[sweetpea_tx]

I'll be going in for my first appointment in Texas next week. I know that it'll take awhile to get all my records from Iowa, and then comes the matter of sifting through them all. I was wondering, would it be a good idea to perhaps go in that first time with a list of everything that I've been on in the past and how, for good or for bad, each has affected me? Just so whoever I see doesn't go into this blind, or put me on anything that in the past has done more harm than good?

Any advice would be greatly appriciated!

Lisa

[tracy33]

I think that's a good idea. In fact, when I met with my current pdoc for the first time, she had asked me which meds I had previously taken and how they affected me. I had quite a list, too.

[splitimage]

I would definitely go in with a list of what you've been on and what's worked and what hasn't. It'll make talking to the Dr. a lot easier and minimise the risk of, as you say, being put on something that hasn't worked in the past. Sometimes for me Dr.'s can be intimidating, but I believe in being an informed consumer of health care. And providing information to a new Dr. is the best way, in my mind to, get good care.

I know in my case, I see a psychiatrist who was not a referal from my gp - so there's no communication between the two. I got the referall from my private psychologist. So every year when I go in for my physical, I give my gp a written list of all the meds I'm on with dosages, so that her file on my is up to date.

I also research all meds before I take them. I've refused meds that my addictions Dr. wants to prescribe because of possible negative mental health side effects. I firmly believe that we have to be active participants in our own care, especially when it comes to meds.

--splitimage

[Eleora]

Originally Posted by tracy33

I think that's a good idea. In fact, when I met with my current pdoc for the first time, she had asked me which meds I had previously taken and how they affected me. I had quite a list, too.

Definitely. Generally, on first appointments, Psychiatrists and doctors will give you a questionnaire to fill out regarding previous diagnoses, medications, family history, etc. It wouldn't hurt to just jot down a "complete" medical history to the best of your recollection so as to be prepared if this is the case and you will be filling something out. It's easy to forget things once you're in there.

[thalia2]

Absolutely - in fact you'll be completely shooting yourself in the foot if you have that information and DON'T bring it. Also even if you have records, they may not be as helpful as you'd think. Your psychiatrist, for instance, might not have documented well or might have seen the situation differently than you experienced it.

My medication history stretches back two decades and honestly I have trouble remembering the details which is really a problem now. My big regret is not documenting all that stuff at the time so I can bring it to appts every time a medication change is considered.