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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 29. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
Hmmmm....I have read through most every thread on this fabulous site. Does anyone else out here have a good Primary Care Physician or Psychiatrist? I have read so much in statements that lead me to believe alot of people are very dissapointed or unsatisfied with their Doctor(s). Are there any other people satisfied with their care, Physician wise speaking?
I just like to hear good things about good Doctors. Does anyone have a good one out there? Thanks.
P.L.
Posted by akc on November 14, 2001, at 17:33:05
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
I do -- but instead of going on and on and on, I'll link you to one of my recent posts on PBA:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011025/msgs/13448.html
I in fact saw her today and once again was very pleased. I am on topamax and since I last saw her, a warning has come out regarding possible side effects involving the eye -- she was up-to-date as always with the info (though PB had already provided me all the info I needed!).
I feel lucky, because I do read the stories posted here and feel really sad that not everyone gets what I get. I hope more and more people here get as lucky as I have been.
akc
Posted by susan C on November 14, 2001, at 18:32:52
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)???? » Pamela Lynn, posted by akc on November 14, 2001, at 17:33:05
Posted by Dinah on November 14, 2001, at 18:35:48
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
I have a good sensible psychiatrist. He is up to date on medications and aware of side effects. He is affiliated with a local university. I think that is a good place to look for good doctors.
Posted by Gracie2 on November 14, 2001, at 19:33:21
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)???? » Pamela Lynn, posted by Dinah on November 14, 2001, at 18:35:48
I have a great doctor but I had to go through two other doctors before I found the good one.
I think it's about time that someone set up a website in every city where patients could post experiences about their local doctors. Picking an
MD out of a phone book -well, it just sucks. You never know what you'll get.
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 20:43:18
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Gracie2 on November 14, 2001, at 19:33:21
I am so glad to hear that there ARE other people that have good, trusted Doctors!!
I have to tell you (now DON'T LAUGH!!) on my first visit with my Psychiatrist I actually asked two people that were in the waiting room for their 'opinion' on/about her. They were more then willing to tell me that they had good experiences with her and that they had never themselves heard anything bad about her. I felt a bit better going into see her for the first time. I also just got a 'good feel' about it all when I called her office for the first time..You see, her staff is great too, and I think that is a major plus!
It IS sad that alot of people are not happy with their Doctors...that some Doctors don't seem to be 'one on one' with their patients. This is NOT my first Psychiatrist, but again...the first one I saw was pretty competent too. I have been very fortunate, I know!
Now...THERAPISTS...THAT'S a whole other subject!!!!! LOL
P.L.
> I have a great doctor but I had to go through two other doctors before I found the good one.
> I think it's about time that someone set up a website in every city where patients could post experiences about their local doctors. Picking an
> MD out of a phone book -well, it just sucks. You never know what you'll get.
Posted by christophrejmc on November 14, 2001, at 23:19:53
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)???? » Gracie2, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 20:43:18
Psychiatric docs can be even worse when you're under 18 (many wouldn't even speak with me--just my mom when prescribing medication). I think my mood has improved a considerable amount just because I now have a pdoc who actually listens to me. Of course, I'm not always the greatest patient -- more than a few docs have quit on me in the past.
Posted by Katey on November 15, 2001, at 15:33:29
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by christophrejmc on November 14, 2001, at 23:19:53
Hey how old are you? i thought i was the only youngin around.
Posted by christophrejmc on November 15, 2001, at 16:35:11
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Katey on November 15, 2001, at 15:33:29
> Hey how old are you? i thought i was the only youngin around.
I'm a geezer now - 19. How about you?
Posted by Mark H. on November 15, 2001, at 21:23:24
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
My psychiatrist is brilliant, compassionate, funny, optimistic and confident. He absolutely guaranteed me that he would find a combination of medicines that would relieve my depression, if I would only be patient and compliant. Over the course of four years total (three with him -- the first year with a GP), I tried more than 25 different anti-depressants and adjunctive medications. My psychiatrist was on line to colleagues at Stanford and around the country, describing my refractive condition and asking for new things to try.
