Switching to a new psychatrist?

Have any of you switched to a new psychatrist and been happy with the results?

I've become quite unhappy with the doctor I'm seeing. Starting out she was great. You could contact her any time by cell or the office number, she kept up with what meds you were on, did stuff like safety contracts if you didn't want to be admitted, asked if anything was going on that seemed to be worsening your symptoms, etc. Now she's only in the office for a few hours twice per week and is unavailable most of the time other than that. When you have an appointment you might sit there for thirty minutes before she even shows up to start seeing people. Usually I end up sitting there for at least an hour before getting seen. At times I've sat there for two hours or longer waiting to be seen. Her husband is supposed to keep up with the finances and he doesn a terrible job. We were having problems with our insurance and he kept telling us there was no balance to pay. Last time I was in we suddenly had a $270 balance. He's letting us pay it in 3 installments of $90 but it's a financial burden that could have been avoided. He refuses to bill people because "it's too much trouble".

She has reached the point of asking the patient what meds they are on, the doses, and what do they think should be tried next in terms of meds? She asks me what meds I've tried instead of actually looking at my chart. When I told her I was still having hallucinations she went down a list of meds and asked what I wanted to try. Um, I'm the patient. How the hell am I supposed to know what med to pick from the list? She also no longer has practicing privileges at any of the area psych hospitals except for the one for the poor, noninsured and homeless. Call me a snob but I don't want to be admitted there considering I do have good insurance that will pay for admission into a good private facility or a state facility.

Given all of this, I think it's time to look for a new doctor. Would you guys also look? If so, are there any questions you make sure to ask a doctor you are considering seeing? Thanks!

I would definitely look for a new dr. She shouldn't be asking you what meds you want, unless you ask for them. When I was looking for a new dr 2 years ago, the big question I asked was if they were available if I was hospitalized. You would be surprised to hear the numbers of drs who won't take on patients, if there's even a chance of hospitalization. I was shocked. I had just gotten out of the hospital myself, and that really hurt me. I am soooooooo glad I found the dr I have now. He is awesome. I don't know what I would do without him. My pdoc before had me on new meds every 3 months, b/c my symptoms weren't under control, and come to find out it was all the antidepressants she was shoving at me. The first thing my new one did was take me off all antidepressants, and life has been so much better. I've been on the same meds for 2 years now, with dose increases, and he did add tegretol in June, but other than that, the same meds. That's a record for me. I am truly happy with him.

You want might to report her to the state medical board as well. Something is definately going on with her and her husband that the licensing board needs to be made aware of.

If you are unhappy with your Pdoc of course you should change. Doctors all have there own way of providing medical care. Sometimes it just doesn't work for everyone.

My pdoc has always been very open to me researching meds on my own and I have requested we try meds XYZ . I appreciate the fact hes willing to work "with me"

I hope you find a new Pdoc that is a better fit for you.

My first pdoc made me feel I was in trouble every time I walked into her office. My current pdoc makes me feel like I'm walking into a friends house. Yes I have to wait longer but it's because he sneaks in the psy. questions into normal "hang out" conversation. So he takes longer. He does let me control my meds but he gives me choices.

You need a pdoc that is affiliated with a hospital you are comfortable with.

Questions:
What are the steps you take before hospitalization?
How to I get a hold of you outside appointments?
When do I get a hold of you?
Will you work alongside my T?

I don't have a problem with researching meds and do it quite a bit (I'm a part time medical librarian). The problem is there is no opportunity for research. It's not, "Here are your options, give it some thought and come back in a week." It's, "You can try this, this, this, this or this. Which do you want to try?" I'm not going to choose a drug without having all of the facts. When I start asking questions or tell her that I need to read up on them she gets annoyed. The last time I said I would have to read up on them and let her know I was lectured about noncompliance. I ended up on Geodon because I asked about it. She wanted to add on another mood stabilizer, gave me a list of possible drugs and wanted me to choose right then. When I wouldn't she wanted to do lithium, which I've been on before and had zero response to. She was pissed by the time I left because I wouldn't blindly choose a med.

Yep sounds like you need to start calling to find a new Pdoc. As Miguelsmom said find a doctor that affiliated with a hospital you like .

Good luck and hopefully you will find a keeper

I switched pdoc's 2x because I was unhappy. Both times were good decisions. However, I will note that I had to go out of network to find someone adequate.

A big issue for me is the actual amount of time they will spend with you. One pdoc would bill for 20 but see me for 5. Unacceptable but common. IDK if a pdoc would be upfront about that. You might just have to try him/her and see.

Good luck!
EJ

If she gets pissed, you ought to switch immediately.

I keep swapping pods. Availability has been a big issue for me, as well as approachability. You are opening a vulnerable part of yourself, and the doctor needs to be friendly and empathetic.
My T has now recommended a pdoc she's worked with, who is close to her rooms and who would be able to work with me if I were to be hospitalized. I think I'm going to yet again change pdocs.