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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by platinumbride on January 28, 2006, at 17:46:41
I went to a new pdoc 2 weeks ago. He does not take insurance, and my insurance co. won't take bills from out of network docs.
Seeing him is a hardship, but he is highly recommended by many.
He began to go over my history (esp. the meds I've been on), and let me interject to tell him that I am desperate, depressed and feel that I need to look into maoi therapy.
When we finished my history he said he wanted to see me again ($$$) and that he was not going to prescribe anything at this first visit.
He said he was quite sure that th Biploar II diagnosis I had been given was correct and (with kindness) said " I think you were hoping that you would leave here with an maoi and start to feel better, but I believe that you must be treated with combinations of mood stablizers"
I have tried almost all of them...I am still back here in a place we all have been.
I expressed this and he said he was sorry but not ready to prescribe yet. "What do we do for the next 2 weeks?" I said. "We think", he said.
That sounds great, but the more thinking I do, th more upset and confused I become.
Are there really mood specialist-types who can make a success of several mood stablizers even when one alone did not work? Would, say, trileptal, work if combined with, say, lamictal when the two alone did nothing for me?
I appreciate this man's courage in wanting to get the whole picture, rather than just throwing some samples at me, but I am feeling desperate...suicidal thoughts follow me everywhere.
Anyone have any idea how long these combos take to work?
And WHY can he not just give me some friggin' nardil or parnate while he is doing his thinking????Now I am just angry and rambling....
Please help if you can
Diane
Posted by Phillipa on January 28, 2006, at 18:27:58
In reply to I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by platinumbride on January 28, 2006, at 17:46:41
Diane I'm sorry I don't have an answer and I guess he doesn't either yet. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by fenix on January 28, 2006, at 19:24:27
In reply to I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by platinumbride on January 28, 2006, at 17:46:41
Hmm, I see no courage, I see that he has confusion.
Drugs can not change your environment. When I went to seek drugs of your concern, I wanted them to aid me in escaping my environment but all they did was destroy the dream. I finally got off of them and realized a number of things:
That anxiety is the real killer, not because of what it does to your body but because if creates a shell around you in where you would escape the evil environment only if you weren't so scared too.
I find the answer in benzodiazepines, the one kind of drug that I believe is ambrosia. You could easily find a way out of many unseemingly situations when you have no anxiety.
Benzos... the anxiety killer. And they are quite safe.
Posted by Berberis on January 28, 2006, at 19:30:07
In reply to Re: I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by fenix on January 28, 2006, at 19:24:27
> Benzos... the anxiety killer. And they are quite safe.and quite addictive.
Posted by fenix on January 28, 2006, at 19:51:30
In reply to Re: I just don' t even know where to begin....... » fenix, posted by Berberis on January 28, 2006, at 19:30:07
There is a sort of negative canceller however. In that, if one must be on benzodiazepines for many years, addiction is nullified.
It is best to leave the addictions to those that seek illegal Providence.
Posted by 4WD on January 28, 2006, at 23:28:15
In reply to I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by platinumbride on January 28, 2006, at 17:46:41
> I went to a new pdoc 2 weeks ago. He does not take insurance, and my insurance co. won't take bills from out of network docs.
>
> Seeing him is a hardship, but he is highly recommended by many.
>
> He began to go over my history (esp. the meds I've been on), and let me interject to tell him that I am desperate, depressed and feel that I need to look into maoi therapy.
>
> When we finished my history he said he wanted to see me again ($$$) and that he was not going to prescribe anything at this first visit.
>
> He said he was quite sure that th Biploar II diagnosis I had been given was correct and (with kindness) said " I think you were hoping that you would leave here with an maoi and start to feel better, but I believe that you must be treated with combinations of mood stablizers"
>
> I have tried almost all of them...I am still back here in a place we all have been.
>
> I expressed this and he said he was sorry but not ready to prescribe yet. "What do we do for the next 2 weeks?" I said. "We think", he said.
>
> That sounds great, but the more thinking I do, th more upset and confused I become.
>
> Are there really mood specialist-types who can make a success of several mood stablizers even when one alone did not work? Would, say, trileptal, work if combined with, say, lamictal when the two alone did nothing for me?
