![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 6 to 30 of 30. Go back in thread:
Posted by Dysfunk on February 23, 2003, at 12:32:12
In reply to Re: Why didn't anyone tell me???????, posted by MaryZee on February 21, 2003, at 0:42:12
I think the other posts have stated a lot of advice I would give.I want to add a few comments.(First let me say that I am very tired today and I am not feeling too articulate, bear with me. I just increased my Lexapro and had a second night of vidid dreams and a restless sleep). That said.....
I feel US medical treatment is horrendous. I am lucky if I can get all my questions in during a regular doctor's visit cause he is only allowed 7 minutes with me due to my health plan. I don't think general doctors or internists are as knowledgeable about psychotropic drugs and their interactions and side effects as they should be. I don't think doctors can even agree on a treatment.When my doctor went on maternity leave the covering doctor had a conflicting treatment to the one I had been following for years, and when my doctor returned,she changed it back.
We are dealing with arrogant personalities, some of which don't want to admit they are wrong -at least that has been my experience in NYC. I feel our best defense is to take matters into our own hands and if we feel something isn't right,question it! We can do our own research...we have the internet now and I find it enormously helpful.
Good Luck Mary Zee, and don't give up til you feel satisf(PS, I don't think you should rid yourself of all drugs. Concentrate on the symptoms that are worse for you).-dysf
Posted by MaryZee on February 23, 2003, at 13:05:41
In reply to Re: Why didn't anyone tell me??????? » MaryZee, posted by Dysfunk on February 23, 2003, at 12:32:12
Thank you dysfunk. Agree with you about doctors.
Have really lost my faith in them. And I really like my doctor! But that doesn't necessarily mean he is right! I am going to go to another one and start over. Getting off the med's I did has been hard. I still don't feel good. The thing I am experiencing most is that I no longer have that "I don't care", "Nothing bothers me" feeling. My emotions are back - but not sure that is a bad thing! I'm just trying to keep them in check - some things are upsetting - I have to focus on what I'm feeling and why. And try to not overreact. Not sure this makes any sense. Had a very stressful past week (family problems) and did break down and take one valium three days in a row. Was disappointed in myself. And you know what happened? The vertigo that was starting to get better got worse the second day I took a valium!! What does that tell me?? I think the valium had been causing the vertigo for years! Or, does the stress cause the vertigo?
Either way, I'm not taking the antivert - sure there must be a side effect to that too!! Am still off all of the other med's I mentioned in my original post! I am happy about that. Again, thank you for your time. I hope that you are feeling better soon. Glad you can take the Lex.
I could not function on it. Let us know if it keeps working for you! Oh! One more thing. Don't you just love it when one doctor has you on a med's program and then when that doctor is not available another one comes in and switches it??
Then your primary doctor comes back and switches it back! I have had that experience also. Did you get any answers when you questioned this? I sure didn't!! Again, don't think any of them really know what they are doing!!!!
Posted by Gracie2 on February 23, 2003, at 14:28:08
In reply to Re: Why didn't anyone tell me???????, posted by Gracie2 on February 20, 2003, at 0:11:54
The effects of psychiatric medications need to be monitered by a psychiatrist at intervals determined by your psychiatrist. These are powerful drugs and fooling around with them can have devastating consequences; confusion, memory loss, insomnia, psychosis, severe depression, anxiety, agitation, paranoia. To keep switching psychiatric medications throws the chemicals and neurotransmitters in your brain into utter turmoil. Accept psych meds from a psychiatrist only, follow his instructions and don't skip appointments. Very important!
