So tomorrow I have an appointment with a physicians assistant to check/modify my meds (two months on welbrutrin ?sp).

The pdoc that started me on this med has left the clinic - they do not have any pdocs on staff right now..... my previous clinic has had several pdocs leave as well - so there literally is no help in this area.

Not feeling too optimistic right now. But a nice long session of SH has calmed me some.

:/

[SeekerOfLife]

Hi UM. You may want to make a list of how the drug affects you, and any questions you have. That way, the medical person can help you the best.

[Rohag]

Once I had a PA who was of no help. A couple of times I had PAs who were as good or better than most doctors I've seen.

Best wishes for a PA who will genuinely and carefully listen to you.

[Clara22]

Good luck!

[Nammu]

I agree with Rohag some PAs can be better than some Pdocs. Don't give up before you meet with the PA but do go armed with a list of side effects and questions so you don't forget.

[ToeJam]

Best of luck UM, thinking of you.

[Altered Moment]

My PA to a pdoc is better than any pdoc I have had. I have only seen the real pdoc once in five years. I would rather not see them again as my PA is better.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clara22]

Wow, Zinco, could a PA give a prescription?

UPDATE.....

Yesterday I got home from work. Walked in the house to find three small piles of vomit from my dogs. Took them outside, bent over to pet them and my phone fell out of my shirt pocket and cracked up the touch screen. Went back inside (very annoyed now) to see I had a voicemail. My appointment for today has been canceled as they have a "personal issue that came up".

I understand that issues arise. But let's review (all within the last 2 years).

- Doctor C drops me, claiming that I quit (which I did not).
- Doctor B moves to another city
- Doctor V leaves to go teach at Columbia U.
- PA Katie was simply unqualified.... so I switched to an entirely different clinic who had a highly recommended shrink.
- Doctor G is my new doc and FINALLY I sense I have someone I trust. Before my 3rd visit - he quits his job to go work for the VA.

So I have no doc, meds not really working...... The "new" clinic has no other doctor on staff. They set me up to see a PA - so after waiting two months to see the PA - I get cancelled. Now it will be another 30-60 days to see someone.

F*** THIS

[Clara22]

I am very sorry! This is very annoying and frustrating! A similar situation but related to GP back in 2012. It affected my health but I do not want to be boring with my details.

I was on many different meds. Now I am on Wellbutrin.
I started on 150mgs for awhile, but I started getting into serious depression again.
So the doctor has upped my Wellbutrin-XL (aka Bupropion-XL) to 300mgs. This you have to take once early in the morning or you'll be up all night if you take in the evening. Been working alright for now. At least I feel better on this stuff. Doc says its still a medium dosage for me.

Good luck w/ everything.

Thx Abs.... I am on wellbutrin too.

It has helped some. but I continue to have some mighty "dark" times too.

[Frankbtl]

Hi UM, I know it must be really disheartening/frustrating to come so close to something at least and then be let right before..........but maybe make some real use of the time before the next appointment, so you can go along more prepared than ever!!!
You're not some "ordinary" patient remember (!! ), you want them to really sit up and really pay attention.
And if they aren't quite as experienced they may be missing some of the more subtle but just as/sometimes more important questions. So you're going to be answering those questions despite that aren't you??!!
So a bit of note making before hand, if you haven't already done that??? All the problems you've been having (physical, emotional....the whole lot, in detail!!), how you feel about them, what's helped/what hasn't/what's made things worse, experiences with different medications, what you want/what you don't want from them..................
And let that give you a bit of a mindset that you're going to be walking in with some expectations and let them know that too!!! Alongside that (and work up to it now) you're going to be really discussing with them the best way forward. A route you're both OK with.
So not going to "waste" some of that waiting time, hey?
And in that time keep phoning (or if it's too difficult have your wife keep phoning) for any cancellations so you can bring the next appointment forward. Then at least if the receptionists have anything to do with the booking systems, your names going to be right up there in their minds if..........and if not then the messages mounting up about yours (or your wife's calls might say something.
And you know, if it's getting really hard with your meds really not working............then an appointment with just a general doc to temporarily prescribe you something that might help until.........??? You never know they could actually fall on something really useful!!
And "bright side" hey!! At least you only found small piles of vomit!!!!!
Alison

[waterknob1234]

I wonder what on earth is going on with pdocs and PA's in your area. It doesn't sound good. You shouldn't have to wait another 30 to 60 days to see someone. Would a medical doctor around there be willing to prescribe medication, and then just go to counseling or therapy? I don't know if that's the answer. I agree the situation stinks.