[Pughead]

So, finally had my first visit with the pdoc today. Overall, I'm really unsatisfied. She seemed more concerned that I talk slow than with what I actually had to say.

I told her over and over that is why I write everything down, because I'm a poor speaker. I wanted to read it off my notes to answer her questions but she wouldn't let me.

She didn't give me a definitive diagnosis but says that my symptoms seem more like narcissistic personality disorder with intermittent explosive disorder.

Well, WTF?!
I am a slow speaker and it takes me a longer time to answer questions. Not to mention that my memory is horrible, so when she asks about my mental state at the time, or if I was sleeping well...the answer is "I HAVE NO F*CKING CLUE!!!!!!"

I'm not satisfied at all. She thinks it's sleep apnea (I have to get tested for that now) and that Celexa is dragging me down, making everything worse.

So, the following actions are being taken:

1. Get a sleep study to check for apnea.
2. Switch from Celexa to Effexor.
3. Switch from Depakote to Depakote ER and reduce the dosage by 250mg to 750mg.

She also gave me a couple looks during the session that pissed me off.
Like she was saying "That's rediculous" or "I don't believe you."

Dammit, now I'm pissed.

it's so frustrating to feel that someone that you need help from isn't taking you seriously. i am very sorry that this has happened to you.

i'd go along and try the changes. do the sleep apnea test and see how that goes......give it a chance and keep posting so we can help support you through this.........xoxoxo pat

[Pughead]

She also made a wise-crack about my financial situation.

I told her I had this fear of my wife divorcing me and taking everything, the money, and kids.

She says,

"What money? You don't have any, you're in debt." With this dirty smirk on her face.

Yes, I have debt like most Americans, but I was referring to child-care support, alimony, whatever.

She also dropped the f-bomb. That's something you'd expect from your patient, not the professional. I wasn't offended by the f-bomb itself, but it just added to the overall displeasure. I have a meeting with my T tomorrow and I'm going to tell him about it.

I will do what she has instructed, but I'm not optomistic about any of it. Of course I look tired and am drained! I have a cold!

Do you snore?
-Yes

Omg, go get the sleep apnea test! You will be cured!

Fortunately she said she would consult with my T. That's my only hope, I guess.

[lenjan]

I'd be finding another pdoc posthaste! Good grief.

Let's make a deal: You get rid of that awful pdoc, and I'll get rid of my awful T.

CB

[darkeyes]

OMG!!! She sounds so unprofessional, I personally wouldn't tolerate that treatment, and seek a new pdoc.
Wow!! I'm still in shock she'd say stuff like that, doesn't even sound ethical, she is the one that sounds "ridculous", not you.
I talk slow,by nature, and often I can see some people lose patience, but a pdoc should have patience with stuff like that and more, or they have no business being a pdoc.
I really hope and pray this sour experience will not turn you away from seeking help, cause there really is hope and help. I urge you to try to see if you can see a different pdoc, and get on a good treatment plan and/or meds.
I'm wishing you lots of luck in getting a new pdoc, please do not give up, there are good pdocs, and then there are ones that are morons, unfortunately, you must of met up with a pdoc who is a moron.
Keep the faith.

DE

[Pughead]

Darkeyes,

The reason she kept bringing my speech up is because she wants to figure out what's causing that problem and sleep apnea may be a culprit.

That's why the switch from celexa to effexor, because it's not suppose to make me drowsy.

Her hypothesis is that my brain is moving at a "sludgy" pace. So if that's corrected, my other problems will be too. She said I definitely need therapy for speech and communication.

My brain isn't sludgy; it's just disorganized and erratic. I just have a hard time gathering thoughts and verbalize them.

Oh, and in the middle of our session, the receptionist called her to notify that a patient was on the phone. She lets out a big *sigh* and says, "Yeah, I guess I better talk to them."

I will ask my T to save me tomorrow...maybe he can pull some strings and get me in with someone good that he knows. He knows this particular pdoc, and when I told him this is who I would be seeing, he didn't say anything.

Thank you all for sharing my disgust!

[Pughead]

Good news!

I just picked up my prescription and found that my new monthly drug bill is going to be $218!

I'm so happy! I was paying a grand total of $30 before!

$218, wow!

Ain't life grand?

i think your Pdoc needs to be reported to the medical board.

and i pray that your T will help you change to someone else. there's no excuse for her talking as she does.

good luck, pat

[lenjan]

Welcome to my world. I have to pay for my meds upfront and then get reimbursed 3 weeks later. A 30-day supply of Risperdal yesterday was $188. I have enough Effexor to last for awhile, but a 30-day supply of that is over $300. I don't know how I'm going to do it either.

Drug companies are even worse than insurance companies, imo!

[Pughead]

Well, the good news is I meet with my "T" today, who I think is great. Candybear, if you ever move to the darkside (Minn.) and live in the TC area, I would gladly recommend him to you. He said he wouldn't judge my pdoc, but that he was surprised at what went on. He says that often times, pdoc's feel the need to lump you into a diagnostic category, even if it's just after a lousy 45 minute evaluation. (My pdoc hardly began to scratch the surface. We didn't talk about anything that happened prior to the last 2 years) He was surprised at how much she focused on my slow responses and speaking skills.

I am aware that I speak slow and disjointed, especially when uncomfortable. But I can usually overcome it. It's just so hard to grab onto the racing thoughts and translate them to words.

He recommends to stick to what I'm told to do and go back for the follow-up. If that doesn't go well, then I should get a diff p-doc.

I scheduled all my sleep-study stuff this morning. That's going to be weird. I don't know how I'll be able to sleep with electrodes on me.