I am seeing an Integrated Psychiatrist tomorrow

Well, my bags are still packed but I haven't gone inpatient yet.

Instead I was researching integrated psychiatry. These Medical doctors are trained in western and eastern medicine. I looked on the Internet and there is a center close to where I live.

I called yesterday and was able to get an appointment for tomorrow. I will see Dr. Yang for an evaluation that is 90 minutes and includes acupuncture. This is something I have never tried and have some hope about it. Of course even though he is a MD I think their focus is on more natural treatments and not so much medications. It would be great to get off some of my meds.

Unfortunately they don't take insurance and the evaluation is 350.
But I can submitted it under out network that will cover 70%.

If I continue to see him it is 195 per appointment. That is minus the 70%.

I don't want to get too excited, because it might not work.

My husband is even leaving work early to drive me.

Has anyone been under the care of an Integrated Psychiatrist ?
If so what was you experience like ?

I have not, but my dad had accupuncture for his shoulder when we were in car accident a long time ago. He had a torn rotator cup and needed surgery. But the accupuncture really, really helped him heal from the pain and also gain back a lot of his mobility.

And you have to understand, my dad was a teen in the 1950s and sees natural remedies and alternative healing as a bunch of crazy people drinking tea. He would never meditate or anything like that. So the fact he was helped by it was a shock to him and he still tells people it's worth doing.

I had accupuncture once, it got rid of my chronic kidney infections. I would definitly try it for any other issue it is used for

Never heard of this but it sounds very interesting.

Has there been any conclusions made why accupunture works?

I get sweet relief from tattoos, lots of puncturing there. Wonder if there is any correlation?

I don't know but if it's true that it really does release the blocked up energy in our body, then it is probably something to do with the nervous system. That's my guess.

Acupuncture releases tension in muscles and allows you to relax. It hits pressure points.

There is a chi/energy flow theory that goes along with it.

Tattoos release adrenalin and can make you feel euphoric.

Speed3, I wish you success. Also, ask the doctor about cranial manipulation, which is used by classical osteopaths. Dr. Andrew Weil wrote about an old time osteopath who practiced in Tuscon and I was quite impressed by this doctor. By serendipity, while waiting at the local Quest Lab patient center, I read of an osteopath near Baltimore who utilizes the real 'hands on' treatment modalities that were the foundation of osteopathy when it first began in the late 1800's by Dr. Andrew Still. I'm going to call her office when I get my next disability check and I'll also see if my insurance will pay any of the cost, since she's out of network.

I think it's great ur trying something out of the box. Good luck

I don't know of any mainstream insurance company that would pay for treatments like accupuncture, whether it works or not. They don't cover herbs, vitamins, special diets. If they know he is an integrative psychiatrist then they are unlikely to pay any of the cost of seeing him. Let's hope he just writes his name followed by M.D.

I've had success with accupuncture, started my labor with 1st daughter med free! I have heard it can help so many disorders and illness too - good for you! My insurance will actually cover a portion of accupuncture as well, 70% coverage is pretty good. Please let us know how it goes!

Mine is one of those kind of psychiatrists, though he doesn't use that term. He not only does general psychiatry, but also TMS and acupuncture. The latter is a recent accomplishment of his---he's been going to school to learn and only became licensed a couple of months ago. I told him I'd let him practice on me if he'd let me increase my Celexa in the winter when I get depressed. He threw his Nerf football at me.

Shooting nerf gun at pdoc - now that'd be some therapy
Line up the rx bottles and see who can hit em hehe...

My gen. doc. performs acupuncture on Wednesdays. I'm only telling you the day of the week because I seem to always have a need on a Wednesday! She is super intelligent and I would trust her with any method she uses.
I hope this is a helpful path for you, Speed!!!
Bluemountains

Well, when me and my dad were in that accidenet, the car insurance company of the guy that hit us is the one that paid for the accupuncture. (And then his surgery as well.) And that was in 1997. It was just like 4-5 months after I got out of high school.

So, it probably just depends on yoru specific plan what they will cover, but if you already know they will reimburse 70% that's pretty good.

I hope it is 70%, I think because he is a medical doctor and he is treating me for bipolar first and foremost that it will be covered.
I guess it depends on the receipts I get. I may ask them to tweak them. Acupuncture is only one thing he does. He does therapy, prescribes regular meds, I think they concentrate on the whole body. They look at diet, ect. I am on way to many meds. I hope he helps get me off some off them.

My appt is 4:00 pm EST. I will write a note tonight about my experience and what I find out.

Later
Speed

Even if it's not, you're worth every penny, Speed.

I saw the Integrated Psychiatrist yesterday. It was a 2 hour appointment. He is Chinese with a MD here from the US.

He treats the mind, body, heart and spirit. He gave me a number of supplements to take. To start my diet has changed to Gluten Free, no dairy and no refined sugar. Even though I am depressed I need to try to do 20 minutes of exercise everyday. He did acupuncture, which I will get 3 times a week for a couple of months. I am going to see him for therapy two times a week.
He was no nonsense, but real and compassionate. I forget how he said it. I am doing the work, but he will be walking with me.

He is slowly weening me off my meds. I finally have a PDOC that cares!

Thank God, Speed. It sounds as if it is going to be a truly beneficial journey for you for full recovery.

He is certainly keeping up with knowledge about diet changes that help in bipolar illness, too. I wonder if he also asked you to take Omega3 fatty acids? That has been proven also to help with bipolar illness.

Thanks for letting us all know about a superior appointment with a Chinese physician
who does acupuncture for treatment in bipolar illness.

It's really the best news I've heard on the forum in a good while.

Take care and keep in touch as you wish.

I am so, so happy that you've found a doctor who is both knowledgable and compassionate, who is going to be there for you intensively right now in your time of need. That really makes me very happy. You really need support like this right now, and I'm so glad you're finally getting it!

Keep us posted on how it is going. I'm so proud of you and happy for you.

Really happy for you Speed. Its about time you found a doctor who gives a damn about you. Pardon my French

I'm relieved to hear he is so supportive and not just barking orders and telling you to report back in x amount of time! Really really good news, thanks for sharing, and please, keep us updated as much as you can, I would also like to walk with you on this journey

Bless you, the big D gets me in
the winter too.

Yes Genetic, I brought the Fish oil supplement I had. He said it was fine but I had to up it to 4 a day. The other supplements are,
A multi for Women over 45, A herbal thing that is for women in menopause, a probiotic, Vitamin D, COq 10 and a spray for under the tongue when I get a panic or anxiety attack.

He stressed it is one step at a time. There while be more changes down the line, but he believes in starting small so I am not set up for failure.