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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by tate on November 13, 2001, at 4:01:44
Hi, I've been seeing a general doc for the past 5 yrs. for depression/anxiety. I feel that she absolutly has no idea of what she is talking about. She's tried me on several med's such as Paxil, Wellbutrin, Buspar, and now Effexor. The Wellbutrin, and Buspar both wigged me out BIG time. Paxil worked pretty good for awhile but then I got really weepy. Effexor seemes to be adding more irritability, depressed mood, flat affect...I could go on and on. OF course I'm only on 75mg once dly, but when I tried to stop taking it I expierienced the shock sensations and popping noises. Anyway I feel that I would benefit greatly from seeing a pdoc and my current doc cant even give me a good referrel. Where do I even start and what should I be prepared to say when I see them for the first time? I'd appreciate any input! SORRY soooooo long....
Posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 10:18:46
In reply to Help picking out a pdoc?, posted by tate on November 13, 2001, at 4:01:44
A couple good sources:- confidential friends who have been to pdocs
- another GP with a really good reputation. He
will know who the good pdocs are if he is a
good GP. He would also have the common sense
to ackowledge a GPs limitations in treating
depression under some circumstances where your
current doctor fails.I went to an emergency clinic at a
hospital in my new town. They see crisis patients
in need of immediate psychiatric attention. This
may be a good resource for finding out who the
good pdocs are. Call around. A lot of good pdocs
help out at these crisis centers 1 day a week
and do their normal practice on the side.Good luck,
john> Hi, I've been seeing a general doc for the past 5 yrs. for depression/anxiety. I feel that she absolutly has no idea of what she is talking about. She's tried me on several med's such as Paxil, Wellbutrin, Buspar, and now Effexor. The Wellbutrin, and Buspar both wigged me out BIG time. Paxil worked pretty good for awhile but then I got really weepy. Effexor seemes to be adding more irritability, depressed mood, flat affect...I could go on and on. OF course I'm only on 75mg once dly, but when I tried to stop taking it I expierienced the shock sensations and popping noises. Anyway I feel that I would benefit greatly from seeing a pdoc and my current doc cant even give me a good referrel. Where do I even start and what should I be prepared to say when I see them for the first time? I'd appreciate any input! SORRY soooooo long....
Posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 10:21:55
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc? » tate, posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 10:18:46
PS, be prepared to find out that the good
pdocs are no longer taking patients or are
booked for 1 month+. Don't let this discourage
you. I suggest you make a bunch of appts speculatively
with the doctors and then get in to see whoever
is 1st. If it works out great, cancel the other
appts. Otherwise if the 1st pdoc doesn't click
you already have a head start getting into see
the next one. TRUST me on this strategy, it would
have saved me a lot of grief.-john
>
> A couple good sources:
>
> - confidential friends who have been to pdocs
> - another GP with a really good reputation. He
> will know who the good pdocs are if he is a
> good GP. He would also have the common sense
> to ackowledge a GPs limitations in treating
> depression under some circumstances where your
> current doctor fails.
>
> I went to an emergency clinic at a
> hospital in my new town. They see crisis patients
> in need of immediate psychiatric attention. This
> may be a good resource for finding out who the
> good pdocs are. Call around. A lot of good pdocs
> help out at these crisis centers 1 day a week
> and do their normal practice on the side.
>
> Good luck,
> john
>
>
>
> > Hi, I've been seeing a general doc for the past 5 yrs. for depression/anxiety. I feel that she absolutly has no idea of what she is talking about. She's tried me on several med's such as Paxil, Wellbutrin, Buspar, and now Effexor. The Wellbutrin, and Buspar both wigged me out BIG time. Paxil worked pretty good for awhile but then I got really weepy. Effexor seemes to be adding more irritability, depressed mood, flat affect...I could go on and on. OF course I'm only on 75mg once dly, but when I tried to stop taking it I expierienced the shock sensations and popping noises. Anyway I feel that I would benefit greatly from seeing a pdoc and my current doc cant even give me a good referrel. Where do I even start and what should I be prepared to say when I see them for the first time? I'd appreciate any input! SORRY soooooo long....
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 13:44:54
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc?, posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 10:21:55
I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
Posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 14:51:52
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc? » JohnX2, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 13:44:54
Yep, I think therapy is an excellent adjunct.Here are my thoughts on therapy: see a psychologist.
Leave the medicine to the pdoc and the head stuff
to a psychologist. I tried therapy with a pdoc
and he didn't know what he was doing. Get the people
who are *trained* inside-out in their field.my 2c.
-john
> I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
Posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 17:29:24
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc?, posted by JohnX2 on November 13, 2001, at 14:51:52
Once I again I concur with you JohnX2.
My Psychiatrist won't even 'do' therapy with me..we chat a bit about what is going on in my life and she REFERS to my Psychologist on things pertaining to me. See...I got my Psychologist through my shrink; her and he work together for their patients. In an 'ideal world' that would be, in my opinion, the way things should go.
Pamela Lynn
> Yep, I think therapy is an excellent adjunct.
>
> Here are my thoughts on therapy: see a psychologist.
> Leave the medicine to the pdoc and the head stuff
> to a psychologist. I tried therapy with a pdoc
> and he didn't know what he was doing. Get the people
> who are *trained* inside-out in their field.
>
> my 2c.
>
> -john
>
>
> > I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
Posted by tate on November 13, 2001, at 20:23:06
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc? » JohnX2, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 17:29:24
Thanks very much for responding so soon!! I live in a very small community unfortunatly and there is only one clinic that is about 45 min. from where I live. They have 6 pdoc's and two therapists. Three pdoc's are currently accepting new pt's, two of which I've not heard very promising things about. The third is a new doc. been there approx. three months. I've gone ahead and scheduled and appt. with him. I guess now I'm more concerend about what to start talking about when I first walk into the place. I hate to open with "I feel like sh*t"! I keep thinking that I need to start keeping a diary but my mood rises and crashes so much just the thought of organizing my thoughts to put it all down seems exausting!! Anyway.. Thanks again for the advice. I do appreciate it!
