Posted by ace on February 26, 2003, at 19:28:51
In reply to Re: Take psych meds from a DOCTOR only, posted by viridis on February 25, 2003, at 11:56:39
> There's so much variation among doctors -- both GPs and psychiatrists -- that it's hard to predict who will provide the best treatment. I do think, though, that the chances are greater that a psychiatrist will try schedule II drugs, combinations, unorthodox treatments, etc. (at least based on my limited experience).
>
> If you're lucky enough to respond to "standard" treatments like SSRI monotherapy etc., it probably doesn't matter much which kind of doctor you see, and then it's just a matter of finding someone sensible and compassionate, and probably some trial and error. But if you require something a little more risky (or perceived as such) -- say, long-term benzo or stimulant therapy, a somewhat complex combo, and so on -- then the chances are that a psychiatrist will be more willing to try it.I'm not sure about this...My GP was ht ONLY doc willing to try Nardil...the last shrink i ever saw, and ever will, said "I'm certainly not going to prescribe one of those (MAOIs) for you).
Furthermore, my GP lets me have an ACTIVE process in the drugs I take (after I do lots of research and it is going into MY body) -- most psychiatrists like to be in total control and aren't always amenable to patient suggestion. It's funny, the only drug that really has helped me - Nardil - was the one I researched and asked for. Most of the pdoc's drugs have done not much or actually made me worse. WE HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO HAVE THE FINAL DECISION OF WHAT WILL GO INTO OUR BODIES, unless we are incarcerated. It's that simple. And GPs DO have extensive knowledge of psychiatry - especially the older ones.Ace.
poster:ace
thread:201988
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030224/msgs/204125.html