Poll - are you honest with your doctor?

I never said someone that did not give their doctor complete and accurate information was not intelligent.  I also do not simply tell everyone that they should "live by the rules of their doctor."  Perhaps you have not read many of my posts, but I always tell people that they should do their own research and decide what is best for them.  As a simple example, my surgeon told me to take calcium carbonate.  After reviewing the ASMBS guidelines and doing some other reading, I decided to take calcium citrate instead.  I did tell my doctor what I was taking, though.

Of course someone with an IQ in triple digits can decide what they believe is necessary information to share with their doctors and what is not.  I did not mean to insult you by asking these questions.  I was just interested in seeing what people thought about providing information to their doctors.  I did not say that anyone was unintelligent and certainly did not mean to imply that.

I am always honest with my current set of doctors, but I ahve had PCPs in tehn past with whome I did NOT feel I could be 100% honest (partly out of fear of being judged, partly because they had that "I'm the doctor, just do what i say" attitude (which does NOT go over well with me), and partly because I was younger and believed that docgtros pretty much infallible. 

Now that I am older, the god-complex doctors have been jettisoned, and I choose only to work with doctors who will answer questions honestly (and in as much detail as I can understand) and who are willing to hear my concerns and questions (and respond to them).

Lora

Part of holding myself accountable was choosing my surgeon- carefully after research and several info sessions with different surgeons. And part of holding myself accountable is not bothering him with inane questions and problems. But it wouldn't support my or his intelligence if I didn't work with him and his team as partners- and I trust he's more expert than me. I couldn't do it by myself before- why should I try to do that now? By the way, he didn't know you can inject vitamin B12 subcutaneously- he does now!

I am completely honest with my surgeon, at all times regarding all things.  I view our relationship as a partnership.  How can I receive maximum benefit from this journey if he is presented half-truths by me.  That is why when it comes to regain I am so concerned.  I want to know from those who are having difficulties if it is the nature of the surgery or their failure or partial failure to follow their plans, or a combination of both.  If you listen to the DSers, we're all doomed.

 I would consider myself  honest with my docs...that does not mean that i tell them EVERYTHING...

I will answer any question asked of me honestly, for example...If asked "did you cheat on your pre op diet?"  (assuming I had, which I didn't ) I would have answered "Yes I did and here is what I ate..."

but if not asked, I probably would not have volunteered the info unless I had eaten like a full meal less than 48 hours before.

I think that your relationship with your doctor should be a partnership and once you go to a doc with a problem, it is then their job to ask the questions that will make a difference to the way they treat your condition...if you are not confident in your doctors "investigative" abilities then perhaps a switch to a new doc is in order.  I AM NOT saying that you should play 20 questions or not be forthcoming with medical professionals, BUT I am not a doctor, and how should I know if something like smoking pot 10 years ago will affect a decision my doctor makes today...I choose not to divulge all that kind of information unless it is solicited.

just my humble opinion :)

I don't think anyone would need to disclose the fact that they smoked pot ten years ago.  But what is someone smoked it yesterday?  What if someone wanted to continue smoking it while take whatever prescription drug?  I think in those cases, someone ought to volunteer the info if their doc doesn't ask.  Although I do think it would be wise for docs to ask if people are using any drugs before they write prescriptions.

Very honest actually. Have been told I am too honest. LOL I guess sometimes my PCP feels I overshare when I am telling her that something is wrong but I figure the more graphic I make it the better she will understand. I got a call yesterday from my surgeons office asking if I was follwoing guidelines and I had to gag and inform them I was in the middle of the cabbage soup I am supposed to be on- I was actually eating it when they called.
I WANT to be held accountable if I screw up. Heck if I can't follow things I am supposed to then why bother in the first place.

I absolutely tell my surgeon and his staff everything!    He gave me this opportunity and I'm not going to mess it up and he knows it because I've told him so many times.  My surgeon is extremely open-minded and willing to hear what I have to say.  If I'm wrong, he will explain and even show me why (with pictures) I'm wrong and he teaches me doesn't just tell me which I love.

With my PCP or any other doc, yes I'm honest with them as well.

 Because I have cancer I have a couple of doctors at City of Hope, my PCP, dermatologist, psychiatrist & weight loss surgeon. 
My health is a serious issue so I tell all of them the truth & allow them to share my records. 
That way every doctor knows what medications I take and has complete records.
I'm with Kelly about the weight loss surgeon and I take the supplements recommended on this site. 
He had me taking Flintstones vitamins and tums for calcium. 

I tend to omit things. For example, when I started smoking again after my PE, did I tell my PCP. Nope, why? B/c I KNEW it was totally irresponsible and wrong. If I started smoking again would I tell my surgeon? You bet. Now my Psych, I drive him completely batty b/c I self regulate my meds. For example, I can't get in to see him until Aug 23rd and I was having episodes of rage, so I upped my Trileptal. I ALWAYS tell him. He's been my dr for so long and he knows that I "generally" know If I need more or less. He will absolutely tell me if I am playing with fire. Sometimes, I take his advice (like getting on a mood stabilizer) or I don't (when he had me over drugged and I was a zombie and couldn't function). First thing he asks when I sit down is " So, you been playing pharmacist?

My PCP is leaving this month and if he wasn't I would be firing him. I think he is ridiculous. I have had a migraine disorder for 16 years and he refuses to treat me for it which honestly I think is cruel. I am NOT asking for narcotics. In fact I specifically stated I didn't want them. I had a migraine for a week and a half, I called he would give me anything. Then a week and a half later, I loaded up my 3 kids went in there with the same migraine and he STILL wouldn't give me anything for the pain. Umm, thanks jerk.