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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Lando68 on June 7, 2007, at 9:59:10
I am switching to a new pdoc - the one I've been seeing for the past six years is on indefinite sick leave. I like him well enough but am kind of excited about having some fresh eyes take a look at me (and my meds). My question is for anyone who has ever switched pdocs - what can I expect in terms of the first appointment? Thanks!
Posted by wishingstar on June 7, 2007, at 12:31:07
In reply to New Psychiatrist, posted by Lando68 on June 7, 2007, at 9:59:10
Are you doing only med management or are you doing therapy with this new person? I've only ever done med management with pdocs, so my thoughts come from that. In my experience, even first appts with pdocs arent terribly indepth. You can expect them to ask you a lot of questions about your mood, sleep, appetite, etc.. I can almost feel them going down the diagnostic checklist in their mind. My pdocs usually havent been terribly interested in knowing the *real* issues behind what's going on... family stuff, etc. Usually they ask a little, and if there are significant issues recommend therapy in addition, but none of mine have ever gotten deep into any of that. I'm sure the new doc will ask about the meds you're currently on and how theyre working as well. If theyre not working, he'll want to know what you've been on in the past too (I usually bring a list) and maybe make some changes.
In my experience, pdoc appts are usually pretty short and professional. Mine, even initial appts, dont usually last more than maybe 20min. However, I know other people on here have different experiences so I'm sure theyll give you their side as well. :)
Good luck!
Posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2007, at 13:28:28
In reply to Re: New Psychiatrist, posted by wishingstar on June 7, 2007, at 12:31:07
What wishingstar wrote is pretty much how it went for me, too. In my case, the pdoc was affiliated with the clinic where I go for therapy, so he was able to talk to my T, with my permission, ahead of time. Still, he did what seemed like a normal assessment versus taking shortcuts based on what he learned from my T.
I brought in a typed sheet with all the meds I've taken in the past, the doses, and the dates (roughly). I also put in any side effects or other effects I had. I felt a little compulsive doing that, but I've got ADHD, and organizing information like that into tables or lists helps me a lot in remembering stuff.
In my case it went really smooth. The first appt. was one hour, and subsequent appt's are 30 minutes. At the end, he offered suggestions about changes he would make, and I thought about them before the next appt. He's a good guy. He even called me back and talked to me for about 10 minutes when I had questions about the choices and wanted to start one before I left for a 3 week trip.
I hope your appt goes well.
gg
Posted by Lando68 on June 7, 2007, at 13:38:24
In reply to Re: New Psychiatrist, posted by gardenergirl on June 7, 2007, at 13:28:28
Thanks for the responses! I was just kind of dreading the possibility of having to regurgitate 6 years of personal/medical history, which on one hand might actually be helpful, but on the other would be very tiresome.
I'm mainly going for med management but am hoping for a somewhat therapeutic aspect as well even though I am very happy with my current therapist. I didn't think about the possibility of getting records to the new pdoc ahead of time, but I will definitely look into it.
Posted by Poet on June 7, 2007, at 20:33:11
In reply to New Psychiatrist, posted by Lando68 on June 7, 2007, at 9:59:10
Hi Lando68,
The first visit with new pdoc was alot like the first one with old pdoc. Lots of questions. She didn't want me to tell her my old DX, she wanted to determine one for herself. She did agree that I was on far too high of a dose of meds which was a real positive. I only switched pdocs because the old one went out of my insurance network.
Poet
Posted by Dory on June 8, 2007, at 20:18:05
In reply to Re: New Psychiatrist, posted by Lando68 on June 7, 2007, at 13:38:24
i have had the same pdoc for years now and he spends an hour with me. He does mostly med management, no formal therapy. But we talk. My first appt with him was the opposite of wishy's experience. He was with a clinic that was pretty rigid about time and appt scheduling... but he still spent and hour and a half with me and took a detailed history. Part of that was because there was no previous doc to get records from.
who knows what the new pdoc will want to do, but if it isn't what you want then keep trying until you find one who is.
Posted by Lando68 on June 11, 2007, at 10:24:50
In reply to Re: New Psychiatrist » Lando68, posted by Dory on June 8, 2007, at 20:18:05
Thanks for all the good advice. My appointment is in four days (counting them down). Regardless of whether I "click" with this particular doctor, I feel like it is/will be a good experience to see someone new - and to do it with a much more empowered perspective than I had six years ago when I first started treatment.
This is the end of the thread.
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