hep c stigma

[streamline569]

Is anyone else finding that they are being stigmatized because they had or have hep c. My resent   experience being, I was just yelled at by my oral surgeon. He had to extract an impacted wisdom tooth, which of course had to turn into Dry Socket. Although he said it wasn't bad, it sure hurt, so after three days I called him to tell him about the pain. First he asked why did you wait 3 days. I said I didn't know if it was normal or not. He packed the tooth which gave me some pain relief but not total. I went back in two days and now I'm not so happy because he wouldn't give me pain meds. Anyone else in my situation would have been given pain meds. So today he ask me "do you have a problem with me?" "I've gone out of my way to be here for you" I said no all I want is some pain med for the pain. He said he has to talk to my other doctors to see if he can give me pain meds. Damn I'm not asking for a lifetime of pain meds just enough to get through a week or so. This will be the last time I tell a doctor about having liver disease. I only mentioned it because I thought he should know in case there was a bleeding problem with my platelets being not up to par. Am I being a difficult patient? or is he being an unreasonable surgeon. I didn't appreciate being yelled at today. I also wanted a copy of my records because I had to pay out of pocket. He didn't seem to want to give me a copy, as a matter of fact he wouldn't give me a copy of the surgery he did. What's he afraid of ???? It will be the last time I ever mention the words hep c or liver disease to a doctor outside of the field. Still in pain two weeks later.Is anyone else having problems or could it be the way I am handling these situations? He has given me good care but after his comment today I don't want to go back to him no matter how much pain I have and he was paid out of pocket in full (cash). Just wondering others experiences or opinions.Am I being unreasonable to think that I should have pain meds for oral surgery? I don't think so.

[streamline569]

Frijole, I'm wasn't on tx. I finished last year and have been SVR. Just wanted to let you know....Hope you're doing well....streamer

[streamline569]

Thanks for making me feel better. I am feeling better, no thanks to the oral surgeon. The normal healing processes is taking place. Sometimes you just need mental reinforcement from people who understand. I agree,  I think he is a good surgeon and has given me much attention but his demeaning bedside manner shows he has a problem, whether mental or a personality disorder, I don't know. No matter how good I found his surgical skills to be I would never think of using him again. Unfortunately I have to finish up with him being he was paid beforehand. Thankfully I should be done with him soon. All the medical training in the world can't teach a doctor how to be a caring human being. Thanks again for answering, we do tend to question ourselves when we've been in the medical system for so long. Cheers to all my fellow  hep c cyber friends.

[1swimmer]

So, your dentist says "why did you wait 3 days?". Is this a scolding?
I relayed a story about my previous dentist, to my current dentist. His reply was that dentists shouldn't be scolding their patients.

I don't think you are unreasonable for any of the requests you have made. If the doctor/ patient relationship doesn't work, move on.

Hope you are healing and feeling better
C

[flcyclist]

It sounds to me from what I could glean from this post is you unfortunately have an oral surgeon with a awful "bedside manner".  I think this has little to do with HCV and more to do with his compassion, or lack thereof.  I had a tooth extracted around 5 yrs ago and I had no problems afterwards, but was given a script for pain meds to take the edge of the pain for a few days.  Better to have them and not need them rather than vice versa.  

[pooh55811]

"Am I being unreasonable to think that I should have pain meds for oral surgery?"
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In my opinion, you are not being unreasonable to think you should have pain meds for oral surgery.

It is also my opinion that doctors and dentists downplay how much pain a person may have. They often say "you will be fine, very little pain, back to work the next day," when, in reality, none of that is true. I think they just don't want to write prescriptions for pain meds.

How much of it is because you had Hep C, I don't know. There is definitely a stigma attached and there is definitely a judgement/bias by some docs that everyone with Hep C is a drug user. Doctors notoriously under-prescribe pain medication regardless of patient history, but even more so when they think someone is a drug user. (Unless things have changed recently, doctor get little or no training in pain management.)

So, yes, in my opinion, you should have received pain medication for oral surgery.

[frijole]

I don't know how you managed with dry socket for 3 days.  To me, tooth pain is one of the worst,and I am sorry you had to do this on tx.  Normally I get an rx from my doctor before such a surgery, and I usually don't need more later but sometimes the dentist and the oral surgeon give me rx's for pain meds.   I think you should have had a few days worth, but if your pain is still so great you need them , there might be something else going on.

Sounds like Riba rage got the best of you at the doctor's office.  You know, when you put someone on the defensive it is hard to get what you want.  I did tell my dentist the first time I treated but didn't tell him the second time.

I had to have a root canal on tx and did tell the doctor who di that and he was very supportive.  Other than that, I told few people.  Yes I do think hep C stigma is real, but I am not convinced that is what happened with your dentist.