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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on August 17, 2003, at 18:05:28
questions from someone who knows nothing (canadian) ...
do all doctors accept new patients? do they all accept foreigners paying cash?
are many clinics open on the weekend? my doc suggested i go into a walkin clinic and get a script there but i wonder how comfortable GPs in the states are with perscribing p-meds?
so would i have to make an appointment with a pdoc weeks ahead or will they accomodate someone who is willing to pay cash?
also i'm a cheap bastard, anyway of guessing which docs would be more or less likely to have samples to give out?
much thanks for any info you guys can provide
anyone want to meet up in buffalo?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 17, 2003, at 19:53:44
In reply to doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 17, 2003, at 18:05:28
> do all doctors accept new patients? do they all accept foreigners paying cash?
Not all doctors accept new patients. If they *are*, I'm pretty sure there would be no problem for a Canadian to see a U.S. doctor (though I may be wrong on this).
> are many clinics open on the weekend? my doc suggested i go into a walkin clinic and get a script there but i wonder how comfortable GPs in the states are with perscribing p-meds?
A lot of clinics are open on the weekends, but most GPs aren't comfortable prescribing psychiatric medication.
> so would i have to make an appointment with a pdoc weeks ahead or will they accomodate someone who is willing to pay cash?
I've found that it doesn't matter -- whether you have insurance or are paying cash generally has no influence on how soon you'll get your appointment.
> also i'm a cheap bastard, anyway of guessing which docs would be more or less likely to have samples to give out?
Most psychiatrists have samples, though in my experience, they tend to reserve them mostly for people without insurance who are paying out-of-pocket and are low-income.
Posted by judy1 on August 18, 2003, at 1:52:40
In reply to doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 17, 2003, at 18:05:28
I think if you call a pdoc and it is an emergency type situation they will see you quickly (I've been seen as soon as 24 hours as a new patient). I agree with ame sans vie that gps aren't as comfortable as pdocs with psych meds (although it depends which ones- they seem to hand out ADs pretty easily). A lot of pdocs like cash patients (prevents all that paperwork) and actually I've walked out with bags full of samples on numerous occasions. I just go to private practitioners so I'm not much help with clinics, sorry. best of luck- judy
Posted by Sebastian on August 18, 2003, at 11:57:43
In reply to doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 17, 2003, at 18:05:28
I think you should look up a doctor in Buffalo, call his/her office, talk to the receptionist and or the actual pyschiatrist if you can, see what you can accomplish if you come in person. Try to work it out on the phone before you go. Then if that pdoc does not work out call around till you find a good one. When you find one willing to work with you make an appointment.
Posted by Susan J on August 18, 2003, at 15:02:08
In reply to doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 17, 2003, at 18:05:28
I agree with Sebastian. I'd do most of the work through the phone. My general practitioner doctor is just fine with prescribing psyc meds, so I guess it depends on the doctor. A GP will also be cheaper than a psychiatrist.
What part of Canada are you from? I'm headed for Montreal for 2 weeks....can't wait. Would also like to learn more about Canadian health care system....like why are you coming to the US for meds? (I work in health care law).
Good luck with everything!
Posted by stjames on August 18, 2003, at 19:25:20
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Susan J on August 18, 2003, at 15:02:08
GP office visits can run anywhere from $35-100 (US dollars) Walk-in clinics tend to be toward the higher end of the scale.
Posted by cybercafe on August 19, 2003, at 13:11:46
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Susan J on August 18, 2003, at 15:02:08
> I agree with Sebastian. I'd do most of the work through the phone. My general practitioner doctor is just fine with prescribing psyc meds, so I guess it depends on the doctor. A GP will also be cheaper than a psychiatrist.
yeah thanks guys, it's good advice :)
>
> What part of Canada are you from? I'm headed for Montreal for 2 weeks....can't wait. Would also like to learn more about Canadian health care system....like why are you coming to the US for meds? (I work in health care law).i'm from toronto.... thinking of different avenues of getting my hands on some aripiprazole (yes my doctor is okay with it)
i was hoping to move to the UK and get it free.. but.... i have no idea when it's going to be approved! ... so i may have to go down to buffalo and shell out $1000 ! Eek
Posted by Susan J on August 19, 2003, at 13:13:57
In reply to Re: doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 19, 2003, at 13:11:46
Any chance you can move to the US and get a job with good health insurance? Government jobs run the gamut, from janitor up to engineer, and provide great health insurance.....
Posted by Sebastian on August 19, 2003, at 18:14:43
In reply to Re: doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 19, 2003, at 13:11:46
Why $1000???
Can't your doctor just give you a prescription, or a referal, send for mail order pharmacy?
Posted by cybercafe on August 20, 2003, at 14:54:58
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on August 19, 2003, at 18:14:43
> Why $1000???
>
> Can't your doctor just give you a prescription, or a referal, send for mail order pharmacy?hmmm.. he said the states is no longer accepting canadian perscriptions, i'm assuming he's telling the truth ?
