[Anonymous]

I'm going to condense a LONG story down in to a readable post - so if you need to know anymore then please do ask and I'll try my best.

I've been having some on-going medical investigations recently:

1)saw GP about missed periods. bloods tests showed raised testosterone.
2)referred to endocrinology who did more bloods, urine samples and abdominal ultrasound and MRI. bloods came back showing abnormal liver function - other tests clear as far as I know.

I've now been referred to another consultant about the liver, as they are pretty concerned about it.

I saw him today, and he asked the general questions about lifestyle, and he asked if I'd taken any recreational drugs.

I know I shouldn't have lied. But I froze up, my mum was in the room, and I couldn't say anything in front of her. The doctor asked twice, and said it is quite important, but I told him I hadn't. Drugs history is as follows:

1)For about a year, smoked weed between 1-5 times a fortnight.
2)MDMA approx 4 times
3)cocaine once

I have been clean for 9 months now.

What I basically want to know is: what is the likelihood that this is going to have had an effect at all? Could I leave it for the time being, and if it is mentioned again, should I own up?

I really, really, really do not feel comfortable with going back and telling him all of this, and especially not with my Mum there, but she is always in the consultations with me and would find it strange if I asked her not to come in.

I'm sorry if this post sounds whiny and stupid. I made an honest mistake and now I'm panicked about it. any helpful comments would be great.

[Norton1]

Make an appointment and don't tell her.

That is literally the only option that combines what you don't want her to know with telling the Dr what he does need to know.

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Norton1)
Make an appointment and don't tell her.

That is literally the only option that combines what you don't want her to know with telling the Dr what he does need to know.

Only problem is this doctor is based a long way away from where I live - there is no way for me to get there without my Mum as I don't drive. Do you know if doctors do phone consultations at all?

[Archengsculp]

first of all: how old are you? if you're 16+ you can have the option of not letting anyone else know what the doc says.. or you could call them up and talk.. whenever your mum isn't around?

[Paige:D]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Only problem is this doctor is based a long way away from where I live - there is no way for me to get there without my Mum as I don't drive. Do you know if doctors do phone consultations at all?

A doctor should do phone consultations and just explain you didn't want to do it while your mam was there..

[Anonymous]

(Original post by Archengsculp)
first of all: how old are you? if you're 16+ you can have the option of not letting anyone else know what the doc says.. or you could call them up and talk.. whenever your mum isn't around?

I'm 17 so that would work. I'd just be worried that in future appointments with her there he might let slip by accident. I think over the phone will be the best thing to do.

How far does this confidentiality thing stretch? I can't get in trouble over this can I?

[Norton1]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Only problem is this doctor is based a long way away from where I live - there is no way for me to get there without my Mum as I don't drive. Do you know if doctors do phone consultations at all?

Looking at this logically, almost all hospitals have good public transport links. It's not just people who have cars that go to hospital after all. If you live in the country then get a lift to the city from your mum and then get a bus. Tell her you're meeting friends. Or - as you say - get a phone consultation.

[Shevo]

I'd say that the doctor needs to know, and it's important that you tell him.

Just find away of contacting him without your mum finding out.

[MrHayden]

I'm not an expert at all and someone PLEASE point out if I'm wrong as this is important, but I can only imagine that 9 months is plenty long enough for your body to have processed all of the drug chemicals, so I doubt they could interfere with any treatment, and any medical effects would probably have become apparent before now. But as I said, this is little more than an assertion based on the most rudimentary medical knowledge so it'd be worth backing up with research.
Edit: Someone who sounds like they know more than me has suggested otherwise, so I withdraw my advice!

[Archengsculp]

(Original post by Anonymous)
I'm 17 so that would work. I'd just be worried that in future appointments with her there he might let slip by accident. I think over the phone will be the best thing to do.

How far does this confidentiality thing stretch? I can't get in trouble over this can I?

http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/Tele...sultations.htm
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/support/...yteenage.shtml

[mash.]

