Opinions on doc appointment

[AllLoadedUp]

So I'll be having my yearly doc appointment in a few weeks. My doc of the last 27 yrs has retired and I'm getting a new doc. He's young. Only been practicing 2 yrs. I'm trying to decide whether to "mention" my gear use. I take blood pressure meds so I've been getting a complete metabolic every year for years. Never really any issues. Kidneys and Liver always fine. My HDL is never great. Just slightly below range. LDL in range usually.

I told my cardiologist I juice in a round about way. I said "look doc all this muscle didn't come from just eating and lifting, I'm not admitting anything but I don't deny anything". He laughed and said "I get it" He was totally cool. I have a cardiologist because I got a Cardiac CT Scan done in 2018. I keep on top of things. So should I do the same with my new doctor? He's young so he might be a little more "accepting" or maybe just not judgmental. Either way I'm his new patient and I don't really see him saying "I don't want you as a patient" plus he can't write in his files "patient admitted steroid use" because I won't be doing that. I'm just saying something without really saying it.

What you guys think? I know some of you guys are gonna say "SAY NOTHING". Lol. Would just be easier to get him to add some things to the blood test that I would like checked instead of having to pay for a $300 test at a lab myself.

 

[FrancisK]

I would say feel him out and use your best judgement based on his attitude towards you during the appointment. I've had docs that I knew I could say anything to which were only interested in helping and I've had docs that I knew were a waste of time pretty quick.

 

[Bio]

So I'll be having my yearly doc appointment in a few weeks. My doc of the last 27 yrs has retired and I'm getting a new doc. He's young. Only been practicing 2 yrs. I'm trying to decide whether to "mention" my gear use. I take blood pressure meds so I've been getting a complete metabolic every year for years. Never really any issues. Kidneys and Liver always fine. My HDL is never great. Just slightly below range. LDL in range usually.

I told my cardiologist I juice in a round about way. I said "look doc all this muscle didn't come from just eating and lifting, I'm not admitting anything but I don't deny anything". He laughed and said "I get it" He was totally cool. I have a cardiologist because I got a Cardiac CT Scan done in 2018. I keep on top of things. So should I do the same with my new doctor? He's young so he might be a little more "accepting" or maybe just not judgmental. Either way I'm his new patient and I don't really see him saying "I don't want you as a patient" plus he can't write in his files "patient admitted steroid use" because I won't be doing that. I'm just saying something without really saying it.

What you guys think? I know some of you guys are gonna say "SAY NOTHING". Lol. Would just be easier to get him to add some things to the blood test that I would like checked instead of having to pay for a $300 test at a lab myself.

If you're not willing to come out and tell him/discuss it with him, then why bother? Plus, and foremost, he's new. Get to know him and establish a rapport. If it turns out he's not a good fit for you, then get another physician.

 

[Xplicit]

If you're not willing to come out and tell him/discuss it with him, then why bother? Plus, and foremost, he's new. Get to know him and establish a rapport. If it turns out he's not a good fit for you, then get another physician.

This, 100% this. You need to have a visit with this doctor, a few, before you go there. If he is that fresh into the field, he may be overly concerned with doing everything by the book.

Let him make the assumption, my doctor figured it out fairly quickly by my size, my medical concerns and the conversations we had discussing medications/labs/imaging, etc. Neither he or I have ever outright said anything about steroids, but recently his code word of choice is referring to me as a bodybuilder, with bodybuilder needs and we both know what that entails.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

If you're not willing to come out and tell him/discuss it with him, then why bother? Plus, and foremost, he's new. Get to know him and establish a rapport. If it turns out he's not a good fit for you, then get another physician.

I see what you're saying. But I only see my doctor once a year. I never have a reason to go otherwise than for the yearly checkup. So it would take a long time to "establish a rapport" with him. I might be 60 by then. Lol.

 

[bbxtreme]

So I'll be having my yearly doc appointment in a few weeks. My doc of the last 27 yrs has retired and I'm getting a new doc. He's young. Only been practicing 2 yrs. I'm trying to decide whether to "mention" my gear use. I take blood pressure meds so I've been getting a complete metabolic every year for years. Never really any issues. Kidneys and Liver always fine. My HDL is never great. Just slightly below range. LDL in range usually.

