(doctor) How do you refuse treatment?

Question

I go to the doctor to get help with my diabetes but I always end up in these frustrating situations of refusing treatment. Flu shots, painkillers, cholesterol meds, like that. I live in California. Doesn't a patient have a right to refuse without being hassled? Can you be kicked out of an HMO or other program for NOT taking their pills? Thanks.

Clarification: I go to the doctor to get help with athlete injuries and montoring blood sugar control which I take very seriously. I am shocked at how many of you are so critical, shunning and pro allopathic meds in the alternative med section. Wow! LOL Thanks to those that were helpful.

Answer 1

I am "fortunate" in that I am allergic to so many things that I simply CAN'T TAKE THAT KIND OF STUFF and I scare most doctors...

I have not been kicked out of any health-care insurance plans; however, I have told many, many times "we don't pay for _______" (fill in the blank with whatever)

You have the right to refuse. I don't think your doctor intends to hassle you as much as the doctor wants to make certain he is protected from being sued in the event that something serious happened to you as a result. At least in Alabama, the doctor could have made a serious error if they didn't discuss all of the possible problems with Refusal of Recommended Treatment.

Here are my thoughts

(1) continue to see a "traditional medicine doctor" so that you can recieve needed blood tests, equipment for your diabetes, so forth & so on.... tell your doctor that you aren't comfortable with with the suggested medicine & thank him/her for the suggestion & tell them you are looking for better options.

(2) talk to your local health food store. Not the GNC type but the small mom-n-pop stores that sell food products as well as supplements and sponsor classes on wellness. They usually see an alternative medicine doctor themselves & know a few that they can refer you to. I use Golden Temple (in Bham AL) and have found the 2 owners to have had lots of wonderful advise and great suggestions. Bear in mind that the medical care practitioner will not be covered by your insurance & you will need to pay out-of-pocket

(3) some HMO or other insurance programs will kick out of the managment programs.. by that I mean that I have asthma... my health insurance provider enrolled me in an asthma management program & the nurses that I spoke to had many wonderful ideas that had to do with control of the problem instead of medicines to treat the problems. However, I simply wasn't able to take the perscribed medicines... even after several tries of several different medicines.... I was then advised by the insurance company that I would no longer qualify for the asthma management program due to my not taking perscribed medicines (I am guessing the Pharmaceutical Companies footed the bill for the employees & other costs of the program).... you may find that to be true with your diabetes

(4) read books... read all of the books you can get your hands on from your local health food stores about the topics that are of concern to you. Start with Nutritional Changes... as what goes litterly does come out in one form or another

(5) Cherries... I litterally LIVE on them!!!! A doctor from Pakistan is the one who suggested these to me for joint inflamation/pain... & they worked. 12 raw cherries = 1 700mg anaprox in terms of the effects. He also told me to add more onion (in my case lightly cooked) to help control my asthma. FlaxSeed... buy it whole & grind it up as you use it (1 tlsp daily). Avacodo... at least 2 a week (helps to protect or rebuild the parasympathetic nervous system... it takes alot of wear from pain).... Change any & all oils to GrapeSeed or Extra Virgin Olive Oil.... eat only Home-made peanut butter (grind your own with a little grapseed oil and unsalted, roasted peanuts.. no sugar)... ditch all sugar & synthetic sweetners and replace with Xylital (do this slowly as it can cause loose stool if not given time for the body to adapt)

Wow...there is so much he taught me... and it was individualized to my healthcare needs... the ones I have listed above would pertain to anyone (except maybe the onion for asthma)

My health has improved DRAMATICALLY with his advise & help along with the advise and help of the few doctors who aren't afraid of me....

For me these changes weren't rapid improvements..... but as an example, Sauted Onion (3 small onions per week in Winter & Summer and 6 per week in Spring & Fall) as a preventative measure for asthma.... has kept me out of the ER for 3 years now

Answer 2

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Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
(doctor) How do you refuse treatment?
I go to the doctor to get help with my diabetes but I always end up in these frustrating situations of refusing treatment. Flu shots, painkillers, cholesterol meds, like that. I live in California. Doesn't a patient have a right to refuse without being hassled? Can you be kicked out of an HMO...

Answer 4

I would talk to your insurance company about treatment refusal. All companies handle things a little different, and I wouldn't want to advise you incorrectly. That being said, I have NEVER heard of an HMO declining benefits for a patient's lack of treatment compliance.