When the breakthrough came, there was absolutely nothing subtle about it. On June 21, 1997, my new mix of meds took effect and it was as though a thick, suffocating dark curtain lifted, and suddenly I was able to experience pleasure and sadness, to feel my feelings, and to understand how ill I had been.
It was from that point that therapy began to help as well, and slowly I've put my life back together, although with a great deal more respect for the stresses we all face.
The quality of life I enjoy today is largely due to the cheerful, intelligent persistence of my wonderful psychiatrist and his unwillingness to give up on me.
Yes, there are great doctors out there, living treasures among us. Don't give up!
Mark H.
Posted by Katey on November 15, 2001, at 21:36:25
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)???? » Katey, posted by christophrejmc on November 15, 2001, at 16:35:11
So I AM the only youngin...i'm 16
Posted by Cecilia on November 16, 2001, at 3:30:26
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Katey on November 15, 2001, at 21:36:25
Good docs, bad docs, what`s the difference? Sure, some have nicer personalities than others, but when it comes to prescribing medications, it`s not like the good docs have a secret stash of meds that the bad docs haven`t heard of. I wish they did.
Posted by Cecilia on November 16, 2001, at 4:14:21
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Mark H. on November 15, 2001, at 21:23:24
> My psychiatrist is brilliant, compassionate, funny, optimistic and confident. He absolutely guaranteed me that he would find a combination of medicines that would relieve my depression, if I would only be patient and compliant. Over the course of four years total (three with him -- the first year with a GP), I tried more than 25 different anti-depressants and adjunctive medications. My psychiatrist was on line to colleagues at Stanford and around the country, describing my refractive condition and asking for new things to try.
>
> When the breakthrough came, there was absolutely nothing subtle about it. On June 21, 1997, my new mix of meds took effect and it was as though a thick, suffocating dark curtain lifted, and suddenly I was able to experience pleasure and sadness, to feel my feelings, and to understand how ill I had been.
>
> It was from that point that therapy began to help as well, and slowly I've put my life back together, although with a great deal more respect for the stresses we all face.
>
> The quality of life I enjoy today is largely due to the cheerful, intelligent persistence of my wonderful psychiatrist and his unwillingness to give up on me.
>
> Yes, there are great doctors out there, living treasures among us. Don't give up!
>
> Mark H.Personally, I would tend to be a little suspicious of a doctor who 'guaranteed" sucesss. But it`s great that you found a combo that works. What is it?
Posted by akc on November 16, 2001, at 6:41:16
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Cecilia on November 16, 2001, at 3:30:26
> Good docs, bad docs, what`s the difference? Sure, some have nicer personalities than others, but when it comes to prescribing medications, it`s not like the good docs have a secret stash of meds that the bad docs haven`t heard of. I wish they did.
In my experience, there is a huge difference in how willing a doctor is to do many things -- from keeping current on the progress in new meds (I am on topamax -- and many doctors haven't even heard of it, or if they have, know of its "off-label" use) -- to a doctor truly listening to a patient and properly diagnosing the condition. When I first started seeing a pdoc, I was diagnosed as depressive and put solely on an AD. It helped some at first. But I continued to also self-medicate (drinking), and as that spiraled out of control, things started to get messy. That doctor's only answer was to increase my AD, change ADs, etc. She never really accepted I had a drinking problem, even though my therapist and others involved in my treatment were convinced to the point that they pretty much insisted I go for inpatient treatment, etc.Now, this pdoc was a very nice woman. And she was very concerned about me. She just was not a very good doctor. I don't believe she had a wealth of information, she was unable to think outside the box (from her initial diagnosis), and my treatment suffered because of it. Yes, she had all the same meds at hand -- but there is a talent in knowing what meds to use, when to use them, how much to use, what combinations -- I could go on and on and on. Our illnesses can be very complex. Some people are fortunate -- they present with straightfoward depressive symptoms, a doctor throws them an AD, it works, life is great. But you only have to look at this board to realize that there are some hard cases. I am not a straight-forward depressive. I am bipolar II (a label I hate, but have grown to accept) -- as you know from reading here, putting me solely on an AD is pretty useless, and in fact can add to my difficulties. Thankfully, there are some very good doctors out there that both have the meds on hand, but also have the knowledge and the talent to know how to use those meds (and some of them even have the personality -- I'm willing to bet that some on this board have really good doctors without the best of personalities).