> Once I again I concur with you JohnX2.
>
> My Psychiatrist won't even 'do' therapy with me..we chat a bit about what is going on in my life and she REFERS to my Psychologist on things pertaining to me. See...I got my Psychologist through my shrink; her and he work together for their patients. In an 'ideal world' that would be, in my opinion, the way things should go.
>
> Pamela Lynn
> > Yep, I think therapy is an excellent adjunct.
> >
> > Here are my thoughts on therapy: see a psychologist.
> > Leave the medicine to the pdoc and the head stuff
> > to a psychologist. I tried therapy with a pdoc
> > and he didn't know what he was doing. Get the people
> > who are *trained* inside-out in their field.
> >
> > my 2c.
> >
> > -john
> >
> >
> > > I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
Posted by kiddo on November 15, 2001, at 16:02:55
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc? » Pamela Lynn, posted by tate on November 13, 2001, at 20:23:06
You may want to create a list of questions to ask. For example, what style of therapy, how available they are for emergencies/emergency sessions. Let them know what you hope to gain from therapy, long & short term goals, physical/emotional symptoms. That kind of thing.
Hope that gives you more help,
Kiddo
> Thanks very much for responding so soon!! I live in a very small community unfortunatly and there is only one clinic that is about 45 min. from where I live. They have 6 pdoc's and two therapists. Three pdoc's are currently accepting new pt's, two of which I've not heard very promising things about. The third is a new doc. been there approx. three months. I've gone ahead and scheduled and appt. with him. I guess now I'm more concerend about what to start talking about when I first walk into the place. I hate to open with "I feel like sh*t"! I keep thinking that I need to start keeping a diary but my mood rises and crashes so much just the thought of organizing my thoughts to put it all down seems exausting!! Anyway.. Thanks again for the advice. I do appreciate it!
> > Once I again I concur with you JohnX2.
> >
> > My Psychiatrist won't even 'do' therapy with me..we chat a bit about what is going on in my life and she REFERS to my Psychologist on things pertaining to me. See...I got my Psychologist through my shrink; her and he work together for their patients. In an 'ideal world' that would be, in my opinion, the way things should go.
> >
> > Pamela Lynn
> > > Yep, I think therapy is an excellent adjunct.
> > >
> > > Here are my thoughts on therapy: see a psychologist.
> > > Leave the medicine to the pdoc and the head stuff
> > > to a psychologist. I tried therapy with a pdoc
> > > and he didn't know what he was doing. Get the people
> > > who are *trained* inside-out in their field.
> > >
> > > my 2c.
> > >
> > > -john
> > >
> > >
> > > > I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
Posted by svevo1922 on November 21, 2001, at 10:01:36
In reply to Re: Help picking out a pdoc? » JohnX2, posted by Pamela Lynn on November 13, 2001, at 17:29:24
unsure what you mean by "pdoc." if you are interested in a specialist in drugs that affect mood, you should see a psychopharmacologist. such doctors are generally the best informed about psychotropic drugs, drug side effects and interactions and new medications. they do not typically do therapy. in the initial session, which may be longer than usual, you will generally be asked in detail about your physical health, life situation and past and current moods.
if you are primarily interested in therapy, you would want a psychiatrist -- assuming that you want to see only a medical doctor.
there is a guide that is published and, i believe, also available on the web called, i think, the castle-connelly guide to the best doctors. obviously, who these "best" doctors are, and how they are chosen, is at least somewhat subjective. it is organized by geographical area and by speciality. it's one source, in addition to word of mouth recommendations.
once you have some names, you might try doing a web search -- www.google.com is my favorite search engine at the moment, or you could use another search spider that uses google but offers more options: www.ilor.com.
i know little about medical education or certification, but a doctor who is board certified in her or his area of specialization is generally thought to be desirable. it may also be helpful to know the medical school attended and where the residency was done.
many states have web sites that provide licensing and education information on doctors licensed to practice in their state. one would hope this wouldn't be an issue, but there may be information on disciplinary action as well.
there are probably lots of consumer-oriented web sites that offer additional information and suggestions.
once a relationship has been established, some doctors might be willing to work with a patient by phone, especially one who lives in an out of the way area. i believe this web site provides some guidelines on what to look for.
and no matter what credentials a doctor has or how highly recommended he or she may be, if you don't like or feel comfortable with him or her, see someone else.
good luck.
> Once I again I concur with you JohnX2.
>
> My Psychiatrist won't even 'do' therapy with me..we chat a bit about what is going on in my life and she REFERS to my Psychologist on things pertaining to me. See...I got my Psychologist through my shrink; her and he work together for their patients. In an 'ideal world' that would be, in my opinion, the way things should go.
>
> Pamela Lynn
> > Yep, I think therapy is an excellent adjunct.
> >
> > Here are my thoughts on therapy: see a psychologist.
> > Leave the medicine to the pdoc and the head stuff
> > to a psychologist. I tried therapy with a pdoc
> > and he didn't know what he was doing. Get the people
> > who are *trained* inside-out in their field.
> >
> > my 2c.
> >
> > -john
> >
> >
> > > I agree with John wholeheartedly. I had to go through my insurance company...they gave me a list of pdoc's that were covered by my insurance, and I called ALL OF THEM and got in to the first one on my list. Thankfully she has worked out real well for me. I also think seeing a therapist might be a good step for some people out there too. Pamela Lynn
This is the end of the thread.
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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