Posted by delna on November 19, 2009, at 13:44:43
In reply to Re: Dangerously close to the end of the road. Help, posted by kirbyw on November 18, 2009, at 1:26:31
> Delna
>
> If you go to New York I strongly recommend that you see Dr. Ivan Goldberg. It was you who actually "recommended" him to me, as you copied some correspondence with him on a posting. Then I happened to be in New York for 3 days, (just last week) and was able to get in to see him.
>
> He is over 70. We shouldn't let age fool any of us. He knew more about Parnate, which I take, than the whole generation of fast talking Psychiatrists under 50 that are practicing now. He was extremely thorough and extremely wise. He states on his website that his speciality is treatment resistent depression, and clearly he knows what he is doing. If I lived in New York, he would be my Psychiatrist, and perhaps even my therapist. A two hour consultation was $650. This was expensive for me but it was worth it, and I am now going to be following his recommendations.
>
> He is located near 88th and 3rd avenue. Very humble, somewhat cluttered office, and books and papers all around. Looks the office of the typical absent minded professor!
>
> Prior to the appointment, his secretary mails you a very large number of test to fill out and bring with you. 90% are scales to measure how you feel so you can do them very quickly.
>
> For example, questions such as
>
> I am more depressed
> a) in the morning
> b) at night
> c) after eating
> d) in social situations
>
> etc. etc.
> There are about 70 pages of these questions. Some are as above and some are true false. I was very impressed with how he used these questionaires during the interview to kind of fine tune his analysis of my condition/diagnosis
> .
> Anyway, if you get to New York, I would strongly suggest that you go see him, maybe see him regularly for a month or so, and see how you do.
> Rick
> PS Anyone interested can find his website and contact info just by googling "Ivan Goldberg" or Ivan Goldberg Depression, etc.Thanks for that info Rick. Glad you found some good help. Will your current pdoc take into account his recommendations?
Actually, I do believe age and experience are a good thing. I have seen pics of him in his office so I know what you mean about the mad professor thing.
I just wrote to him again regarding my bizarre TD symptoms on Geodon and he told me pretty flat out that I should not touch any other AP, except clozapine. And that too only if I have psychosis.What worries me about seeing him is that he seems to treat depressed bipolars with Lamictal and I just don't find that helpful at all (for depression). Plus he doesn't seem keen on treating bipolars with ADs- more with mood stabilizers which have never helped me with the depression. Still I think he is really into treating patient fully and thoroughly as he answers questions just to be helpful and that is so rare. If I am in NYC, I will surely see him. I had wanted to once 4-5 years ago but I thought his fees were really high. But now I think my sister will sponsor me.
I somehow feel he will change my dx (which is a good thing) because although my last two diagnoses (by pretty senior pdocs in the US) have been BP I, I don't think I have that.But I think I fall somewhere on the BP spectrum.... so maybe he will treat me with ADs afterall.
Thanks again
Take care
Love
D
poster:delna
thread:925800
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20091117/msgs/926236.html