Today, I went back to my pdoc for my every-three-months appointment. For those of you who have read my Shareposts, I was put on Geodon 3 months ago. I took Geodon for 5 weeks and started having mental and physical problems, then it was back on Zyprexa. At first, my quality o...
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Change is Good
Christina Bruni
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 05:02 PMre: Change is Good
DCROY9633
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 05:25 PMI do thank you Chris for your thoughtful reply. My psychiatrist has been neglectful in a number of areas, to me, and it seem so to you too. I just hate making changes. I like ruts sometimes because they are just soooooooo comfortable and you don't have to look to the left or the right -- only I think my ruts often travel in circles. I had an opportunity, yesterday, to talk with 2 other patients of his in the waiting room (since he was almost an hour late.) One had been with him for 17 years and another was with him 3 yrs. They were mostly upbeat and positive about the care they had received. He was willing to try atypicals, was willing to give them anti-anxiety meds, etc., but he never saw them for more than 5 minutes at a time. But one admitted she goes to a health food store and supplements her anxiety meds with something they suggested, which I think is a dangerous thing to do.
Like I said, however, I have had 2 doctors who were much much worse in every way. So I tell myself I am lucky to have him. Yet, I know too that there must be even better docs than the one I have right now. I just cannot cross that threshold into new territory yet. I have talked to friends who see psychiatrists for mental illness and they are not pleased with their doctors, either. I guess I could call my favorite social worker at the hospital and see if she can suggest someone.
Thank you for your continued presence and replies at this site.
Carolyn
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doc and meds
ysraal
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 11:50 AMBro Roy I too have had many med changes and I am on one right now and i feel your pain. I too feel your pain on the doc and therapist for I am in the same boat. Remember that is your life and either talk with the doc or say and get another one.
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Hello Carolyn,
There seems to have been a misunderstanding or miscommunication between the pdoc and you. Geodon is often routinely taken 80 mg in the morning with food, and 80 mg at night with food. It has to be taken with food, and ideally with at least 200 calories of food. Ask your doctor about this because I don't want to dispense medical advice, although what I told you just now my psychiatrist told me.
I believe change could be good if you take the time to research the new doctors. I have written in here "the Top 10 questions to Ask Your Doctor" and also written another blog entry about questions to ask. Go into the search bar on the upper right of this web site, and type in "top questions ask doctor," type in 10 or ten as well, I forget whether I spelled out the number 10.
In the past I've been honest with you about how your doctor cut you off cold turkey from the Zyprexa, so I hope you do not feel upset that I suggested this was not the way to go.
Quite frankly, I would hesitate to stay with the same doctor if the status quo isn't working out. You could also have "outgrown" this doctor and it's time for someone new. I suggest you find the questions I blogged about, and use them to either open a dialogue with your current doctor, or take with you on your intake with a new pdoc.
There are ways you can do the research. A local hospital that you feel has a good reputation might be able to recommend a psychiatrist, or you can check around with people you know or would trust.
Maybe even you could tell us your state, and a reader could write in with a recommendation.
I wish you all the best.
Respectfully,
Chris
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