Posted by JonW on June 7, 2002, at 17:25:35
In reply to How is Dr M. Liebowitz? Jon W. or anyone, posted by JennyJen on June 7, 2002, at 0:05:45
> Hey Jon,
>
> I am kinda new here and have been reading through old posts over the past few days. A friend of mine recommended Dr Micheal Liebowitz to me. I saw you mentioned that you had worked with him in the past. I guess my questions are
>
> 1. How did you like Dr. Liebowitz?
> 2. Does he recommend nardil as the best med for anxiety and depression or other things like neurontin and klonopin?Hi Jenny,
Actually, I've only recently started working with Dr. Liebowitz and am still with him. My impression has been that if you suffer from an anxiety or related disorder he may in fact be the best doctor, period. Others' comments, my own experience, and his proffessional reputation back this up.
Dr. Liebowitz is as high up as he is but still takes the time and certainly seems to care. Not that being a top researcher means you should have a nasty personality, but that's been my experience with some other docs. Dr. Liebowitz is quick and to the point when dealing with me on the phone and sometimes I take this to mean he doesn't care, but then he'll call the next day to check up on me when I didn't even ask him to call which changes my opinion of him completely. There is no psydoc I would rather be working with!
You asked about Nardil, Neurontin, and Klonopin. Dr. Liebowitz pushed Neurontin and Luvox before putting me on Nardil for the obvious reasons of drug interactions and side-effects. However, he implied that Nardil was superior to both of these meds for social phobia and when asked about it on the phone said that Nardil is "special". Take this for what it's worth as it's my interpretation of things. Please understand that and don't put words in Dr. Liebowitz's mouth.
The psydoc who referred me to him said Dr. Liebowitz found a successful treatment for the last patient she sent to him after she was all out of ideas. When I asked a similar question to the one you've asked here, I got responses that said he kicks a** and one even called him a god! I'll agree with these sentiments once my illness is in remission! Right now, I'm on Nardil and I have to say that the side-effects are far less than I expected -- even less than the SSRIs for me. Unfortunately, I haven't seen a major improvement yet. I know it's only been about a week at 45mg so I guess I don't have a right to complain yet, but I'm sure you understand what it's like! :)
> Thank you so much. This disease is so hard to fight alone. Everyone has been so helpful.
Mental illness is a horrible thing to endure! It's a double-edged sword in a way. I mean, it's an invisible suffering and, in my case at least, the social anxiety makes it almost impossible not to suffer alone. Well, if you or anyone need support feel free to email me at jonw1978usa@yahoo.com anytime.
Hang in there,
Jon
poster:JonW
thread:109016
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020602/msgs/109100.html