akc
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 16, 2001, at 7:55:26
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Cecilia on November 16, 2001, at 3:30:26
"What's the difference?" ????????!!!!!!!! The difference can be life or death. A good, caring, competent doctor works with you, and genuinely cares about your condition..To a good doctor you are not simply another face on the other side of the desk to throw meds at. A good doctor, in my opinion, never says "just take it, I am the doctor". A good, competent doctor, to help with your depression is NOT something that should be taken lightly...Depression is an illness that, if not treated properly, can lead to, at the worst, not-so-good circumstances.
P.L.
> Good docs, bad docs, what`s the difference? Sure, some have nicer personalities than others, but when it comes to prescribing medications, it`s not like the good docs have a secret stash of meds that the bad docs haven`t heard of. I wish they did.
Posted by Lorraine on November 16, 2001, at 10:46:48
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)???? » Cecilia, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 16, 2001, at 7:55:26
I have a wonderful pdoc. They are worth shopping for. Developing a relationship of trust takes time, but is worth it. In my opinion a good pdoc cares more about you than legal liability.
Lorraine
> "What's the difference?" ????????!!!!!!!! The difference can be life or death. A good, caring, competent doctor works with you, and genuinely cares about your condition..To a good doctor you are not simply another face on the other side of the desk to throw meds at. A good doctor, in my opinion, never says "just take it, I am the doctor". A good, competent doctor, to help with your depression is NOT something that should be taken lightly...Depression is an illness that, if not treated properly, can lead to, at the worst, not-so-good circumstances.
>
> P.L.
>
> > Good docs, bad docs, what`s the difference? Sure, some have nicer personalities than others, but when it comes to prescribing medications, it`s not like the good docs have a secret stash of meds that the bad docs haven`t heard of. I wish they did.
Posted by jazzdog on November 16, 2001, at 10:54:42
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Mark H. on November 15, 2001, at 21:23:24
> My psychiatrist is brilliant, compassionate, funny, optimistic and confident. He absolutely guaranteed me that he would find a combination of medicines that would relieve my depression, if I would only be patient and compliant. Over the course of four years total (three with him -- the first year with a GP), I tried more than 25 different anti-depressants and adjunctive medications. My psychiatrist was on line to colleagues at Stanford and around the country, describing my refractive condition and asking for new things to try.
>
> When the breakthrough came, there was absolutely nothing subtle about it. On June 21, 1997, my new mix of meds took effect and it was as though a thick, suffocating dark curtain lifted, and suddenly I was able to experience pleasure and sadness, to feel my feelings, and to understand how ill I had been.
>
> It was from that point that therapy began to help as well, and slowly I've put my life back together, although with a great deal more respect for the stresses we all face.
>
> The quality of life I enjoy today is largely due to the cheerful, intelligent persistence of my wonderful psychiatrist and his unwillingness to give up on me.
>
> Yes, there are great doctors out there, living treasures among us. Don't give up!
>Hi Mark -
It's wonderful that you found a great doctor and the magic combination of meds. Stories like this really give me hope. Do you mind telling me what meds you're now on? Thanks.
- Jane
> Mark H.
Posted by Simcha on November 16, 2001, at 12:37:30
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by jazzdog on November 16, 2001, at 10:54:42
I've been very lucky on all fronts. I have had two excellent therapists in my life. During my time with the second I ended up having a major depressive episode that was undeniably not going to go away without intensive treatment. She kept suggesting medication and that I go to my doctor to discuss it since she could not prescribe.
My gp at the time had suggested anti-depressants before this episode based only on my history. (Childhood Sexual Abuse, Sexual Obsessive/Compulsive, Depression, Anxiety, etc.) Of course I did not want anything to do with meds when he first suggested them. I did finally break down when I believed that the only choice was to medicate or to give up and stop living.