-Gracie
Posted by MaryZee on February 23, 2003, at 22:41:14
In reply to Take psych meds from a pyschiatrist ONLY, posted by Gracie2 on February 23, 2003, at 14:28:08
Thank you Gracie. Would you mind answering a few questions for me? Is valium a psych drug? How do you find a good psychiatrist? When my siser died of breast cancer 3 l/2 years ago (she, along with my other sister - my only siblings - was my best friend)I went into counseling. My living sister is in remission from stage III breast cancer - she had it when the other sister died - to say it was horrible is an understatement. The one who died was living with my husband and me -
sort of like hospice, after she had to give up her place and her job. Anyhow, when I started counseling I was on the Prozac. The counselor knew and put it in her report. A pyschiatrist, whose job was to go from clinic to clinic and check on the patients and their meds once every six months, saw me once for about ten minutes in the entire year and a half. He barely said anything, checked my file, and that was that!! He was totally useless!! I told my counselor that. She just "looked" at me - knew she thought so too. Wish I had such an easy job. I told him about the Prozac, all my symptoms, etc. Nothing. Just said "fine" and that was that!! I don't know how to get a good pyschiatrist. Would going back for counseling, and not taking any meds, be o.k.? I know I must sound like a basketcase - maybe I am. But inspite of how I sound, I am intelligent, try hard and do want to feel better! I know there is more stress and heartache ahead of me. It's a given. I want to be able to handle it better than I did when my first sister died. My mother died when I was six and my father turned into an alcoholic after that.Think that's when all the stress started and it didn't catch up to me until I was in my twenties and started getting those panic attacks.
Thank God I have a great husband - though he doesn't really understand all the time. He is worried that I stopped all the med's. I didn't have children - probably a good thing. Wouldn't want to pass this stuff on to another person.
Insurance will not pay for the counseling - we made sacrifices so I could go when I did. Correction - it paid part of it. Don't know if is would pay for a pyschciatrist. I plan on starting with a new Internist and a good physical, does that sound right? Seeing my current Internist tomorrow morning and am going to let him know that I stopped all the med's he had me on. That should be interesting. I don't think I should get a name of a psychiatrist from him, do you? Well, I'm in my fifties and still don't have anything figured out. Have felt sick for thirty years - can stand it a little longer!
Thank you so much for reading my posts. It really helps and I am trying to take your advise. I hope you are feeling well! You sound like such a kind, "together" person! One who really cares about others. God Bless. to
Posted by Gracie2 on February 24, 2003, at 14:22:08
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a pyschiatrist ONLY, posted by MaryZee on February 23, 2003, at 22:41:14
MaryZee-
I know exactly what you're going through because I went through it myself, only I was much worse!
I was hospitalized 3 times in 3 years - the first time, the police showed up at my door and escorted me to the hospital after I called 911 to ask for the number to a suicide hotline. Spent a couple of weeks in the psych ward and was started on psychiatric medication.Well, it didn't work. I was under a lot of stress-
working at a job that I hated and where everyone knew I had been hospitalized for mental problems, so I felt like a freak. Even worse, my marriage was going to hell. Worst of all, I was helping my cousins take care of my aunt, who was dying at home with colon cancer. I loved this aunt dearly, she had been more of a mother to me than my own mother, and watching her deteriorate was just torture. I would shut myself in her bathroom and cry into a washcloth so she couldn't hear me. Then I would manage to pull myself together enough to go back and take care of her. After dementia set in, she couldn't be left alone for any length of time.So I understand what you went through with your sister. I know it's terribly painful. I don't know why we're required to go through these events, what purpose there is to suffering, but we have to get through it the best we can.
For a long time I didn't handle it too well. After my aunt died, I cleaned up her bedroom, and I took home some valium and painkillers that were in her bathroom. I told myself that it would help me get through her funeral, and knock out some of my own pain for awhile. I was also taking pretty heavy doses of psychiatric medications, and eventually the inevitable happened. I collapsed at home with drug-induced seizures, woke up looking at a paramedic. Back to the hospital, where I stayed for a few days while they ran tests. Surprisingly, they just let me go home with a prescription for Dilantin to prevent seizures. That was it. I had scared myself pretty good, though, so I threw away all the drugs I was taking.I figured the drugs were my biggest problem, so I would be alright once I was drug-free.
As it turned out, the drugs were not my biggest problem, the drugging and the drinking were symptoms. Oh yeah, I was drinking too, forgot to mention that. My biggest problem was the brain disorder that was causing these symptoms, so even without drugs I continued to crack up. I couldn't sleep, the insomnia was unremitting. Without sleep, my mental condition steadily deteriorated.
