[lightly toasted]

So, where I live pdocs are in short supply, and the wait list is long. I'm willing to wait a year if necessary for a decent pdoc, because we all know there are some pretty dangerous pdocs out there who are just in business of pushing whatever med that is giving them the most kick-backs at the time. Along with being woefully ignorant of the complexities of bipolar II.

The addition of me being a small woman with a healthy liver...I do best with very small doses, and have suffered horribly with a bad pdocs sledgehammer approach with meds. Also if you have a med that is working this pdoc in particular that my doctor wants me to see, has a habit of refusing to prescribe it if he has a personal preference for a different med.

So I said thanks, but no thanks to the referral when it came through. Over the phone I said to the receptionist (because you can never speak to a GP directly - which is fair) that I've been around long enough to know that no pdoc is better than a bad pdoc. She did pass this message along. The response from my GP, via phone call from his receptionist: " There is a shortage of pdocs locally, I strongly advise you not to cancel your appointment with (******-***) pdoc. I already have cancelled this appointment, and I know my very well-being strongly depends on my not seeing said pdoc, so I'm sticking to my guns.

Fork! What's the best way to deal with these GPs who want to push the bad pdoc on you. Give him another chance, if he keeps pushing, find another GP, I guess. My last GP knew who the bad pdocs in town were and would never, ever send me to them...but he's retired now

Any stories of your own to share would be greatly appreciated.

[lightly toasted]

The GP has prescribed 50mg of Quetiapine XR and it's working great for me. My blood tests came back great, so it's okay to stay on it. He gave me a month's worth prescription earlier in the week, so I don't need to worry about being med-less for now.

But if a GP get's pissy because you don't do as he wishes...ah,see, I'm worrying about that.

Is there a reason you have to see the one he recommends? Do you have an HMO?

[lightly toasted]

Thanks for replying, I remember. Sorry, I should have been more clear, I'm in Canada, so I'm not ever sure what an HMO is?

I don't have to see this pdoc, but this GP, does not have to treat my bipolar disorder either. If I don't take this pdoc, then this GP probably feels that he'll be stuck with me...who knows. GPs for the most part really don't like to treat mental illness, which is understandable, it isn't their speciality, so they're not really qualified I guess. I guess since there is such a shortage of pdocs here the Family practitioners are having to step into the breach, and they probably don't like doing that.

The trouble is, if I see this pdoc, I'm stuck with him. It's next to impossible to get a new pdoc if you already have one.

In Canada, we can't just call a Psychiatrist and make an appointment, you have to go through a family physician to get a referral...for the initial appointment that is. I'm not sure how it's done elsewhere.

I've been getting myself all worked up and panicky about this, and it's silly I guess.

I'll explain myself more clearly next time I see this doctor. If he still insists on me seeing the first available Psychiatrist instead of waiting for a half-decent one, I'll find myself another doctor...nothing else I can do really.

[Victoria'smom]

I would ask to wait. Seeing a ****** Pdoc is worse then no pdoc in my option.

[gina_re]

How do you know who the good pdoc is?