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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnL on January 17, 2000, at 15:50:23
Hi everyone,
Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston? I noticed Ivan Goldberg has three Boston names listed at his website. But I am hoping to get some feedback from some of you who are happy with your current pdoc in the Boston area.
Thanks!
JohnL
Posted by Noa on January 17, 2000, at 16:40:42
In reply to Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by JohnL on January 17, 2000, at 15:50:23
I think Adam is in Boston, so he can probably do better than I can, but try Michael Braverman, MD in Cambridge.
Posted by Elizabeth on January 17, 2000, at 23:19:01
In reply to Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by JohnL on January 17, 2000, at 15:50:23
> Hi everyone,
>
> Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston?Oodles. Any specific requests?
Posted by JohnL on January 18, 2000, at 3:29:57
In reply to Re: Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by Elizabeth on January 17, 2000, at 23:19:01
> > Hi everyone,
> >
> > Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston?
>
> Oodles. Any specific requests?Hi Elizabeth. No, nothing specific. There aren't any good pdocs in Maine. The Psychiatric Association in Maine said I should look at finding a pdoc in Boston. They had high regards for both Mass General and McClean. It's about 1 1/2 hour drive for me, but worth it for someone of high calibre. Desirable traits are:
1. Accessibility...reachable by phone in case of severe adverse reaction, worsened depression on a new drug, whatever, etc. Don't want someone who is so overextended they can't return my call.
2. Expertise in psychopharmacology in treating stubborn depression. Pdocs in Maine are generally ignorant of many things discussed in Dr Bob's Tips. I've been told doctors tend to get lazy when they settle into Maine. It would be nice to have a pdoc who is no stranger to all the tricks of the trade.
3. Someone who allows some degree of patient participation in drug selection and strategy.
4. Someone who appears to be in love with their work.Is there anyone like that?
Thanks,
JohnL
Posted by MarkH on January 18, 2000, at 8:07:47
In reply to Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by JohnL on January 17, 2000, at 15:50:23
> Hi everyone,
>
> Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston? I noticed Ivan Goldberg has three Boston names listed at his website. But I am hoping to get some feedback from some of you who are happy with your current pdoc in the Boston area.
>
> Thanks!
> JohnLYou could try the psychopharmacology clinic at the MGH. One of their big guns is a guy named Maurizio Fava - don't know him myself.
Posted by Scott L. Schofield on January 18, 2000, at 11:34:40
In reply to Re: Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by MarkH on January 18, 2000, at 8:07:47
> > Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston? I noticed Ivan Goldberg has three Boston names listed at his website. But I am hoping to get some feedback from some of you who are happy with your current pdoc in the Boston area.
> You could try the psychopharmacology clinic at the MGH. One of their big guns is a guy named Maurizio Fava - don't know him myself.
Another name to look for there is Andrew Nierenberg. I once had a consultation with him while he was at McLean Hospital in Belmont.
I found him to be accessible, compassionate, and concerned. Smart too.Depression Clinical and Research Program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA.
* I know too many doctors. If you think about it, that's not such a good thing.
- Scott
Posted by Tom on January 18, 2000, at 15:31:05
In reply to Re: Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston? Eliz, posted by JohnL on January 18, 2000, at 3:29:57
John,
Last I noticed you were thinking of going the stimulant route (after your Ritalin experiment). Did you abandon this strategy? I was hoping to hear about your experience on Adderall.
Posted by JohnL on January 18, 2000, at 16:25:42
In reply to Question for JohnL, posted by Tom on January 18, 2000, at 15:31:05
> John,
>
> Last I noticed you were thinking of going the stimulant route (after your Ritalin experiment). Did you abandon this strategy? I was hoping to hear about your experience on Adderall.Hi Tom,
I'm temporarily on hold while my pdoc is thinking about it. He wants a couple days to think about Cylert or Pramipexole. My response to Ritalin was robust. Too much so. I could become a serious abuser of that stuff almost immediately, and quickly end up with far worse problems than depression. It reminded me exactly of cocaine, only it takes a little longer to kick in. Looking at the leftovers in my pill bottle scares me.