I began having panic attacks, would cry uncontrollably, started to isolate myself from the world. I had to quit working because I couldn't function. I wouldn't answer the door or pick up the phone. I became psychotic, and would do bizarre and dangerous things. Finally, a year ago, I hit bottom. After staying up and drinking all night, I decided to kill myself. I had some Seroquel and some Xanax, and I took all those along with every other pill I could find in the house. Apparently I took over 50 pills.My husband found me in time and rushed me to the hospital. They pumped my stomach, and I woke up a couple of days later in ICU. I was bitterly disappointed to find myself still alive. Spent another week in the psychiatric ward, then home again.
The reason I'm telling you all this is to show you how far I've come since that dark and dreadful time, to let you know what the right medication can do for you. Once I was correctly diagnosed with manic depression, my bipolar symptoms slooooowly began to improve with Seroquel, an anti-psychotic. I began to sleep at night. My anxiety level went down and the panic attacks stopped. I was still somewhat depressed, but Paxil helped to clean that up. I no longer spend my days holed up in my bedroom, I'm back to doing stuff that I used to enjoy but had lost interest in - specifically, writing and painting. I no longer think about killing or hurting myself. Sometimes I even laugh.
Not that there's a lot to laugh about these days.
I'm facing an impending separation from my husband
of 20 years. Even though he can see that I'm improving, I guess that all the trauma and bullshit I put him through was just too much for him, and he's pretty much lost interest in me. I believe there's another woman, although he denies it. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid.Anyway, I'm seeing a really good therapist, and she will help me get through this. I feel so good after I talk to her, she bolsters my self-confidence and gives me advice - and knowledge is power. That's why I so strongly recommend a therapist, because a psychiatrist will not do this for you. A psychiatrist is pretty much concerned with monitering the effects of the medication that he prescribes for you, he doesn't really want to hear about your husband or your kids or your cat. A therapist does.
Okay, back to you! I'm happy to hear that you've scheduled an appointment with your internist. A lot of your symptoms could be either physical or mental in origin, so you have to rule out the physical stuff first. For instance, starting in my 30s, I began to have constant headaches. At first I thought that it must just be stress, that they were tension headaches. Finally, the headaches got so bad, I was afraid that I had a brain tumor or something. I finally went to the doctor, and the first thing he discovered was that I had high blood pressure. Of course, this is still a serious condition, but it's better than a brain tumor if you ask me. After my blood pressure was stabalized with medication, the headaches went away.
After you get a complete physical, then you need to find a good psychiatrist. It would be best if you could find one that accepts your medical insurance plan. You can pay for it yourself but it's expensive, around $50 to $80 for a 15-minute visit. So find the book from your insurance company that lists the medical providers in your city who will accept that insurance.
Ask your internist if he can recommend a good psychiatrist. If not, and if you don't know anyone else who's seeing a psychiatrist that they would heartily recommend (I bet it's more common than we think), you might have to just start with any psychiatrist who accepts your insurance plan, who is fairly close to where you live, and who can get you in for an appointment fairly soon. I had to do this myself recently after my old psychiatrist bugged out on me, and it did take some calling around before I found a doctor who was accepting new patients right away. So don't get discouraged, just keep going down the list in your insurance provider manual until you find somebody.
After that, you just have to visit him (substitute "her" if appropriate) for awhile to see what you think of him, there's no other way. If he seems competent and compassionate, I would stick with him. If he doesn't, move on to the next doctor. Going through this process is a pain, but once you find the right doctor for you,
it's all worth it.My God, I'm writing a book here. About the valium-
I believe all benzodiazepenes are considered psychiatric medications, but valium is only a "quick-fix" that can be dangerous for long-term use because of its addictive qualities. In the hands of a person like myself who has difficulty with moderation control, it's probably not a good idea at all. But if you can use it responsibly yourself - taking only what you need, only when you really need it - then you might want to keep an emergency supply until you start feeling better.Have courage!
