How to handle therapist cancellations?

So I finished my 4 day a week, six hours a day, IOP program. I am on 300 mg of Lamictal, and Valium.

I feel like I am not on a roller-coaster ride, but do feel consistently low and overwhelmed. I am now seeing my former therapist once a week. His secretary called and told me that he is sick; won't be able to see me until next week. This really bothered me. Should it have? Am I that dependent on therapy appointments? Does it mean that I need more than once a week therapy?

Also, which is not helping, I feel like my meds need tweaked. I think that I need to be on an anti-depressant besides the Lamictal. Emsam was great for me, and would like to take it again Also, the Valium just makes me too tired. When my pdoc prescribed the Valium, he said "let me know in a week how it works for you." So, I emailed him last week...no response. I finally gave up and stopped the Valium. Today, I sent him another email. I also called his secretary and told her that "I am emotionally unstable and having a difficult time taking care of my children". Still, no response.

How do you guys deal with therapy cancellations, and how do you communicate with your pdocs in-between appointments?

Thanks!

I call the office and leave a message with whoever answers the phones and make it clear that it's important and can they page my pdoc to call me back the same day.

i am lucky i have a really good p doc. I can get in touch with him whenever he gave me his cell phone number. he is pretty old though and i am terrified to have to find a new doc soon by all the horror stories i have heard on the boards.

I would keep calling, even to the point of making an annoyance of myself if I needed help.

My pdoc lives down the block from me... I had a minor med emergency this weekend (as in the doctors office accidentally refused the refill on my mood stabilizer Friday afternoon and I was completely out). I called and left a message with his answering service Friday evening and by Saturday they had it straightened out...although my mom threatened that if it didn't get fixed by Saturday afternoon that she was gonna march down there and knock on his door. Oh well, can laugh about it now

He STILL hasn't replied. Two calls to his secretary, two desperate emails, and NOTHING!!! NOTHING!!! I told him in an email that I want to run away...away from my kids because I am so depressed and unstable! Um...how do you NOT reply to that. I don't want to hear from a freaking secretary to "go to the nearest emergency room if I am feeling suicidal"! And as you all know, as we get closer to the weekend, if you don't get in touch with the doc, you are stuck until the next week.

I need something. Something is wrong. I am struggling. If we aren't suicidal, than are we not worth a damn? Does anyone else feel like this?
I don't want unnecessary attention, just help with medication!

(((((Irishgirl)))))

I feel for your desperation. I can't help with your meds, and I am hardly a role model to offer a suggestion, because I just go ballistic in those situations. But when you do finally get to see him, put the communication issue on the table right up front. Ask him how he needs to be contacted for the most rapid response, and come to an agreement on how it will be handled in future.

I hope you manage to get through this awful time soon.

Peter

I would get another doctor!!

I'm so sorry he still hasn't replied. Keep trying. Do they have an "emergency" number? Does your T? I know my T's office has someone on call 24/7 so you can always talk to someone, even if it's not your T.

About the pdoc. There is a nurse line for mine. YOu call, they check it out and call you back usually by the next day. They also have a pdoc on call every night. It may not be my pdoc but it is one from the clinic. What should you do? Keep calling, ask to speak to his nurse.

My tdoc has been out for sick leave for six weeks. She had a heart valve replaced. If you are sick don't you want others you have commitments with to understand that it wasn't a choice and they have a right to be human. No, I don't think you should be upset with your tdoc. Disappointed, but not upset. You might want to enlarge your support group. During the time my tdoc has been gone I have seen my case manager most weeks. It didn't replace her but it made it better.

I'm not really mad, in fact, I really feel for him (head of dept of Psychiatry for a major hospital-lots of commitments). I tried emailing him again. He didn't reply. I left a message this morning on his personal VM-no call. Left a VM with his personal nurse. Emailed my therapist about the issue (they share office space), and in every call and message, I have told them that I am paralyzed with anxiety and dark, dark, thoughts. I also told them that this mood is affecting my ability to be a good mother to my four children.
I also apologized for bothering him, but emphasized that I am in a dangerous place.

If you are in a really bad place right now and your doctors haven't gotten back to you then you need to consider going to the ER.