![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
OK, so I'm thinking that many of you were right that I need to tell my doc about being on 160mg of Parnate and the associated hypertensive crisis. The only reason (other than the fact that honesty with you doc is a good thing) is that I think that was an obsession and I think I need to be able to explain my obsessions and how they work to Stanford. It might change something in how they approach my case. But, there are some other examples of my tendency to obsess about things without that one-- that one just happened to threaten my life. But, I'm so worried that she'll take my Parnate away. If she does that, we go back to the old antidepressants that don't work anymore and I can guarantee I'll be back in the hospital. So, is this something I should risk or am I really just doing this out of guilt and should keep my mouth shut? I want to re-emphasize the chance that she could take my parnate away and that is the only thing keeping me from hospital and SSRIs we've worked through and none of them work. That idea is so scary. What should I do?
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2010, at 21:18:29
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
Peanut first your're obsessing on the "what if's". I also do this. Part of my Gad diagnosis. Tell the truth it will help them understand the workings of your brain and thoughts. And help them adjust meds accordingly. Just my opinion of course. Hey it's going to go well. Love Phillipa
Posted by floatingbridge on January 17, 2010, at 23:35:04
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
peanut,
do you have any record of non-compliance or abuse (no shame in it; just asking; and I'm not insinuating)? If not, I think a reasonable doc might respond w/ compassion and understanding to the truth. (I mean, jeez, a person in pain wants relief asap.) However, you might not need to reveal your attempt at self-medicating to reach a correct diagnosis and have a valuable consult. You could think of another instance in your life that illustrates whatever symptom you feel is vital for assessment.
I guess I'm saying that you don't necessarily have to tell the docs in order for things to work. I imagine almost every babbler has self-medicated at one time or another. I have.
Your consult should go really well. When I think of mine, I get really nervous.... Seems natural to me that I would, but still, it's uncomfortable.
fb
Posted by Sigismund on January 18, 2010, at 0:20:38
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
I'd be inclined to mention the obsession but leave out the 160.
If it's make you feel any better, you could really emphasise the obsession.
Posted by janejane on January 18, 2010, at 5:11:34
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
I usually think honesty is the best policy, but in this case, I'm not sure how much you'll gain from telling, and you might, as you fear, end up closing some doors by doing it. As we all know (wink, wink), you're never going to try a stunt like that again, so it's a non-issue going forward, right? It sounds like you can explain your obsessions using different examples, so why not go with that? Just my opinion, but I think that telling would probably benefit your conscience more than it would your treatment suggestions.
Posted by Maxime on January 18, 2010, at 8:42:10
In reply to Re: Want to tell my doc and Stanford » inanimate peanut, posted by floatingbridge on January 17, 2010, at 23:35:04
I have to agree with FB. You should tell your doc. He needs to know how desperate you were to feel good. And then he can work with you from there. Maybe he will ley you have the nortriptryptaline. Good luck.
Posted by willey on January 18, 2010, at 9:00:09
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
Im in no way saying lie,but just dont mention the 160 dose,docs are simply not aware of that dose,there are little documents of this dose being used,and usualy cause docs dont handle the med often they moslty refer to the 60 mg dose of pdr and thats a MAX!
I know with my doc parnate would be taken away from me in a instant.
Posted by SLS on January 18, 2010, at 9:25:38
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
> What should I do?
Would you accomplish the same result by saying that you went up to 80mg instead of 160mg?
- Scott
Posted by Justherself54 on January 18, 2010, at 12:14:50
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
I think you need to be completely honest with your pdoc. She needs to know how deep your obsessions run and perhaps she can help you struggle through the process of understanding them and not acting on them.
I don't know your history of compliance with medication, but if this is just a one time thing, I don't think she'll pull the one med that is working for you. I think you'll feel better and she will appreciate the fact that you are able to trust her enough to tell her what happened.
Good luck with whatever decision you make. I hope things go well for you at Stanford.
Posted by MoonageDaydream on January 20, 2010, at 15:53:02
In reply to Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by inanimate peanut on January 17, 2010, at 20:46:49
I think your doctor would be concerned and quite possibly take away the Parnate. IF (and only if) you know you can follow the doctor's directions in the future, you might want to consider discussing the obsession aspect but not go into detail about what happened (as sigismund suggested). If you might do this again, be honest, because this could hurt you.
Also, personally, I've found with psych meds that more is not always better, in fact its usually worse-- more side effects, but not much more benefit, if any. Whatever you decide to tell your doctor, I hope it works out for you and you stay safe. Good luck!
Posted by gibbons482 on January 20, 2010, at 16:02:40
In reply to Re: Want to tell my doc and Stanford, posted by MoonageDaydream on January 20, 2010, at 15:53:02
I know I'm new here and hardly ever post. I mostly just lurk, but I completely disagree. To have a positive, theraputic relationship with your doc, you need to be able to be completely honest. I was honest with my doc when I was taking more ritalin than I should. He wasn't happy, but even upped my dose since it helped. Not being honest with your doc and playing with your meds yourself is not the way to go. No one here has a medical degree.
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.