He had had some experience prescribing antidepressants. He gave me Effexor which is a typical first-line antidepressant for those with major depressive disorder. This helped once it kicked in after about a month.
He did suggest that I might want to find a pdoc because he did not have wide experience with prescribing for mental illness and he felt that I should have an expert in my arsenal. I loved my gp. He was an excellent doc. If I still lived in Chicago I'd still be going to him.
Now that I live in Iowa, I've had to shop for a pdoc and a gp. I have found an excellent pdoc through asking at various treatment centers and asking a nurse I know here in town about pdocs. They all have reputations and this one had one of the best and he did not make me wait to see him.
He changed the meds I was on. It was rough. Wellbutrin alone is like crack for me. He added the Celexa finding that I have more than depression, I have OCD and he said that I will always need an SSRI because of it. Well, he has tweaked the levels of these two meds, and I'm stable. He has given me control of the amount of Celexa I want to be on based on how I feel. He trusts me. I trust him.
I have decided to remain on the higher dose of Celexa because I descend into massive compulsion and irritability if I am under 40mg of the stuff. The Wellbutrin is finally allowing me to have a sex life where on Effexor sex for me was impossible.
I am happy with my choices and I am happy with my psychiatrist. He does not have the most sparkling personality. (I go to a hypnotherapist for "talk" therapy.) Yet he has always listened to me and he has been able to get the best combination possible for me today fairly quickly.
I hope this provides hope. There are great people out there in the medical/psychiatric communities who can and do help people like us. For me they are life savers!
Posted by Shar on November 16, 2001, at 16:12:08
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Simcha on November 16, 2001, at 12:37:30
I went through 4 pdocs before finding my current one. He is knowledgeable, is up for working with me on what meds to take, has a cautious approach which I like very much, and has a good relationship with my therapist.
One point I'd like to make---a couple of the pdocs I saw previously were ones that several other people considered quite good. As with everything, your mileage may vary.
Shar
Posted by Cecilia on November 17, 2001, at 4:13:14
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doc--yep, posted by Shar on November 16, 2001, at 16:12:08
It`s great that so many people have good docs, but I still don`t get what it is these docs DO. I`ve tried probably 30 meds and combinations and none has helped my lifelong depression, though the meds I`m on now (trazodone, celexa and clonazepam) maybe help a little with anxiety. Nearly all of these trials were based on my saying to the docs"this is what I want to try this time"-they haven`t come up with any brilliant ideas I haven`t read about. Of course if you`re willing to put up with the side effects there`s always one more combo you can try, but any of us could figure that out as well as the docs.
Posted by akc on November 17, 2001, at 8:40:34
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doc, posted by Cecilia on November 17, 2001, at 4:13:14
Cecilia,
I feel very, very sad for you because you have not had the advantage of having a "good" doc -- someone who has been able to help you through the difficulty of these many trials to find the right combination. It took two years for my doctor to find the right combination. However, I believed in her insight and ability to find that combination. Sometimes I would start to think I would never get better. But, the trust was so important in the process. I think trust is as important ingredient in finding the right meds as is the meds themselves. If your belief is that well, it really doesn't matter what this doc does because it isn't going to work -- well, that may be self-defeating. The power of the mind is great -- and having a belief that your doctor is going to be able to solve the mystery, no matter how complex -- that is so important.
I hope that you will gain something from this thread - a hope and a desire to find a doctor you can believe in. A belief that a doctor is more than an automaton -- who's insight and ability to think outside the box can lead to solutions that are unique and right for YOU. Pyschiatry is unfortunately not an exact science -- oh that it were. In fact, the science of the brain remains in many ways the most inexact of them all -- and that mystery is you -- when you say you are depressed and anxious and having a hard time -- and this has been going on and on and on, this is not about just "throwing" another med at you. You deserve the best. You really do.
akc
Posted by Karen Curtis on November 17, 2001, at 13:59:38
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
We do- I am very satisfied with my sons psychiatrist. He can also always be reached by pager for emergencies, treats me like part of the team, and does not charge for phone calls (which I think is awful). He is also up to date on medications and is a good diagnostician. And ofcourse, he is kind of eccentric but very very down to earth, a regular guy. I find that the good psychiatrists are down to earth- they have nothing to prove, they are secure in their abilities. Karen Curtis
> Hmmmm....I have read through most every thread on this fabulous site. Does anyone else out here have a good Primary Care Physician or Psychiatrist? I have read so much in statements that lead me to believe alot of people are very dissapointed or unsatisfied with their Doctor(s). Are there any other people satisfied with their care, Physician wise speaking?
