Anyone else annoyed at how, when you go to the doctor, the staff basically assumes that everyone takes medication?

I take flintstone vitamins.

I imagine that the group of people found going to a doctor for any reason has a higher instance of medication use than the population as a whole. Combine that with the fact that they are trying to make sure they don't kill you by giving you something that could react badly with a drug you're already taking and there you have it. Whenever I go the the doctor they give me a printout of my medications. It's blank because I don't take any but I think its needed for insurance purposes (theirs and mine). Plus, its really just an issue of semantics in this case and not really an indication of any societal ill.

I generally ask my patients in a similar way, not because I assume they are on meds, but because I would rather ensure I get an accurate list, so that what I give them doesn't interact with what they're taking and cause a problem- major or minor. I find that if I ask it in a way that implies most people are on something, they are then less likely to not tell me about something- even over the counters. Same goes for asking about alcohol, sexual activity, etc. Asking "how much alcohol is in your diet?" is far more likely to get an honest response than "do you drink?" Same with the meds.

So lighten up- being asked a routine question to make sure they have accurate information on you isn't the worst thing in the world.

overmedicated society wrote:

So last week I go to the podiatrist for a foot problem... in the waiting room, his nurse asks "and what medications are you currently taking?" she doesn't ask if I'm taking any medications, and if so which ones, but rather she just asks what medicaitons i'm taking. then today I go for my bone scan and the nurse asks me for my medication list. I kindly explain to her than I'm not on any medication, and it was like she was taken aback. "Oh... you're not?" Are we as a society so fat and overmedicated that the medical assistants of the world can safely just assume that most people are drugged to the gills on 500 different prescriptions?

My peeve too, but I do a lot of supplements, and that's medication to the provenders of pills. And aspirin and paracetamol and ibuprofen and when I have a headache I take codeine and pseudephedrine. So I guess...

most people are taking something - the line of questioning eliminates one question

are you taking anything?

yes or no

most often the response is "yes", which leads to the next question "what medications are you taking"

the "oh ... you're not" was likely in response to your "kindly explanation" - in which you sounded like an ass.

overmedicated society wrote:

So last week I go to the podiatrist for a foot problem... in the waiting room, his nurse asks "and what medications are you currently taking?" she doesn't ask if I'm taking any medications, and if so which ones, but rather she just asks what medicaitons i'm taking. then today I go for my bone scan and the nurse asks me for my medication list. I kindly explain to her than I'm not on any medication, and it was like she was taken aback. "Oh... you're not?" Are we as a society so fat and overmedicated that the medical assistants of the world can safely just assume that most people are drugged to the gills on 500 different prescriptions?

Being asked a standard question for your own safety annoys you?

The solution is don't go to the doctor. How long does it take to say "nothing"? You sound like a jackass, and precisely the kind of person who would sue a doc for prescribing a medication that will adversely react with something else you are taking.

The answer is no, this does not bother me at all

Based on our drug consumption as a country, I would also be surprised if I met someone not on any medications. Meds have more ads on tv than fast food.

My peeve too, but I do a lot of supplements, and that's medication to the provenders of pills. And aspirin and paracetamol and ibuprofen and when I have a headache I take codeine and pseudephedrine. So I guess...

Hahaha, yeah you don't take any medicines like a heroin addict doesn't do drugs.

What, you don't even self-medicate?

I have not read most of these replies, but if she is NOT asking you these questions than she is failing to do her job. One of the most common sources of medical complications arises from the interactions of medications. Also, symptoms will be affected by meds and thus could interfere with interpretation of your situation.Thus, If she does not ask the question you should stop her/him and ask why they are NOT asking you. These questions should be asked 100% of the time. Most important are the meds that you are currently taking.

overmedicated society wrote:

So last week I go to the podiatrist for a foot problem... in the waiting room, his nurse asks "and what medications are you currently taking?" she doesn't ask if I'm taking any medications, and if so which ones, but rather she just asks what medicaitons i'm taking. then today I go for my bone scan and the nurse asks me for my medication list. I kindly explain to her than I'm not on any medication, and it was like she was taken aback. "Oh... you're not?" Are we as a society so fat and overmedicated that the medical assistants of the world can safely just assume that most people are drugged to the gills on 500 different prescriptions?

dsagsdf wrote:

I take flintstone vitamins.

The Barneys will f*** you up, man

do you really have absolutely nothing else going on in your life that you take notice of something as minor as this and manage to remember to post later?

overmedicated society wrote:

So last week I go to the podiatrist for a foot problem... in the waiting room, his nurse asks "and what medications are you currently taking?" she doesn't ask if I'm taking any medications, and if so which ones, but rather she just asks what medicaitons i'm taking. then today I go for my bone scan and the nurse asks me for my medication list. I kindly explain to her than I'm not on any medication, and it was like she was taken aback. "Oh... you're not?" Are we as a society so fat and overmedicated that the medical assistants of the world can safely just assume that most people are drugged to the gills on 500 different prescriptions?

Meh...not really...

.................... wrote:

Being asked a standard question for your own safety annoys you?

The solution is don't go to the doctor. How long does it take to say "nothing"? You sound like a jackass, and precisely the kind of person who would sue a doc for prescribing a medication that will adversely react with something else you are taking.

Exactly.

Incredible how many people go through life SEEKING to be offended so that they can complain about it.

enough already wrote:

.................... wrote:

Being asked a standard question for your own safety annoys you?

The solution is don't go to the doctor. How long does it take to say "nothing"? You sound like a jackass, and precisely the kind of person who would sue a doc for prescribing a medication that will adversely react with something else you are taking.

Exactly.

Incredible how many people go through life SEEKING to be offended so that they can complain about it.

If you actually read the first post, you could easily tell that the OP is not offended by the question or annoyed by safety.

He is, as am I, flabbergasted at how medications are a fixed part in the everyday lives of US citizens. If we made a conscious effort to live healthier lifestyles by exercizing more, eating fresh foods, and burning less gas, wouldn't we have less weight loss pills (STACKER TWO!! BUY IT NOW!!) less Lipitor addicts, and less than 1/3 of our kids with asthma?

Hey Suess wrote:

If you actually read the first post, you could easily tell that the OP is not offended by the question or annoyed by safety.

Of course he is annoyed. That's why he wrote the word "annoyed" in the title, Sherlock.

Please pay attention.

I am annoyed that so many of you are annoyed by the fact that the OP is annoyed about the fact that we live in an overmedicated society. So the OP has got a good point.

The OP and myself are not "annoyed by safety". Safety is a good thing. In fact, I enjoy safety and appreciate it. Again, you are arguing the wrong point. We are not upset w/ doctors for looking out for us but rather the general population for not looking out for themselves.

If I brought my car into a shop for repairs, I would hope the mechanic would ask about related repairs to expedite the process.

If everyone had a giant laundry list of automobile repairs because they recklessly drove their car and were always creating unneccessary problems and looking for quick fixes to patch a symptom instead of solving a problem, that would be rediculous... and reflect exactly what is going on in the prescription drug industry.

Also, it is no longer 1998, nobody calls each other Sherlock anymore.