>
> I appreciate this man's courage in wanting to get the whole picture, rather than just throwing some samples at me, but I am feeling desperate...suicidal thoughts follow me everywhere.
>
> Anyone have any idea how long these combos take to work?
> And WHY can he not just give me some friggin' nardil or parnate while he is doing his thinking????
>
> Now I am just angry and rambling....
>
> Please help if you can
>
> DianeHi Diane,
The pdoc I am now seeing did exactly the same thing. He said he needed time to look over the information I had brought him - the med history, the mood history, etc. I was very disappointed; I wanted to start getting "fixed" immediately.
He has turned out to be the best pdoc I've ever had. He actually listens to me, thinks about drugs before he puts me on them and chooses them based on what I describe from the period since I last saw him. He consults other doctors and does research on my behalf.
I am still very far from well - but that's because I am med sensitive and treatment resistant and possibly have been misdiagnosed for many, many years. But I trust my doctor now, in that he definitely has my best interests at heart and cares what happens to me. I don't think any of the others really ever have.
Hope that helps a little.
Marsha
Posted by platinumbride on January 29, 2006, at 13:34:33
In reply to Re: I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by fenix on January 28, 2006, at 19:24:27
Thank you all for your thoughts.
The fact is that I am on benzos and have been for almost 10 years. Anxiety is a horrible culprit but in my case it is not the whole story. Unfortunaltely, for many people, benzos cause depression. I am one of those people, so I have to use them with caution.
It is comforting to read that Marsha is having good experiences with a cautious (?) doc. I just fear for my fiscal health. (Think I'll pop a klonopin as I worry about that- ha ha). I am pretty confident that once this guy gets started we will come to something that gives me relief....Of course I still wonder how he intends to do this with mood stablizers alone - especially when I have tried almost every one...but he is the one with the letters next to his name in pharmacology....
Again, I worry about money and losing years more of my life trying to find something to help. How many mornings can one awaken angry at the world because we are still here???
How much does it suck to not be an open and shut case?????
Phillipa, I marvel at your kindness when you, yourself, are having trouble too. Thank you.
Of course, I wish success to everyone on this board who is in pain.
Diane
Posted by platinumbride on January 29, 2006, at 13:36:52
In reply to Re: I just don' t even know where to begin....... » platinumbride, posted by 4WD on January 28, 2006, at 23:28:15
Thank you Marsha.
Your post does help.
Best of luck to you and thanks for responding now and in the past.
Diane
> Hi Diane,
>
> The pdoc I am now seeing did exactly the same thing. He said he needed time to look over the information I had brought him - the med history, the mood history, etc. I was very disappointed; I wanted to start getting "fixed" immediately.
>
> He has turned out to be the best pdoc I've ever had. He actually listens to me, thinks about drugs before he puts me on them and chooses them based on what I describe from the period since I last saw him. He consults other doctors and does research on my behalf.
>
> I am still very far from well - but that's because I am med sensitive and treatment resistant and possibly have been misdiagnosed for many, many years. But I trust my doctor now, in that he definitely has my best interests at heart and cares what happens to me. I don't think any of the others really ever have.
>
> Hope that helps a little.
>
> Marsha
Posted by jonquiljo on January 29, 2006, at 15:03:47
In reply to I just don' t even know where to begin......., posted by platinumbride on January 28, 2006, at 17:46:41
Diane,
I truly understand your pain, and hope that things can get better for you. Please understand that some Dr.'s are short on compassion - and hence your frustrating situation with this guy. It is easier for them to do nothing rather than to recognise your pain, and do something about it immediately. I am so so sorry that you have to go through that.
Remember, while your life may be in chaos and pain - you are only his "2:30 appointment". He probably understands less of your pain than you think. While he may be useful for his pharmacological experience - I wouldn't rely on him totally. I have seen too many Dr.'s drop the ball.
I know you are in despair - and it seems like all is lost at times. But all isn't lost. Remember, it takes only a small bit of progress to toally change your life. I beieve it can, and will happen to you. It does to many people.
I guess what I am saying is that I understand your frustration - and I'd like you to gain a glimmer of hope. Thats all you need. This guy may help you - or it may be someone else. Miracles can happen - at least some of the time.
Jon
This is the end of the thread.
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