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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by cybercafe on July 17, 2002, at 2:47:33
... just wondering how you found the psychiatric services... the resources (reading material) ... if you know of any decent support groups... or anyone who would hire a bipolar for vast sums of money :)
Posted by Angel Girl on July 18, 2002, at 20:48:46
In reply to Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by cybercafe on July 17, 2002, at 2:47:33
>
> ... just wondering how you found the psychiatric services... the resources (reading material) ... if you know of any decent support groups... or anyone who would hire a bipolar for vast sums of money :)
Hi cybercafeI'm in Toronto. I wish I could help but I can't find psychiatric services either and I've been trying for several months. What is your experience?
Angel Girl
Posted by cybercafe on July 19, 2002, at 3:11:44
In reply to Re: Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by Angel Girl on July 18, 2002, at 20:48:46
> Hi cybercafe
>
> I'm in Toronto. I wish I could help but I can't find psychiatric services either and I've been trying for several months. What is your experience?when i just called hospitals, i didn't do too well... i'm wondering if i could have done better with the advocacy services and such...
... have you considered having some physical tests by your family doc (thyroid etc) .. and possibly starting treatment with him if you explain your case to him... ??
.. right now i am trying to find out what med students read to learn about bipolar treatments, .. then i hope to show that to a doc regarding my father's treatment (if i can actually convince him that screaming at everyone is not normal...) (he's type I, i'm type II, and i inherited from my mother - who has no disorders)
good luck :)
Posted by cybercafe on July 19, 2002, at 4:05:36
In reply to Re: Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by Angel Girl on July 18, 2002, at 20:48:46
Posted by Angel Girl on July 19, 2002, at 16:22:35
In reply to re: here is website that might help you find docs , posted by cybercafe on July 19, 2002, at 4:05:36
Posted by Angel Girl on July 19, 2002, at 16:38:41
In reply to Re: Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by cybercafe on July 19, 2002, at 3:11:44
cybercafe
I currently get my meds from my family doctor. I'm bipolar II as well. I have been through all the physical medical tests, had a complete workup. I just finished doing a whole battery of psych tests at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health on Queen St.
I had originally been diagnosed with severe clinical depression by a pdoc who told me that I was untreatable and his only advice was for me to be put on extremely high dosages of ADs. He also admitted that he was definitely not qualified to treat me because of the multiple traumas in my childhood.
My x-therapist gave me the additional diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder a few months ago and that's when I was referred to the Ctr of Addition and Mental Health.
They have since told me that up to this point I have been incorrectly diagnosed and now I have
BiPolar II
Complex PTSD
and as yet undetermined personality disorder (most likely BPD)Unfortunately the Ctr does not treat, they only do assessments. I left my x-therapist because she is a bitch and I have yet to find any therapist or psychatrist to accept me because my case is considered 'delicate' and they all have 3 to 4 month waiting lists.
I get my meds from my family doctor, who no longer feels qualified to make any further changes to my psych meds. So I'm left taking 267.5mg of Effexor XR, which is not strong enough but yet I'm not handling the side effects well, I'm suicidal and top that off by knowing that I need to be on a mood stabilizer immediately and I'm left with nobody who will do anything.
I'm going to try out those links you provided on Monday and see where I get with them. Thanks for relaying them onto me.
You might find the books you're looking for at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health library. It is on the first floor or at the University of Toronto library.
Good luck and thanks!
Angel Girl
Posted by cybercafe on July 20, 2002, at 6:44:57
In reply to Re: Anyone here in Toronto? -- cybercafe, posted by Angel Girl on July 19, 2002, at 16:38:41
> I currently get my meds from my family doctor. I'm bipolar II as well. I have been through all the physical medical tests, had a complete workup. I just finished doing a whole battery of psych tests at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health on Queen St.
Really??? I asked two docs for a "complete workup including thyroid and such things" and after I started reading medical books I found that all they tested was liver and kidney function!
But that was only drawing blood once, so if you feel like you're been through all the tests, you're probably well covered
btw -- i have to give you respect for getting the name right (i.e. not "the clarke") <big smile>
> I had originally been diagnosed with severe clinical depression by a pdoc who told me that I was untreatable and his only advice was for me to be put on extremely high dosages of ADs. He also admitted that he was definitely not qualified to treat me because of the multiple traumas in my childhood.