-Gracie
Posted by ace on February 24, 2003, at 23:37:21
In reply to Take psych meds from a pyschiatrist ONLY, posted by Gracie2 on February 23, 2003, at 14:28:08
>
> The effects of psychiatric medications need to be monitered by a psychiatrist at intervals determined by your psychiatrist. These are powerful drugs and fooling around with them can have devastating consequences; confusion, memory loss, insomnia, psychosis, severe depression, anxiety, agitation, paranoia. To keep switching psychiatric medications throws the chemicals and neurotransmitters in your brain into utter turmoil. Accept psych meds from a psychiatrist only, follow his instructions and don't skip appointments. Very important!
> -GracieJust remember, family doctors also deal with these drugs -- they also know vast amounts of knowledge about them and also have psychiatric patients. I think using a family doctor for psychiatric treatment is a very viable option.
I have seen family doctors who are actually better at dispensing psych meds and in some areas know more on psych diagnosis and symptoms than psychiatrists. A lot of people with psychiatric probs DO NOT need to see a pdoc, they can explain their symptoms and be medicated from a normal doc. In fact, a lot of people have been mistreated and misdiagnosed hundreds of times by pdocs and have finally gotten some treatments from a caring family doc.Ace.
Posted by Gracie2 on February 25, 2003, at 2:06:56
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » Gracie2, posted by ace on February 24, 2003, at 23:37:21
Posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 11:56:39
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » Gracie2, posted by ace on February 24, 2003, at 23:37:21
There's so much variation among doctors -- both GPs and psychiatrists -- that it's hard to predict who will provide the best treatment. I do think, though, that the chances are greater that a psychiatrist will try schedule II drugs, combinations, unorthodox treatments, etc. (at least based on my limited experience).
If you're lucky enough to respond to "standard" treatments like SSRI monotherapy etc., it probably doesn't matter much which kind of doctor you see, and then it's just a matter of finding someone sensible and compassionate, and probably some trial and error. But if you require something a little more risky (or perceived as such) -- say, long-term benzo or stimulant therapy, a somewhat complex combo, and so on -- then the chances are that a psychiatrist will be more willing to try it. After all, they are specialists, whereas GPs by definition have more general training and have to deal with a huge range of conditions, so few have time to learn the ins and outs of psychiatric meds in particular.
That doesn't mean that all psychiatrists are good (I've seen some who were terrible), but I'd put my money/time on them, even if you have to see several before you find one you connect with.
Posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 1:55:47
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only, posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 11:56:39
Good points, V. I agree that in the more simple cases, family docs might be ok. But, if one is treatment resistant or needs something more complex, a pdoc is a better bet. There are so many psychotropic meds, and so many meds used for things they weren't originally designed for, I don't see how a GP would be able to keep up with all of that PLUS everything else he or she sees in their practice.
Shar
> There's so much variation among doctors -- both GPs and psychiatrists -- that it's hard to predict who will provide the best treatment. I do think, though, that the chances are greater that a psychiatrist will try schedule II drugs, combinations, unorthodox treatments, etc. (at least based on my limited experience).
>
> If you're lucky enough to respond to "standard" treatments like SSRI monotherapy etc., it probably doesn't matter much which kind of doctor you see, and then it's just a matter of finding someone sensible and compassionate, and probably some trial and error. But if you require something a little more risky (or perceived as such) -- say, long-term benzo or stimulant therapy, a somewhat complex combo, and so on -- then the chances are that a psychiatrist will be more willing to try it. After all, they are specialists, whereas GPs by definition have more general training and have to deal with a huge range of conditions, so few have time to learn the ins and outs of psychiatric meds in particular.
>
> That doesn't mean that all psychiatrists are good (I've seen some who were terrible), but I'd put my money/time on them, even if you have to see several before you find one you connect with.
