Finally going to the Pdoc

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Finally going to the Pdoc
7
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 12:52pm

I have been waiting months to get in with a pdoc so that we can discuss the medications I am currently taking and hopefully adjust to the right ones. Now that the day is finally here, I have no idea how to explain my feelings. My emotions have been all over the place. My anxiety was my problem for what seemed like two months and now over the past two weeks I feel depressed. Some days I go back and forth. Do you think she will ask questions to determine where I am at or just say "so tell me what is going on with you?"

If she does that I will probably break down on her floor and cry. (maybe not)

Anyway, any tips on how to communicate your feelings to a pdoc when you are really not sure where your emotions will be from moment to moment?

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2005
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 1:08pm

I'm guessing she will ask you to speak first, about why you are there, then she will ask you questions based on what you have said. I've been to plenty of therapists, and that has usually been my experience. Have faith and trust that you will reach a common ground with this doctor, Alison. I'm glad you're getting the help you need!!

How to communicate your feelings? Speak from your heart. Don't worry if it comes out disjointed or rambling. I do that all the time. Doctors get it. They may slow you down and pick apart what you are saying, but they'll get there.

Kendra

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-18-2003
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 1:54pm
Alison, I have broke down and cried more times than I'd like to remember at my pdoc office. They're use to it, I am sure. This is a difficult thing for us. Mine asked what was going on & then some in depth questions followed. Good luck! Don't worry about it, just be you and be honest!
Sheri Ann

Sheri Ann

Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 1:57pm

Thanks! I just hope I can be realistic and know that she will not find the "magic pill" to cure me on my first visit. Darn, I wish she could!!!

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 3:53pm

Hi, Alison! Crying is ok. Like Sheri Ann said, they're used to it. I have found that making a list & taking it along to refer to, is very helpful. If that's a problem for you, go back & print off some of your former posts that you feel are significant & want the dr. to know about. You will do just fine. It will be surprisingly *unscary.* I will say a prayer for you & think about your visit. Good luck & GBU! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 01-17-2001
Wed, 09-21-2005 - 11:49pm

Alison,


It is OK to cry with your pdoc. I do all the time... also as the other people said.. make a list of what you want to talk about that way you won't forget.


let us know how it goes!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-21-2004
Thu, 09-22-2005 - 1:17am
Hi Alison,
I know exactly how you are feeling because I had my first pdoc appt a month ago tomorrow.
I agree with Kendra and Jan-Speak from your heart, and also do review your posts on the board to help assist you in remembering how you have been feeling.
Also-What I did was wrote-up a kinda 'bio' of what had been going on with me, how I thought I had gotten where I am, what meds I had taken, how I was feeling from day to day, and I also wrote that I believed in therapy and wanted help, and was willing to work hard to get my life back.
I took the 'bio' and gave it to my pdoc's receptionist when I paid for the session, and she in turn gave the letter to my pdoc before my appt started, and she read through it...Everything fell into place from there-she asked me questions, I didn't have to even speak unless I wanted to, and it was pretty darn comfortable. My pdoc told me how much she appreciated me writing everything down, and I think it was a plus for me too, as she didn't have to ask me all of those questions.
So I just wanted to share my experience with you.
Hope it helps!
Please let us know how your appt. goes,k?
hugs!
shasta
Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Thu, 09-22-2005 - 10:57am

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I guess I didn't really click with my pdoc. The first thing I told her was why I left my previous pdoc and of course she knows him and said that when he said "I can't believe you are taking 8 valium a day and are still anxious", that he didn't really mean that he didn't believe me. Why then did he not do anything to help me? Anyway, she was trying to take my history and I have had different pdocs and pcps subscribe medication for me and have made changes for various reasons over the 13 years since I have been dxd. She kept interupting and saying that she really needed a history. I wish my thoughts could've settled enough to help with that but they wouldn't. She switched me from zoloft back to Cymbalta (which was working on my depression) and then from Elavil to Lunesta for sleep. When I told her I was taking up to 4 mg xanax a day for the anxiety she about fell out of her chair. She said numerous times that she didn't have any patients that took that much. Duh, then maybe I need a different med. Her suggestion, it is addicting, try cutting back. Okay, try giving me something else for the anxiety then. I am so frustrated that I waited so long for this appt and didn't come out of it with a good feeling. I am going to go through my medical records at home and try to figure out what I took when and the reasons for the med changes so that she will have a little more to work from. Each time I told her of a symptom, racing thoughts, inability to make decisions, unable to concentrate, depression, anxiety she would ask how often and for how long. I just can't pin it down and she acted like I should be so together as to just fill in all the blanks so that she could make an easy diagnosis. I am rambling, much like I did in her office yesterday. I will definitely be more prepared for her questions next time but did not get a comforting feeling from her. Felt more like an interrogation minus the bright lights.

Oh well, guess I will keep trying.

Alison