[UpDownMiddleGround]

Last week I went to the dentist and was prescribed pain medication that my pdoc advised me not to take. When I went back today for my root canal, I explained that I could not take a certain class of drugs, so the prescribed something else. After I charged my phone, I checked it against my other medications and found that I could end up having seizures if I were to take it. This is not the first time something like this has happened. I explained to a nurse practitioner that I could not take steroids and she still tried to prescribe me a low dose. This was even after I told her that my pdoc said absolutely not to take them unless I was admitted in a hospital so that I could be monitored.

Certain drugs say to be sure to let your health care providers know all medications that are taken, but the health care providers either don't know how badly one can be affected, or they don't care. It's like they have a list of things they prescribe and that's it. I find myself calling my proc many times to double check whether or not something is safe for me.

How do you manage going to different doctors? Do you find that your doctors understand bipolar and the medications associated with it?

My oral surgeon said she will write me a prescription and I said no.

She then said 2 Tylenol’s and 2 ibuprophens every 6 hours is just as good as any narcotic. Of course I never pain much 6dissociate pain away)...but it worked. Good luck.

[rwwff]

I've pretty much decided that all my doctors will be in the same clinic system, shared charts and a pharmacist downstairs ready to throw a hissy fit for an interaction of some sort.

Dentists I think are the worst because they want to rely on short term pain management with opioids (bad news #1), and often think steroids are a universal fixer upper (bad news #2). While also being least aware of interactions with non-dental related medications.

[Pookyl]

I’m in a different country with a different system but in general I’ve been cared for well under a multi-health system (despite having multiple illnesses.)
Things I do:
Organise all appointments to suit me
Coordinate teleconferences between doctors
I have a communication book into which notes from each appointment are placed. Doctors also write notes into the book to each other.
Finally,
if someone has a problem with what med has been ordered etc I expect them to contact the other person then and there and sort it out.
I value my time too much to let people stuff me around.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Originally Posted by rwwff

Dentists I think are the worst because they want to rely on short term pain management with opioids (bad news #1), and often think steroids are a universal fixer upper (bad news #2). While also being least aware of interactions with non-dental related medications.

YES!! I specifically said, no opioids. And what was I prescribed? A synthetic opioid that could cause seizures when interacting with adderal. I know that they are not pharmacists, but gosh. I guess I expect everyone to care about my mood and side effects as much as my pdoc does. Let's just say that I'm taking my chances on the pain. I have some Tylenol and some other OTC pain meds.

[UpDownMiddleGround]

Alwayschanging2, I used to be able to dissociate, but after extensive EMDR treatment, I'm not able to anymore. I agree though, between Excedrin and Tylonol, I will be fine.

Hopefully you already do this, but it is crucial that all of your doctors know all of your diagnoses and any temporary medical issues, as well as all medications you're taking. I, personally, call my psychiatrist whenever any other doctor prescribes a new medication. Also, it's best that you're pharmacist know this. I don't know about yours, but every time I get meds filled at the pharmacy they ask if you have any questions. If it's a new med, ask some like what the side effects might be and if they see any possible drug interactions possible. I have to remind pharmacist's of all my medications since my brick and mortar pharmacy only fills some. I get many others through mail order pharmacy. Generally pharmacist's are pretty knowledgeable about issues like meds (even OTC ones) that are I'll advised for various conditions.

There have been times when I have consulted with my pharmacist on things for a second opinion on issues I felt we're not addressed by a doctor, or ones I challenged.

Expect screw ups and don't trust anyone but yourself. If you fear interactions, call a pharmacist that isn't the one you usually go to and ask them. It's helpful to have a list of all meds and conditions for each appointment with an anecdote of "another doctor did this so I don't trust you either."

[*Laurie*]

^^^ What spikes said. Pay close attention and advocate for yourself.

I schedule appointments at times that are comfortable for me. That helps me to be on my toes.

Last week my pdoc raised my dose of neurontin to help my sleep. The med also is helping chronic back pain. I've spoken with my pdoc about that benefit. Not being in chronic pain helps my mental state. Pdoc said That's good...but of course, I'm not able to prescribe this medication to treat your pain.

Uh, right. So if I go to my GP and she says, Okay...lets raise the dose of your neurontin, since it's helping your pain. Then I go back to pdoc and tell her my dose is raised. She's going to be upset that my dose is different than the dose she prescribed. Crazy, right? Yeah, it is.

[pirilin]

I condense them. My Pulmo is my GP now too. I made my retina specialist my eye doctor also.
My shrink................ are they doctors?.