Finding a good doctor...please help!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2003
Finding a good doctor...please help!
7
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 2:53pm

Hi all,

In case you don't remember me, I'm the one with the DH who just got the C-pap machine for his apnea and I was waiting to see if his improved sleep might help the BP symptoms he's had for a very long time. After watching my DH for over a month now (to see if his C-pap machine improves is mood swings), I can finally say that I don't think his problem is about his inability to get a good nights sleep (that would have made it too easy right?). At first (after he started using the C-pap), I thought I was seeing improvement. He was flying off the handle like he had used to...but low and behold, it didn't take long before he was back to himself again.

Here's my question, where and how do we begin finding him a doctor to diagnose his behavioral problems? I'm 90% sure he is BP (I've done a lot of reading) and he has been for quite some time. He has so many of the symptoms. At this point I feel as though we need both a MC as well as a BP doctor because I'm about ready to walk out the door. The only reason I'm staying is because he swore that he would start seeing someone to help him sort out this problem. I don't mind dealing with a problem that he is having (I feel that is part of being a good wife), it's just that when he is screaming and yelling at me, treating me like SH** and basically treating me like crap that I give up and stop wanting to support him!

Any info. anyone can give me would be greatly appreciated. I've already schedule him for a full physical with our primary care doctor for June 7th. I figured that would be a good start.

J

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 3:52pm

Unfortunately, finding a pdoc, tdoc, or MC is a crap shoot. One word of advice, referrals....if either one of you can discretely ask about a marriage counselor or docs then that would be that best way to go.

I have called the insurance company, gotten a list of "approved" doctors and tried one until I found one that "clicked". If none on the list "clicked", then I went outside the PPO (I have a plan that will re-imburse 80% of "out of plan" doctors fees...."in plan is $15 co-pay) and cold called docs and tried a few.

Maybe someone else has places you can go for referrals....I do mine the hard way. LOL.

tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 5:25pm

http://www.askmen.com/sports/health_100/128_mens_health.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/05/04/48hours/main192042.shtml
http://www.healthdecisions.org/HealthInsurance/News/default.aspx?doc_id=115511

I found that the advice provided on these web pages is the most used advice. Don't be afraid to make an appointment for an interview with a doc. I've done this many times. If the doc doesn't do interviews or is intimidated by your interviewing him or her, that probably is not the right doc for you. If you get an appt with an interview with a doc, you can usually tell right away whether there is "chemistry" or not that will cause you to get along well, see what his bedside manner is, and whether he's the doc for you.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Tue, 05-22-2007 - 6:02pm

Starting with a full physical is an excellent idea-BTW!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2003
Fri, 05-25-2007 - 2:25pm

Thanks for all your advice everyone. This may sound like a stupid question but I have no idea what a pdoc or tdoc is...HELP!

J

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-11-2006
Fri, 05-25-2007 - 3:11pm

Here's a little help, if I can get it right.

pdoc - usually a psychiatrist and the one we all see to get our meds....the only ones in the psych community that can prescribe meds (I believe, someone correct me if I am wrong)

tdoc - usually a psychologist, but sometimes a psychiatrist (they cost a little more) and the one we all go to to unload on when life is a living H E double hockey sticks....or to help us find coping techniques to avoid getting to that point.

Hope that helps,

tk

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 05-25-2007 - 4:30pm
Just a small correction. ;) There are psychiatric nurse practitioners who can prescribe.


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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2004
Fri, 05-25-2007 - 7:51pm

Check out the newcomers post for more common abbreviations on the board.