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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 UgottaHaveHOPE on May 23, 2006, at 21:02:37
I have had the same pdoc for nine years. I have struggled most of that time with anxiety, depression and possibly BP2, with the exception of a seven-month stretch this fall where I finally saw some progress (now I am struggling again). My question is this: I really like my pdoc and feel she is aggressive with trying new things, but would you try someone else after all these years to get a second opinion?
Posted by heaven help me on May 23, 2006, at 21:09:44
In reply to Give me your honest opinion?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 23, 2006, at 21:02:37
My Dr. told me that we would probably never find a cocktail that worked forever and that I had to expect to have lifelong chemistry experiments done on me (more or less that is what he said). What I have settled on is
1) I like him, he listens to me and lets me take part in the decision for what to do
2) I accept that no drug combo is going to work great FOREVER
3) I trust him
Therfore, I plan to stick with him.
blessings
Mary
Posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2006, at 21:27:43
In reply to Re: Give me your honest opinion?, posted by heaven help me on May 23, 2006, at 21:09:44
If you have a pdoc like Mary's your very lucky and I would stick with him. Love Phillipa
Posted by Bonnie_CA on May 24, 2006, at 2:29:51
In reply to Re: Give me your honest opinion?, posted by Phillipa on May 23, 2006, at 21:27:43
I wish I could trust my pdoc... I've only been seeing him since February, and I have no confidence in his abilities.
Posted by blueberry on May 24, 2006, at 6:30:31
In reply to Give me your honest opinion?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 23, 2006, at 21:02:37
Just an opinion, but I think a second opinion is a good thing, regardless of whether it is a dentist or a cardiologist or a psychiatrist or whatever. It might even shed some light on something that your current doctor has missed. The tricky part though is finding one who might be sharper at spotting what is going on, and also avoiding offending the one you have.
Someone perhaps who is more experienced, more highly trained, belongs to more psychiatric organizations, is affiliated with major instutions, specializes in certain age groups, stuff like that, are things to look for.
Posted by heaven help me on May 24, 2006, at 8:18:04
In reply to Re: Give me your honest opinion?, posted by blueberry on May 24, 2006, at 6:30:31
I am all for finding an excellent, credentialed Dr., However, bear in mind that it is difficult to work with more than one at a time. I saw a Psychiatrist (well recommended) while I was seeing my MD (well recommended) and they agreed on diagnosis but they continually contradicted each other on meds. One would say "oh, you have to increase the Lamictal" and the other would say "decrease that Lamictal". It happened so many times it made me crazy. Finally I just had to say Lord, which one do I go with? And then I "fired" the other one (ended up with the MD). it all boiled down to who I trusted more. I'm not saying another opinion is bad, I'm just saying 2 Dr.s at teh same time can be bad. (not WILL, just can)
:)
Posted by B2chica on May 24, 2006, at 11:34:43
In reply to Give me your honest opinion?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 23, 2006, at 21:02:37
i think it wouldn't hurt you to go see a new pdoc if for nothing else, peace of mind. are you wondering about the dx overall? or the med combo?
well, find another pdoc, make an appt. let them know that you are looking for a second opinion. tell them your history, and ask them what meds they would recommend and why, then let them know what you are on and ask them what they think of that combo.
(keep in mind these new docs wont have as much history on you as yours now so they can't be 'super docs'.)
but usually you can go with you gut feeling. if the second doctor says things that make you feel more comfortable or more trusting of them then id' say switch. otherwise, get the info you want/need. feeling better that you are glad you have the pdoc you have and stay with that one.i think overall the decision should be yours but there is no decision to make if you have nothing to choose from.
i'm all for second and sometimes third opinions.give it a try.
b2c
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 24, 2006, at 11:39:49
In reply to Re: Give me your honest opinion? » UgottaHaveHOPE, posted by B2chica on May 24, 2006, at 11:34:43
Thanks everybody for their input. First of all, I agree that being treated by two docs at the same time is not cool. However, I do like the idea of going to another doc to get a second opinion. Maybe the second one will see things differently, maybe not.
Posted by helpme on July 9, 2006, at 13:22:51
In reply to I think I am going to go for second opinion, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 24, 2006, at 11:39:49
For sure get a new opinion! I had a couple of heinous doctors who were in it for the pharmaceutical prizes, I believe, before I got a good one. Mine is a professor at a med school. I might also sugest looking up hospitals in your area, and looking up the profiles of the psychiatrists on taff. Often there will be a photo and what their specialty or philosophy is. Teaching hospitals are supposed to be best, because they are most interested to keep up on the latest findings and research. And finally, this professor-doctor told me that "the simpler the regimine, the better. The more drugs you are on, the more chances for interactions, and the more likely you will be treating side-effects with even more drugs, etc".
Good luck. You deserve confidence with your physician!
> Thanks everybody for their input. First of all, I agree that being treated by two docs at the same time is not cool. However, I do like the idea of going to another doc to get a second opinion. Maybe the second one will see things differently, maybe not.
This is the end of the thread.
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