Posted by Ritch on January 20, 2003, at 13:52:25
In reply to Re: Rich and Jumpy:Lithium how it works » Ritch, posted by BarbaraCat on January 20, 2003, at 12:06:29
Thanks for the advice. I hadn't thought of that one. The angle I was fixing to take had to do with whether the PCP deals a lot with patients with epilepsy (since I take 3 AED's). I am looking to try to get a neurology referral and attempt to eliminate possible epilepsy. Also, you guys talking about Hashimoto's thyroiditis, has got me wanting that antibody test. I wonder if it only shows an active problem, or whether it has *ever* happened?
> Good luck on getting a decent pcp. It becomes a process of elimination, it seems. A suggestion is, if you have a compounding pharmacy in your area, ask the pharmacist for names of M.D's or O.D's who use their services and if there are any in particular who specialize in your condition. Dr.'s who use compounding pharmacies generally give the matter more thought and consider things more holistically rather than relying on pharm companies treatment opinions. Unfortunately, most managed-care insurers don't cover doctors who insist on a thorough approach.
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> > Well, that's interesting how the communications can be so poor between doctors. My endo does fax my pdoc results of thyroid exams/tests, but he doesn't want me on any thyroid meds with my TSH below 2.0., and my pdoc doesn't want to futz with it as a result. I had to go to the ER for a stomach flu three years ago and when I listed "bipolar disorder" and "depakote" as one of my meds, they were puzzled, because they had never heard of it being used for bipolar and it had FDA approval for mania for several years! I just changed health plans and now I have to pick a new PCP.... well that's going to be hoot.
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> > > Thanks Mitch. I agree. I have an appt with my doc this week and am going to INSIST on getting my antibodies tested, even if it costs the HMO a few more bucks, which sorry, I don't give a rip about. As well as my free T3 and T4 and any other dang test that might give somebody a clue as to why I'm feeling so awful. TSH levels never tell the whole story but Duh! no one on my health care team seems to realize this except me. I am so SICK of paying so much money for health insurance, doing my own research and then having to badger my doctors into getting necessary tests that I suggest to THEM! And how about some other hormonal tests since they're already drawing my blood? Who is the Doctor here anyway??
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> > > I'm also going to politely suggest that my pdoc and my doc start having a rudimentary conversation with each other about me, their co-morbid patient who expects them to occasionally glance at each other's charts about me. They're colleagues, for Pete's sake.
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> > > My doc didn't even know I was taking lithium until I mentioned it (the same HMO, the same records) and even then I had to remind him that well, gee, perhaps there's a thyroid/lithium connection? I've had it with this mis-managed care medical travesty!! I've been a very nice little patient so far but they're going to experience the wrath of BarbaraCat who is one fed up chick! Sorry to rant but this shit is getting out of hand, few of us are getting the care we need, and I for one want some help!!!!!!!!!!!
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poster:Ritch
thread:136544
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030119/msgs/136745.html