I told my cardiologist I juice in a round about way. I said "look doc all this muscle didn't come from just eating and lifting, I'm not admitting anything but I don't deny anything". He laughed and said "I get it" He was totally cool. I have a cardiologist because I got a Cardiac CT Scan done in 2018. I keep on top of things. So should I do the same with my new doctor? He's young so he might be a little more "accepting" or maybe just not judgmental. Either way I'm his new patient and I don't really see him saying "I don't want you as a patient" plus he can't write in his files "patient admitted steroid use" because I won't be doing that. I'm just saying something without really saying it.

What you guys think? I know some of you guys are gonna say "SAY NOTHING". Lol. Would just be easier to get him to add some things to the blood test that I would like checked instead of having to pay for a $300 test at a lab myself.

Depends on what’s already in your medical records. My main concerns would be:

1. Standards how you’re treated- don’t give a doctor a chance to not effectively treat you because they judge you over something they don’t understand. Sounds rough, but it happens.

2. Don’t risk your health insurance or more importantly your life insurance access. If it’s not already in your notes you don’t want it ending up there.

Stating you’re a bodybuilder and use TRT will cover most things that a doc would need to know and that they will understand. Unless this doctor is a bodybuilder and has PED experience it’s not worth it IMO. Even then you risk #2 above.

Get to know him and don’t rush to anything. As always, just my opinion and experience.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

This, 100% this. You need to have a visit with this doctor, a few, before you go there. If he is that fresh into the field, he may be overly concerned with doing everything by the book.

Let him make the assumption, my doctor figured it out fairly quickly by my size, my medical concerns and the conversations we had discussing medications/labs/imaging, etc. Neither he or I have ever outright said anything about steroids, but recently his code word of choice is referring to me as a bodybuilder, with bodybuilder needs and we both know what that ent

This, 100% this. You need to have a visit with this doctor, a few, before you go there. If he is that fresh into the field, he may be overly concerned with doing everything by the book.

Let him make the assumption, my doctor figured it out fairly quickly by my size, my medical concerns and the conversations we had discussing medications/labs/imaging, etc. Neither he or I have ever outright said anything about steroids, but recently his code word of choice is referring to me as a bodybuilder, with bodybuilder needs and we both know what that entails.

I could just tell him I want these extra test done along with my normal bloodwork. If he ask why just say for general health reasons.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Depends on what’s already in your medical records. My main concerns would be:

1. Standards how you’re treated- don’t give a doctor a chance to not effectively treat you because they judge you over something they don’t understand. Sounds rough, but it happens.

2. Don’t risk your health insurance or more importantly your life insurance access. If it’s not already in your notes you don’t want it ending up there.

Stating you’re a bodybuilder and use TRT will cover most things that a doc would need to know and that they will understand. Unless this doctor is a bodybuilder and has PED experience it’s not worth it IMO. Even then you risk #2 above.

Get to know him and don’t rush to anything. As always, just my opinion and experience.

Well I never got married or had kids and both my nephews are loaded. So life insurance isn't even a thought really. I have some through work its not that much but its not important. I'm gonna feel him out but like I told Bio I only see my doctor once a year so it would take a LONG time to get to know him. I knew my other doc for 27 yrs I think it was but only saw him once a year. You go in once a year and talk for a few minutes and get bloodwork and leave. You don't really get to know someone that good.

 

[bigbumpkin2003]

I could just tell him I want these extra test done along with my normal bloodwork. If he ask why just say for general health reasons.

That’s the route I would go. In all honesty I would not be comfortable with a very first meeting ever be Hello wink wink I have muscle from magic dust … anything he chooses to write or even speculate on will be following you around with you to other physicians in the future. I know people that a Dr had issue with them asking too many questions and slowing them down and he was labeled as a difficult patient for years lol. For daring to ask for an explanation of a diagnosis

 

[Liter O' Test]

There is no upside in admitting schedule III drug use to your doctor.
Use doctors to treat the side effects of AAS use.
All you would be doing is giving him the power to mess with your insurance/future medical treatment for the REST OF YOUR LIFE.
Receiving proper medical care is already difficult enough with the egos of some Drs, (especially in the United States) without them writing secret little notes about you personally, giving other medical professionals decades later reasons discriminate against you and not give you the medical care you deserve (and pay for).
There is no upside, you would only be seeking validation from a stranger because of a white coat.

 

[Sectør]

To add to what others said--

A lot of times these young doctors straight out of college are deathly afraid of liability and are probably more "by the book" than perhaps a more seasoned professional with more experience.

