[grizmom]

Well, tomorrow I see my pdoc and I will be telling him I want to switch to Dr. L. My peer support specialist, Pam, from the CCS program will be going in with me (she is also a mental health consumer advocate) so that helps, but I'm still afraid he is going to yell at me like he did last year in the hospital or give me a hard time about wanting to switch. I am thankful that I don't need my meds adjusted and that I have enough refills to last until the middle of June (until August for a couple of them), otherwise I'm sure it would be even harder to switch because the other doc might not want to take my case if I'm in the middle of changing meds. This appointment was originally set up because I had to get in with another pdoc a few weeks ago when mine wasn't available because I needed my meds tweaked just a little bit (the dosage on two meds was just upped a bit) and she wanted me to follow up with my regular pdoc to make sure the changes helped. The thing is, I don't know what exactly to say. I mean, I have a "speech" planned but when I go over it in my head it sounds stupid. Can anyone give me some opinions on how this sounds?

Here is what I have kind of planned to say: "This is Pam from the CCS program that I have been accepted into and I asked her to come with me today. The changes that Dr. W. made a few weeks ago have worked out well and I am feeling much better now. I also want to tell you that I want to switch to Dr. L. I've seen him a few times when I was in the hospital and I feel much more comfortable with him. Dr. W. gave me 5 refills on the lamotrigine and clonazepam, and I have enough refills on the others to last me until the middle of June."

I don't know; what do you all think? And what if he wants me to give him more reasons that I want to switch? Or what if he says something like "I don't think you need to switch to someone else. He won't do anything differently anyhow". I'm even more nervous because my social worker told me that a LOT of people are trying to switch from Dr. P. to someone new right now, so he might already be p'd off. He really scares me...help? Oh, and I've tried to calm down and take some deep breaths and it is NOT helping! I haven't been able to distract myself either. My normal coping methods aren't working at all. Why can little kids scream at the top of their lungs for any reason but if I did that right now I'd be hauled of to the hospital? NOT FAIR!

[kadesgirl09]

im really no good with words and would proably have a speech planned then balk when confronted so all I can say is good luck!! (((((((grizmom)))))))

[dreamer7369]

The speech sounds great and don't be so nervouse you are entitled to see the doctor of your choice. You have the right to question, and you have the right to choose. Don't let anyone tell you any different. You also do not have to explain yourself. You don't owe this person anything. The explanation you are prepared to give him is good enough, so Chin up and smile it''s gonna be fine

Originally Posted by grizmom

Well, tomorrow I see my pdoc and I will be telling him I want to switch to Dr. L. My peer support specialist, Pam, from the CCS program will be going in with me (she is also a mental health consumer advocate) so that helps, but I'm still afraid he is going to yell at me like he did last year in the hospital or give me a hard time about wanting to switch. I am thankful that I don't need my meds adjusted and that I have enough refills to last until the middle of June (until August for a couple of them), otherwise I'm sure it would be even harder to switch because the other doc might not want to take my case if I'm in the middle of changing meds. This appointment was originally set up because I had to get in with another pdoc a few weeks ago when mine wasn't available because I needed my meds tweaked just a little bit (the dosage on two meds was just upped a bit) and she wanted me to follow up with my regular pdoc to make sure the changes helped. The thing is, I don't know what exactly to say. I mean, I have a "speech" planned but when I go over it in my head it sounds stupid. Can anyone give me some opinions on how this sounds?

Here is what I have kind of planned to say: "This is Pam from the CCS program that I have been accepted into and I asked her to come with me today. The changes that Dr. W. made a few weeks ago have worked out well and I am feeling much better now. I also want to tell you that I want to switch to Dr. L. I've seen him a few times when I was in the hospital and I feel much more comfortable with him. Dr. W. gave me 5 refills on the lamotrigine and clonazepam, and I have enough refills on the others to last me until the middle of June."

I don't know; what do you all think? And what if he wants me to give him more reasons that I want to switch? Or what if he says something like "I don't think you need to switch to someone else. He won't do anything differently anyhow". I'm even more nervous because my social worker told me that a LOT of people are trying to switch from Dr. P. to someone new right now, so he might already be p'd off. He really scares me...help? Oh, and I've tried to calm down and take some deep breaths and it is NOT helping! I haven't been able to distract myself either. My normal coping methods aren't working at all. Why can little kids scream at the top of their lungs for any reason but if I did that right now I'd be hauled of to the hospital? NOT FAIR!

[SunnyD]

I think it is too easy to forget that our pdoc's work for us and we have every right to change if we think it would be the best thing to do.
Good luck with your appointment tomorrow.

[Eloise42]

It is NOT okay for a doctor to yell at you ever. You should switch if for no other reason than you are afraid of him. I respect care providers that call me on my crap but bullying mental patients is something else altogether and I have seen it happen.

It really sounds like on some level you are asking him for his permission and you don't need it. Especially if you have an alternate care system in place already. Frankly the most you owe him is a phone call saying his assistance is no longer required.

You are making a change, it no longer matters what he thinks or how he feels about it. The only thing that matter is what you think and how you feel. Bringing along support was a great decision, it sounds to me like you are making good decisions for yourself. Don't ask questions, just make statements.

[tim999]

i would go with the change: new med evaluation plus a new pdoc--change may be good for you--as far as getting yelled at--forget that--first sign of that kind of thing just leave.

[grizmom]

Eloise - their policy is that I have to tell him to his face that I want to switch to someone else; it's dumb imho since in the end I have a right to see someone else anyhow, but I guess they do it because of the people who try to switch all the time. It will be over with in a couple of hours, so when I get home I will let you all know how it went.

Thanks everyone for the support!!

[perpetuallysad]

Good luck today.

[kadesgirl09]

thinking of you today... good luck!!

[grizmom]

It went GREAT!!! After I introduced Pam and said she worked with the county CCS program (that program refers new patients to psychiatrists, so it was in his best interest to seem kind and caring), he behaved like a naughty kid who is sent to the principal's office and is on his best behavior LOL...I've never seen him be so polite. I told him the meds were working well and that I'd like to switch to Dr. L. He said "May I ask why?" very politely, and I said that I've met Dr. L. a few times and felt more comfortable with him and that I am ready for a fresh start. He said that was fine, gave me some extra refills, and walked me out to the receptionist and asked her to get me in for an intake appointment with Dr. L. I have a 45 minute appointment with him in the middle of June.

After that, Pam and I went for coffee and talked some more about my goals for the program and we are planning on going to a new woman's support group that started recently. Can anyone tell that I'm REALLY happy today?

Thanks everyone for all of the support...you are great!

[kadesgirl09]

YEAH!!! Glad it went well!!!

[perpetuallysad]

I am so happy things went so well. Yeah for you!

[RRU96]

I was thinking about you today. SOOOO glad it went great for you.

[SunnyD]

WOW...congratulations....
Here's to going on with more appropriate treatment.