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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on September 22, 2005, at 20:46:34
Hi people,
You know, I never thought I was the type of person to ever want to blindly follow doctor's orders or anything like that. I know about the whole paternalistic model. I learned about that in my bioethics class. I tended to like the collegial model.
I just don't want to do so much thinking about what horrible things meds can do right now. I'm pretty sure it is just another way to avoid things, but I get scared way too easily. I just wish someone had all the answers. I know no one does, but I want to live this fantasy that someone does.
It's just...I think I'm conflicted right now...
If I trust this pdoc I'm seeing right now, that means I don't trust my other pdoc who is on leave. If Risperdal works for me, then my other pdoc was wrong. I think maybe I idealize her a bit... Then again, she is "chief" and that means she has the most experience right? Does that mean that the pdoc who is seeing me right now doesn't know what the heck he is doing and is possibly harming me?Does anyone know what the heck I'm talking about? lol
Confused as always!
Deneb
Posted by alexandra_k on September 22, 2005, at 21:02:00
In reply to Blindly following doctor's advice..., posted by Deneb on September 22, 2005, at 20:46:34
Despite what people say there is only one way you can find out whether you will benefit from a medication or not: and that is to take it and see.
I don't think it is a matter of blind following...
It is more a matter of 'I really want a hand so that I don't get these episodes anymore' and so he has given you something that he thinks might help a little.If you go back to him and say you have been having frequent episodes, what do you think the first thing he is going to ask you is likely to be?
have you taken your medication?
If you say no then he will probably be a little peeved that you went to him for advice and then proceeded to ignore what he offered.
If you say yes then he will have to get his thinking cap on as to what else might be likely to help.Taking the medication shows him that you are willing to do your part with respect to helping yourself.
Splitting the meds... Playing around with different dosages... Not taking it regularly... Shows him that you aren't really all that serious about getting better.
> If I trust this pdoc I'm seeing right now, that means I don't trust my other pdoc who is on leave.
I don't think that follows...
You can fairly much trust someone while holding the point in your mind that nobody is perfect and people sometimes make mistakes.If Resperdal works for you then your other p-doc was mistaken as to how much benefit you would find from medication. She can still be extremely trustworthy in other respects.
If Resperdal doesn't work for you then your current p-doc was mistaken as to your finding benefit from that particular medication. He can still be extremely trustworthy in other respects.
And IMO (for what it is worth) is that the truth will lie somewhere in the middle. You will probably find SOME benefit to it - but probably not a hell of a lot. That being said any help at all is a big help indeed when things get really rough.
Posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2005, at 22:02:06
In reply to Re: Blindly following doctor's advice... » Deneb, posted by alexandra_k on September 22, 2005, at 21:02:00
Deneb, so far you've taken it two nights. How did you sleep? Did you feel okay during the day? That's what I'd base my use on. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by JenStar on September 22, 2005, at 23:06:01
In reply to Blindly following doctor's advice..., posted by Deneb on September 22, 2005, at 20:46:34
hi Deneb,
even experts don't always agree with each other, so it doesn't mean that one doctor is "good" and the other "bad."Keep in mind that you may have changed yourself, either in your behaviors or how much you confide in your pdoc. So the different prescription may be based partially on that as well.
Most people really don't have bad side effects on various meds. I would encourage you to try it and see if it helps.
Sometimes 30 minutes really IS all it takes to get a good picture for a starting diagnosis, as long as you are honest and straightforward with the doc. I know it doesn't feel "right" that it should be so, but sometimes it really is. (Scary that someone can plumb our minds so quickly, isn't it!)
Also remember that it sometimes takes 2-3 tries before you & the doc find the right med & dosage. Don't give up.
It sounded kind of cavalier the way you said you like to have lots of drugs around, and like to experiment on yourself. I mean, I know it's interesting to see how you react, but experimentation can be very dangerous!
hope you're feeling well.
JenStar
Posted by sunny10 on September 23, 2005, at 13:02:30
In reply to Re: Blindly following doctor's advice..., posted by Phillipa on September 22, 2005, at 22:02:06
> Deneb, so far you've taken it two nights. How did you sleep? Did you feel okay during the day? That's what I'd base my use on. Fondly, Phillipa
I had to switch my usage to daytime because of not sleeping- once I did that I saw great changes.
Sleeplessness and how you feel during the day after not sleeping may not be the best indicaor, either.I think open communication is best- Alex has it on the nose.
Try doing what the doctor ordered. Tell him what does/ doesn't work for you and let him adjust accordingly.
By all means tell him you're not sleeping. by all means explain your reticence regarding the fact that the other "chief" pdoc DIDN'T prescribe...
Be as open as possible to create a dialogue- then you will not be blindly following orders- you will be an active part of your own treatment.
Just my two cents (because this is one medication I'm on. Also because I have had major mood swings like you have had- and no longer do.)
-sunny10
Posted by Deneb on September 23, 2005, at 13:39:06
In reply to Re: Blindly following doctor's advice..., posted by sunny10 on September 23, 2005, at 13:02:30
I tried 0.5mg last night and nothing bad happened. There was no insomnia, nightmares or "hallucinations" or anything bad. I guess that means those were not side effects after all and I never had any hallucinations.
I had 2 muscle twitches, but I'm uncertain whether that is from the Risperdal or from the Celexa.
I'm quite surprised at the lack of side effects. Am I just a freak or something??
All in all, I think I'm having a good day. I really want to do stuff today and I'm not freaking out about it. I just feel calm and productive today. Nothing weird.
Thanks for all the advice and support! I will be compliant and see what happens.
Deneb
Posted by rainbowbrite on September 23, 2005, at 14:37:01
In reply to Re: Nothing bad happened, posted by Deneb on September 23, 2005, at 13:39:06
sounds like a good sign! I'd stick it out, it may end up being helpful.
Posted by alexandra_k on September 23, 2005, at 19:17:57
In reply to Re: Nothing bad happened, posted by Deneb on September 23, 2005, at 13:39:06
> I had 2 muscle twitches, but I'm uncertain whether that is from the Risperdal or from the Celexa.i get those occasionally and i'm not on any meds...
> I'm quite surprised at the lack of side effects. Am I just a freak or something??
in the majority of cases people don't experience them. sometimes i get freaked out when i get a medication and read the information and find about 20 or 30 or 40 side effects listed. but the point is that they occur in so very few cases... some are common (things like dry mouth in the mornings after imovane etc) but most people never expereince the nasty side affects and some people don't experience any at all.
so... i don't think it is terribly suprising that you aren't getting anything nasty.
i'm sure your doc will check with you about those when you next catch up.
:-)
> Thanks for all the advice and support! I will be compliant and see what happens.
:-)
Okay... I'm going to remember that bit incase I need to go archive hunting in the future ;-)Glad you are doing so well
This is the end of the thread.
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