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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
Well, I have another 8 minaute appointment coming up. Not sure how to handle it. The last thing I want is for things to stay the same.
I'm not sure how (or if) to tell the doctor that I have discontinued everthing. I am in bad shape, but not bad enough to go back on mind numming clomimpramine.
Perhaps a low dose (10mg) of prozac might suffice.
Any suggestions. This is terrable !!!
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2005, at 21:44:56
In reply to Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
Go in and see him and don't say a word about discontinuing your meds. See if he notices. Ask for prozac if that is what you want. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by 4WD on June 9, 2005, at 21:58:25
In reply to Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
> Well, I have another 8 minaute appointment coming up. Not sure how to handle it. The last thing I want is for things to stay the same.
>
> I'm not sure how (or if) to tell the doctor that I have discontinued everthing. I am in bad shape, but not bad enough to go back on mind numming clomimpramine.
>
> Perhaps a low dose (10mg) of prozac might suffice.
>
> Any suggestions. This is terrable !!!
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
Linkadge, The first thing I would tell him would be the degree of side effects you were having - the thing with your neck getting stuck to the side and all that. If he has any sense, he'll tell you to stop whatever it was you were on and then you can tell him that's what you figured and that you've already done it.I think if you don't tell him you're off your meds and just say you WANT to be off, you'll waste your appt. He'll give you a tapering recommendation or whatever and tell you to come back in 2 months. I'd tell him the truth and say you want to try a new AD (or whichever one has worked best in the past). And if you intend to try Prozac, you might want to ask for something for sleep while you are there - it caused insomnia for me. If anxiety is a problem, ask for tx for that, as well.
Make a list of what you want to address with him. Read him the list near the beginning of the appt. so it's his responsibility to address each issue. That way you don't get shuffled out while you're only halfway down the list.
Good luck.
Marsha
Posted by Phillipa on June 9, 2005, at 23:23:17
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks » linkadge, posted by 4WD on June 9, 2005, at 21:58:25
Marsha, That was excellent advice. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by blueberry on June 10, 2005, at 5:02:10
In reply to Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
What I have found very helpful for doctor appointments is to go in there with a plan of what you would like to do. Ask for specific meds or combos to try, with a first choice and a backup if the first choice fails. Not everyone is knowledgable enough to do this, but if you are, it can work well.
I've done this with two pdocs and one gp. The gp and one of the pdocs were very cooperative. One of the pdocs though was fresh out of schooling and wanted to throw her power around, which meant she ignored anything I suggested. I never went back to her.
It's my body, my mind, my time, and my money, so I should have a strong vote in my own treatment.
Years ago when they were first discovering how well prozac and zyprexa work synergistally together, I brought whatever research I could find about it to my doc and he was all for it. Now he says he has hundreds of patients on that combination. I was the first. But it was my idea, not his. Had I left it up to him to decide my meds for me, who knows what kind of agony I would be in today.
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 6:29:37
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by blueberry on June 10, 2005, at 5:02:10
This is true.
I don't care how much schooling you have had on the issue. School cannot convey the way that the drugs make you *feel*.
The smart doctors threw out the manual long ago, and listen to their patients.
The ignorant ones think they can fix you by following the book.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 6:30:20
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks » linkadge, posted by 4WD on June 9, 2005, at 21:58:25
Thanks, that was some good advice.
Linkadge
Posted by SLS on June 10, 2005, at 8:14:58
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by blueberry on June 10, 2005, at 5:02:10
> What I have found very helpful for doctor appointments is to go in there with a plan of what you would like to do. Ask for specific meds or combos to try, with a first choice and a backup if the first choice fails. Not everyone is knowledgable enough to do this, but if you are, it can work well.
I always bring in a list of things that I want to talk about. It helps add structure to the visit and doesn't leave you feeling so frustrated that you didn't get to talk about what you wanted to. I submitted a long list of the things I had thought to try when I first started seeing my new doctor. I don't know if that would help or hurt. It probably depends on the doctor. It was a good thing for me. My doctor has an open mind and not averse to doing a little investigating of the ideas I have. Give and take. I gotta let him take his shot now and then. That's what I'm paying him for. Obviously, my own strategies have not worked well enough. Maybe his will.Every now and then, go for a second opinion as a consultation. In that way, you are not really "stuck" with the same guy.
