[grandmaof3]

Well my excellent pdoc is officially retired and today I had my first appointment with a new one. He read my file and asked me some vague questions and then told me that someone on the amount of meds I am on has no business working as a nurse. He said we should get the ball rolling on disability. I was really upset by this. My old pdoc recommended this guy and I wasn't expecting this kind of negativity. My old pdoc always told me he was proud of me for keeping it together enough to hold a job. This new guy said that if I really needed to be on all this meds then he's surprised I can hold it together to work. I told him the only reason I could do it is because the meds for the most part are working for me. Sometimes I do have a hard time keeping it together and I have to take a few days off and my old pdoc would write me a doctors excuse. I'm really upset. This guy says if I'm going to insist on working as a nurse then we need to cut back on my meds. I need all my meds ! I don't know what to do. He is the only psychiatrist near my house that's taking new patients. The next closest is and hour away but it looks like I'm going to have to try someone else. I'm really stressed put about this.

[Curiosity77]

That's ridiculous. There is no reason being on meds should stop you from being a nurse. As long as they are the right meds, and your memory etc is OK. I'm on lots of meds, and i am still nursing. You would think he would want you to stay on meds that are keeping you stable, not encourage you to come off so that you can work.

I'm really lucky because my pdoc sees a lot of health care providers, so she is very supportive if me working. Actually, she only takes new patients if they are health care providers, because she is full, but will make time for keeping her colleagues well. I have 2 other friends who are NPs like me, and who see the same pdoc and take meds, and work.

I think your pdoc is wrong.

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[Sad&Bipolar]

Good psychiatrists are few and far between. Good for you for realizing this new doc is not the right one for you. Driving the longer distance is worth it to be in the care of an understanding doctor, and one you trust. You deserve to be listened to, and play a major role in decisions about medication.

[grandmaof3]

Originally Posted by Curiosity77

That's ridiculous. There is no reason being on meds should stop you from being a nurse. As long as they are the right meds, and your memory etc is OK. I'm on lots of meds, and i am still nursing. You would think he would want you to stay on meds that are keeping you stable, not encourage you to come off so that you can work.

I'm really lucky because my pdoc sees a lot of health care providers, so she is very supportive if me working. Actually, she only takes new patients if they are health care providers, because she is full, but will make time for keeping her colleagues well. I have 2 other friends who are NPs like me, and who see the same pdoc and take meds, and work.

I think your pdoc is wrong.

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Thanks. I do have problems with my memory, but my old pdoc told me to write everything important down so I won't forget and he said that to continue to work would be good for me. My long term memory is good its my short term memory I have problems with. I do write everything down and I don't think I have made any mistakes. I get good performance reviews at work so I don't think I am a hazard. I am going to call around and try to find a new pdoc. I hate that my old pdoc retired cause I really liked and trusted him.

I am sorry to hear the upsetting news! That is not right of the pdoc to suggest that when your current treatment/routine is working.

I think so long as your are functioning well and you are not a danger to your patients there is not reason to be taken out of the workforce unless you or your employer feels that you can't safely do your job. But you mentioned that you receive good reviews, and you have worked out a system to stay safe. So this shouldn't be of concern to the pdoc.

Hoping for the best for you!

[catastrophic]

I think your pdoc needs to reign in his opinion...

And I think you deserve a better pdoc

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[Victoria'smom]

I wish that people would understand that daily perpous is what helps us servive

[HALLIEBETH87]

It is unfortunate that has happened to you! You deserve the best. A good pdoc is sooooo hard to find!

[Dix888]

What!? The real problem would be if you decided to go Off your meds. It's great that you are able to work. This pdoc sounds like a dolt. Absolutely uninformed. I'm so sorry you are going through this & hope you can find a different pdoc soon!


This new guy said that if I really needed to be on all this meds then he's surprised I can hold it together to work. I told him the only reason I could do it is because the meds for the most part are working for me. Sometimes I do have a hard time keeping it together and I have to take a few days off and my old pdoc would write me a doctors excuse. I'm really upset. This guy says if I'm going to insist on working as a nurse then we need to cut back on my meds. I need all my meds ! I don't know what to do. He is the only psychiatrist near my house that's taking new patients. The next closest is and hour away but it looks like I'm going to have to try someone else. I'm really stressed put about this.[/quote]

[BipolaRNurse]

I'm on quite a bit of medication myself and my pdoc actually believes I should stay in nursing. I have short-term memory issues too, but that's why God invented the Post-It note. There are some kinds of nursing I can't do anymore, but I can do some. Your pdoc is not serving you well by giving up on you right out of the starting gate.....better to drive the distance to a decent one than stick with this fellow.