Make a private phone call...owning up may seen bad in the short term but in the long term you maybe could have been treated for something of they knew the cause of..hope that helps


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[Chiko 1001]

(Original post by MrHayden)
I'm not an expert at all and someone PLEASE point out if I'm wrong as this is important, but I can only imagine that 9 months is plenty long enough for your body to have processed all of the drug chemicals, so I doubt they could interfere with any treatment, and any medical effects would probably have become apparent before now. But as I said, this is little more than an assertion based on the most rudimentary medical knowledge so it'd be worth backing up with research.

Not necessarily. For example, if you smoke it takes years for your risk factors to return to baseline.

I would definitely recommend that you make arrangements to tell the doctors about your drug history. After all, they wouldn't ask if it wouldn't make a difference.

[Anonymous]

Thank you - you've all been so, so helpful.

It's the confidentiality issue plus a guilty conscience for lying in the first place that's really bothering me, but I guess I just need to bite the bullet!

[EmmaJane_]

Been in a similar situation, just phone the doctor and ask to speak with your gp, he can't tell your mother if you don't want him to!

[Flyteryder]

(Original post by Anonymous)
Thank you - you've all been so, so helpful.

It's the confidentiality issue plus a guilty conscience for lying in the first place that's really bothering me, but I guess I just need to bite the bullet!

Your doctor is not allowed to tell you mum about any appointments or what treatment you're on. It is illegal and they can be struck off. They won't just 'let slip' anything; it's more than their job's worth.

[OSharp]

(Original post by Archengsculp)
first of all: how old are you? if you're 16+ you can have the option of not letting anyone else know what the doc says.. or you could call them up and talk.. whenever your mum isn't around?

this is not true there is no age limit on confidentiality its called fraiser competence and it is not a black and white scale. a 10 year old could be competent in the eyes of the law but a 15 year old may not, the OP certainly would seem competent to me

(Original post by Anonymous)
I'm 17 so that would work. I'd just be worried that in future appointments with her there he might let slip by accident. I think over the phone will be the best thing to do.

How far does this confidentiality thing stretch? I can't get in trouble over this can I?

They cannot inform anyone without your permission unless they believe you to be at severe risk to yourself or others, the fact your admitting drug use would suggest that your aware of what your doing.

Your liver is basically what cleans all of the drugs out of your body so it is definitely relevant medical information and you should contact the doctor at first convenience.

[S1L3NTPR3Y]

Just email your GP about it, explain why you didn't tell (they'll understand they were a kid too) and if they want to you arrange to meet them to talk further, they can.

[Anonymous]

Okay I'm probably gonna get a tonne of haters for this. But when I was 16 I got pregnant and had to have an abortion. It was all hell for me, and my friend and me had to devise "revision study nights" so that I could go to consultations and get the abortion done without my mum knowing.

A couple of weeks after that, I had really bad migraines.

I fell down the stairs and went to the DRs with the mum, who asked me a series of questions.

Are you pregnant? Have you ever been pregnant? To both I answered no.

I rang that afternoon and explained to my GP why I lied and she was sooo nice about it and said coz of confidentiality my mum doesnt need to know. =D x

[Anonymous]

OK - so my plan is, call the surgery tomorrow, ask to speak to the consultant (I don't have a direct line for him) and just explain everything.

Thank you for all being so helpful, feeling much better about it now!

And to anon above - I hope you don't get any hate for that because that was really honest of you and reassuring for me.

[Clare~Bear]

(Original post by Anonymous)
OK - so my plan is, call the surgery tomorrow, ask to speak to the consultant (I don't have a direct line for him) and just explain everything.

Thank you for all being so helpful, feeling much better about it now!

And to anon above - I hope you don't get any hate for that because that was really honest of you and reassuring for me.

Good luck I'm sure they'll understand.

If you're anon, any rep you give or get does not affect your rep score, so it doesn't make any difference if anon 2 gets negs, but luckily they did get a pos.