I did find out by accident though that a 5mg or 10mg dose an hour or two before sex does wonders. I think someone with AD sexual dysfunction should try Ritalin on an as-needed basis.
My pdoc is very skeptical of Adderall for me. He says he doesn't think any stimulant will work, based on my response with Ritalin. He says Ritalin is the mildest and least habit forming of them all. So if I had problems with that one, any others will be worse. BUT he did say he would let me try it if I wanted to. And I probably will. I would hate to always be wondering, what if...
People here feel strongly that Adderall is worth a shot, so in a couple days I'll probably find out. If not that, then Cylert or Pramixpexole are waiting in the wings. All I know is that the dopamine action of Ritalin brought me way more relief than I ever had from any other drug. I just have to find out if there's a good dopamine drug I can live with. JohnL
Posted by Elizabeth on January 19, 2000, at 6:29:27
In reply to Re: Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston? Eliz, posted by JohnL on January 18, 2000, at 3:29:57
JohnL,
Here are a few people I can think of who might fit your criteria who I know or who come recommended by friends:
At MGH:
Dr. Nierenberg, who Scott also suggestedAt McLean:
Dr. Andy Stoll
Dr. Alexander BodkinAt MMHC:
Dr. Carl SalzmanI hope this helps some. Good luck.
Posted by Tom on January 19, 2000, at 8:06:01
In reply to Re: Answer for Tom, posted by JohnL on January 18, 2000, at 16:25:42
> > John,
> >
> > Last I noticed you were thinking of going the stimulant route (after your Ritalin experiment). Did you abandon this strategy? I was hoping to hear about your experience on Adderall.
>
> Hi Tom,
>
> I'm temporarily on hold while my pdoc is thinking about it. He wants a couple days to think about Cylert or Pramipexole. My response to Ritalin was robust. Too much so. I could become a serious abuser of that stuff almost immediately, and quickly end up with far worse problems than depression. It reminded me exactly of cocaine, only it takes a little longer to kick in. Looking at the leftovers in my pill bottle scares me.
>
> I did find out by accident though that a 5mg or 10mg dose an hour or two before sex does wonders. I think someone with AD sexual dysfunction should try Ritalin on an as-needed basis.
>
> My pdoc is very skeptical of Adderall for me. He says he doesn't think any stimulant will work, based on my response with Ritalin. He says Ritalin is the mildest and least habit forming of them all. So if I had problems with that one, any others will be worse. BUT he did say he would let me try it if I wanted to. And I probably will. I would hate to always be wondering, what if...
>
> People here feel strongly that Adderall is worth a shot, so in a couple days I'll probably find out. If not that, then Cylert or Pramixpexole are waiting in the wings. All I know is that the dopamine action of Ritalin brought me way more relief than I ever had from any other drug. I just have to find out if there's a good dopamine drug I can live with. JohnLThanks and good luck. Hope to hear some better news from you.
Posted by Mary-Anne on January 27, 2000, at 12:17:53
In reply to Can you recommend a good pdoc in Boston?, posted by JohnL on January 17, 2000, at 15:50:23
> Can someone recommend an expert psychopharmacologist in Boston? I noticed Ivan Goldberg has three Boston names listed at his website. But I am hoping to get some feedback from some of you who are happy with your current pdoc in the Boston area.
If you prefer not to deal with Boston traffic,
you might consider Jerry Wacks in Lexington Mass.
Lexington is a suburb just inside of route 128.
His office is not very far from 128.Psychopharm is his speciality,
although he also does "talk" therapy,
and he has one group that I know of.He is older than many, and the experience
shows in a good way, but he's not cheap.
He also seems to have useful and
powerful contacts (in MGH and elsewhere),
depending on what further specialization
you need (e.g. he can sometimes put you
in touch with the person who runs the
relevant research if needed).I have told him about the Dr-Bob web site,
and while I don't think he reads
it, when I heard about Wellbutrin SR here,
before it was available for sale, I asked
him about it, and he knew about it already.
Ditto quite a few of the ideas I pick up
in "Tips".
This is the end of the thread.
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