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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
I've probably asked this before a long time ago, and I'm not sure if this is the right board to post it on, buuut, I'm gonna. My insurance plan doesn't have too many pdocs in my area (4 including mine) and I researched them as much as I could, but I didn't get much info. The one I did find some info on is farther away from me and is kind of famous? Participated in some research studies. Would that be the one to go to? Or is that one I should stay away from? If it were all under my control I would bounce around to each of them and see which one I liked the best, but to do that it would take quite a while (probably a year at this pace..) because it's not all up to me. If you do see a therapist, how did you pick them?
Thank you.
MM
Posted by alexandra_k on March 6, 2005, at 4:06:03
In reply to How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
> My insurance plan doesn't have too many pdocs in my area (4 including mine) and I researched them as much as I could, but I didn't get much info.
How come? Could you at least find out what their area of interest is?
>The one I did find some info on is farther away from me and is kind of famous? ...Would that be the one to go to? Or is that one I should stay away from?
Well, it all depends on what he is kind of famous for. If it is ADHD in children, for instance, that may not be of much use to you.
I have never got to choose. Just been assigned to people. Are you having trouble with your current p-doc?
Posted by SLS on March 6, 2005, at 7:15:53
In reply to How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
Choose the one who claims to know the least.
:-)
- Scott
Posted by Dinah on March 6, 2005, at 8:55:30
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by SLS on March 6, 2005, at 7:15:53
lol. That's what I was thinking.
My worst experiences were with "experts" running drug trials. Both of them were utterly deaf when it came to what I was saying.
But I may have just run into some arrogant, pro-drug company, abrasive doctors. (Ok, only one of the two was abrasive).
Posted by banga on March 6, 2005, at 9:23:42
In reply to How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
Do you have to get pre-approval to see them? Is that why it's tough to choose? Otherwise I was going to suggest making two appointments, go to the famous one first for an opinion--he/she may have more in-depth knowledge (though being published does not necessarily mean that they are better), may have some insights, but most likely is very busy and hard to get regular appointments in the long run. So do a consult. Have an appointment already set up with another pdoc--someone closer by and who may have a less busy schedule so they can accomodate your needs and perhaps semi-emergencies if they ever come up.That way you don't have to wait forever to see soemone again after you see the first guy. you can always cancel if you end up really liking the first one.
I think each person's priorities in their pdoc can change depending on what is going on. So ask yourself: what of his/her attributes are MOST important now?
If you consider your condition difficult to treat, expertise and cutting-edge knowledge is what I'd seek, even if for a one-time consult. If you are in a spot where you need to feel supported, you'd prioritize rapport
Or you may care less about rapport but need someone who you can see quick because you tend to have semi-emergencies--so you need someone less busy.For me, I chose the pdoc that was most open to my own suggestions and was willing to try unconventional combos. Previous to that I saw soemone who was very knowledgeable and VERY sympathetic, but she was unwilling to try any new med combos with me unless I agreed to partial hospitalization. And previous to her I saw someone fairly dry in personality but very knowledgeable, but I had seen him for quite a while and we were not getting anywhere so I simply needed a switch to get fresh ideas into the picture.
Again, Id start by going to the person most likely to give me the most expert advice (yes, hard to judge befoerhand who that might be), set up the meds with that person until I stabilize, and then switch to a pdoc closer to me and with a more flexible schedule--who can serve just as a check-in point. Even if you have to have the visits pre-approved, you could try saying that you are going to doc x for a one-time expert consult, but will be wanting to go to doc y in the long run.
Posted by jay on March 6, 2005, at 9:38:13
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » SLS, posted by Dinah on March 6, 2005, at 8:55:30
Well, I'd be better off telling you how I *fired* my pdocs..lol. Really, all's they offered me where a.d.'s, and higher doses of a.d.'s, without recognizing I was a manic, frantic and very pained bipolar person. So, my GP (family Doc) intervened, and we started experimenting with different meds, and he has been amazing ever since. There have only been one or two times at the most (over 5 years) that he has said no to certain meds (with very good justifications), and usually he qualified that we could look at those meds down the road if more conventional treatments didn't work. My GP also got me into therapy with one of the best research centre's in Canada, and has bent over backwards to help me. A few years ago walking out the door was like putting a knife to my throat...now I have a well paying good job, advancing my education, socialize well, etc. I'd like to go back to those Pdocs and rub it in their faces. See, I take a very complex regiment of 5-6 meds, and that took a lot of trial and error, but it was *so* worth it. I am walking, talking proof that good mental health care, even if it is very complex, works. Anyhow, just IMHO...
Jay
Posted by ed_uk on March 6, 2005, at 10:13:12
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?Hmmmm, posted by jay on March 6, 2005, at 9:38:13
>How did you choose your Pdoc?
I've never been given any choice, I just went to the one that I was refered to. No information was provided.
Ed.
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 11:56:17
In reply to How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
Mine was chosen by the postal code I live in! The joys of living in Montreal, Quebec!
Maxime
Posted by ed_uk on March 6, 2005, at 12:12:19
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 11:56:17
Hi,
Cool, I have family in Montreal!
Ed.
