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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 8:15:16
Hi everyone. I'm such a chicken at the dr's and often fall apart and can't tell her what''s going on with me. If you don't mind, could you read my letter and tell me what you think? Thank-you
I've suffered a long time with mental illness but I don't know what's wrong. I suspect I may have bipolar 2. I've had problems since gr.6. At 15 years old I suffered a severe suicidal depression. A counsellor suggested bipolar and a psychiatrist said biological depression. I only saw them a few times and fell through the cracks, I soppose due to my own reluctance for help, as well as my parents denial. I must say, I'm not suicidal but things are spinning out of control and I ned help. My symptoms now are:
-mood swings (depressed, irrtitable, anxiety, okay)
-sleep too much
-eat too much
-No sex drive (or very little most the time)
-light-headed, foggy feeling
-so many fears
-fear of rejection and can't handle critiscm
-severe periods of anxiety every few months, lasting a week or 2 (racing thoughts, excessive talking, hyper feeling, can't sleep well, paranoia, feel like bugs are on my skin, feel like I'm going crazy) Could this be a form of hypomania?Meds
-Don't have a great history with them.
-prozac as a teen made me very hyper and agitated. I felt an obsessive need to harm myself (cutting, taking pills) I acted out sexually.
-I had a severe reaction to celexa (anxiety through the roof, I couldn't stand up, horrid electric shocks in body, paranoia - I almost went to the hospital.
-Wellbutrin wasn't as bad- light headed and spacey feeling, I felt very unaware and worried I couldn't take care of my children. A bit aggitated.
-lorazepam is helpful-it calms my body but not my mind, helps me sleep during diffiicult sleepless times.I have a bad family history. My mom suffers anxiety/depression and tried to kill herself befoere Christmas. Her brother was schizophrenic.
My father suffers social anxiety and bouts of depression. His sister committed suicide.
I'm so ashamed of my past but the last time I felt this unbalanced was then. My moods change so much and I fear my husband is going to get fed up with me. I only confided my past to him a couple of weeks ago. He was supportive but a little scared I think. I don't feel like harming myself but fear to get to that point. I just want peace in my mind.
Thank-you to those who read this letter. It feels good to have those who understand what is going on with me.
Crissi
Posted by JESSsMom on February 6, 2006, at 8:53:27
In reply to I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 8:15:16
I think that's a great letter--honest and very informative. Also shows you taking a strong initiative in your own healthcare. Good for you.
JESSsMom
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 6, 2006, at 11:02:08
In reply to I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 8:15:16
I think it is well-organized and informative. It should be very valuable in you treatment.
Do you plan to mail it to her or bring it to the next appt. I think that if it were me, I'd try to mail it so that perhaps she could read it ahead of time. Then she could ask relevant follow up questions during your appt time so that she really understands what is going on.
If you plan to mail it, you might want to tack on an intro paragraph abt why you are sending a letter and how you want to help her help you. In my experience, it always helps to stroke the pdoc's ego a little. Sad, but true, but alas they are only human.
Good luck and please let us know how it goes.
Best,
EE
Posted by TylerJ on February 6, 2006, at 11:42:04
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 6, 2006, at 11:02:08
Very good letter...you're doing the right thing. You can and will get better with the right doc and meds so please hang in there, and if you need to talk don't hesitate to contact me or anyone here you feel comfortable with. God bless.
Tyler
Posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 11:50:29
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by TylerJ on February 6, 2006, at 11:42:04
Thank-you all very much. I love this board and how people actually respond. My apt. with my gp isn't until the 14. I really hope I don't chicken out. Because sometimes I am all gung ho to give it to her and other times I think I'm being ridiculous as my moods change. Thank you again so much.
Crissi
Posted by TylerJ on February 6, 2006, at 12:48:34
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 11:50:29
Crissi- you have to make up your mind to give your doc the letter. Please don't change your mind on this, we all agree it's an excellent letter, but it will only help you if you follow through and give it to your doc. Promise yourself-promise me(us)you're going to do it!! Be strong.
Tyler
Posted by forgetful mary on February 6, 2006, at 14:48:42
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by TylerJ on February 6, 2006, at 12:48:34
What you have done is EXACTLY what is suggested one do when visitng the doctor, whether a reg dr or Pdoc.....Otherwise people forget their symptoms when they see the doc....Maybe you could also inquire about the use of MAO's? Sounds like your family has a history of depression and you might need the strongest meds available???
Good Luck and Don't forget to bring the letter with you!!!
Posted by Phillipa on February 6, 2006, at 20:02:14
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by forgetful mary on February 6, 2006, at 14:48:42
Since you're afraid you'll change your mind. Mail a copy, make one for yourself and bring that one with you. That way you can go over it together and if it somehow got misplaced you will still have one with you. Good move. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 7, 2006, at 9:53:25
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by fiftylager on February 6, 2006, at 11:50:29
Hi, Just one more thing. I noticed that you mentioned that your doc is a GP and not a psychiatrist. Please ask your GP abt a referal for a pdoc. Although there are many good GP's out there, they have very little training in mental health and psychiatry issues. It would be like going to a GP to do your heart surgery, you know? Especially if you are concerned abt bipolar spectrum issues, a GP would be in over his/her head (although often they don't recognize/admit it). Going to a pdoc doesn't always guarantee that you will get good care, but it makes it more likely.
Best,
EE
Posted by tallwaters on February 7, 2006, at 16:43:09
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read » fiftylager, posted by Emily Elizabeth on February 7, 2006, at 9:53:25
Oh I agree about the pdoc..crissi you sound just like me! I know the pain. Are you in counseling?
I need I have to talk about all the crazies in my head. I fit the atypical profile but also bpII. I'm on a downer myself right now and have been so scared.
Your letter is great. Use it
Let me know how it goes..Tallwaters@bellsouth.com
hugs
Rainee
Posted by tallwaters on February 7, 2006, at 16:49:19
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by tallwaters on February 7, 2006, at 16:43:09
Posted by fiftylager on February 8, 2006, at 13:37:50
In reply to Re: I wrote a letter to dr... please read, posted by tallwaters on February 7, 2006, at 16:43:09
and now I am panicking. I can't believe I just went into her office and handed it over. It feels like I just made the biggest mistake of my life! I don't see her til next week but I'm expecting she will call. She'll prabably say, I want you to try the effexor. I don't want that, I know it'll drive me crazy, somehow I know. She'll probably think I'm exagerating. Or else she's going to say okay, you need to go to the hospital. I have so many things running through my mind. None of them good. I can't believe I gave her the letter!
Crissi
Posted by forgetful mary on February 8, 2006, at 16:21:10
In reply to I GAVE THE DR. MY LETTER!, posted by fiftylager on February 8, 2006, at 13:37:50
Good for you!! It's YOUR body and don't you forget it!!
> and now I am panicking. I can't believe I just went into her office and handed it over. It feels like I just made the biggest mistake of my life! I don't see her til next week but I'm expecting she will call. She'll prabably say, I want you to try the effexor. I don't want that, I know it'll drive me crazy, somehow I know. She'll probably think I'm exagerating. Or else she's going to say okay, you need to go to the hospital. I have so many things running through my mind. None of them good. I can't believe I gave her the letter!
> Crissi
Posted by TylerJ on February 8, 2006, at 21:38:43
In reply to I GAVE THE DR. MY LETTER!, posted by fiftylager on February 8, 2006, at 13:37:50
Good for you , you did the right thing. My biggest concern Crissi is that you may need to find a Psychiatrist instead of a family doctor. Please look into this-even if you have to travel, it will be worth it!
God Bless You, TylerJ
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