I had my old Pdoc for four years and he was really great. Istill got frustrated with him but overall he was really good. He has retired and I got transferred to a new doctor. I've only seen him twice but in those two visits, I could already tell this isn't going to work. He doesn't really listen, doesn't want to get to know you or your situation. He seems very focused on just getting you out of his office. He gives you a paper when you are finished that has 'medication only app. 25 minutes' ticked off to give to the secretary on your way out. I don't know if this is common, but I've never seen it.

I've been doing pretty badly trying to get a mixed episode under control. Called to get medication and he never called me back. Went to a walk in clinic and got some seroquel there. I've tried so many medications but I haven't found the right ones yet. I'm a single mom of three so I have to really keep it together. I just feel like if I remain under his care, my health will suffer. Also he didn't know what I meant by mixed mania and I had to clarify ( for real ). I'm pretty scared right now because I'm making my own doses and am pretty much deciding what drug I need. Not a good thing for someone whose kinda losing touch with reality. I wouldn't think.

I have an app. tomorrow with my GP. I want to ask him about getting a switch in Pdoc.However I feel really guilty about it, all our Pdoc's work in the same building in my small city. So I'll still have to run into him and now I'm all worried about offending this Pdoc by switching to a new one ( if even possible). Oh and worried about sounding like a spoiled brat at the GP's office. " I don't like this one, can I have another, different colour ?" like I'm trying on shirts or something. Not sure how to go about talking to my GP about this. Any ideas?

Oh and I am in Canada, so here I need a referral from a GP to get a psychiatrist, not sure how this works in other places. I think I'm maybe freaking my self out a bit, like they are not gonna flag my medical file with -picky bratty pms'ing difficult to deal with, don't go there, female patient Or are they?

Thanks,
needed to vent a bit, it's really got me worried

I do know how you feel but this is your mental health we're talking about.
I go to a place where my T and Pdoc are in the same place - multiple Ts and Pdocs - I saw the one Pdoc for a few years and ended up in the hospital - when i came out i said i wanted my same T but new Pdoce for same reasons you are describing - he didn't listen to me - i felt like he was rushing me - and I didn't think he "cared". And I was worried because i would (and still do) see him at the place. But they told me I'm not the first to switch, and won't be the last, and not to worry about it. He used to say hello to me, npw he just nods (it's been 4 years) and I have a great pdoc who listens to me and has really gotten me through some tough times. It was totally worth it.

Just go to your GP and tell the truth - you feel like your doctor isn't listening and you are concerned for your health - you would really appreciate if if you could have a referral to a new dr so you can better manage your health and care. I don't thnk you're being bratty at all.

[BlackPup]

I have short appt with my pdoc, just to find out where I'm at and what needs to happen to my meds, any thing else I talk to my T about. It's hard to do the short appt cos you have to get everything out in such a short time so it feels like you've bared your soul then its up and out. But its better financially and its what he is good at so I'm ok with that.

[Anneinside]

I really like my pdoc but only have "med check" appointments. They are 10 to 15 minutes long but I am able to tell her about symptoms and recent stressors. I save my long stories for my psychologist.

[dragonfly2]

My "med management" appointments with my last pdoc were about 20-30 minutes long, but he would take the time to really listen and we worked well together. Go with your first instinct and get a new pdoc. Don't worry about offending him - he's a big boy and will get over it. We fired my daughter's pdoc and see someone else in her office. We nod when we see each other, and move on. You need to take care of yourself - you've got a lot of people depending on you. If this was happening with your children's doctor, would you hesitate to find someone new?

[DivorcedWoman]

I agree that you need to get rid of your pdoc. He is not responsive enough for your needs and you have to stay healthy to be there for your kids. I would ask yourself what if you had an episode? Do you feel he would be there for you in the way that you need? Just my two cents but if he can't be there for the little things do you think he would be there for the big things. I had a crappy PDoc and Therapist when I had my bad manic episode in 2007 and my husband kicked me out of the house and took my child. Fortunately, I now have joint custody, but I've made many changes including changing my PDoc and T. Good luck.

[Lauru]

I saw a pdoc at an office where there are several pdocs. The first pdoc was rude, didn't listen to me, tried to push me to go to work too soon, and then when I disagreed with him, he told me to find somebody else and gave me a 3 month prescription for all my meds. Not even a "good luck" or a referral. So I was referred by my group T to try this other pdoc same office. The second pdoc has been great, when I transferred, I didn't even have to give new pdoc permission to see my old file from old pdoc. So no bias. I have been with this new pdoc now for several years. He is wonderful and I wouldn';t trade him for the world. So, find a new one if you want to. You could find just the perfect one!

Thanks for sharing, I've only had the one pdoc so I don't have a lot of experience. My app with him were not long but he listened and asked questions. Got to know you. I've only seen this new dr twice but am going through a bad mixed manic mood and really needed some help with it. Only sleeping every second night or so for the last month and it was difficult even to get a sleeping aid from him not to mention getting the psychosis under control. He seems to just sort if blow it off as nothing. I saw my gp yesterday but he says his hands are tied. I have to speak to the pdoc directly about switching.
I'm a pretty quiet timid person, so not likely. I think I'll write him a letter and explain and drop it off. Or maybe make an app with my T and see if she can help me figure this out.

[Forgive77]

Originally Posted by Anika

Thanks for sharing, I've only had the one pdoc so I don't have a lot of experience. My app with him were not long but he listened and asked questions. Got to know you. I've only seen this new dr twice but am going through a bad mixed manic mood and really needed some help with it. Only sleeping every second night or so for the last month and it was difficult even to get a sleeping aid from him not to mention getting the psychosis under control. He seems to just sort if blow it off as nothing. I saw my gp yesterday but he says his hands are tied. I have to speak to the pdoc directly about switching.
I'm a pretty quiet timid person, so not likely. I think I'll write him a letter and explain and drop it off. Or maybe make an app with my T and see if she can help me figure this out.

Your therapist can help you get through this with making the switch etc. My therapist called my Psychiatrist once to get them to call me back. I've had one like you said. He didn't listen to me. The one I have now does, and I'm moving so I'm scared about finding a new one. But you really do need to switch.

[kykid]

Don't hesitate to change doctors. Your health hangs in the balance.

There are many good doctors out there. I am sure that your general practitioner would be glad to refer you to someone else.

Also, you might entertain the idea of seeing a therapist. I have been seeing a therapist in my doctor's practice since February 2010 and have found it very helpful. I still need the doctor for medications but have discovered other tools for handling my illness that I am not sure I would have found had I not started seeing my therapist.

Good luck.

[ladyjrnlist]

Ah yes. The lovely med checks. Expensive for five minutes, aren't they? My pdoc will talk with me, but I have to have specific questions ready and sometimes have to be adamant about what I'm experiencing with my symptoms. I feel your pain.