Posted by RyRy1982 on May 2, 2012, at 7:43:17
So, I got word that my PDOC is moving out of state. I really like her a lot. It took me quite a few interviews to find her. Furthermore, she is one of the few experts (published) and does active research on my specific condition.
I take a low dose benzo daily (no dose escalation klonopin) and another med that is considered off-label and unconventional (it's used for dementia traditionally, but is in clinical trials for my condition). I've been on this regiment for about 4 years and am doing pretty good. This isn't the first time I've had to do this... My PDOC I saw all through college also moved out of state,and I found the process of finding a new one awful. The raised eyebrows and scare tactics about the benzo... "You're addicted!" The looks of, "Why are you taking that?? Do you have dementia??" when it comes to my other med. So many uninformed providers out there that it frightens me...
She is is moving about a state over. I actually don't mind traveling there to see her at her new practice (about a 6 hour drive or pretty cheap round trip ticket) and she has stated she will gladly take me as a patient there... I only see her quarterly. But I wanted to do a gut check on this.
I don't want a new PDOC. I like her. The idea of having to interview all of those doctors in a box (they don't stay current in their field, are owned by HMOs... are benzophobic and tied to the SSRIs as though they are God's greatest gift to man...) makes me anxious. But is it really realistic to see a doc who is out of state? I mean, really? Does this happen often. I really feel like she is the best that I've had in years, but I also feel that I need to take a step back and look at this from all angles. How does it work if I end up in crisis... All of these questions. Ugggh.
I'm not sure what I should do here... I'll be seeing her in about three months before she goes. I don't even know what questions to ask her about transitioning over to her new practice... or how to get refills while I look for someone else if I decide not to go with her. Has anyone else seen a doc that was a substantial distance away? How did it work for you? Is it common?
poster:RyRy1982
thread:1016928
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120425/msgs/1016928.html