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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU To assume people tell fibs to their Dr about how much they drink?

289 replies

Diel · 26/09/2016 18:36

I went to see my GP recently and he asked how much alcohol I drink, I was about to give my usual 14 units answer but decided to tell the truth and say about 3 bottles of wine a week. GP looked horrified and told me I absolutely must stop this. This isn't news to me as I know it's more that I should drink but he then asked if it's because I can't sleep, um, no, it's because I love wine. Anyhow, surely I'm not alone? Or do people just not admit to this vice?

OP posts:
BlueTimesTwo · 27/09/2016 13:41

Doctors wouldn't be doing their job if they didn't take an interest in the alcohol intake of their patients. Alcohol is a significant risk factor for many cancers and the risk increases with every drink per day.

expatinscotland · 27/09/2016 13:48

'I rarely drink and if I tell a doctor that I always think he'll think I'm lying - because of people like you. No offence or anything ...'

No, they think you're lying because they assume everyone is a liar. Nothing like feeling you can trust someone who already assumes you're a liar by nature, there's an edifying thought when you go see a doctor. If he/she assumes I'm lying about my drinking, exercise, etc then how the hell can I trust him/her?

myownprivateidaho · 27/09/2016 14:12

With doctors, I would have thought that rather than assuming that people are lying, they take into account the fact that they might be underreporting (for a range of reasons, including lying)? Ie, they're not going to give you a different drug or diagnosis on the basis that they've completely discounted what you say.

What they might do is give you a warning that wouldn't apply to you if you were accurately reporting your drinking, and which they therefore accept may not apply to you, but which will apply to a certain percentage of people who do report drinking at your level, because there is a proportion of people who under-report their alcohol intake (whether because of conscious lying or for other reasons). That seems fine to me.

Lots of medicine is based on looking at someone's outward symptoms and then making a decision on what those symptoms mean based on statistical probabilities. It's responsible and scientific to treat self-reporting in exactly the same way.

expatinscotland · 27/09/2016 14:57

Under-reporting. That's almost as good as solicitors for creative use of euphemism. It means you believe your client is lying. Just step up and admit it.

AdoraBell · 27/09/2016 15:55

I do, but then I really don't drink much. DH is currently on strong painkillers so isn't drinking and the bottle of wine I opened about 10 days go isn't finished despite me having some 3 days in a row.

weeblueberry · 27/09/2016 16:00

They think you're lying when you say you don't drink at all too. So you can't win...

saintagur · 27/09/2016 16:06

I don't endorse 'being economical with the truth', but I am mindful that patient notes aren't really confidential, so it's sensible to be cautious in what you say. If you were to make an insurance claim, for example, on your own policy, or to bring a personal injury claim against another individual, you would almost certainly be asked to provide your GP notes and anything adverse could be used against you.

expatinscotland · 27/09/2016 16:10

'They think you're lying when you say you don't drink at all too. So you can't win...'

This. And then you start to wonder, what else do they think you lie about, everything? When you start with a presumption of untruth, then your entire relationship is based on second guessing your client.

AverageGayLadAtChristmas · 27/09/2016 16:12

expat So are you saying no matter what the doctor thinks I'm lying? Confused

expatinscotland · 27/09/2016 16:31

It's a logical conclusion from the posts on here and similar threads in the past that yes, they think you're lying. Rather unedifying thought, eh? 'Come on in, I don't know you, but you're supposed to trust me. And even though my default stance is to assume you're a liar, I'm not even going to do you the courtesy of admitting that to you. Carry on then. How much do you drink/exercise/eat junk? How much do you smoke? How many sexual partners have you had?' And on and on.

GoofyTheHero · 27/09/2016 16:35

Luckily my Dr never asks me any of this stuff, so they don't have to assume I'm lying.

