[Amazonmom]

My Purse has decided to refer me elsewhere for med management because bipolar meds are not her specialty and the med effects are really getting to me. She gave me numbers to call but I have a HUGE phone phobia and I get physically ill when I have to make calls.

It turns out that I could email one person first. So I did and I really liked her reply. I was so freaked about calling! I even texted my BP friend about it. She started laughing at me in her text back because the NP I need to call is her Pnurse! All of her phone calls go to voice mail and she replies as she has the ability. So I left a message.

I still feel nauseated about talking to a stranger but I am taking the right steps. Would you wait a month to see a new meds person if you really like them and you were not in a crisis?

[sundog]

WELL DONE for taking these steps!!! That's great!!! I hate using the phone too and I avoid it whenever I can. I don't even have a cell phone, that's how much I hate the phone!! Thank dog for email!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm really glad you were able to email the one person and that you could leave a message for the other. I hope you hear back from them very soon and that it doesn't take a month!!!!

[Gus1234U]

dear Amazonmom,,, thanks for including that comment about not being able to use the phone~ i thought i was the only one ~ ain't life funny ? one just never knows who knows who, or what will happen next~! wishing you the best,,, Gus

[thinker22]

I hate answering phones and making phone calls too! At work, I do everything possible to avoid it. So glad my boss is usually there to answer it. At home, my partner answers our home line. I have a cell, but I can at least see who's calling me before I pick up and half the time I don't even knowing who it is. Bad me. It's usually my mom.

We should have a club: phonaphobics anonymous.

Good job 'mzon mom for overcoming your fears.

Originally Posted by thinker22

We should have a club: phonaphobics anonymous.

Sign me up! Back when my BF and I were still just emailing, he asked if I would call him. I had to write back and tell him I was phone phobic... which kind of sounds like a blow off, doesn't it? So I hastened to add that it wasn't and I really did want to call. He had to call first, I couldn't do it! Seems the more I want (or need, ugh!) to make the phone call, the harder it is! At one point, I wanted to call one of BF's oldest friends to kind of find out some stuff. It took me at least THREE TIMES to even leave a message! And took a long time to come down from freaking out. Not such a problem when people call me (which is basically, BF or work, so...), but if it's people I don't talk to on a regular basis (see previous), the debate becomes... pick up now or worse(?!) have to call back!

In answer to your question, Amazonmom... yeah, I probably would wait a month for seeing a new meds person if not in crisis. In fact, did just that just this summer. Wasn't doing great, still, not terrible. There was such a sense of relief in just having had finally gotten in with someone, that that went a long way in reducing stress (as that was one of two MAJOR stressors at the time). You may also want to see if you can get on a cancellation list. That may move your time up if you are at all concerned.

Congrats for getting that done!

[Amazonmom]

I do have the option of seeing someone else in the new Pnurse office sooner but she doesn't take my insurance. I am willing to wait for someone with a good rep who takes my insurance. I hope this new pnurse and I are a good fit.

I had no idea that so many people shared my phone phobia! I am good on the phone at work. It's like if I have a real purpose for using the phone I am okay. It's when I am calling for myself that I am a wreck. It has seriously hampered my social life.

[blueoctober]

Amazonmom; I'm glad you decided to call and that was very professional of your current p-nurse to admit that she didn't have enough experience with BP. If available with your insurance I would suggest speaking to a Psychopharmacologist. I did when I was in-patient and I found it very informative.

[Amazonmom]

There is one psychopharmacologist on my insurance. She has a reputation for being an enormous a**h***. Her ego is so large it could balance a car on it. If you don't just fall in lockstep she will fire you. She charged a minimum of 15 dollars per phone call. To review your case before the first visit costs about 150 dollars...when nobody else in the area charges like this. She refuses to participate in preauthorizations for visits or for meds. IF a pharmacy faxes her a request that violates even one of her many rules she will charge you for their mistake.

I would rather have uncontrolled BP than deal with her! There are some fine psychopharmacologists not on my insurance and I will call one of them if I can't find anyone on my insurance.

[blueoctober]

Originally Posted by Amazonmom

There is one psychopharmacologist on my insurance. She has a reputation for being an enormous a**h***.

Yep not worth it!

[LaraLynn]

I have extreme phone phobia as well - this is too interesting that there are so many of us. I have waited a month for a new Pdoc. I did get very lucky with my last one and was able to email for an appt. My friends know that I will not answer the phone so they will all email me or try to find me on yahoo chat during that day.

That is so interesting- I avoid the phone like the plague ,too. Drives my hubby and family crazy!

[lonegael]

I don' like calling either. I can do it, but don't like it. It feels, invasive and I lose too much info by not seeing the person. Good for you. I would wait. This jerky person doens't sound like a good idea. I'd rather work a truck stop. At least I wouldn't be the one having to pay for getting ¤%&#" pardon the salty metaphore. Hugggss and good work!