Posted by BarbaraCat on July 27, 2002, at 22:16:23
Gentle Babblers,
I can't tell you how utterly frustrated I am with how hard it is to get a valid diagnosis. And I know I'm not the only one here feeling this way. First I was major depressed, now I'm bp-2. I'm taking Remeron, lithium, neurontin, thyroid, ativan, blah blah. But I'm seriously wondering about a little tetch of ADD in there. The symptoms are definitely there but like many of you, the questions revolve around is it ADD or bipolar (why would hypomania suddenly be surfacing if I'm taking lithium?)? Or perhaps GAD? Lately my thoughts have been boinging about like a truckload of ping-pong balls. I try to straighten up the house but leave a trail of destruction in my wake instead. I get sidetracked, can't complete tasks. Is this flying-apart feeling ADD? Would a pstim help? hurt? Had an upsetting day yesterday, maybe it's just anxiety? Is is hypomania? I know I could be feeling better than I am.So here is the issue: My health provider is a big HMO outfit. I'm absurdly fortunate to even be seeing a pdoc, even tho it's only for 20 minutes every 8 weeks. He doesn't know me! How can my diagnosis be anything but a shot in the dark? I sympathize with him and all doctors trying to work with this unworkable HMO debacle, but truth is, he's not considering me or my condition for one minute outside the office. Am I misdiagnosed? Am I missing out on an effective med? I don't know and I WANT BETTER CARE!!! I've asked him about SPECT tests and he chucklingly commented about how nice if we could all have Dr. Beverly Crusher's little StarTrek gizmo. Costly tests are frowned upon, especially as he states, there aren't any that are accurate. I don't believe him. There's got to be something that with time, effort and yes, money, can home in a lot better than diagnostic and treatment roulette.
What rights do I have as a patient in insisting I receive additional 'expensive tests'. What are these tests? What's available as far as reliable sensitive diagnostic tools? Is the SPECT available other than at Dr. Amen's? What other functional imaging tests are out there? Who would I call within this HMO health system to get an honest answer - not some toady in the 'costs reduction' department? Without a doubt, I'm managing my own health much better than my managed care 'team', but without a prescription pad I can only go so far. Has anyone here had satisfaction in pursuing these matters? Are you all happy with your psych care? - BCat
poster:BarbaraCat
thread:113976
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020725/msgs/113976.html