Medical malpractice insurance is expensive, and they'll probably do everything to minimize any claims or risk against them so if you go to them and admit steroid use, they very well could refuse to treat you, in addition to the health insurance problems you could face

 

[marssel]

If you're not willing to come out and tell him/discuss it with him, then why bother? Plus, and foremost, he's new. Get to know him and establish a rapport. If it turns out he's not a good fit for you, then get another physician.

I agree here plus I assume you look the part I haven’t had a doc ask if but rather how much for the last say 15 years. You can answer passively but I find lying to people makes them less inclined to help you. The VA is shit at labs but lately I’ve been doing private care and they order labs for me pretty much on command. I’ve only had one test they haven’t approved yet.

 

[alfresco]

Depends on what’s already in your medical records. My main concerns would be:

1. Standards how you’re treated- don’t give a doctor a chance to not effectively treat you because they judge you over something they don’t understand. Sounds rough, but it happens.

2. Don’t risk your health insurance or more importantly your life insurance access. If it’s not already in your notes you don’t want it ending up there.

Stating you’re a bodybuilder and use TRT will cover most things that a doc would need to know and that they will understand. Unless this doctor is a bodybuilder and has PED experience it’s not worth it IMO. Even then you risk #2 above.

Get to know him and don’t rush to anything. As always, just my opinion and experience.

Yes, what you and Bio said.

My doc called it a “word game”. You don’t have to actually say IT but you both say enough so there is a mutual understanding . . . call it a CYA on both ends.

 

[LK3]

i guess it depends on what you want from the relationship.
if you use insurance then talking openly about drug use it can screw you. but thats your choice, using insurance is asking someone else to help foot your bill. that means you have to play by there rules, if not you are in violation of your contract/agreement.
i pay cash to docs. havent had insurance in many years.
i feel i you want legitimate care then you need to be able to discuss the realities of you openly. not being honest isnt going to help you if you run into some sort of serious situation.
that said you really should take time and interview a dr before choosing to use them. remember its you hiring them, they are your employee, you are paying them so dont let them slack off. how most drs function pisses me off to no end, in what other professional field is it ok to keep people waiting for long periods of time and or not being 100% professional all the time. part of professionalism in this case is being able to have open adult dialog that is based in facts and reality. youre a grown man dont pander to peoples ideology or opinion especially when it involves important issues like health.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

That’s the route I would go. In all honesty I would not be comfortable with a very first meeting ever be Hello wink wink I have muscle from magic dust … anything he chooses to write or even speculate on will be following you around with you to other physicians in the future. I know people that a Dr had issue with them asking too many questions and slowing them down and he was labeled as a difficult patient for years lol. For daring to ask for an explanation of a diagnosis

Well a doc can write or speculate on anything. But that's all it is. Unless you openly admit something then anything he "speculates" on is nothing more than that. That would never hold up in a court of law and in fact if something he "speculates" on is put in your file and is then attempted to be used against you by an insurance company possibly I would think could get him in a lot of trouble. He can write medical facts and his opinion. Nothing more.

 

[AllLoadedUp]

Yes, what you and Bio said.

My doc called it a “word game”. You don’t have to actually say IT but you both say enough so there is a mutual understanding . . . call it a CYA on both ends.

That's exactly how I did it with my cardiologist. He was like I get it. I never said "I do this or I use this or that". Not one specific thing. A word game just like you and your doc.

 

[Neuro1234]

that said you really should take time and interview a dr before choosing to use them. remember its you hiring them, they are your employee, you are paying them so dont let them slack off.

This. X100. You’re paying them for a service. Just like you would a contractor. If the remodel of your bathroom wasn’t what you wanted you wouldn’t throw your hands up and say “oh well” but that’s exactly what most people do with their docs.

 

[derzwerg]

Would you guys refrain from having your doc order labs for say test or e2? If your total test comes back 5x the normal range, or even normal range with no tsh or fsh, isn't that just as good as coming out and saying it to begin with?

 

[Xplicit]

Would you guys refrain from having your doc order labs for say test or e2? If your total test comes back 5x the normal range, or even normal range with no tsh or fsh, isn't that just as good as coming out and saying it to begin with?

Personally, there are some labs I just pay for out of pocket online, to not throw it in my doctors face.

 

[derzwerg]

Personally, there are some labs I just pay for out of pocket online, to not throw it in my doctors face.

I'm planning a checkup soon and that's what I was leaning towards; getting most through the doc and adding the others on myself.