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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
I have to find a new PDOC and it's not going smoothly. My current one moved out of state. The plan was just to continue seeing her, as I'm stable and only see her twice a year. I look at mental health the way someone views any other medical condition - I'm willing to travel for the best care (within reason). She's a top researcher and I like her.
Things have started to get hairy though... She moved on the past summer and left me with enough refills to get me through until our scheduled appointment at her new clinic. Well, that time is approaching.... and yesterday her clinic called and asked me to reschedule, resulting in my losing airfare on a non-refundable ticket. Furthermore, she's now out of network and VERY expensive, I called her, and she assured me I wouldn't be without my meds and refills would get called in. I'm starting to doubt it's that easy. She's never been a "details person." Getting enough refills on my meds (6 months worth) was really a pain in the butt when she was transitioning out of her first clinc. . She was just like "Oh, I'll just give you a year's worth of refills. No big deal!" She seemed to have no idea that there are dispense limitations on what I am prescribed. I take an off label experimental med for OCD and a daily benzo (low dose with no escalation) for panic. She can't just give me a year's worth of refills on a benzo. It doesn't work that way. I'm starting to get very nervous. I've never even been seen in her new clinic, and yet she states she is going to call refills in for me. Can she even do that if I'm not yet technically a patient of hers at the new place? I feel like she just kind of goes rogue and has to be reigned in by her clinic now and then. So where does that leave me?
I have enough meds until December, and then I'm screwed. I'm trying to look for someone else, but the bulk of the doctor's at the "big box" clinics seem uncomfortable with the daily benzo and off-label OCD med. The university she came from is trying to find someone, but they are very slow moving. I have NO idea what to do. I realize I'm doing a lot of projecting here, but I'm terrified. It's led me to question my meds. The SSRIS and conventional stuff don't work for me. There's a reason we chose these meds.. They work, and they have worked for 5 years. However, if I am going to have to fight a battle every time a PDOC retires or moves on (this is my second time dealing with this BTW.... Then is it worth it?
PLEASE help. Any suggestions on how I could handle this? Thoughts about my meds? How do I advocate for myself without coming across as a *B*.
Posted by Twinleaf on October 10, 2012, at 7:10:37
In reply to Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
While you are working out a longer-term plan, can you reschedule a visit to her before December? I think you are right that you will need a scheduled visit in order to get refills.
Posted by phillipa on October 10, 2012, at 10:15:59
In reply to Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
Establish yourself as a patient in her new location. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on October 10, 2012, at 12:08:00
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » StellaMella, posted by phillipa on October 10, 2012, at 10:15:59
Sorry to hear of this.I also take a daily low dose benzo. If I were in your position,I would also be very concerned. I do hope you can find a solution and your pdoc can call in your refills. I got nervous because I have 26 klonopins left and at my pdoc appt this time,no refill was given.I also am stable and only see her 2x a year. The nurse just said to call in when I need the refill,that they call it in to pharmacy same day. Somehow I dont think its going to be so easy.Made a mental note to call 10 days before I run out,while imagining me running out and ending up psychotic.I guess I shouldve said that I would feel more comfortable leaving with a script.But thats how it is on benzos. I hate it...
Posted by ChicagoKat on October 10, 2012, at 12:48:24
In reply to Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
Where do you live? I have tried many, many pdocs and finally found one I consider to be the best one in the world. He practices in Illinois; in a Chicago suburb.
Kat
Posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 10, 2012, at 13:55:42
In reply to Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
Doesn't pdoc have a suggestion about someone in your town that you could transfer to? Good docs usually know other good docs. I was seeing a pdoc that was very sharp clinically but we had a bit of a personal falling out and so now I see a colleague that he suggested. I'm really happy with the new guy. He's compassionate, listens to me, and made a great med suggestion for me.
Good luck!
EE
Posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 19:00:20
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by Emily Elizabeth on October 10, 2012, at 13:55:42
Thanks for all the comments. I have been fixed up with someone new at my old clinic and she is helping me out. She gave me refills. It ignited all of my fears all over again and I am just kicking myself for ever getting on this. I started reading all of the hellish horror stories about withdrawal and how benzos cause brain damage and you can be ruined for life... What have I gotten myself into? Sorry about the rant...
Posted by gadchik on October 10, 2012, at 19:05:58
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 19:00:20
I read all that and worry too,but its the only med that I could stick with,and the fewest side effects.Just keep dose low.I dont drink any alcohol either,just in case that would cause damage. I had an mri and my brain is still normal,so far!
Posted by bennybenzo on October 11, 2012, at 12:17:12
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » StellaMella, posted by phillipa on October 10, 2012, at 10:15:59
WOW what a weird set up you have in America with insurance health, England not insurance has you have we have,but national insurance that is taken from your pay packet the amount depending on earnings.But unless you want to pay private you get the same shrinks has everyone else you carnt pick them, There all in the main mental hospital in your town, mabye 6 to serve thousand,s. You can ask to swap to one of the other 5 if you dont like the one given, but all your record,s are at the same hospital so there is no point.My shrink is bad he wants me off benzo,s after 35 years, i tell him he will kill me if he does,Lorazopam is the choise of English mental hospital and general hospital. I carnt say i no anyone on xanax or any strong benzos. I am on loz and GP surgeries have more money than hospitals so i get my loz from GP and lexapro , hospital only gives citalopram. The only reason i still keep 6 month check up at hospital is to keep my fast track into help if needed, one phone call an you can be in hospital, if signed off its the hole nine yards all over. again.We dont have much but at least its only 2 mile away, an the GP 200 yards.
Posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 18:01:15
In reply to Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP, posted by StellaMella on October 10, 2012, at 6:54:32
What are you taking?
Eric
Posted by StellaMella on October 13, 2012, at 10:19:06
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » StellaMella, posted by phidippus on October 12, 2012, at 18:01:15
> What are you taking?
>
> EricNamenda 20 mg and Klonopin 1 mg daily.
Posted by phidippus on October 13, 2012, at 17:23:50
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » phidippus, posted by StellaMella on October 13, 2012, at 10:19:06
And you find Memantine adequate to treating your OCD? Or do you have a lot of left over symptoms?
Eric
Posted by StellaMella on October 14, 2012, at 5:20:24
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » StellaMella, posted by phidippus on October 13, 2012, at 17:23:50
works pretty good... but of course i still have some symptoms. the SSRIs did nothing for me though and the side effects were intolerable. i have my days, but i definitely feel like i get "unstuck" much more quickly. my previous pdoc had suggested going up to 30 mgs but insurance wasn't having it. we had to fight just to get my 20 mgs covered.... she basically sent them a strongly worded letter that said either pay for the pills or pay for the crap load of medical problems that will come if she doesn't get the pills lol. love how everyone else BUT me and my doc seems to get to choose my care.
Posted by phidippus on October 14, 2012, at 19:21:08
In reply to Re: Finding new PDOC and med issues - HELP » phidippus, posted by StellaMella on October 14, 2012, at 5:20:24
>but of course i still have some symptoms.
I have OCD too and I went through a boatload of medications before we found some that worked. Let me share some of them with you-maybe something will help.
Antidepressants:
Clomipramine
Mirtazapine
ViibrydAnticonvulsants:
Zonisamide
KeppraAntipsychotics:
Abilify
Latuda
Seroquel
ZyprexaOther:
PrazosinHave you ever tried Clomipramine (THE OCD med)?
Keppra made a strong impact on my OCD, you should try it.
I take Viibryd, Abilify and Keppra for my OCD and I'm pretty much free of symptoms accept for pesky suicidal ideations.
You should also check into deep brain stimulation.
This is the end of the thread.
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