June 25 I went off my copaxone, after years of telling the MDs that I am suffering on it. Each and every time I spoke to them about it, they showed little to no sympathy. They take a hard line of "you MUST be on something!" They have gone as far as to scare my husband. they wanted to convince him that if I laid down my needles, within months I would be crippled, in a WC, or need full time help. Wanted to sing the praises of what this med does for me, and if I insist on coming off of it, I would have to pick another med to be on like Rebif or Avonex, even tho interferons made my LFTs rise to a point that I set a clinic record.

Since this MD isnt hearing me, listening to me, and is only going to become outraged that I am ignoring his advice, should I continue to keep up my "trial"off the meds, and just not tell him what I am doing? I normally dont advocate this behavior. As a matter of fact my primary and local neuro both know that I have stopped, and I have their blessing, but I dont want to burn the bridge at the big girl hospital, and I dont want to be labeled as unco operative.

What should I do?

let me add that I believe this MS MD to be temporary. I believe he is being romanced to a NYC hospital. I dont believe he will stay in this place, and they may replace him with someone more reasonable. its a "my way, or the highway" kinda guy.

I am normally quite good at standing up for myself, but occassionally I run into someone I just cant/wont confront. This man is one of them. It doesnt matter how eloquent your arguement nor your rationale, he has feet of cement and wants you to know that he doesnt need to understand you, its YOU that needs to hear him.

Its so much easier just to go sit in his chair, and say Yep, all is well...thank you. have a nice day, and move on. In the next few months I am expecting him to be replaced. its the far away hospital, and....

why is this so hard? what is it about that man that makes me wanna just shut up? he is aggressive, and pushy. He is brilliant, but his bedside manner is scary!

Do you have to keep your appointment with him? If it were me, I'd just cancel it and tell them I'll call back when I know I can make it.

I hate confrontations, too.

I might cancel to avoid any stupid, useless confrontation. Ask yourself, is there anything for you to gain by going or is it just a lose of time and energy (Of course I'm very anti-doctor now, so consider that)

i say cancel the appointment.

Why do these doctors think they're the ultimate and last word? Seriously, they really do have an air of superiority about them that is really annoying. Yes, I know they went to school and everything........that doesn't make them the end all know all.

They'll never admit it but they just don't know everything about MS and how if effects people. Everyone with MS is different. Those who respond well to the DMD's are fortunate. Those who don't do better without the meds. Why can't they just admit it?

Oh yeah........."nothing" doesn't pad their pockets.

I heard you, I know what it is like to dissagree with a professional. I have been indeed listed as an anxious patient. I did not stay with the NS I didn't get along with. He would not tell me what was wrong, I would not do as he asked. He wanted Nerve conduction tests. I declined I can assure you. He would not help me any further if I didn't do it his way. I now have another pain specialist and neruo. He did ask me yesterday what the problem was with the other physician. I had my family with me, so it was easy to tell the truth. I guess what I am saying, is I think a new physician might be worth looking into if you are not being HEARD about what is troubling you. You do have the right to dissagree. These doctors are just people. I believe in telling them the truth. They have to hear you too. good luck to you Ginnie

Hi, I know that feeling you are going through about telling the truth. I do not have your issues, but I have with held information at times to my doctor. I had a neuro, who would not listen. since he did not listen, I would not cooperate and do what he requested of me. to do NCT not fun. I refused his order, and walked out. I lost that Neuro guy and I am not sorry one bit. It has to go both ways with your doctors. It takes both doctor and patient to come to understandings for compliance with drugs and proceedures. I would get another physician, I want the truth, and I want to be heard when I speak about the troubles I am having. We all have such serious stuff happen to us on this site. You have to have that trust with your doctors. This is just an opinion, and I really hope you find a good solution. I am sorry you are having such a time of it. Ginnie

Yes!!!! I knew you could do it. I'm so very happy and proud of you.

I'm sorry and saddened to think it took any Doctor 6 or more requests to get the message. Documentation, facts, figures... should not have been needed. I have found many neuros seem to think we work for them.

BTW, good idea on keeping the 60 for awhile.

I am proud of myself that I didnt bend down to his standards in order to be heard. I think he saw the hubby and I were serious, where as in the past, the hubby was always nervous, on the fence,and seemed to be easy to convince that I needed to stay on it. It took me about a year to show the DH that the stuff was knocking the stuffing out of me. It frustrated me that this man was NOT hearing me. It frustrated me that DH was NOT hearing me. After being in the hospital for a month, the DH saw the change in my strength, stamina, and attitude and knew the evidence was overwhelming that even while sick, I gained ground by laying down the needle.

I love that the support is still rolling in.