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View Full Version : Dad Won't Take Me to Doctor???


Cognizant
April 30th, 2015, 01:27 AM
For whatever reason, despite doctor reccomendation of return, my dad is very apprehensive of taking me to a doctor to have my stomach issues investigated. A little background:

Shortly after my dog passed away in late January/Early February, I started experiencing weird symptoms. I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and experience chills (usually a sign that vomiting was imminent), nausea, sour stomach, and a loooooot of burping. No gagging, but my body would be convinced that I was about to vomit. I went to a doctor, who determined I have gastritis and gave me a prescription medicine that should help relieve symptoms after 30 days. She said to come back after 30 days if symptoms do not improve. I was hopeful that the medicine would work.

It didn't. I ran out of prescription medicine, and have had to spend close to $100 on Zantac and over-the-counter Omeprazole tablets. I've missed countless hours of school and shifts at work, to the point where I'm failing all my classes and my boss implored me to resign (because she was at the point where one more missed shift would result in termination), but my dad still is apprehensive to taking me to the doctor. At first I would just suggest it and brush it off if he forgot to, but lately I would push him more to schedule an appointment and he would come up with all kinds of excuses. He would say stuff like "you know, it'll take a long ass time to get you booked for an appointment" (that's what urgent care is for, dad), or "they'll stick a scope down your throat" (scare tactic?).

I think my dad just believes I'm just being melodramatic, and that my symptoms aren't that uncomfortable -- in other words, I think his ideology is "well, you're not puking or pooping out blood, so you must be fine"
Fact: I woke up three times last night and missed school today because of the discomfort. I think that's a pretty surefire sign my body is fucked up, dad.
I clearly need to see a doctor, but I don't know what I should do. Should I convince my dad to take me, and if so - how? Should/Could I just go myself? The last resort method would be asking my mom to take me, but I don't know if she could because our insurance situation is a bit chaotic... but she's on the same boat as me in the sense that I need to get better so I can focus on school.

I just don't know what to do. I'm tired of the nights filled with discomfort, and having to cancel plans last minute due to stomach outbursts. I'm tired of missing class and falling behind. I'm annoyed I had to quit my job because I can no longer promise regular availability. I just want this drama train to stop.

Cloud_Strife
April 30th, 2015, 07:00 AM
For whatever reason, despite doctor reccomendation of return, my dad is very apprehensive of taking me to a doctor to have my stomach issues investigated. A little background:

Shortly after my dog passed away in late January/Early February, I started experiencing weird symptoms. I would sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and experience chills (usually a sign that vomiting was imminent), nausea, sour stomach, and a loooooot of burping. No gagging, but my body would be convinced that I was about to vomit. I went to a doctor, who determined I have gastritis and gave me a prescription medicine that should help relieve symptoms after 30 days. She said to come back after 30 days if symptoms do not improve. I was hopeful that the medicine would work.

It didn't. I ran out of prescription medicine, and have had to spend close to $100 on Zantac and over-the-counter Omeprazole tablets. I've missed countless hours of school and shifts at work, to the point where I'm failing all my classes and my boss implored me to resign (because she was at the point where one more missed shift would result in termination), but my dad still is apprehensive to taking me to the doctor. At first I would just suggest it and brush it off if he forgot to, but lately I would push him more to schedule an appointment and he would come up with all kinds of excuses. He would say stuff like "you know, it'll take a long ass time to get you booked for an appointment" (that's what urgent care is for, dad), or "they'll stick a scope down your throat" (scare tactic?).

I think my dad just believes I'm just being melodramatic, and that my symptoms aren't that uncomfortable -- in other words, I think his ideology is "well, you're not puking or pooping out blood, so you must be fine"
Fact: I woke up three times last night and missed school today because of the discomfort. I think that's a pretty surefire sign my body is fucked up, dad.
I clearly need to see a doctor, but I don't know what I should do. Should I convince my dad to take me, and if so - how? Should/Could I just go myself? The last resort method would be asking my mom to take me, but I don't know if she could because our insurance situation is a bit chaotic... but she's on the same boat as me in the sense that I need to get better so I can focus on school.