Posted by stjames on February 26, 2003, at 10:52:24
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only, posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 1:55:47
> Good points, V. I agree that in the more simple cases, family docs might be ok. But, if one is treatment resistant or needs something more complex, a pdoc is a better bet. There are so many psychotropic meds, and so many meds used for things they weren't originally designed for, I don't see how a GP would be able to keep up with all of that PLUS everything else he or she sees in their practice.
I have to disagree. Unless the problem is short term, GP receive no training in mental illness
so they are not the ones to give long term treatment.
Posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 19:28:51
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only, posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 11:56:39
> There's so much variation among doctors -- both GPs and psychiatrists -- that it's hard to predict who will provide the best treatment. I do think, though, that the chances are greater that a psychiatrist will try schedule II drugs, combinations, unorthodox treatments, etc. (at least based on my limited experience).
>
> If you're lucky enough to respond to "standard" treatments like SSRI monotherapy etc., it probably doesn't matter much which kind of doctor you see, and then it's just a matter of finding someone sensible and compassionate, and probably some trial and error. But if you require something a little more risky (or perceived as such) -- say, long-term benzo or stimulant therapy, a somewhat complex combo, and so on -- then the chances are that a psychiatrist will be more willing to try it.I'm not sure about this...My GP was ht ONLY doc willing to try Nardil...the last shrink i ever saw, and ever will, said "I'm certainly not going to prescribe one of those (MAOIs) for you).
Furthermore, my GP lets me have an ACTIVE process in the drugs I take (after I do lots of research and it is going into MY body) -- most psychiatrists like to be in total control and aren't always amenable to patient suggestion. It's funny, the only drug that really has helped me - Nardil - was the one I researched and asked for. Most of the pdoc's drugs have done not much or actually made me worse. WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE THE FINAL DECISION OF WHAT WILL GO INTO OUR BODIES, unless we are incarcerated. It's that simple. And GPs DO have extensive knowledge of psychiatry - especially the older ones.Ace.
Posted by shar on February 26, 2003, at 21:03:52
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only, posted by stjames on February 26, 2003, at 10:52:24
hmmm, that's sort of what I was saying, here, james. That for anything other than simple cases (equivalent to "short term" or especially a reaction to an external event, like depressed feelings following the death of a loved one) a pdoc is a better bet.
Shar
> I have to disagree. Unless the problem is short term, GP receive no training in mental illness
> so they are not the ones to give long term treatment.
> > Good points, V. I agree that in the more simple cases, family docs might be ok. But, if one is treatment resistant or needs something more complex, a pdoc is a better bet. There are so many psychotropic meds, and so many meds used for things they weren't originally designed for, I don't see how a GP would be able to keep up with all of that PLUS everything else he or she sees in their practice. Shar
>
Posted by viridis on February 26, 2003, at 21:12:52
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » viridis, posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 19:28:51
You're very fortunate to have an open-minded GP. I'm sure there are others out there, and I realize that there are plenty of bad psychiatrists (I've seen some!). I'm just speaking in terms of probabilities, and my guess is that for a complex psychiatric problem, the chances of finding a psychiatrist competent to treat it are greater than the chances of finding a GP who's equipped to do so.
A GP is, by definition, a general practitioner, who has to see patients with all sorts of complaints. Unless a GP has a special interest in psychiatry, I can't see how they could possibly keep up with all the developments in this field, and cardiology, and urology, and oncology, and dermatology, and podiatry...and so on.
If I had a simple rash, I'd probably trust a GP to treat it; if I had melanoma I'd want to see a cancer specialist. If my blood pressure was just a bit high, a GP would probably be OK; if I had a serious heart condition, I'd want to see a cardiologist. There's no guarantee that any given specialist would be ideal, but that's where I'd focus my efforts, and move to others if necessary. I view psychiatry the same way -- it took me a while, but now I've found a very good, understanding psychiatrist who listens to what I say, has excellent intuition, and considers my ideas regarding treatment.
I might get lucky and find a GP who's willing to prescribe two benzos, a mood stabilizer, and an amphetamine (my current regimen, and very effective) long-term, but somehow I suspect the chances of a given GP doing so are low. Not impossible, but unless I got very lucky, I expect I'd still be in bad shape and going from GP to GP.