Posted by cybercafe on August 20, 2003, at 14:56:29
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Susan J on August 19, 2003, at 13:13:57
> Any chance you can move to the US and get a job with good health insurance? Government jobs run the gamut, from janitor up to engineer, and provide great health insurance.....
nope i am not functional to work due to ADD and zyprexa sedation... i AM planning to move to the UK cuz i have citizenship there BUT they don't have abilify yet (AARRRG)
Posted by cybercafe on August 20, 2003, at 14:57:53
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Susan J on August 19, 2003, at 13:13:57
actually i was able to talk to an intelligent dude in a centre in buffalo and he was telling me that there is no such thing as adult ADD and there is no such thing as having both bipolar and ADD .... so it looks like the search for the right meds could be tough .....
i wonder if Dr. Bob is accepting new patients? :)
Posted by Sebastian on August 20, 2003, at 19:24:23
In reply to Re: doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 20, 2003, at 14:54:58
$1000 gets you across the boarder into a shrink and over to the pharmacy?
$400 for Abilify
$100 for doctor
$500 in travel expenses? Taxi or what?!Maybe a bus? or freind? Do you have a car?
Zyprexa stops you from working? Sedation? Why not an upper to go with?ADD, is there nothing that you can find work in?
Is this what the email is for?
Posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 20, 2003, at 19:40:53
In reply to Re: doctors in the US, posted by cybercafe on August 20, 2003, at 14:57:53
> actually i was able to talk to an intelligent dude in a centre in buffalo and he was telling me that there is no such thing as adult ADD and there is no such thing as having both bipolar and ADD
Sounds like this intelligent dude is more than a bit on the misinformed side. ADD among adults is very common -- just today, in fact, my psychiatrist told me that there are an estimated 8 million ADD adults in the States, though only about 15% of them ever receive treatment. And no such thing as ADD+bipolar? Come on now...
I have to agree with Sebastion -- what about a psychostimulant? I believe the only ones available in Canada are Dexedrine, Cylert, Alertec, various forms of methylphenidate, and Edronax, though surely one could help you.
Posted by Sebastian on August 20, 2003, at 21:39:38
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 20, 2003, at 19:40:53
I agree, my brother was diagnosed as ADD in the states and my ant is bi-polar.
Posted by cybercafe on August 24, 2003, at 21:12:03
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Sebastian on August 20, 2003, at 19:24:23
> $1000 gets you across the boarder into a shrink and over to the pharmacy?
>
> $400 for Abilify
> $100 for doctor
> $500 in travel expenses? Taxi or what?!yeah travel expenses and maybe hotel? ... plus i figured exchange rate would KILL me
> Maybe a bus? or freind? Do you have a car?yeah migtht have access to a car
> Zyprexa stops you from working? Sedation? Why not an upper to go with?ummm i still feel like seating down and doing nothing + emotional blunting ..... worst of all... i can't get out of bed.. with less than 12 hours of sleep... like the thought doesnt' enter my mind. it just seems so natural .. so natural... to not go anywhere... before i go to bed i even keep a ritalin bottle right within arms reach so i can down it and wake up! but ... getting up just seems wrong... laying in bed seems so right....
> ADD, is there nothing that you can find work in?it would be much easier to hold down a job when i'm not sleeping 12 hours a day... so i'm hoping to fix that problem ASAP
> Is this what the email is for?yep... you seem to be the pro on abilify ...
Posted by cybercafe on August 24, 2003, at 21:33:01
In reply to Re: doctors in the US » cybercafe, posted by Ame Sans Vie on August 20, 2003, at 19:40:53
> > actually i was able to talk to an intelligent dude in a centre in buffalo and he was telling me that there is no such thing as adult ADD and there is no such thing as having both bipolar and ADD
>
> Sounds like this intelligent dude is more than a bit on the misinformed side. ADD among adults isyes i would agree with you there...
but who knows! maybe he calls ADD "bipolar type 18" and treats it the same way .. hah
either that or there are a whole bunch of people whose lives are ruined needlessly ...
>very common -- just today, in fact, my psychiatrist told me that there are an estimated 8 million ADD adults in the States, though only about 15% of them ever receive treatment. And no such thing as ADD+bipolar? Come on now...
what is that as a per cent, 8 million?
> I have to agree with Sebastion -- what about a psychostimulant? I believe the only ones available in Canada are Dexedrine, Cylert, Alertec, various forms of methylphenidate, and Edronax, though surely one could help you.yep i am taking a stimulant and it helps a LOT bro... but i'm still having some problems
it seems likely that abilify will either work by itself or in combination with zyprexa no?? ... if all it does is keep me awake more that would be good
(is the insomnia waking up early or not being able to get to sleep?)
Posted by cybercafe on August 24, 2003, at 21:35:06
In reply to Re: doctors in the US, posted by Sebastian on August 20, 2003, at 21:39:38
is the insomnia caused by abilify more like not being able to get to sleep or are you able to get to sleep but you wake up after only 4 or 5 hours of sleep?
parnate let me fall asleep easily, but then i woke up eaerly and rested ... THAT was great.. it's the kind of thing i'm looking for (+ motivation)
Posted by Sebastian on August 27, 2003, at 18:12:29
In reply to hey sebastian, posted by cybercafe on August 24, 2003, at 21:35:06
both: Your not able to get to sleep and you only sleep for 2-5 hours. And you will wish you were asleep.
You won't get any of that from Abilify.!.
This is the end of the thread.
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