[Blueberrybook]

I had been seeing my pdoc for 10 years. She is by far the best pdoc I have ever had, the one who finally clued in to the fact that I am bipolar and do not have major depression. Since the bipolar diagnosis, I have generally been more stable on my meds.

At my January appointment, she told me she is retiring. I knew it would come at some point, but just not so soon. She is a wonderful pdoc and deserves to enjoy her retirement, but I can’t help but feel abandoned by the news.

Worse,it is a nightmare finding a new pdoc. I won’t go into my recent (and only) appt with a nightmare new pdoc March 2, but it was awful. Other pdocs with good reviews have a 6 month waiting list. I called the old place in tears, and they put me with one of their other docs with good reviews and squeezed his schedule, so I can see him March 22. I know from reading his reviews he seems to have similar practices to my old pdoc, but still...after 10 years, there is a lot of history there, and I had a lot of psych history prior to seeing her. Starting fresh feels overwhelming.

[CelestialFlame]

You can probably ask her if you can still stay connected after her retirement. Whether its via email, text, or phone. I’m sure she would let you as that isn’t uncommon between patients and their retired therapists.

[cool09]

It is hard to find a good PDOC. I haven't seen many good ones in 35 years. I've been misdiagnosed like crazy and put on horrible drugs.

[Wild Coyote]

My pdoc of 20 years is retiring soon. It's tough to try to adjust to the news. I feel like I will never find a pdoc like him... ever again. I don't know if that's true, of course. 20 years is a long time! I can accept the fact that I will probably never be so close to any pdoc again.

It's a big adjustment! I wish you the best in finding a new pdoc!


WC

[Blueberrybook]

I am hopeful this pdoc will be a good one. He works at my old pdoc’s practice. She was the senior doc there and likely had a say in hiring new pdocs. So...fingers crossed it will go well.

But...a lot of life happens in 10 years, all kinds of stressors like unemployment, death, parenting issues, adjusting to a new diagnosis, financial issues, health issues...ugh! It’s a lot. And for the previous poster with a pdoc of 20 years soon to retire, I CANNOT even imagine! I also feel I will never find another pdoc as good as she is. And bad pdocs are out there a dime a dozen. My family doc practice recently hired a pdoc, and his reviews are so bad. People say he should he his license revoked, he hardly speaks English, shows contempt if you have issues with anxiety & panic, lots of people wished they could rate him zero stars and not 1. And I saw that horrible pdoc March 2, a $129 appt for God’s sake! I wish I could call the credit card company and refuse to pay that charge on account of not getting the services promised at all.

[Deejay14]

Cln,
This experience as difficult as it is might be better approached by an attitude of gratitude. Try saying to yourself my pdoc is retiring, something positive for her. I am ever so grateful for her help over the years. I will be okay.

Now your new doc will have the benefit of a correct diagnosis to work with. That in itself is a gift. Ten years with a doc you really like is so fortunate. Not everyone gets that gift.

[luvyrself]

Originally Posted by cln1812

I had been seeing my pdoc for 10 years. She is by far the best pdoc I have ever had, the one who finally clued in to the fact that I am bipolar and do not have major depression. Since the bipolar diagnosis, I have generally been more stable on my meds.

At my January appointment, she told me she is retiring. I knew it would come at some point, but just not so soon. She is a wonderful pdoc and deserves to enjoy her retirement, but I can’t help but feel abandoned by the news.

Worse,it is a nightmare finding a new pdoc. I won’t go into my recent (and only) appt with a nightmare new pdoc March 2, but it was awful. Other pdocs with good reviews have a 6 month waiting list. I called the old place in tears, and they put me with one of their other docs with good reviews and squeezed his schedule, so I can see him March 22. I know from reading his reviews he seems to have similar practices to my old pdoc, but still...after 10 years, there is a lot
of history there, and I had a lot of psych history prior to seeing her. Starting fresh feels overwhelming.

——I find that it really speeds things up when starting w a new doc to write at least a timeline of important events In your life including your psych and med history. I do it in a table on my computer. Wow, it also shows patterns you might not want to repeat and a lot of cause and effect situations.
An expanded version done in paragraphs can also be done. This approach also gives you greater credibility and respect with the doctor immediately- a good way to start.

[Blueberrybook]

luvyrself,
That is a good idea. I don't remember exact dates. I have had so many stressors and other experiences. It was probably a good 10 years switching pdocs before I found the one I stayed with for 10 years. So there is just a ton of stuff, going back from childhood, through college, graduate school, my daughter's birth, deaths, finances, etc. Sometimes, I feel like I have so much baggage, I don't even know where to begin! Maybe this is why I have such difficulty finding therapists, going through an extensive psych history time and again and never clicking with a single one. It's exhausting!

Since the new pdoc is at the same practice as the old, once I sign over consent, it will be possible for her to share with him more than an abbreviated file as she can just hand the entire file over versus having to choose what to fax, so he should be able to read more extensively the course of my treatment with her.

My suggestion is for you to get a referral through your family doctor. They will know your history and have a good idea of your needs. They may be able to match you up with someone suitable.

[Blueberrybook]

I saw the new pdoc yesterday. He is great. Actually, my old pdoc was already sharing info with my family doctor, and the new pdoc is at the same practice as my old pdoc of 10 years. They did hire a pdoc at my family doctor's practice recently, but his reviews are horrid. People say they wish they could rate him 0 stars and not 1. He doesn't speak fluent English at all. Apparently, if you have anxiety or panic disorder, his reaction is to show contempt. Many say his medical license should be revoked, he's that bad.