Hahaha... if you can't be treated, then i suppose that means no one is qualified to treat you
of course we both know that is completely untrue... there are so many therapies, combinational therapies, and augmentation therapies out there (and actually systematic methods of going about trying them)
http://www.cpa-apc.org/Publications/Clinical_Guidelines/depression/clinicalGuidelinesDepression.asp
though i guess in your case you'd be looking for a mood stabilizer first ...
.. i found i started cycling a bit on 300 mg of effexor, though it went away when i reduced to 225 mg...
though i was told it was norepenephrine that caused cycling, and norepenephrine doesn't occur until doses above 300 mg??(supposedly norepenephrine from MAOIs doesn't cause cycling.. don't know why that is.. i'm just happy i feel good)
> They have since told me that up to this point I have been incorrectly diagnosed and now I have
>
> BiPolar II
> Complex PTSD
> and as yet undetermined personality disorder (most likely BPD).... you can have both BPD and Bipolar? ... it's so hard to tell... i mean i wonder if i don't suffer from ADHD as well..
> Unfortunately the Ctr does not treat, they only do assessments. I left my x-therapist because she is a bitch and I have yet to find any therapist or psychatrist to accept me because my case is considered 'delicate' and they all have 3 to 4 month waiting lists.... i had one assessment there, and they recommended wellbutrin ... which i guess i could have had my family doc perscribe
> I get my meds from my family doctor, who no longer feels qualified to make any further changes to my psych meds. So I'm left taking 267.5mg of Effexor XR, which is not strong enough but yet I'm not handling the side effects well, I'm suicidal and top that off by knowing that I need to be on a mood stabilizer immediately and I'm left with nobody who will do anything.perhaps you should consider having yourself admitted to the CAMH on spadina and college... from my own personal experience with medication, it seems like you can get much much better and would probably be worth the trouble...
... i know people who were psychotic and suicidal and only had to stay for 7 days (i think they let you leave earlier if you are not psychotic or if you check in with them)... really i wish i could communicate to you how good it is possible to feel once you start getting even 50% better ... i was really surprised once i started feeling good
> I'm going to try out those links you provided on Monday and see where I get with them. Thanks for relaying them onto me.
i'm happy to help :)
> You might find the books you're looking for at the Centre of Addiction and Mental Health library. It is on the first floor or at the University of Toronto library.really? i had one doc tell me we could take a look at the library and another say he wasn't sure patients were allowed to...
thanks a lot for the info -- i'm definately going to give them a call now
> Good luck and thanks!
same to you :)
Posted by jay on July 21, 2002, at 6:33:08
In reply to Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by cybercafe on July 17, 2002, at 2:47:33
I am from around the area....down in Niagara. Same situation...pdocs *suck* around here too. One hates benzos..only gives out a.d.'s..other likes benzos, but only gives benzos and a.d.'s..no a.p.'s..no combos. Bunch of clowns! So..I use my family doc..but I don't think he understands any part of me...just gives me what I ask..and then it's like.."ok..run along now".
I can't understand, but feel deeply for, I think it was cybercafes story..being BPII, a.d., but *no* mood stabalizer. Uggghhh!!! That's like putting gasoline on a fire!
Oyyyy..let's keep in touch...what about support groups..where the heck are they all? The CMHA seems like a flakey organization..geezz the Kidney Foundation has more clout in the community then them!
Sorry for my vent..I feel for ya guys..neighbours
Jay
Posted by Angel Girl on July 21, 2002, at 10:39:36
In reply to Re: Anyone here in Toronto? , posted by jay on July 21, 2002, at 6:33:08
Hi Jay
Where in Niagara do you live? It was me who is BPII w AD and no mood stabilizer. I get my rx from my GP too. Unfortunately, he has come to a point of admitting that he doesn't have the expertise to make any more chgs/additions to my psych meds. I'm gonna try on Monday to phone all those #s that cybercafe provided in that link to find a pdoc. This is freakin ridiculous that you can't find a pdoc here. After I find a pdoc and get on a mood stabilizer then my next step is to find a therapist who isn't a witch.
Angel
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