Last night around 8, the new pdoc called me and stayed on the phone with me for 20 minutes.

He told me that he is concerned about the amount and severity of symtpoms that I described to him and because of that, feels that the best choice would be Lithium. He explained to me that he understands that I like my therapist a lot and while other types of therapies are something to think about, he will not push the issue; we will focus on the medication issue. He talked for a long time and then said to me, "Ok, now I've said a lot-- time for you to talk and ask questions."

I asked about 437 questions and never once did I feel rushed. He answered each one completely and did not end the phone call until he made sure I had said everything I wanted to say.

He told me he doesn't like to focus on a diagnosis, particularly for someone like me who has been dealing with symptoms without relief for so long. He said the goal is to acknowledge the symptoms and try to relieve them, not dwell on what category to fit them into.

He told me that he likes to call prescriptions into the pharmacy because he really likes to touch base with the pharmacist when a patient is starting a new medication.

As far as the Lithium, I don't know. He is calling it into the pharmacy today. He will be sending me a fact sheet in the mail about Lithium along with a starting schedule, detailing when I would be taking it and when I would have my blood monitored.

Oh and he also made sure to give me his assistant's phone number and said, "She always knows where I am during the week so if you need anything you can reach me that way." So I asked him, "If I am freaking out and need to ask you questions, I can call this number and you will get back to me?" He said yes.

I am very scared about all of this, plus I am having some problems with my huband dealing with and understanding some of the things that are going on with me. I am at work and have already cried on the way here and once at my desk. I have been on the edge of calling T for three days but have not done so yet. I see him tomorrow. I was thinking of calling him in a few minutes because right now I feel as though he is the only one who truly understands how I am feeling.