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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
Just wanted to know other's experience with this!
I've been working with a therapist for about a year now...the T I'm with now I've been with since September and he is amazing, although I don't like to admit that. Anyway, I'm in therapy for school-related anxiety (I'm a college sophomore) and my T and I both think that it will best to go on Medicine again. I was on meds in high school, and am violently opposed to them as they threw my life into a tailspin..but it's either ADD meds or fail another semester and get kicked out of school. Anyways.
I really do not want to go to a psychiatrist. AT ALL. I do not like them, they scare me, and I REFUSE. The thought of sitting in that office gives me night terrors. I would much rather not go on meds and get kicked out of school than have to go see a psychiatrist. My T recommended that I see a nautropath but that seems a little bit too off the wall for me. So I just made an appointment with a family practice doctor on Monday (I have some weird stuff on my tongue and would like it gone, anyways.) Is it even worth asking if he would give me a prescription for ADD meds/Anti-depressants? I know which ones I want already, but I just don't know if he would even be willing to give me a prescription for this kind of stuff. Does anyone get their meds from just a regular doctor or do they usually make you go through a psychiatrist? And do I just ask for the pills? What kind of proof do I need?
Posted by MusicLuv on February 6, 2009, at 19:23:48
In reply to Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
Hi Posterchild,
I just went through this exact issue. I can't stand Psychiatrists offices either. I've had a couple of really bad experiences. I get meds from my family practice Dr. I just told her the situation, and that I had a therapist recommending medication.
He/she may want to talk to your therapist, and if that's okay with you, you should be able to just sign a release form from your therapist and they can talk (if your doctor requests it). Your Dr. might just be willing to write you a prescription. Those doctors are all so different.
Hopefully this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions. I would hate to see you leave school because you don't want to see a psychiatrist. I totally understand how you feel though.
~ MusicLuv
Posted by jane d on February 6, 2009, at 19:35:36
In reply to Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
Not all psychiatrists are alike of course. But I agree it's scary and I don't know any way to guarantee in advance you've got a decent one.
You should have no trouble getting an anti depressant from your family doctor. ADD meds may be harder. You can always asks. You might try asking your therapist talk to the doctor.
But, is this really what you should be doing? You say your last experience with meds back in high school was a disaster. If it were me, and I had decided I had to try again (and I agree that staying in school is critical) I would want those meds prescribed by someone who had lots of experience in how they worked. More experience than a family doctor who also has to deal with everything else under the sun is likely to have.
Perhaps your therapist could help you face your phobia about psychiatrists. I think they are terrifying too but you've clearly already put a lot of work into staying in school. You also may find that it's easier, well slightly easier, doing this as an adult instead of a minor.
Now to answer your specific question I've never gotten any of my psych meds from my GP and I know she wouldn't prescribe stimulants.
Good luck,
jane
Posted by Sharon7 on February 6, 2009, at 19:56:22
In reply to Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
Hey poster child. It's good you reached out for advice. I have just learned to do that and it really is helpful.
Anyway, first, I have had my primary-care physicians in the past who were willing to prescribe AD's to me, but the dr I have now will not. She's not willing to do it because she knows it's in my best interest, so I respect her decision on that.
Have you tried any other type of natural remedies to help you deal with your anxiety and stress about school? There's so many things you can do. Yoga, meditation, prayer if your religious, deep breathing, massage. I realize though, you're a college student so you probably have a tight budget so the massage might be out! Therapy is a good outlet. I understand your not wanting to take the meds and especially if you did not have a positive experience before. obviously i don't know the history of your anxiety issues, but so many variables go into a decision about whether or not to go on meds. like is this a chronic recurring condition that has not been relieved by therapy (and depending on the extent of your anxiety and how disabling it is, a good therapist should be able to help you cope with this.
As for the meds, I'd say let that be your last resort. I am more than likely doomed to take them for the rest of my life due to the chronicity and severity of my depression, but I'm certainly not happy about it, but at the same time, very thankful because they help me a great deal as far as keeping the depression 'dark cloud' away.
