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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Jane on March 16, 2000, at 4:21:18
Our soon to be 16yo son has ADHD as well as being bi-polar and having OCD. He sees a neurologist for the ADHD but was referred to a psychiatrist for the other disorders. We recently was a check-up visit with the neurologist and his Dextrostat was increased because he is growing and gaining weight. We have not noticed any ill effects from this increase, but when we saw the psychiatrist yesterday he just arbitrarily wrote out a script to change Kevin from the Dextrostat to Adderall. I mentioned that that medication had been tried unsuccessfully in the past by another doctor but this one just dismissed my objection by saying that in the past Kevin had not been on his other meds; Luvox and Lithium. Today I called th neurologist's office for some advice about how to handle this situation and was told that they don't want to get involved because it would be awkward. So now what? Does my son suffer because the doctors don't want to get involved. Does anyone know the difference between the two drugs and why one would be prescribed over the other? This psychiatrist did not even tell me why he was making this change; just handed me the script as he ushered us out the door! Anyone having any clues please advise me!
Thanks,
Jane
Posted by Cindy W on March 16, 2000, at 8:35:54
In reply to Between a rock and a hard place......., posted by Jane on March 16, 2000, at 4:21:18
> Our soon to be 16yo son has ADHD as well as being bi-polar and having OCD. He sees a neurologist for the ADHD but was referred to a psychiatrist for the other disorders. We recently was a check-up visit with the neurologist and his Dextrostat was increased because he is growing and gaining weight. We have not noticed any ill effects from this increase, but when we saw the psychiatrist yesterday he just arbitrarily wrote out a script to change Kevin from the Dextrostat to Adderall. I mentioned that that medication had been tried unsuccessfully in the past by another doctor but this one just dismissed my objection by saying that in the past Kevin had not been on his other meds; Luvox and Lithium. Today I called th neurologist's office for some advice about how to handle this situation and was told that they don't want to get involved because it would be awkward. So now what? Does my son suffer because the doctors don't want to get involved. Does anyone know the difference between the two drugs and why one would be prescribed over the other? This psychiatrist did not even tell me why he was making this change; just handed me the script as he ushered us out the door! Anyone having any clues please advise me!
> Thanks,
> Jane
Jane, I don't know the reasons behind the med change by the psychiatrist, but I certainly would call and ask what is going on. Just handing a script without explanation is not professional, in my view. When there is a change, you should request a discussion of reasons for the change and a discussion of benefits vs. risks (including possible side effects).
Posted by birdgirl on March 16, 2000, at 10:21:19
In reply to Re: Between a rock and a hard place......., posted by Cindy W on March 16, 2000, at 8:35:54
IMHO, i would make an appointment to see the psychiatrist in person, harder to brush off that way, and directly state your concerns.write them down on a 3x5 card if you have trouble, like me, formulating coherent thoughts in confrontation, that way you have something to refer to and dont forget anything pertinent.
inform him/her that you are very uncomfortable not only with the meds change but the way your opinions are being treated. if the result is not satisfactory, perhaps a written complaint to his/her supervisor or your patient advocate might be in order.
some docs occasionally forget that people have intelligent input and opinions that matter. it is up to us to remind them. this is not to say the treatment is not appropriate, just the way it is administered is, also, since this is your child whom this doc is treating, you have every legal and moral right to be involved in that child's treatment, and to be completely inforned as to treatment plan, meds, and reasons for both.
good luck and fight the good fight. dont let anyone push you around. this is your child.
Posted by michael on March 16, 2000, at 11:47:59
In reply to Between a rock and a hard place......., posted by Jane on March 16, 2000, at 4:21:18
> Our soon to be 16yo son has ADHD as well as being bi-polar and having OCD. He sees a neurologist for the ADHD but was referred to a psychiatrist for the other disorders. We recently was a check-up visit with the neurologist and his Dextrostat was increased because he is growing and gaining weight. We have not noticed any ill effects from this increase, but when we saw the psychiatrist yesterday he just arbitrarily wrote out a script to change Kevin from the Dextrostat to Adderall. I mentioned that that medication had been tried unsuccessfully in the past by another doctor but this one just dismissed my objection by saying that in the past Kevin had not been on his other meds; Luvox and Lithium. Today I called th neurologist's office for some advice about how to handle this situation and was told that they don't want to get involved because it would be awkward. So now what? Does my son suffer because the doctors don't want to get involved. Does anyone know the difference between the two drugs and why one would be prescribed over the other? This psychiatrist did not even tell me why he was making this change; just handed me the script as he ushered us out the door! Anyone having any clues please advise me!
> Thanks,
> Jane
In my opinion, that's totally unacceptable. Personally, I don't think I'd even persue the issue any further w/that doc, and would move on - maybe get a reference from the other doc your son's working with, hoping that they'll be able to work together...
Posted by saint james on March 16, 2000, at 13:20:31
In reply to Between a rock and a hard place......., posted by Jane on March 16, 2000, at 4:21:18
The difference between Dextrostat and Adderal is not that great. They are both amphetamines. Stick
to whichever works the best. There is no excuse that one doc cannot call another to work this out !
Posted by bob on March 16, 2000, at 20:05:03
In reply to Re: Between a rock and a hard place......., posted by saint james on March 16, 2000, at 13:20:31
Pardon me, but this has got my Irish up...
I'm with michael on this one. Then again, I have low tolerance for prima donna docs. If he's going to dismiss you so easily, dismiss him. If you need help, gimme a call ... haven't had a reason to pull out my steel-toed boots in a while.
Even given what james had to say about the two meds, the behavior of that pdoc is unacceptable. I wouldn't pay for a follow-up visit, since he never adequately managed the first one. He owes you.
If he doesn't see it that way -- like michael said, get a referral from your neurologist, if you can. And let that pdoc know what an unprofessional ass he's made of himself.
grrrrrrr
bob
This is the end of the thread.
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