privacy and access to them is regulated by a set of rules called HIPAA. However so, access to these records is routinely given to insurance companies, MIB (Medical Information Bureau), state/federal agencies, and others under the HIPAA guidelines. In same cases, even your employer can get the records, especially if they are self insured. Insurance companies are notorious for obtaining patient medical records and sharing them with each other.

If you are in a med. marijuana state like California, these details can be accessed a variety of ways, including what you tell your physician.

Read: Medical Records Privacy
http://www.privacyrights.org/fs/fs8-med.htm#C

The bottom line is that you NEVER want to give your real name and pay IN CASH at the docs office if you are dealing with anything you want to keep private. If you do use your real name, tell the office staff at the docs office that you refuse to give your SSN# or submit the claim to insurance.

NOT a good idea to use insurance if you plan on telling your doc anything you don't want known by others. I know at least 3 physicians who have been coerced into giving patient records to "certain parties" who have asked to review them, such as complying with a subpoena, or other permissible HIPAA outline.

 

[sjmikenet]

Before I tried ecstasy, I had some questions to ask about drug interactions and ecstasy and didn't know about forums like Bluelight. I stupidly asked my doctor about it and she freaked out, yelled at me, and threatened to phone the police. I don't even know if that's legal, but I found another doctor after that.

the fact that this stuff is on file does bother me, especially after having read this thread.... but I'm in Canada so hopefully its not as bad here as what some people are describing.

This is very unfortunate. Please keep in mind that th VAST majority of physicians are there to help you. They would have not wasted 12 years of medical school just to be an asshole. Of course, I suppose there are exceptions to the rule.

This is why sites such as BL and Erowid exist. There are here to EDUCATE people about drugs, chemicals, and other mind-altering substances which can have a potential harm element.

Most people are not that all aware of just how many records, medical records in particular are kept on an individual. You can largely blame insurance companies for this. They want to know EVERYTHING about you.. It's for their gain, trust me!

 

[mulberryman]

Let me reiterate myself:

Well, IMO, doctors are a generally waste of both time and money, unless you're dying or have bones protruding through your skin or something. Especially since I can look up symptoms, diseases, and drug interactions, and order nearly any non-opiate (and even a few opiates) online legally with or without a "prescription," all without even getting dressed.

I would never go to a doctor, unless they were a personal friend, or better yet, a relative, that I trusted before I knew they were a doctor. Unfortunalty, I have no such connection. Therefor I do not use the medical system, instead I use my own resources, and at this point I'm probably smarter than at least 50% of those that think they're just oh, so special for having a "MD" behind their name. All the same research and reference materials and published studies are out there, and if you so desire it, you can be smarter than doctors too.

I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever go to a hospital unless it was absolutely necessary or an absolute emergency. In such a situation, I would never give my real name or personal information.

 

[serotoninstorm]

I would never go to a doctor, unless they were a personal friend, or better yet, a relative, that I trusted before I knew they were a doctor. Unfortunalty, I have no such connection. Therefor I do not use the medical system, instead I use my own resources, and at this point I'm probably smarter than at least 50% of those that think they're just oh, so special for having a "MD" behind their name. All the same research and reference materials and published studies are out there, and if you so desire it, you can be smarter than doctors too.

I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever go to a hospital unless it was absolutely necessary or an absolute emergency. In such a situation, I would never give my real name or personal information.

That is a pretty strong opinion... however, one that I agree whole heartedly on.

This thread will need to be moved to Politics soon, as it is heading in that direction, haha.

 

[GenericMind]

I tell my Doctor everything. He's not there to judge me, he's there to help me.

 

[delta_9]

He's not there to judge me, he's there to help me.

Exactly.

mulberryman, your entitled to your opinion, and I'm sure you have a reason for feeling the way you do, but I think you should seriously reconsider your thoughts on doctors.
Did a doctor do something bad to you in the past? Because I really don't understand why someone would feel that way....but hey, maybe I don't need to understand
I'm not saying go out and become best freinds with your doctor, but you know as well as I do that one day you might seriously need his/her help.

I would never, ever, ever, ever, ever go to a hospital unless it was absolutely necessary or an absolute emergency.

well, what do you consider an absolute emergency?

 

[sjmikenet]

Again folks, if you are in dire straights, never forgo medical care. If you do, that's your problem, but be aware it can be absolutely stupid for obvious reasons.

I am not sure what the record retention or sharing laws are in Canada, but I would assume they would be similar to those in the US.

If you are *extremely* paranoid about hospitals and/or physicians reporting your condition, perhaps you should not give them your insurance info and be prepared to pay out of pocket, etc. Just be aware that especially in emergency situations, not doing so could mean you will have a pay a huge bill. ER's, ambulances, trauma, ICU, follow-up care can be horribly expensive. I've seen cases with auto accident victims racking up well over $100,000 just for ONE visit to the ER/trauma unit.

Insurance is a necessary evil, but if you are concerned about file sharing, it's best to plan ahead, and prepare yourself accordingly.

 

[serotoninstorm]

I was trying to search for PHR (Personal Health Record) policy(ies) in Canada, and couldn't find an article or website with an answer. I don't believe PHR's are in the public domain at all.

Insurance companies can only look at PHR's when you apply for insurance or are already insured in the US, and hospitals cannot give out PHR information to anyone without consent from the person/patient. I'm sure it's similar in Canada.

 

[sjmikenet]

It appears that the MIB does deal with insurance carriers in Canada. Here's a FAQ that describes what they do.
http://www.mib.com/html/mib_faqs.html

Basically think of MIB as a credit bureau. They maintain patient records submitted by doctors, hospitals, insurance carriers, etc for the purpose of assessing risk and underwriting policies. There may be other agencies besides MIB which collect medical information, but I am not familiar with them.

 

[sjmikenet]

I thought this part was rather interesting:

"Coded information identifies medical conditions or medical tests that are reported by MIB Members to MIB under broad categories. There are also a few codes that are non-medical. Those codes report potentially hazardous avocations or hobbies, or results of a motor vehicle report showing a poor driving history. MIB has no actual “reports” or “medical records” on file, only the coded “resume” provided by the Member."

 

[stvtlb]

i dont ever tell my dr. about any drug use. i take valiums for my aniexty and i would hate to be denied them because of my mdma/coke use. i'm not a heavy user. i also dont mention anything cause it might go in my medical file.

 

[mulberryman]

Well, perhaps I was a bit harsh, and even I have come accross a few good doctors, but you never really know how much they write on your records, and those records are not nearly as private as the law requires them to be. Ultimately, I'd say that telling your doctor about drug use is a very very very bad idea, unless you are paying cash and not using your name or personal info. Personally, I have no need for them, however. Obviously if I were in a terrible accident and bleeding heavily or had multiple broken bones or something, I'd need to go to a hospital, but I still wouldn't give my SSN, and I wouldn't tell them what drugs I used, either. I would honestly hope to never need surgery, but if the need arose, I'd most likely find a way to come up with the cash, and keep it also anonymous.