After narcotics and benzos, the next most frequent drug request from patients: Viagra.

[Aristus]

Finished a physical exam on a guy today and just as he was getting ready to leave the exam room, he turned to me, leaned in conspiratorially, and whispered: "Doc? Doc? Can you hook me up with some...you know...Viagra?"

Oy! :eyes:

I wanted to heal sick people, but instead, I seem to be the go-to guy for people who want to get their freak on.

I've had requests from guys who seem young and healthy enough not to have ED. Doing a work-up for prostatic hypertrophy, which includes a digital rectal exam, tends to discourage them from asking again... :evilgrin:

Still loving being a Physician Assistant, but it's annoying feeling like the guy who has the keys to the funhouse...

[OmahaBlueDog]

1. If they didn't have the "warnings" about an erection lasting 4 hours or more, you wouldn't get asked

[Aristus]

2. Then I should explain to them that priapism, as it's called, ain't fun.

It's embarrassing, painful, and frightening. (Or so I've read.)

[Kat45]

8. That's true.

I was with someone who had it once from 4+ hours, no drugs involved! He said it was extremely painful.

[seabeyond]

3. gotta wonder about all the internet dudes braggin about their prowess if....

that is such a popular drug.

seems to contradict what i am hearing

[Aristus]

4. The sad thing is, I'm convinced that a lot of the guys asking for Viagra

are screwing around on the side after work while their wives are homes raising the kids.

I really don't want to provide the fuel for adultery...

[demtenjeep]

5. can I ask. What are Benzos?

I never knew you could ask for specific drugs either

[Aristus]

6. Benzodiazepines. Valium and stuff. Anti-anxiety medications.

Because they can be addictive and cause dependence, just like narcotics, the company I work for has a policy against prescribing them. It makes it easier to say 'no' to the drug-seekers. I can honestly say I'm following a policy, rather than just being a dick for denying them their request.

And a patient can ask all he wants. Doesn't mean he'll get them.

A patient gets the medications I prescribe, based on their past medical history, or because they might be allergic to an alternative med. But if a patient walks in and says: "Doc, I saw this pill on an ad on TV. Can you hook me up with it?", they're going to give me a complete HPI (history of present illness), a physical exam, a review of their current medications, and then whatever medication I recommend.

[slay]

7. Power is nice isn't it?

i bet the people who wanted benzos and narcos wished they had the power to just go buy them and not need a "middle man" doctor. but that's the way the game is played here in the US - everyone knows it. :(