Keepingupwiththejonesys · 27/09/2016 16:39

I've never lied about my alcohol consumption. I'm pregnant ATM so don't drink anything now. Otherwise I don't drink unless its an occasion. A birthday, wedding etc. Both me and hubby have big families so on average there's one, sometimes two of these kinds of parties a month. I'm a total binge drinker. Don't drink at all otherwise but at these parties I have about 6-8 rum and cokes and possibly a few shots if its that type of party. I like a drink when I do have one but I'm happy to go without.

AverageGayLadAtChristmas · 27/09/2016 16:46

And I thought it was bad enough that I usually get a lecture about making sure my sexual partner doesn't get pregnant despite me having THE SAME DOCTOR who KNOWS I'M GAY AND EVEN WHEN I SAY THAT AGAIN TO HER STILL SAYS "Well when you get a female partner"... I won't Angry

user1474627704 · 27/09/2016 16:59

In reality most healthy adults can drink quite a bit more than that without harm

If you want the actual facts about it, moderate drinkers are healthier than non-drinkers, and that only changes when the units drunk are THREE TIMES and more the recommended amounts.

expatinscotland · 27/09/2016 17:00

Average, I'd actually complain about that. That's out of line. 'I'm gay.' 'No, you're not.'

Vintagegirl1 · 27/09/2016 17:06

I drink too much,certainly more than all my friends. 3 bottles of wine a week is about usual for me but if I could I would have a bottle a night. I bloody love wine. Haven't been to see a doctor in 10 years so don't need to lie.

AverageGayLadAtChristmas · 27/09/2016 17:08

It was phrased as "You might not know your sexuality for certain yet" Hmm

AverageGayLadAtChristmas · 27/09/2016 17:09

I'm 18 not 8.

DuggeesPoncho · 27/09/2016 17:47

I tell the truth about my alcohol consumption, but I've been teetotal for years. I wouldn't say that the reaction is that they think I am lying, their reaction is more that I must be forgetting or not counting the drinks I occasionally have, e.g. "and how much do you have at Christmas?" etc.

But I can completely understand this disbelief, as when it comes up in conversation that I don't drink, often other people will say "oh me too! I've only had a few drinks so far this year!". It's like people just don't understand that not drinking means absolutely zero drinks.

I did used to lie about flossing to the dentist though, lol. Stupid when they can see my gums easier than a doctor can see my liver!

DuggeesPoncho · 27/09/2016 17:52

I forgot to say that in my world, 3 bottles of wine a week is a lot. That said, people gravitate towards those who behave like them so I know a lot of teetotal people and light drinkers. It makes sense because our social occasions are not drink orientated.

JacquesHammer · 27/09/2016 17:55

weeblue

Absolutely - I have had that.

I barely drink. Think a single glass of wine with a meal out once in a blue moon. Maybe a glass of Prosecco at xmas.

So I say nothing and get a "really, nothing at all?"

Sallystyle · 27/09/2016 17:58

In clinics everyone smokes 10 a day...

Only a handful have admitted they smoke 20 plus.

I used to say I smoked 10-15 when I was hitting almost 40 :blush I quit almost 4 years ago.

NotCitrus · 27/09/2016 18:50

I hardly drink except for the times I do (ie when the kids are elsewhere and I'm not on meds that alcohol clashes with). Have a few friends who easily drink 3+ bottles a week, most drink less especially if they have kids.

Have to admit though I'm slightly shocked by people claiming there's only 3 glasses in a bottle, when I would measure 6! I can imagine GPs responding differently if someone said "I have 3 glasses a few days a week"!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 27/09/2016 18:53

I don't drink and I'm sure the doctor doesn't believe me so I feel I should lie and add in a few units!

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 27/09/2016 19:47

Duggees your comment about friends saying they don't drink when they've 'only' had a few glasses, reminds me of meeting our friends for dinner in January.

As I ordered my alcohol free beer I say "I'm doing dry January. Bit boring but ...blah blah..liver needs a rest ...blah blah...". "We're doing dry january too!" They exclaim. Sitting there sipping two large glasses of wine ConfusedConfused

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