As far as refusal of treatment, it is a patient's RIGHT to refuse treatment for anything. The only exception is a three-doctor consent (for a sane patient), in the event that refusal of treatment might endanger the patient's life (ie. surgery after a horrible accident where the patient cannot consent). If they hassle you, find another doctor.

More than anything, I'm concerned about your apparent lack for wanting treatments. Why do you keep going to the doctor? Have you sought a second opinion? Diabetes management is NOT easy, and not terribly pleasant. If this is just your general physician prescribing these things for you, ask to be referred to a specialist. If this IS a specialist, you may want to ask yourself what you are afraid of. Trust me, I've seen diabetics who have NOT followed treatment regimens and have suffered dearly for it.

I hope you can find a happy medium. Best of luck!

Answer 5

Thats great that your refusing treatment! You seem to have a natural fear of conventional medicine, and for a good reason. I am the same way as you, I would never take a prescription/vaccination ect....

There are natural ways to treat your diabetes. And these natural treatments will work much better than conventional methods, because they get to the root of the problem, and don't only treat symptoms.

If you have a blood glucose measuring device, you can monitor your your diabetes yourself, and as long as you keep you blood glucose level in the desired range, than you can your doctor won't force you to take prescription medicines or insulin injections. Your doctor will probably be stunned when (s)he finds out that changing your diet and using natural medicines works better than conventional therapies.

Here are a few things that can start you on your way to better health

First off, Apple Cider Vinegar has been shown to be extremely helpful for those suffering from diabetes

Here are some other things you could use to control your blood sugar level


Nopal plant normalizes blood sugar, treats diabetes, boosts insulin sensitivity
http://www.newstarget.com/021626.html

Study shows milk thistle extract treats diabetes by lowering blood sugar, protecting liver
http://www.newstarget.com/020971.html

CURE DIABETES BY ELIMINATING WHITE FLOUR PRODUCTS FROM YOUR DIET
http://www.earthclinic.com/CURES/diabetes.html

Popular diabetes drug useless, even harmful, for diabetics, study suggestshttp://www.newstarget.com/020865.html

now aren't you glad you refuse to take pills!

Answer 6

I don't know the legal position but if you don't follow the prescription, no doctor can help you. If you are unable to follow the treatment protocol for some valid reasons and want to try alternative treatment options, some progressive doctors of the mainstream may support you but I doubt whether insurance will oblige.

Answer 7

Speak with your HMO provider...if you are displeased with your physician, it may be possible for you to select a different primary care provider. As for taking the medications prescribed, unless it is life threatening, one has the prerogative as to what (if any) chemicals are taken into their body. It is your body; your choice; your risk. If you were to get progressively ill, you would not have a legal basis for complaint against your physician. He/she has performed to the best of their knowledge and ability; and, therefore, any risk due to refusal to have the prescriptions filled will be your personal responsibility. They may prescribe the Rxs...they cannot force you to purchase them OR shove them down your throat!

Read the policy of the HMO before speaking with the provider so that any misunderstandings may be discussed.

Answer 8

A doctor feels a responsibility for your health as his/her patient. They are going to suggest what they believe is in your best interest. Your health is a reflection of their practice, so many doctors are adamant about their treatments. But when it concerns your health and body, it's always your choice. You can get a second opinion, or even switch to someone elses practice.

Answer 9

If you are not going to do what the doctor says or take medication , why waste your time and the doctor's,say no and suffer the out come ,or do what the doctor says and deal with a little discomfort but ,get better. Hope you feel better
mentally and physically

Answer 10

Why do you refuse?
You SHOULD get a flu shot. And a pneumonia shot and the shingles vaccine. Because of your diabetes, flu and pneumonia can kill you and anyone who has a long-term medical condition should get the shingles vaccine. I've had shingles--trust me, you don't want it even if you didn't have diabetes. Then you would be screaming for pain meds.
But any non-essential medication you don't want--pain, cholesterol (they don't do that much anyway) etc., is your choice. It's not going to hurt you not to take them.
No, you shouldn't be given a hard time for not taking those. But I can understand them really wanting you to get the vaccines/flu shots.
If you don't want ANY of these treatments, then why do you bother going to a doctor?

Answer 11

Too bad you can't get help and get well from your diabetes! There are some institutions that help - call Loma Linda Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA and ask for info on one of the nearest ones. They use life-style changes and cure folks!