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Old May 31, 2010, 04:48 PM
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amandalouise amandalouise is offline
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Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: 8CS / NYS / USA
Posts: 9,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Medicated View Post
A psychiatrist friend of mine (not my doc) suspects that I'm taking too many meds, so I want to consult someone for a 2nd opinion on my current regimen. However, I don't know how to find someone good. My insurance company provides a list of covered names, but that doesn't tell me anything about them.

How do you research docs? Who do you ask to find out who's good and who isn't? As a professional student, I don't have time or money to waste...

Thoughts?

I would first contact the doctor who prescribed the meds and find out what they are prescribed for. the doctor can also tell you if you are on too much by looking at your files to see what your symptoms and complaints were when he prescribed them. then if you still question your meds ask for a copy of your files. then contact the doctors on your insurances list and ask them if they are accepting new clients and whether they give second opinions for meds because you are looking for a second opinion. some of those doctors may not be accepting clients or may need to see your file to help them make their determination in regards to medications. Around here you need to give access to your medical and mental health files every time you see a new doctor.

you can also tell when you are on too much medication by your own symtoms and reactions ie ringing in the ear, dizzyness, slurred speech, feeling drunk, usually means too much meds. symptoms / problems decreasing usually means just right meds.

please be careful of family and friends that are doctors, nurses, medical or mental health professionals they sometimes try to be helpful giving you their advice and medical expertise when they dont have your complete medical or mental health files/symptoms/history/ reactions that kind of thing that your doctors use when considering how to best treat you. we get a lot of clients around here who mess up their treatment by having too many hands in the pot of trying to treat them with family and friends trying to be helpful but end up doing mare harm than good.