Question about medical

[mrettercap 24]

Hey folks,

Just going through a list of things that might require action at some point before interview. This is kind of a convoluted situation, so apologies for the wall of text, but:

When I was 18, I went to my GP reporting issues with my balance. I kept having 'moments' when my balance would suddenly shift and I'd be really unsteady on my feet and feel nauseous. I was pretty sure it was ear related as I get pretty bad wax buildup occasionally and I had had trouble with hearing also.

Anyway, long story short, after a few weeks of this I was getting anxiety and depression about these moments.

When I went to visit my GP, I found a locum instead of my regular doctor. He didn't seem interested in the physiological side of things and instead questioned me about my situation in life (I was waiting to go to uni at the time). From this, he somehow deduced that I was depressed and he told me 'I'd be fine as soon as I got to uni'. I was always taught that 'doctors know best' and, being that I was still young and naive, went along with it and paid for the scrip. However, I disagreed with his diagnosis and prescription and never took the drugs. A routine course of antibiotics and an ear clearing later and, lo and behold, everything went away on its own.

Unfortunately, I never went back to the GP to dispute things, and I never made a formal complaint. Looking back, I should have done, but as some one who has never been properly depressed, the whole thing sort of baffled me.

I honestly haven't really thought about it since then, but reading some of the medical reports about needing psych evaluations and so on made me a little worried.

My question, I guess, is what I should say at the medical interview (also, how much to say -- can't imagine a doctor would be very pleased at the insinuation that i, with no medical knowledge, was questioning the opinion of a professional?) and whether I'm going to need a psych evaluation or something.

[mrettercap 24]

FYI - I'm 23 now, so all this took place about 5 years ago.

[photomile 101]

As far as I understand the best answer is always 'honest is the best policy' however I would also recommend being factual. Diagnosed, undiagnosed, treated for etc...

You could also get a letter written by your GP explaining the situation, and also explaining that you are not likely to become a risk to yourself or others.

Worst case scenario, at the medical you are told to go to an approved counsellor or psychiatrist to find whether you qualify, which does add additional cost. You may be asked to apply for a waiver, but yes, being declined is a possibility although I would say it's unlikely as many people suffer from minor depression and anxiety / stress from time to time.

Also hello fellow Dallas person... or soon to BE fellow Dallas person

[Nich-Nick 3,354]

My personal opinion is don't open a can of worms. They can't examine your records. They only know what you report. Clinical depression is a lot more than having the blues because your little doggie died or some such one-off incident. You filled one prescription and didn't even take it. You were not depressed. You had an ear problem. Would Prince Harry claim to be a Nazi because he dressed as one for costume party seven years ago? (In case you missed it: http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1017620,00.html)

[Holly2234 66]

They cant see your records unless you hand them over so it wont matter. I recently asked for my vaccination records and got my entire medical record instead. There are some things on it which arent even true (says i had depression and hallucinations. Not true.). That is there due to my mother and her ex husband speaking about me to the doctor (her ex told lies, cheated and was violent etc and didnt want to admit it when i spoke up, so he went to the doctor and said i was hallucinating. Crazy!) and it went in my records that i verbally stated those things to the doctor, when no such thing ever happened, i wasn't there. Also has down the illnesses he had and used my name for to get free prescriptions. I thought about going to the doctor and saying "What the hell is this?!" but it was when i was 12 years old and far too long ago for anybody to do anything. If the doctors had given me what i asked for and not the whole record, i would have never known that was even on there. Its not true, so its not a lie to not tell anybody. I think the same goes for your situation. Just be honest and state the TRUTH. Not what some incompetent fool typed into a computer system.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

My personal opinion is don't open a can of worms. They can't examine your records. They only know what you report. Clinical depression is a lot more than having the blues because your little doggie died or some such one-off incident. You filled one prescription and didn't even take it. You were not depressed. You had an ear problem. Would Prince Harry claim to be a Nazi because he dressed as one for costume party seven years ago? (In case you missed it: http://www.people.co...1017620,00.html)

I agree with Nich here. From your description, it sounds like the locum made an incorrect diagnosis. As Nich points out, you self-report on these matters. It was done by a doctor who did not listen to the totality of your complaint but was fixated on finding depression for whatever reason. You had the problem taken care of physiologically and your mood improved. End of story.

I once had a visit with a GP (not my usual one) for what turned out to be a terrible bladder infection. I could barely walk due to pain, yet she chose to focus on (and berate me about) my birth control method, since I wasn't on the pill due to a severe allergic reaction. I was running a 104F fever and she told me "hope you and your husband are ready to welcome a baby!" despite not being pregnant. Other women I knew who used the same practice told me they had had similar lectures when they came in for a sprained ankle, migraines, etc. Some GPs just have a bee in their bonnet about something.

Good luck on the rest of the process and don't sweat it too much.

[mrettercap 24]

Thank you for the sound advice, guys. I wasn't aware that they didn't get your medicals, but I totally agree that it's unnecessary to share this with them in that case. I don't know what I would do without this forum!

Hey there photomile! Nice (and a little surprising) to see so many Texas-bound folks on here! Where are you located? We're up in Plano - love it here.

[photomile 101]

Thank you for the sound advice, guys. I wasn't aware that they didn't get your medicals, but I totally agree that it's unnecessary to share this with them in that case. I don't know what I would do without this forum!

Hey there photomile! Nice (and a little surprising) to see so many Texas-bound folks on here! Where are you located? We're up in Plano - love it here.

I'll be moving out to Plano / Sachse / Addison myself very soon!

Edited May 21, 2012 by photomile

[Elora & Rob 15]

tell the docs something is wrong and they will find it. keep it quiet.