Posted by Lyrical13 on January 4, 2004, at 7:24:59
In reply to Re: effexor changes in brain funxn. Help? » zinya, posted by Zellie on January 3, 2004, at 23:28:27
I just started with a new doc in Sept and am so glad I switched. In the past my pdocs gave me a little info about a couple different meds and then asked what I wanted to do. I felt like I was being an informed consumer with that info but was always struck by how much more info I got off the little Rx insert from the pharmacy. I thought maybe the pdoc didn't want to alarm me (a person who already had anxiety issues) with info about SEs that only rarely occured. But I also felt I should know about serious SEs that could occur and what to do about them, esp given my past hx of rxns to meds.
My new pdoc gives me info sheets on each med he mentions and tells me to check it out for myself on the net before making a decision. He explained the current thinking on treating chronic depression and various treatment options and then asked what I wanted to do. I admit it was overwhelming given my state of mind at the time and then info I was used to getting from a pdoc, but now I find it very refreshing and empowering. I feel like I am truly part of my own treatment team and that my thoughts and concerns are valid and important. I have always been followed by monthly appts during rough times with instructions to call if there are any questions or problems in the interim. When things are better, my appts are further apart (3 months max) but still occur to check status and progress.
I just recently learned that my sister doesn't have regular appts to check on meds with her doc. He is a pediatrician (she is 14) who is well-respected in the community. I checked him out with a few other mental health professionals that I know and they all said he was very competent and well-read, kept up on current data etc and had experience with dealing with these issues. Also has no qualms about referring pts on if he feels it's more difficult to treat than he has experience with. I felt reassured by that info, esp since it came from 3 separate sources. But I am concerned that she doesn't have regular appts to follow her on meds. She was able to get in to see him within a few days when she was having a great deal of difficulty. He upped her meds but there has been no follow-up since. I brought up this concern to her and my step-mom. Told them that she should be having regular appts. I feel that her meds are not doing as much as they should be for her. She's still having difficulty, albeit not as severe, but I don't think either of them realize that she doesn't have to settle for feeling "a little better" I don't know if she needs a higher level or a different med combo. I am hoping that they will take my advice to A) contact doc and get in for another appt to discuss progress and B) get back into counseling and stay in counseling.
Before I started with my current pdoc, I didn't realize what I was missing in terms of info and participation in treatment decisions. My pdoc was floored that no one had given me such info before. He says that he takes the same approach with every pt. He believes that an informed pt is a valuable part of the team. It's very empowering and I feel that approach gives the pt the most dignity. Feeling some control over the situation definitely makes dealing with mental health issues easier. I think that the feeling of powerlessness and helplessness that I often feel when I am going through a rough time is one of the most frustrating an debilitating aspects of this illness...also fear of the unknown.
poster:Lyrical13
thread:13781
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/296278.html