Posted by Noa on December 8, 1999, at 15:46:09
In reply to Topamax, posted by Alice on December 6, 1999, at 23:48:29
Alice,
I don't know how they work, but I do know that anticonvulsants, the drugs used to treat epilepsy, are also found to be effective for mood stabilization. There are folks on this board who take them for this purpose. In addition to Topomax, there are neurontin, lamictal, valproic acid, and tegretol, for example.
You might want to do a search. Go to the top of the page and click on "search". Unfortunately, you have to do separate searches for each archive period. But I know there have been threads about topomax and lamictal, etc. You might find it helpful to read these.
As for the med group format, that simply stinks. You are right, how can you possibly ask the questions you want to ask if you are one of many being seen by the doctor. On the other hand, are you also seen by a case manager, social worker, nurse, etc? Let that person be an intermediary to get answers to your questions. Write down your questions, and bring them in with you. Also, I question why you would be seen in a med group when making a CHANGE to your meds. A group format might work fairly well for ongoing maintenance monitoring. But anytime a change is made, the patient and doctor need to communicate very closely.
Is there a patient advocate associated with your health plan? Could you speak to that person to inquire about recieving more adequate consultation time?
I don't know about the back pain, but it definitely should be investigated. Call your doctor.
Good luck.
poster:Noa
thread:16359
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19991123/msgs/16439.html