Posted by Spriggy on March 6, 2005, at 12:45:32
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on March 6, 2005, at 12:12:19
There is only ONE psychiatrist in a 25 mile radius to me. So unless you take off your clothes and run down the freeway naked, you can't get in to see him until 2007.
So... the only other option is to check yourself into a hospital up north where somebody has a clue.
That's how I saw a psych (not the clothes thing on the freeway but the hospital thing-don't worry).
Posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2005, at 17:08:38
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by Spriggy on March 6, 2005, at 12:45:32
Now I'm only going to pdocs that others say are good. My new one is old so she is familiar with the older drugs, close to retirement age so she's not trying to make points with the drug companies, and leaves most of the therapy up to a therapist which is best in my opinion. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by alohashirt on March 6, 2005, at 19:27:20
In reply to How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by MM on March 6, 2005, at 2:45:54
Ask each whether they are comfortable with patients taking an active role in their treatment plan.
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 21:55:32
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on March 6, 2005, at 12:12:19
> Hi,
>
> Cool, I have family in Montreal!
>
> Ed.Really? Which part? I bet they live on the West Island. Hmmm. Beaconsfield? Baie D'Urfe? or Westmount?(which is not on the West Island).
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 22:04:00
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by Spriggy on March 6, 2005, at 12:45:32
Where do you live? I like the running down the freeway naked idea.
Personally I have often thought about wearing my underwear on my head just to have a doctor take me seriously (as a psych patient). Apparently if one articulates themselves properly then you do not qualify! Oh and if your clothes match then you have more points taken off. If you look like you have showered then more points are removed. Grrrrr. I thought there was suppose to be a fine line between genius and insanity? Don't the ER docs know this?
Maxime
> There is only ONE psychiatrist in a 25 mile radius to me. So unless you take off your clothes and run down the freeway naked, you can't get in to see him until 2007.
>
> So... the only other option is to check yourself into a hospital up north where somebody has a clue.
>
> That's how I saw a psych (not the clothes thing on the freeway but the hospital thing-don't worry).
>
>
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 22:11:30
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by Phillipa on March 6, 2005, at 17:08:38
> Now I'm only going to pdocs that others say are good. My new one is old so she is familiar with the older drugs, close to retirement age so she's not trying to make points with the drug companies, and leaves most of the therapy up to a therapist which is best in my opinion. Fondly, Phillipa
Actually mine is old as well. He is in 60's (late). But he does work at a hospital. I like that he know a lot about the older drugs and he always tells me the history behind the drugs. But I was the one who introduced HIM to Trileptal which is somewhat scary. He does hypnosis on me sometimes which is helpful. But this is the first male pdoc I have had and I can't talk to him about my eating disorder very much.My main complaint is that he us so bloody chipper that it gets on my nerves. I am depressed so NO, it's not a lovely day! But he is a persistent bugger and I think I will keep him.
Maxime
Posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 9:46:19
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » ed_uk, posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 21:55:32
Hi Maxime,
>Really? Which part?
I'm actually not sure because they just moved house, still Montreal though :-)
Ed.
Posted by Maxime on March 8, 2005, at 21:06:42
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on March 8, 2005, at 9:46:19
Ah ... almost like saying "still in England". ;)
> Hi Maxime,
>
> >Really? Which part?
>
> I'm actually not sure because they just moved house, still Montreal though :-)
>
> Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 7:23:17
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc?, posted by Maxime on March 8, 2005, at 21:06:42
>Ah ... almost like saying "still in England". ;)
I can find out! It's my aunt and uncle. My uncle (mum's brother) is English and my aunt is French-Canadian. My grandma's brother also lives in Montreal.
Ed.
Posted by Maxime on March 10, 2005, at 22:00:26
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » Maxime, posted by ed_uk on March 9, 2005, at 7:23:17
Hey, you mentioned in another post that you haven't travelled much. You should get yourself to Canada for a visit. It would be so cool to meet you ... because you are a cool guy! Most of the men here(in the area where I live not Canada as a whole) are wankers ... there are exceptions but I have yet to meet them (or they are taken). Not that I am looking for love ... I don't even like myself so I can't expect to find anyone to like me.
Maxime
> >Ah ... almost like saying "still in England". ;)
>
> I can find out! It's my aunt and uncle. My uncle (mum's brother) is English and my aunt is French-Canadian. My grandma's brother also lives in Montreal.
>
> Ed.
Posted by ed_uk on March 11, 2005, at 8:03:38
In reply to Re: How did you choose your Pdoc? » ed_uk, posted by Maxime on March 10, 2005, at 22:00:26
Hi!
>You should get yourself to Canada for a visit.
I visited Canada about 6 years ago. We stayed for 3 weeks. First we went to Toronto- to visit my dad's cousin, then we went to Montreal. It would be nice to go to Canada soon, my aunt and uncle would probably let us stay at their house for a short while.
>It would be so cool to meet you ... because you are a cool guy!
Lol thanks, it would be cool to meet you too :-)
>I don't even like myself so I can't expect to find anyone to like me.
People on p-babble like you, I like you :-) Sometimes I don't like myself though.
Regards,
Ed xx
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