Like almost everything else, there are no absolutes here; every doctor is a gamble, and I think you just have to do your best to maximize the chances of finding appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. In my opinion, the chances are best with a psychiatrist.
Posted by Gracie2 on February 26, 2003, at 21:22:12
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » ace, posted by viridis on February 26, 2003, at 21:12:52
Posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 22:41:35
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » ace, posted by viridis on February 26, 2003, at 21:12:52
> You're very fortunate to have an open-minded GP. I'm sure there are others out there, and I realize that there are plenty of bad psychiatrists (I've seen some!). I'm just speaking in terms of probabilities, and my guess is that for a complex psychiatric problem, the chances of finding a psychiatrist competent to treat it are greater than the chances of finding a GP who's equipped to do so.
>
> A GP is, by definition, a general practitioner, who has to see patients with all sorts of complaints. Unless a GP has a special interest in psychiatry, I can't see how they could possibly keep up with all the developments in this field, and cardiology, and urology, and oncology, and dermatology, and podiatry...and so on.
>
> If I had a simple rash, I'd probably trust a GP to treat it; if I had melanoma I'd want to see a cancer specialist. If my blood pressure was just a bit high, a GP would probably be OK; if I had a serious heart condition, I'd want to see a cardiologist. There's no guarantee that any given specialist would be ideal, but that's where I'd focus my efforts, and move to others if necessary. I view psychiatry the same way -- it took me a while, but now I've found a very good, understanding psychiatrist who listens to what I say, has excellent intuition, and considers my ideas regarding treatment.
>
> I might get lucky and find a GP who's willing to prescribe two benzos, a mood stabilizer, and an amphetamine (my current regimen, and very effective) long-term, but somehow I suspect the chances of a given GP doing so are low. Not impossible, but unless I got very lucky, I expect I'd still be in bad shape and going from GP to GP.
>
> Like almost everything else, there are no absolutes here; every doctor is a gamble, and I think you just have to do your best to maximize the chances of finding appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. In my opinion, the chances are best with a psychiatrist.This is so interesting, because the complete opposite is true for me! Soon I will (probably) be on Nardil + Zyprexa + Klonopin under my GP. Now, keep in mind that I have studied psychopharmacology at uni. That is probably why he trusts me.
Unless you thoroughly research the drugs and know a little on organic chemistry you probably are better off at a shrink. But otherwise, go to the GP i say!
BTW, it's great you found a good psychiatrist. This eluded me. I have been hurt, misdiagnosed, misdrugged, disrespected by all but 1 psychiatrist. I have seen 10. The last one called me 'wierd' and refused to even contemplate a MAOI. Another one, after a 15 minute consultation, said I was an "unusual young man" I gave him a plethora of note to read about my illness. He read 2 pages and then, on the basis of his 15 min consultation and reading 2 pages, said I probably have a personality d/o. He didn't like me simply because I stood up for myself -- I told I didn't like SSRIs and let him know I was thoroughly educated. This must have annoyed him - goodness knows why. But both me & my GP were very angry and unhappy with the 'unusual young man' comment he made in his referral letter.
Psychiatrists--- NEVER again for me.
Ace.
Posted by IsoM on February 27, 2003, at 0:12:33
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » viridis, posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 22:41:35
Posted by viridis on February 27, 2003, at 3:39:26
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » viridis, posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 22:41:35
Just a followup -- my psychiatrist is an interesting guy; he's done some very different things in his life, and actually practiced as a GP for years before going into psychiatry. He told me that he found being a GP somewhat unsatisfying (too general), and was fascinated by psychiatry, so he went back and trained as a psychiatrist when he was in his 50s. He's only been a practicing psychiatrist for a few years, but seems to genuinely love it, and enjoys discussing the details of brain function, how meds work etc. I'm a research biologist, so I get into this too and always investigate the meds in depth, so we have some pretty interesting discussions.
