Do you tell your pDoc what YOU want?
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| Wed, 09-20-2006 - 8:56pm |
I'm wondering how you conversate and talk to your pdoc about meds and things like that? Do you just sit back and let them decide what's best for you? Do you suggest what you think is best for you? Like increasing or decreasing dosages?
I just wonder what kind of relationship you have or should have with your pdoc and how you know if he/she is working well for you?
My reason I ask, the first pdoc I went to put me on 2 meds right off the bat .. when I went back for my first follow up visit and told her I didn't feel any different from anything .. instead of increasing dosage she tried to put me on a 3rd med! So I freaked and never started the 3rd med, and my therapist helped wean me off the other 2 (lexapro and wellbutrin - both low dosages IMO) ...
...so last month I decided to try meds again ... my first visit he puts me on 2 meds at once again .. I just don't get that .. how do you know which one is working, and which one is doing what ... but anyway .. I do feel "better" in some ways, a lot less anxiety (but which one is doing that?) but not 100% difference ... so when I go back for my first follow up in a couple weeks I wonder if I can just tell him that I would like to increase the dosages and see what that does for me (if he tries to put me on a 3rd med I will quit like I did the first time because that is just NOT right to me!) Right now I'm on 75mgs of Effexor XR and 7.5 twice a day of Tranxene ... so just wanted some opinions and how you work with your pdoc?
Thanks all!



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My doc does NOT listen to any of my suggestions.
Sheri Ann
Thankfully, my pdoc does listen to me. When I went in to get meds, he suggested Celexa right off the bat. I didn't take it right away, but instead went home and researched it and then made an appointment to go back to see him. During the second visit we talked about what my other options might be and why he thought Celexa was a good fit for me. He even told me that if I felt I needed to lose weight or quit smoking he could prescribe another med for me. I decided to go with the Celexa.
We started me out on 20mg. I wanted to start on 10 and work my way up and he again explained the benefits of doing it my way or his way and based on that discussion I decided to trust him and start with the 20. Now, I'm thinking about upping my meds. I went to see him last week and we talked again about the progress I've made with managing the anxiety. He's left it up to me whether or not I feel like I need to up my meds. For now, I'm working with my tdoc to learn better ways to manage the residual anxiety I'm still having. I'm hoping that I won't have to up my dosage, but I also feel confident that it'll be okay if I do.
Have I mentioned how much I love my pdoc? He really is great. And he seems to understand the need I have to try to manage this anxiety thing as much as I can. I know there are some people, and I"m one of them at times, who just need someone to tell them what to do. But for now, I need to feel like I have some control of my treatment. As long as I'm seeing my tdoc, my pdoc is comfortable letting me call the shots. As long as he feels I'm making good decisions and still making progress, he's cool with me having my say. It makes it very easy for me to trust him, knowing that he trusts my judgement of the situation as well. I don't think I could see a pdoc who didn't listen to my suggestions and at least discuss with me the pros and cons of various treatment options. I like that he seems to understand that it really is my choice, whether to take a med or not. He could prescribe whatever he wanted, but if I wasn't comfortable with it, I just wouldn't take it. He recognizes that as well, so it's to both our benefits to discuss my options.
I don't think anyone will be happy with my reply. First, I think that anyone entering a relationship with a health care professional should have a contract. Not necessarily a written one. The patient states their expectations & the professional, states their's. There should be a clear end to treatment. It should not be forever. If neither parties expectations are met, then the relationship should be severed.
The professional is just that. A professional. They have training & experience in meds & other treatments. I have never suggested a med to my dr. I have told the dr. that my med wasn't working as I expected it too. I had faith that the dr. knew *ME* & knew what would work for me from experience. It's great to come to a messageboard & *research* meds. It's fine to go to drug sites(if they're reliable & accurate) for information. But, IMHO, the professional knows best. Just because the media touts wellbutrin as having low sexual side effects, doesn't mean YOU(that's all of us, BTW) should be taking wellbutrin. In fact, I wish I had a penny for everyone who has taken wellbutrin for anxiety & found it didn't work for them. Not all meds are for all people. That doesn't mean that wellbutrin isn't a good med. It still serves it's purpose for many people. If you have problems accepting the professional advice from your dr. then find another dr. or skip the whole thing. How do you(that means all of us)
That's great that you have such a great relationship with your pdoc, that is the type of relationship I hope to have wtih mine as well. I, of course, do not know what is best in general, but I do have an understanding of what is best for me...and I would hope that my pdoc would listen to my concerns and take them into consideration before just doing "what he knows best" . Thanks again for the repsonse Jess!
I completely understand what you are saying Jan - and after reading your post, I guess I meant mine for an understanding of how everyone's relationship is with their pdoc. Does he listen to your concerns and take into consideration those things - or are you "just a patient" and he knows one drug works for this person, so it will work for you too? Does that make sense? I agree the professional knows best as far as meds are concerned, but they don't know each individual person who steps into their office ... but do they put forth the effort to get to know you? It's not that there's a problem (with me personally anyway) of accepting the advice, but just the fact that if I said, I really don't want to try option #1, is there another option? .. would my doc actually listen?
Anyway, enough rambling ;) Thanks for the repsonse, gives me things to think about!
It's a rarity nowadays to find a pdoc that does anything more than *med checks.* They focus on how your meds are working & if changes are needed. Noone lays on a couch & gives their life story to anyone but a counselor or therapist. They can't prescribe meds, of course.
Years ago when
I do not have a p doc and never have---- I went to a doctor recommended to me
and after a 15 minute talk with me and hubby he gave me Paxil and xanax
I had already been taking xanax at that point for several months!
I was desperate for help at the time since I could barely leave my house!!
I was TOTALLY SCARED to believe that anything would stop the terror I felt!!
After a couple of nasty weeks my dd said if you don't like how you feel
when taking just stop--- thought that a good idea and took it! Two weeks or three
went by and I felt wonderful!! I was able to drive without fear and my whole
life seemed to change in the next few weeks!! I saw a therapist who I adored
he helped me push through my fears and I DID!! Since moving to Florida
I got grief about the xanax and doctor shopped until I found one!! I have
taken xanax for over 15 years and am not about to stop now! I still take Paxil
and have a new therapist who does hypnotherapy which is excellent for me!
There are many more medications available now which I am sure adds to the
problem of what to take or prescribe... give the meds a chance!! HUGS!! Judy
You are sooo lucky, Jess!
Sheri Ann
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