I just don't know what to do. I'm tired of the nights filled with discomfort, and having to cancel plans last minute due to stomach outbursts. I'm tired of missing class and falling behind. I'm annoyed I had to quit my job because I can no longer promise regular availability. I just want this drama train to stop.

Hi Patrick,

Sorry to hear that you're not doing too well. Feeling discomfort is a way for your body to tell you something is the matter. If your doctor suggested a revisit if symptoms persisted, then you really should present for follow up.

There doesn't sound like there should be any logical reasons as to why you shouldn't go? Perhaps you should approach your father directly and tell him you really do feel like you have to go, especially since you're failing school, not getting enough rest, the discomfort is affecting your work, etc.

I guess if your doctor started you on the Omeprazole, they're thinking reflux. Do you think it is stress from your dog passing away, or something else causing stress, which is making you feel like this? Stress can exacerbate reflux?

If your father declines, then perhaps you can gently ask why? From the sounds of it, the medications are quite expensive. Do you think that has anything to do with it? When your dad said you might need a scope, it actually is a follow up for upper tummy pains which don't go away with medications - I know of many people who have had it done. In Australia, because of Medicare, the costs aren't particularly high. But it sounds like a gastroscopy would be expensive on your end... Do you think it's because of financial constraints that he won't take you?

Alternatively, could your father have had some bad medical experiences which might have had him not want to take you? In which case, what about getting your mother or someone else to take you?

northy
May 24th, 2015, 02:14 PM
This sounds very similar to a problem I've had since November. Only I went back and the doctors ran a load of tests and told me there was nothing wrong, yet I'm constantly in pain and cannot sleep.
I cope by ignoring it and after 6 months of constant pain, I've got used to it. But yeah, I know what your doing through and good luck. If I were you, I'd go to the doctor yourself. Ask a teacher or trusted adult to help you out your parents won't help you

Tyson S
June 13th, 2015, 08:46 AM
Dude, your 18 you can go to the doctors without your parents to hold ya hand. And where I live I get free medical checkups and prescriptions. Just go to the doctors yourself

Cloud_Strife
June 13th, 2015, 11:18 PM
I just want this drama train to stop.

Dude, your 18 you can go to the doctors without your parents to hold ya hand. And where I live I get free medical checkups and prescriptions. Just go to the doctors yourself

He hasn't posted about this for over a month, nor responded to our posts - so I assume his 'drama train' has stopped...

Legs
June 14th, 2015, 01:30 AM
If you can drive then I would go by myself . Are you 18 or older? I don't know if you are under 18 if one of your parents have to be there with you or not. I know for me I can't see my pediatrician without my Mom being there with me. Since you are in that much pain and missing school and work because of it I would do everything I possibly could to get your dad to take you. Just tell him straight out that this is starting to scare you because it is not getting better and want more tests done.

Cognizant
June 14th, 2015, 06:52 PM
Dude, your 18 you can go to the doctors without your parents to hold ya hand. And where I live I get free medical checkups and prescriptions. Just go to the doctors yourself
I started this thread back when I was still 17. I know I can go to the doctors myself now.

If you can drive then I would go by myself . Are you 18 or older? I don't know if you are under 18 if one of your parents have to be there with you or not. I know for me I can't see my pediatrician without my Mom being there with me. Since you are in that much pain and missing school and work because of it I would do everything I possibly could to get your dad to take you. Just tell him straight out that this is starting to scare you because it is not getting better and want more tests done.

Luckily, I've been able to maintain my symptoms with over the counter medication. If it gets worse I'll just schedule my own appointment with primary (or urgent care) and ask my dad for my insurance card. If he contests I'll just tell him I'm a legal adult now and I have every right to go to the doctor if I see it's necessary.

Legs
June 14th, 2015, 06:55 PM
I started this thread back when I was still 17. I know I can go to the doctors myself now.



Luckily, I've been able to maintain my symptoms with over the counter medication. If it gets worse I'll just schedule my own appointment with primary (or urgent care) and ask my dad for my insurance card. If he contests I'll just tell him I'm a legal adult now and I have every right to go to the doctor if I see it's necessary.
I hope it all works out for you and you feel better real soon.