[B2008]

So I've yet to see a pdoc but my gen doc is ok with that as long as my meds are working. Small town here. my doc is really great and knows my struggle with trust issues. He knows I'm a medication technician and is good with my input on my meds. I recently changed from depakote and busbar to topamax and busbar. He also discusses dosing mgs with me and doesn't push me to take more than what I'm comfortable with. He allows me to listen to my body which I am so very thankful for. After going through so many doctors I really feel blessed to find him. He's also the first male doctor I've ever trusted. And the first one to get me on the right diagnosis track.

Anyway after all the things I read here it seems pdocs are not like this. I feel when I do finally go I'm chancing a whole upheaval of my meds and I really don't want to risk the medication rollercoaster again. I feel so much better. But there's still room for growth. If I tell them I don't want my meds hacked will they listen? Can my doc go over a pdocs head? I know the things I will tell them might be cause for med change but I manage some things fine without. ( visual and audible hallucinations during high stress) I'm not to that point yet where every symptom needs treated. I've never been hospitalized. No really bad medical records. So how much control will I really have?

No matter how small, a positive change deserves to be celebrated!

[cashart10]

I honestly think it's based on the pdoc. The one I have now makes critical mistake after critical mistake. He gives me a lot of room to start/stop/change my meds however, but part of me thinks that is just his laziness. I'm only seeing him still because I have medicaid. After my husband is at his job for 90 days we will have normal insurance and after that I am definetly changing pdocs.

The pdoc I had before him was entirely different. She was amicable, thorough, loving, diligent, and flexible. I could go on and on. She would see me every week on the occasions that I was very unwell. She saw me on average every two weeks. She clued my family when it was necessary. She took phone calls I made her seriously and ALWAYS got back to me within a few hours. Unfortunately she practices 1 1/2 hours away now.

[Nammu]

In the USA a pdoc can not force you to take meds you don't want. If you want to decide which meds you are on the pdoc may say you don't need to see them. It's a dialog that goes both ways.

[SingDanceRunLife]

I had a whole long response written out and then my browser crashed...so here's the tl;dr version.

It all depends on how much control you feel comfortable having. The pdoc works for you, so if you're not happy, you have the right to find another pdoc who is more your style. My first pdoc was the kind where I had no input on anything, I just went in for 5-10 minutes and he wrote scripts. My current pdoc lets me have an opinion about what I want to be on and how much I want to be on. I also had an interim pdoc who pretty much wrote a script for whatever I wanted without question...

I agree with other posters here. Some pdocs are godawful and some are fantastic. It totally depends on the person you're seeing.

At the end of the day, you have 100% control on what you want to do. For example: don't like the meds your pdoc wants you on? You don't have to take them. Don't agree with your pdoc? You can always go back to your regular doc.

Just remember: A good pdoc always listens to what you have to say. If this new pdoc ignores you and does whatever he wants, then he's not worth your time. Pdocs who do whatever they want usually do more harm than good.

For what it's worth, I have a fairly good pdoc. He always listens to what I have to say. When I told him that gabapentin made me aggressive/hostile, he immediately pulled me off it. He didn't try to force it on me. That's an example of a good pdoc.

[scatterbrained04]

Depends very much on the pdoc. They are all different. A good pdoc will not force medications down your throat.

Mine will usually make suggestions of meds we can try, and I pick from those. I also can refuse. My son's pnurse is the same way. His pdoc before her as well.

[Ocean Swimmer]

Ive had Pdocs that leave it up to me. Especially if I've been going through med changes without much success.
They say well what do you think we should try next.

Because I knew this was going to be their attitude I spent long hours researching all different kinds of meds and the side effects.

Also I told one Pdoc once I couldn't take Paxil. He told me,then there was a whole class of meds that wouldn't be right for me.

[gina_re]

I have lost count of how many pdocs I have seen, but each one is different with their approach, there are three general types. The pill pusher: pretty much will give you any prescription you ask for or will give you a bunch of samples. The limited with meds pdoc: my last one else was like this, his approach was the least amount of medication with the best effect. You'll here more about diet and exercise and other methods from these. The no diagnosis pdoc: treats the symptoms, not the diagnosis, won't go into detail about actual diagnosis. Each one will come with their own personality whether it be calm and understanding or rude and dismissive. It's just the same as any other type of doctor. At the end of the day, like others have previously mentioned, you have the right to a doctor that you feel comfortable with. It's not always easy to find one, especially when it comes to location and insurance issues. However, if you don't like your treatment, "fire" the doctor and find a new one. You're paying for it anyway (in more ways than one).

[B2008]

Thank you for the replies. I really need the psychological help but that means allowing someone else to take control and that is scary! I've was mentally mind f*#<ed for years and a big part of me is afraid a pdoc will do nothing but the same along with not listen to me on what I can't take. I never thought about me being on control of who I see and setting limits. I figured they could do whatever and I would be stuck without my normal meds n my doc wouldn't be able to change it back. Since starting on mood stabilizers in November life has completely changed for my family and I. Backtracking is not an option.
But I will think on this a while and hopefully be able to make the call to set up the appointment soon. Thanks guys!

No matter how small, a positive change deserves to be celebrated!

I actually see two. One is mostly there to check on me and takes care of my medications, the other is a psychotherapist; though, they clearly are in contact and work together.

This topic comes up a lot in my support group discussion. There seems to be a direct correlation between the size of a psychiatrist's practise and the quality of care. Some of those in group only see their pdoc perhaps for 10min every few months. None of them have anything good to say about their experiences. Meanwhile, those of us who see our pdocs on a more regular basis and for say an hour each visit have a much better and positive view of our pdoc, the relationship we have with them, and the positivity of our experience.

Thus, my opinion is you take practice size into consideration - i you can. Perhaps this is where your regular doctor might be helpful.

[Victoria'smom]

In my experience you see pdoc every 1-3 months for 15 min. In that 15 min they have to find out what is truly going on with you and prescribe meds that will help. Some are harsh, some are nice but you have to get to the point fast just like a regular dr. I find the best way to do it is have a therapist that works with the dr see you. Usually the pdoc gets a little blurb from your therapist about how they think your doing which helps.