Calling on your experience out there...

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-22-2006
Calling on your experience out there...
4
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 5:59pm
Now that I've committed to a tdoc, can anyone give me a general idea how long before you are dx'd? Or in my case re-dx'd? And if they don't tell you after a certain point (which would be nice to know as well), do you ask? They have to bill insurance something, some kind of dx code. Also, I've been reading the "med or not to med" debate and wonder when do you get to that point and who decides that - you or t/pdoc? It's all part of that control issue... Thanks for all the help I've always received here! Kelli





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Avatar for missyflanders
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 6:51pm

For me, I went to a behavior center at the hospital where they asked me a ton of questions and actually said they thought I had BPII and advised me to see pdoc and possibly commit to outpatient program. I was very desperate for some kind of help at the time and the free assessment gave me some hope. It was actually the most thourough dx I had done, so you may want to look into your hospital to see if they do free assessments. Pdoc asked me some of the same questions, though not as many, and came up with the same dx. When I went to tdoc, I told him I was still questioning dx and we went over the criteria together and came up with the same dx too. That was at my first visit. With this tdoc, I have never really question dx, we have talked some about it, but have talked more about how I am handling things instead.

Missy

 
 
iVillage Member
Registered: 12-12-2005
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 7:15pm

In my case I was seeing pdoc for sever depression. Then after about 6 months of therapy they were noticing other signs and they had to keep changing my meds and adding to them. By the 6th month give or take they(pdoc & tdoc) both came to the conclusion that it was BP. I tried severl different meds til they found the right coctail..lol

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2006
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 7:51pm

Kelli...you worry so much, girl :p


Your right the docs have to use a Dx's code, but they first go by what your symptoms are immediatly. It can and will change in time, when the pdoc and tdoc get to know you better. It takes time for them to see what your symptoms are. They will ask questions and the more information you can give them about how you are feeling the better. You will need to be patient but they will Dx you. Let them treat your symptoms and that will also let them see what is going on...what helps, what doesn't and that can help determine your Dx's.


I know it is hard when you have a mental illness. You want to know what you have, exactly. It is important for the docs to find a Dx's but the main thing is that your symptoms be treated. If they say, you are BP and don't treat your symptoms then what good would that be. If they treat your symptoms and you start to feel better and

     ~ Tina ~

Avatar for peg_t
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-24-2003
Sat, 06-17-2006 - 11:30pm

Hi Kelli,

I have been with my tdoc since 1/05. I was annoyed that she never gave me a dx so I called my insurance company and asked what she was billing under. I did this in 3/06 but, to be fair to her, I never flat out asked what my dx was. We had discussed bp and during one of our discussions I asked if that is what she thought my dx was. She did not totally commit to saying yes, but when I asked why, then, she bills under PTSD, she stated that she gives the insurance company as little information as she can. She has had too many experiences where patients had problems with certain dx's so she plays it safe. With my current insurance, it doesn't matter what the dx is. We are changing insurance July 1 and my new insurance will give you extra benefits with certain dx's, bp being one of them. I will get more outpatient visits per year (60 vs. my current 20) when they bill under bp. Not that I really want that on my insurance records but I'll benefit from the extra visits.

As far as the meds go, I think it is up to both of you to agree mutually. I think the only time you can be "forced" to take meds is if you are admitted to the hospital. Beyond that, you always have the choice to take them or not take them. It's your decision. Your tdoc will probably suggest them and the pdoc will most likely recommend them. I feel you should let your t/pdoc know your feelings on the subject and be up front. My tdoc knew from the beginning that I was very against meds. It took me over a year to choose to do it. When I finally get to see the pdoc, I will let him know my feelings, too. I have a feeling it is going to annoy him and he will question why I am there if I don't want to take meds, but he'll just have to get over it! LOL. I SO understand the control issue. I always like to read people's personal experiences with the different meds. I know my experiences may be different, but at least the information I read is "real life" and not "textbook". I'm still on the fence with meds other than the ad's. The main reason I chose to take them now is that we are really hitting some tough issues in therapy and Im using it as a "safety net" so I don't crash (or crash as hard).

I don't know if any of that info was helpful, but I jus thought I'd share my experiences.

Have a great Sunday!
Luv ya,
Peg