for me, it's always been older MALE doctors. even for "women's problems", they were faster to Rx than women that theoretically understood what i was going through.

Older doctors are more understanding about pain and will prescibe more openly than younger doctors.

I prefer a woman though.

Women have been pretty rude in the past to me. The only one I like was my OB when I had my youngest child. I am a ER nurse and the older ones are much better. They are to tired to fight the fight. So often if a patient does not get what they think they should pt will do a formal complaint and this requires the MD to write the reason for doing what they did. The older ones get burnt out on trying to justify why they have done something. It is just easier to do it. Also the older doctor is more than likely to have experienced pain and chronic problems and will be more understanding. So many young doctors complain about giving pain med even when so obvious that they need it. Age is a big factor but a doctor that is nice is more likely be nice and want to make you happy. So an old doctor that has experienced pain and is nice I think are going to be the best to have.

I'm a female, and I prefer male physicians for primary care as well, except for ob/gyn issues. It seems like they are more willing to at least try some course of treatment after a patient presents.

After a long time (20 years) without any insurance and almost no preventive care, I finally broke down and went to a primary care doc with a meticulously charted a 6-month long "pain diary" chronicling the progression of pelvic pain and other symptoms that had worsened over the past 5 or 6 years.

She didn't even look at the information I had written down. She didn't prescribe any pain meds, she wouldn't even prescribe me the birth control pills I was already on. She could have at least started the process of figuring out what was going on...blood tests...ultrasounds...etc.

All she did was write me a script for some anti-depressants refer me to an OB/gyn (with whom I couldn't get an appointment for about three months) and charge me $150.

Needless to say, I was pissed. So I scheduled an appointment with another physician on the recommendation of an acquaintance three days later and got in the same day. He took action immediately and ordered all the appropriate tests, which helped the specialist immensely and gave me the piece of mind that what I was experiencing wasn't all in my mind...if that makes sense. And he did script me some mild narcotics, which helped me function and not be disabled for 2 weeks out of every month.

Yeah. I just got assigned a new doctor because my case was changed to workman's comp, so while a work comp case I've got this new doctor. I think it's his first real position. Young guy and not too bright. Not only is he afraid to prescribe anything, he gets the names and mg qtys wrong. He gets them mixed up. I don't know how you make these kind of mistakes after med school on two of the most commonly prescribed meds. I would be more specific, but who knows who surfs these boards. I know a lot of folks in med field are addicts and use sites like this. So answer, stick with older experienced doctors if you can. Bottom line I have MRI showing clearly with 3 specialists I have severe issues that are obviously causing extreme pain. This kid doesn't get it. Karma will get him. Maybe he'll have a skiing accident and he'll get a oc who says take two aspirin. I know that's mean, but this guys driving me crazy.

Zoomster, he/that would drive me crazy too.

Are you just gonna take a deep breath and try to work him a bit? You know, listen to what he says, look impressed, and then give him a leading question so he will mention the drug in question.

Make him think it is his idea. Reminds me of a work term I used to use, call managing UP.

Wish you the best, and yes I agree w/your mean thought about the ski accident. Too bad there is not some virtual experience where doctors can feel the pain so many CPers feel every day.

Older docs imo. I don't need pain killers but for anxiety. Too bad my "compassionate" doc was BUSTED for being just that. But he was young and Vietnamese. The DEA even called me wanting for information. The hardest med I got from him was hydro cough syrup when I had bronchitis.

Older doctors came before the DEA and the war on drugs. I feel like they are more likely to treat your pain appropriately.

I disagree. It's just what type of person your doctor is. Good doctors treat you based on what they've learned(schools,residencies and other experiences).

These docs could care less about DEA or other governing bodies. Sometimes like bld said they intervene and that's unfortunate. I know many, many doctors and I don't think I know one that I would say overprescribed or distributed drugs.

DEA
Let the docs do the doctoring, they're the ones who went to MedSchool.

That's how it should be, but the DEA puts pressure on doctors. Big brother is watching, and the doctor knows it.

Young doctors are programmed not to give out prescriptions of controlled medications. It seems to be all of them that I have met.

Then even after surgery I don't think they give enough pain medication and it is not strong enough. If you dare to ask for pain medication they will not want to treat you at all.

That has been our experience

I agree, and it's an unfortunate situation in the US.

The young one's or such dummy's that they are afraid to write for anything because they are just plain scared. The old Docs. they seen it all. Morphine is'nt going to lill someone if administered right. The younger guys have been brought up on all this new crazy crap like fentynal and Versaid they see people die and it scares them and in a way I don't blame them. We always fine a way to get what we want. Happy Thanksgiving.

You'll find the right Doctor to try and get het condition under control. SounDS LIKE YOU JUST GOT abounch of people wanting to sound intelligen{or something{ hope everything works oue heia

For me older male doctor

I have always had trouble finding a good balance of a doctor that is actually caring, and will write the scripts I actually need. For me it has always been either a complete quack who just wants the money, cash only/no insurance, and will basically write whatever you ask for but doesnt remember your name or face, or it is someone who at least puts on a good front of caring, remembering names, and conditions, but will not write anything stronger than advil. It can be a shame.

My PCP is an older woman who is newly trained (w/in last 10 years). Medicine is her 2nd career. So she has the life experience of an older doc w/the education of a younger doc.

Good combo. I like her alot. She is aware of pain and understands the concept of quality of life.

She recently left her medical group because she could no longer tolerate being forced to treat patients w/in the 15 window alloted.

She is now a 'concierge doc'. I pay an annual fee (not outrageous at all) and after that, she accepts whatever my insurance company will pay her.

The best part is that she will spend hours talking to me. I have several issues and so it is great to have a doctor who is willing to see the whole picture at one time.