- Scott
Posted by ed_uk on June 10, 2005, at 9:33:58
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by blueberry on June 10, 2005, at 5:02:10
Hi blueberry (nice name!)
>prozac and zyprexa........
I hope you don't mind me asking.......what condition are you being treated for??? Just curious :-)
Kind regards,
Ed.
Posted by Maxime on June 10, 2005, at 11:50:21
In reply to Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
Hi Link. Can you list some of things that have worked in the past and your reaction to them?
Maxime
> Well, I have another 8 minaute appointment coming up. Not sure how to handle it. The last thing I want is for things to stay the same.
>
> I'm not sure how (or if) to tell the doctor that I have discontinued everthing. I am in bad shape, but not bad enough to go back on mind numming clomimpramine.
>
> Perhaps a low dose (10mg) of prozac might suffice.
>
> Any suggestions. This is terrable !!!
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
Posted by Maxime on June 10, 2005, at 11:52:10
In reply to Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 9, 2005, at 21:19:18
Have you ever tried an MAOI and do you think your doctor would be open to it. What is your diagnosis btw?
Maxime
> Well, I have another 8 minaute appointment coming up. Not sure how to handle it. The last thing I want is for things to stay the same.
>
> I'm not sure how (or if) to tell the doctor that I have discontinued everthing. I am in bad shape, but not bad enough to go back on mind numming clomimpramine.
>
> Perhaps a low dose (10mg) of prozac might suffice.
>
> Any suggestions. This is terrable !!!
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
>
Posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 16:12:59
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by Maxime on June 10, 2005, at 11:52:10
My original diagnosis was depression, but it has spiraled into many other things in responce to some of the crazy way the drugs have affected me.
Some say I am bipolar but I don't really beleive that since I was stable as a rock on SSRI's, and now mainly just extremely angry off of them. Plus I don't really fit any of the other symptoms ie I am shy 24/7 and save like scrooge.A few things have worked in the past, but we have already revisited them time and time again with no sucess.
I am just angry and bitter and want to die 24/7 now. The depakote helped the anger a little but made me much more suicidal.
I am really suicidal because quite frankly I am at the mercy of these doctors, being assertive or agressive with your treatment lands you a prescription of tegretol and more zyprexa. The doctors around here want to run the show.
I still havn't found a doctor that is ready to say, "lets quit fooling around here and get to the point"
I am living 2 hours from this doctor, and have to co-ordinate the visits with my father for transportation. I never knew that trying to get help for "learned helplessness" would induce so much "learned helplessness"
Linkadge
Posted by Maxime on June 13, 2005, at 9:13:41
In reply to Re: Going back to doctor in two weeks, posted by linkadge on June 10, 2005, at 16:12:59
Hi Link. I am sorry everything is just so out of control. Have you tried going back to SSRIs and seeing what they do now?
There has to be a solution somewhere. Have you gone to any mood disorder clinics at one of the bigger hospitals?
Maxime
> My original diagnosis was depression, but it has spiraled into many other things in responce to some of the crazy way the drugs have affected me.
>
>
> Some say I am bipolar but I don't really beleive that since I was stable as a rock on SSRI's, and now mainly just extremely angry off of them. Plus I don't really fit any of the other symptoms ie I am shy 24/7 and save like scrooge.
>
> A few things have worked in the past, but we have already revisited them time and time again with no sucess.
>
> I am just angry and bitter and want to die 24/7 now. The depakote helped the anger a little but made me much more suicidal.
>
> I am really suicidal because quite frankly I am at the mercy of these doctors, being assertive or agressive with your treatment lands you a prescription of tegretol and more zyprexa. The doctors around here want to run the show.
>
> I still havn't found a doctor that is ready to say, "lets quit fooling around here and get to the point"
>
> I am living 2 hours from this doctor, and have to co-ordinate the visits with my father for transportation. I never knew that trying to get help for "learned helplessness" would induce so much "learned helplessness"
>
>
>
> Linkadge
>
>
>
This is the end of the thread.
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