If this is something you've been trying to work on with a therapist for a year, though, and are no better, and if you haven't tried or don't really have much confidence that any of the natural remedies would help, you may have to experiment with a low dose. Could be you need a little help while you're in school because of all the pressure you are under, but again, I have no idea if you have suffered with mental illness in the past. When you took the meds in high school, was that for this same problem?
I'm asking you so many ?'s. sorry. giving you the 3rd degree! lol. Not meaning to. Just want to get a clearer picture of how chronic, debilitating, and severe this anxiety is.
I assume you've researched meds or otherwise had a particular one suggested to you. It could be a regular physican would be willing to write you a prescription for it, depending on what it is. I don't know if ADD meds are much different than AD's, though. Could be you'll have to get them from a psychiatrist if you decide it's worth giving it a try.
Okay. Your fear of the psychiatrist (hereafter referred to as 'pdoc.') you said: "I really do not want to go to a psychiatrist. AT ALL. I do not like them, they scare me, and I REFUSE. The thought of sitting in that office gives me night terrors." This is probably an example of the anxiety you are experiencing with school, because there is absolutely nothing to fear about a psychiatrist. They are just like any other Dr as far as I'm concerned. I guess some of them do therapy, too, but mine, I'm in there like for 5-10 minutes just to check in and get refills. I don't know where the "terror" of the pdoc comes from; did you have a bad experience with one? Is it the sterotype of feeling like if you go see a psychiatrist, a SHRINK, that means you're crazy, because nothing could be further from the truth.
If you decide to try the meds and a regular dr won't give you a script and you have to go to the pdoc, if there's something 'creepy' about the one your T is referring you to, you can always go to someone different. Also, is there someone you love that could go with you?
Well, I guess that's all I got! lol! Sorry. I went on and on. I probably just kept repeating myself, but this is so long, I'm not going to take the time to proof read it (because I'd like you to get it before you graduate college!) lol!
I hope whatever you decide works out well for you. I'm anxious to see what the others have to say. (Hopefully they'll be able to say it more succinctly that I do !) Take care. Deep breaths!
- Sharon (o:
Posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 21:37:56
In reply to Re: Med doc, posted by Sharon7 on February 6, 2009, at 19:56:22
I have tried lots of other things to deal with my anxiety. I have had school anxiety since I started school, was on a pretty intense regiment of unsuccessful therapy/meds for this problem in high school. This past year in therapy has been aimed at helping me find other ways to relax, but none seem to help. My T is hoping that the meds will be a temporary thing-that by going on the meds, it will help me talk about things that usually provoke too much anxiety for me to talk about that may be at the root of my anxiety (CSA, ect.) By dealing with these issues while I'm on the meds, and developing tools and resources to help me get my work done while I'm not so on edge, when I go off the pills I will be able to function better. The meds are my last resort right now...trust me. I really don't enjoy them-I was severely over-medicated in the past, taking up to 15 pills a day in junior high...which is also why I hate P-docs so much. I have been put into the hospital by a P-doc three times when I really wasn't suffering from what he claimed I was. I was misdiagnosed, not listened to, talked down to, bullied and I am not going back to one. I do not care what the cost is, I am not going back. My humanity is worth more to me than my college degree. They don't listen and don't treat people well at all. I'm not going back. It was a terrible experience and I refuse to partake in the system at all.
(I think that addressed your whole post-I hope!)
Posted by rskontos on February 6, 2009, at 21:55:07
In reply to Re: Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 21:37:56
posterchild,
not all p-docs are the same. I see mine for therapy and have now for over a year and he has been a god-send. He handles my meds and my therapy. He is just the right mix for me.
I came to him in crisis mode. Thankfully I am not in crisis mode now. Things are better but we are still in I need to trust mode but since I haven't trusted people ever, I am doing better with him.
My first t was a counselor, and this p-doc is so much more skilled, since my first T, just could not handle my situation.
This p-doc I now have on my first appt. which I was in a serious crisis spent and hour and one-half session with me and then schedule another appt for two days later.