Anyway, I thought I'd mention this, in part because I guess my pdoc is kind of a "hybrid", with lots of experience as a GP but excellent skills as a psychiatrist. I just dread the day he retires (which he is starting to think about), but at least I believe that I can trust him to refer me to someone sensible if and when that happens.
Posted by Gracie2 on February 27, 2003, at 14:10:33
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » ace, posted by viridis on February 27, 2003, at 3:39:26
Complicated medical history, untreated manic depression for many years, major depressive episodes including a serious suicide attempt,
both drug and alcohol abuse contributing to sometimes dangerous and psychotic behavior and,
just to ice the cake, a paradoxical reaction to many medications. No way could I be treated by just a general practitioner.
-Gracie
Posted by michael on February 27, 2003, at 14:56:36
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » ace, posted by viridis on February 27, 2003, at 3:39:26
> Just a followup -- my psychiatrist is an interesting guy; he's done some very different things in his life, and actually practiced as a GP for years before going into psychiatry. He told me that he found being a GP somewhat unsatisfying (too general), and was fascinated by psychiatry, so he went back and trained as a psychiatrist when he was in his 50s. He's only been a practicing psychiatrist for a few years, but seems to genuinely love it, and enjoys discussing the details of brain function, how meds work etc. I'm a research biologist, so I get into this too and always investigate the meds in depth, so we have some pretty interesting discussions.
>
> Anyway, I thought I'd mention this, in part because I guess my pdoc is kind of a "hybrid", with lots of experience as a GP but excellent skills as a psychiatrist. I just dread the day he retires (which he is starting to think about), but at least I believe that I can trust him to refer me to someone sensible if and when that happens.Viridis,
Just wondering if you'd mind saying what city you're in? I know it's unlikely that you're near me, and even moreso that your pdoc would be in my hmo... but just in case, thought I'd ask.
Just wondering - no need to reply if you're uncomfortable w/the Q.
Thanks either way...
michael
Posted by ace on February 27, 2003, at 19:28:45
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only ?ace, posted by viridis on February 27, 2003, at 3:39:26
> Just a followup -- my psychiatrist is an interesting guy; he's done some very different things in his life, and actually practiced as a GP for years before going into psychiatry. He told me that he found being a GP somewhat unsatisfying (too general), and was fascinated by psychiatry, so he went back and trained as a psychiatrist when he was in his 50s. He's only been a practicing psychiatrist for a few years, but seems to genuinely love it, and enjoys discussing the details of brain function, how meds work etc. I'm a research biologist, so I get into this too and always investigate the meds in depth, so we have some pretty interesting discussions.
>
> Anyway, I thought I'd mention this, in part because I guess my pdoc is kind of a "hybrid", with lots of experience as a GP but excellent skills as a psychiatrist. I just dread the day he retires (which he is starting to think about), but at least I believe that I can trust him to refer me to someone sensible if and when that happens.The only pdocs that are think are potentially good are those who spent years as GPs. Otherwise, one has to question why they went into psych straight away. BTW, your pdoc does sound like one of the few 'normal' ones.
Ace.
Posted by MaryZee on February 27, 2003, at 23:12:21
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a pyschiatrist ONLY, posted by Gracie2 on February 24, 2003, at 14:22:08
Hi Gracie. I wanted you to know that I planned on answering your last post. You have been through sooo much. I will "talk" more, maybe tomorrow. Right now I am so unmotivated that I cannot even reply. Just know that I read your post and again want to tell you what a strong, caring person I think you are. I feel you really understand - and are such a good person to share and help others with all you have been through.
Thank you. Right now I'm very down and just getting through each day is a chore. I just don't feel like doing anything!! There is much to do in the house and I just sit and look at the dust, etc., and don't move. And then I call myself all kinds of names in my head for being so lazy! I think I'd better get back on the Prozac.
Will write more tomorrow - I will make myself do it! Thank you for your support - it means alot.
Posted by viridis on February 28, 2003, at 0:12:31
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » viridis, posted by michael on February 27, 2003, at 14:56:36
Hi Michael,
North Texas, HMO Blue Cross -- does this help?
