How Do You Feel About Your Pdoc

Doctor of Osteopathy. My experience with both my pdoc and my family doc and any other specialists I can find are that they are more compassionate and patient-centered than a lot of MDs.

Interesting, I didn't know anything about them. I'll have to look into that - thanks!

Some people think they are not as good as MDs because it is slightly easier to get into some DO programs. But I have a pdoc who is an expert with complicated cases and a family dr who works so hard with me to balance my bipolar meds that have a lot of restrictions, my numerous allergies to meds and several conditions that need to be handled to keep me healthy. Once I needed a specialist and after the first one refused to see me he not only called and talked to the 2nd one for a long time he also sent a 3 page comprehensive letter about my situation to the other doctor. He's amazing and has learned about psych issues over many years as my doctor; he was brand new out of residency when we met.

Like I said, given a choice I go DO. It's not always possible though.

I've been doing this for almost 40 years, so I'll stick to my last two pdocs. I swore by the last pdoc I had. She was very caring & listened to me intently. She really went out of her way to help me. Despite these factors, I later came to realize I was severely over-medicated. It semed that whenever I had an episode she'd add another med to my cocktail. When things changed, she'd never replace that med with something else, but just add another med instead...by the time she left her practice I was on about 10-12 different psych meds. So, she was great as far as the inter-personal relationship went, but I'm afraid I became a walking zombie & developed physical issues as a result.

My current pdoc was shocked when he reviewed the meds I was taking & he cut them back dramatically. I'm now on one small dose of AP, a major dose of a mood stabilizer, an AD when needed, & klonopin when needed. He trusts me to play a major role in my treatment...& I almost dose myself with his input. I'm much less of a zombie being on fewer meds now. I've come to realize that I suffer from physical problems (shaking, facial tics) due to being over-medicated by my previous pdoc. My current pdoc spends a lot more time looking into his computer than my last pdoc did, but he's really a peaceful, almost Gandhi-like Indian dude (not to sound racist). I now realize that less is sometimes more where meds are concerned. My doses rise & fall as needed to address my symptoms. The key now is to survive with the least amount of meds necessary.

I really like my pdoc for the most part. He's older and almost semi-retired. I have his cell phone number. We have a lot of phone appointments but have in office ones too. It's about 50/50. He seems to really know his stuff. I've been with him for 6 years.

1st - Had a DO that misdiagnosed me with depression. He put me on an antidepressant and nothing else.

2nd -pdoc explained I had flipped into mania because I actually had bp1 and not MDD. She was great....I continued to see her.

I moved out of state

3rd - went to a mental health care that rotated pdocs....each appt I would see someone different. I did not like the rotating....I left.

4th- Found another MHC. The pdoc I had was good. But he does not do calls or e-mails. I have been worked in an appt at the last minute bc of an episode. Two years after seeing him, he left the MHC.
5th-the pdoc that replaced mine I don’t think it’s going to workout with her. I was put on Zoloft and was having side effects. We discussed tapering off. Once I was off I started not feeling well. I later learned it was withdrawal side effects from Zoloft. I found out because I called my pharmacy and the pharmacist looked it up. I feel the replacement pdoc should have mentioned it was possible. Also she told me about another med I could try. I asked about side effects like weight gain and diarrhea. She said I would not have those problems. I purchased the med then talk with the pharmacist. He said a lot of ppl get weight gain with it. I’m pretty sure I’m going to change to another MHC before the new year.

I have a DO, and at first I thought he was a bit of a quack. He wanted to sell me expensive supplements and quit gluten. But it's 6 years later and I've been pretty level for the majority of that time. Everything he's asked me to do has contributed to my wellness in some way. He is the most well-studied doctor I've had. He is so careful. He never gives me a higher dose than I absolutely need. He's sensitive to side-effects. He's good about refills.

Long love story short, I love this guy and will likely stay with him forever.

I'll let you know IF and WHEN I ever get to see her/him...in this community health program you have to see the T for xxx times, then maybe the nurse practitioner for xxx times, who decides if you're actually crazy enough to see the pdoc.
The one I saw for over 10yrs in PA was fantastic...so I guess I got spoiled. The only way to get any action here is to start yelling, "IP", and then that's what you get...

My first Pdoc was the one diagnosed me and got me stable for the time being. But, with this being Indian Nation healthcare, most docs don't stay in one place for two long. So, she was gone not long after getting me stable.

After she left, they basically just had a doc do refills every so often. So, I quit meds all together for awhile. FYI not the best thing for someone to do.

I decided to step out and find a private one. His remedy for every problem was Latuda. Great short term solution, but long term it got quite expensive the higher the dose.

My current one is through Cherokee Nation as well and he's ok. It's through a video conference so that's weird and just doesn't seem to listen at times or just says it happens and moves on. I only spend about 5 minutes with him, which I find not enough.