>
> I just like to hear good things about good Doctors. Does anyone have a good one out there? Thanks.
>
> P.L.
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 17, 2001, at 14:54:02
In reply to Re: Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Karen Curtis on November 17, 2001, at 13:59:38
May I say, that it is SO NICE to read that sooo many of you 'do' in fact, have excellent care-givers!
For those of you who don't, I agree, wholeheartedly with akc...it's not an exact science, but please, hang on and ride it out. If your doctor(s) are not satisfing you then get a new one....I know it can be frustrating, but don't stop until you get a good one....Your mental health is certainly worth it!
P.L.
> We do- I am very satisfied with my sons psychiatrist. He can also always be reached by pager for emergencies, treats me like part of the team, and does not charge for phone calls (which I think is awful). He is also up to date on medications and is a good diagnostician. And ofcourse, he is kind of eccentric but very very down to earth, a regular guy. I find that the good psychiatrists are down to earth- they have nothing to prove, they are secure in their abilities. Karen Curtis
>
>
> > Hmmmm....I have read through most every thread on this fabulous site. Does anyone else out here have a good Primary Care Physician or Psychiatrist? I have read so much in statements that lead me to believe alot of people are very dissapointed or unsatisfied with their Doctor(s). Are there any other people satisfied with their care, Physician wise speaking?
> >
> > I just like to hear good things about good Doctors. Does anyone have a good one out there? Thanks.
> >
> > P.L.
Posted by Cecilia on November 19, 2001, at 3:55:49
In reply to Re: You deserve the best » Cecilia, posted by akc on November 17, 2001, at 8:40:34
> Cecilia,
>
> I feel very, very sad for you because you have not had the advantage of having a "good" doc -- someone who has been able to help you through the difficulty of these many trials to find the right combination. It took two years for my doctor to find the right combination. However, I believed in her insight and ability to find that combination. Sometimes I would start to think I would never get better. But, the trust was so important in the process. I think trust is as important ingredient in finding the right meds as is the meds themselves. If your belief is that well, it really doesn't matter what this doc does because it isn't going to work -- well, that may be self-defeating. The power of the mind is great -- and having a belief that your doctor is going to be able to solve the mystery, no matter how complex -- that is so important.
>
> I hope that you will gain something from this thread - a hope and a desire to find a doctor you can believe in. A belief that a doctor is more than an automaton -- who's insight and ability to think outside the box can lead to solutions that are unique and right for YOU. Pyschiatry is unfortunately not an exact science -- oh that it were. In fact, the science of the brain remains in many ways the most inexact of them all -- and that mystery is you -- when you say you are depressed and anxious and having a hard time -- and this has been going on and on and on, this is not about just "throwing" another med at you. You deserve the best. You really do.
>
> akcWell, I wasted forty thousand dolllars on talk therapy that failed because of my inability to trust, but I still don`t get why trust or lack thereof should affect how meds work-if they only work because of our belief in them or in our doctors they`re just placebos. In any case, I have no clue how to develop the ability to trust a doctor, so if trust is a prerequisite it`s clearly hopeless. It isn`t a question of finding the "right" doctor-I`m terrified of all doctors.
Posted by KB on November 19, 2001, at 10:35:23
In reply to Anyone have a 'good, trusted' Doctor(s)????, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 14, 2001, at 13:57:12
I haven't had much luck with primary care docs, but I have a wonderful psychiatrist - he has a great sense of humor, intelligence, kind, compassionate and well-informed - what more could I ask for?
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