Sorry your old pdoc retired. I don't know what I'd do without my good doctor, thank goodness he's only 46 and many years away from retirement. I wish you the best in finding someone better suited to your needs.

[thegirlinpurple]

Originally Posted by grandmaof3

Well my excellent pdoc is officially retired and today I had my first appointment with a new one. He read my file and asked me some vague questions and then told me that someone on the amount of meds I am on has no business working as a nurse. He said we should get the ball rolling on disability. I was really upset by this. My old pdoc recommended this guy and I wasn't expecting this kind of negativity. My old pdoc always told me he was proud of me for keeping it together enough to hold a job. This new guy said that if I really needed to be on all this meds then he's surprised I can hold it together to work. I told him the only reason I could do it is because the meds for the most part are working for me. Sometimes I do have a hard time keeping it together and I have to take a few days off and my old pdoc would write me a doctors excuse. I'm really upset. This guy says if I'm going to insist on working as a nurse then we need to cut back on my meds. I need all my meds ! I don't know what to do. He is the only psychiatrist near my house that's taking new patients. The next closest is and hour away but it looks like I'm going to have to try someone else. I'm really stressed put about this.

I give you a lot of credit because there are times I just want to quit my job and huddle in the corner. It should be up to you whether you should go on disability. As long as your employer is satisified with your performance, by all means stay with your job and keep on the meds.

[Cocinella]

Having a good pdoc is vital for your good health even though you'd had to drive an hour away. Your health is the most important thing you have, without it you have nothing.

So do try your best to find a doc that will help you as much as he/she can. Maybe you don't need all the meds, maybe you do. Just time and talking to this new doc will tell. Tell him everything, your experiences etc., and you two should figure things out.

Wish you the best!

[grandmaof3]

I've called several pdocs today trying to find one that's taking new patients and that take my insurance and that could see me sometime soon. I got an appointment in 3 weeks with a pdoc an hour away. He was recommended by my friend who works in the mental hospital. She says he's great with the patients there. I'll let you know how this works out.Fortunately my old pdoc left me with 5 refills on my meds so theres no worry that I'll run out any time soon.

[Victoria'smom]

I'm glad you were able to get one that would be willing to see you so soon.

[Sometimes psychotic]

This guy sounds like he doesn't have much experience with bipolar the typical medication burden of a female bipolar patient is 5 meds----you're better off without him.

Also to give you some contrast my pdoc who was excellent basically said Ok we've got to work on getting you back to work like 2 weeks after a psychotic break. The meds are there to help with that not to indicate disability I mean wtf...

[pawn78]

Good riddance, I hope you get a more competent Pdoc!

[PrairieCat]

Kudos to you for recognizing that this is the wrong pdoc for you! I wish you the best of luck in finding one that works for you. You are obviously a wise and wonderful nurse and individual! Good luck from one who has had crazy-negative pdocs in the past! I believe there are wonderful providers out there. Changing docs isn't easy but you will find one.
PrairieCat

[Nammu]

Working can be difficult at times but it also gives people a regular schedule, a purpose and motivation to stay stable. If I could find a job that paid a decent wage I quit disability in a heartbeat. I'm on disability because I had a Pdoc like that who got the " disability ball" rolling. Being told I'd never work again at 28 was devastating. I was a CNA with a medication certificate and a nursing supervisor who wanted me to switch my degree to RN and work would pay for the rest of my school. Meaning despite everything they thought I was a very good employee that they wanted to keep. So you keep on doing what works for you, don't let one Person tell you different.

I think you are definitely doing the right thing by looking for a Pdoc who understands the importance of work, and support a person with time off during episodes. If the meds are working leave it alone! Gees.

I hope there is a way you can let him know he needs to learn a whole lot more about MI.

[wing]

"I hope there is a way you can let him know he needs to learn a whole lot more about MI."

Good luck with that. He sounds like the type who thinks he knows everything already.

Glad to hear you got an appointment with a new pdoc!