Posted by saintjames on May 12, 1999, at 20:09:10
In reply to A Combination Cardiology and Psychology Doctor?, posted by Messy on May 12, 1999, at 14:50:02
> A 71-year-old male I know had heart surgery
> (a balloon angioplasty and stent). Afterwards,
> he changed his diet and increased his exercise,
> and now does the equivalent of climbing stairs of
> 10 or 20 story buildings, although his aorta is
> still enlarged and there is still a small block
> somewhere. After the heart surgery, he was put
> on some drug to lower cholesterol, which worked,
> and on atenolol, a beta blocker. He was also
> taking Wellbutrin (not SR) for depression, without
> reported side-effects, since well before the heart
> surgery. Other members of same family have also
> been diagnosed with depression and have responded
> well to medication.
>
> Some of us who read drbob's web-site know beta
> blockers can cause depression for those with a
> history. Patient is pessimistic and tired.
> Patient also suffers from interrupted sleep
> apparently due to repeated need to use the
> bathroom at night. Told this is normal aging.
>
> He is also dealing with situational issues on
> what to do with his time if he retires, and
> that the job is no longer fun. He feels his
> emotions are situational rather than the results
> of internal chemistry, but according to the
> personal story on drbob's one cannot always tell
> from inside. Also, according to the discussion
> on drbob's, atenolol is one of the less
> bad beta blockers for causing depression,
> which implies that the patient may well be correct
> in his belief.
>
> Both psychologist and cardiologist have been asked
> about the situation. The cardiologist seems to view
> that emotional health is not his department, and
> that the state of the cardiac system suggests beta
> blockers still advisable. The psychologist seems
> to view that the cardiac medications are not his
> department but that one could increase the dosage
> of Wellbutrin. (This psychologist does not trust
> Wellbutrin SR.)
>
> How would one go about finding an M.D. in the
> Northeastern U.S., with expertise BOTH in cardiology
> and in depression? Are there any groups of doctors
> that work together on this combination? Would an
> external (more integrated) opinion on this
> case be useful? How would one find it?
>
> Thanks.James here
a psychologist is not a medical doc. Get a consult with a pdoc.
j
poster:saintjames
thread:6011
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990501/msgs/6030.html