Just wanted you to know, that not all p-docs need be kicked to the curb.
rsk
Posted by Sharon7 on February 6, 2009, at 22:11:57
In reply to Re: Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 21:37:56
Hey posterchild. Yep, that certainly answers my questions. I'm sorry you've had and are having now such a difficult time with this. When you said that you were "violently opposed to them [meds] as they threw my life into a tailspin," I thought perhaps you were looking for an alternative, but you have tried other things and nothing has worked.
Sounds like you and your therapist have a good plan of attack there. Sure can't hurt. I hope the meds will be able to be a temporary thing for you, but you'll just have to address that when the time comes, when you think you may be able to be okay without them. (o:
I hope you can get to see the dr soon, and that you don't have any trbl getting the script without the pdoc. I understand now why you don't want to go to one. I'm sorry you had to go through that.
I hope you're doing better soon. tgif.. no classes (?) studying though I bet. Take care of yourself.
Sharon (o:
Posted by fleeting flutterby on February 7, 2009, at 12:24:06
In reply to Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
I'm sorry you are struggling so much right now-- I understand, as my son just got kicked out of college for his low grades-- he didn't want to take ADD meds anymore. :o(We always got his ADD meds from a GP doc..... our doctor will prescribe anything that we ask for. With that said though-- it seems doctors all have their own way of doing things.... so that's not a guarantee that your doctor will do the same.
I'd do like others have said-- tell the doc that your therapist recommended it and if necessary the doc can contact your therapist. Not sure if this would be possible for you-- but I've been told that having a parent go along-- even though you are an adult-- also helps-- shows that the family is aware and is supporting your decision.... just an idea.
good luck with it all-- keep us posted- K?
flutterby-mandy
Posted by posterchild on February 7, 2009, at 12:42:33
In reply to Re: Med doc » posterchild, posted by fleeting flutterby on February 7, 2009, at 12:24:06
Thanks! I made an appointment with a doctor for Monday, so hopefully it will go well. I don't have any family to go along-I go to very much out-of-state (thank God). So we'll see how it goes-hopefully I get some sort of help!
Posted by Poet on February 7, 2009, at 13:45:49
In reply to Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 6, 2009, at 18:27:01
Hi Posterchild,
I hope the med doc gives you what you need to be able to stay in school. I saw a med doc for quite awhile for ADs. I only started seeing a pdoc because I was in a major depression and my T said see a pdoc or go into the hospital. The hospital scares me like seeing a pdoc scares you so I went with the lesser of the evils.
Good luck.
Poet
Posted by posterchild on February 9, 2009, at 22:39:35
In reply to Re: Med doc » posterchild, posted by Poet on February 7, 2009, at 13:45:49
Went to the doctor this afternoon-He was very nice; gave me a prescription for an A/D, drew some blood to check out my thyroid, and I made another appointment in a month to see if some of the ADD symptoms are resolved with the A/Ds, otherwise, he is going to recommend a psychiatrist.
I actually feel a little better..
Now on finding money for my prescription copay...HUM. Could be another month until I can pay Walgreens!
Posted by sharon7 on February 11, 2009, at 12:10:18
In reply to Re: Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 9, 2009, at 22:39:35
Good! I'm glad you got to the doc and were able to get the prescription w/o having to go to a pdoc. As for the cost, I don't know what he gave you, but several AD's are on the $4 generic prescription list. One of mine is, so that does help. It's just a thought. There's a whole bunch that aren't on there, of course, but I was just hoping maybe yours was so you wouldn't have to wait to get it.
I hope they help. Let us know! Take care.
Sharon
Posted by jane d on February 11, 2009, at 23:29:48
In reply to Re: Med doc, posted by posterchild on February 9, 2009, at 22:39:35
> Now on finding money for my prescription copay...HUM. Could be another month until I can pay Walgreens!As Sharon said check out the generics. If your prescription is for something that has no generic try to get it changed to something that is generic and is cheap (not all generics are). There really isn't that much difference between most AD's but doctors seem to like to prescribe the latest (and most aggressively marketed).
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