Viridis
Posted by michael on February 28, 2003, at 2:50:38
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » michael, posted by viridis on February 28, 2003, at 0:12:31
> Hi Michael,
>
> North Texas, HMO Blue Cross -- does this help?
>
> ViridisViridis,
Not unless I move to Texas... which is pretty much what I expected - but it was worth a shot.
Nonetheless, thanks very much for the reply. Glad that at least this guy can help you.
Thanks again -
michael
Posted by Gracie2 on February 28, 2003, at 11:55:42
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a pyschiatrist ONLY » Gracie2, posted by MaryZee on February 27, 2003, at 23:12:21
Don't feel obligated to reply, I just wanted to let you know that if you have questions or problems, you can write me directly at gracie2114@aol.com. I'm just finally getting a clue myself, I'm finally starting to figure things out, and I can help you along, if you like.
Of course I'm not a doctor, but I've learned a lot from my experience. I'm still learning, I have a long way to go, but I'm on the path to recovery and I know it now. The "clue" I'm finally getting, what is finally starting to sink in, is that recovery is a spiritual experience.
But you can't do it alone, because you don't have enough information yet. Other people are out there who can help you, who can give you the information and support that you need to help yourself feel better. When you finally "give in", when you finally admit to yourself that you just can't handle this terrible unhappiness on your own, you can reach out to other people...and guess what? Those people will be there to help you, and you'll recieve information as you need it. There's no "quick fix" and there's no hiding.
Running away from your problems - whether physically or mentally (my personal favorite; trying to dull psychic pain with "recreational" drugs and alcohol) - never works, never. Of course, I've been hearing and reading about this kind of thing for most of my life, this spiritual journey, but I just didn't "get it". Now it's sinking in. Psychiatry and psychiatric drugs are tools we can use to improve our lives, to help ourselves heal.Right now, I'm further along on the path then you are. Although my medication issues are pretty much resolved for the time being - which means that these drugs are finally helping me - I'm now facing another painful issue. If I concentrate on my husband and his affair, it will kill me. It WILL kill me. If I allow myself to think about him and what he's doing, I'll be in pain until I die. So I'm learning to think about myself...what would help me to get over this. What I need to do now, for myself, to make me feel better, to feel safe. Not revenge. Revenge in any form is a "quick fix", trying to hurt someone else to make yourself feel better does not work. You have to concentrate on your own life, take care of yourself first, to quit doing things...anything...in an attempt to make another person act or react in a certain manner. It doesn't work, and that's not what life is about.
These are the lessons that I'm learning now. Instead of torturing myself by trying to figure out what my husband is up to, I'm trying to shift my focus back to myself. One way to do this is to reach out to others, to help them along, to try to give them the information they need. In doing so, I am distracted from my own pain. If I continue to think about myself and others in need, the actions of my husband will become less and less important to me. When his actions become unimportant to me, he cannot hurt me.That's where I am now. Write me if you need to, I am here.
-Gracie
Posted by jane d on February 28, 2003, at 11:59:14
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only » viridis, posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 22:41:35
Ace,
You mentioned studying at "uni". Does this mean you are in the UK? I think that the amounts of mental health training and experience received by GP's relative to psychiatrists may vary by country (and throughout time - ones experience 20 years ago probably has little to do with today). Certainly the economic constraints doctors operate under are different in countries like the UK and Canada and the US. This probably affects the attitudes of the doctors you see - it may well affect who chooses to go into psychiatry vs general medicine. Trends in diagnosing and prescribing are definately different - for example historically the US and England drew the line between schizophrenia and bipolar differently and I'm sure there are other examples of this today.
So, to add to this dispute. I think you generally want to see whoever has the most experience with your problem. For run of the mill depression that may well be a GP. For other things, or if you don't respond to the standard antidepressant it makes sense to use a psychiatrist. DISCLAIMER: This opinion was formed by my experience in the US in a major metropolitan area in the last 10 years and may have no relevance anywhere else.
Jane
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