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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by wingedcat on February 12, 2003, at 17:25:41
My primary doctor tells me that I need to see a psychiatrist for meds. But all the psychiatrists I call aren't taking new patients or else can't see me for weeks.
I've been taking Deprenyl and it keeps me from being suicidal. I am more alert and ***I can finally have an orgasm***! But my anxiety is still very bad. Very very bad. I've had severe social anxiety since I was a kid and I am fed up with it. I can't go anywhere without being terrified. My new job starts Friday and I am very scared.
I am slightly hypothyroid, despite tests which show this my primary doctor is reluctant to prescribe me Cytomel and ordered more blood tests. And then he's mad that I'm taking Deprenyl. Well, YOU'RE not helping me. I'm fine with not taking it if I start taking something else. You tell me I have to see a psychiatrist for help, but I can't find one.
I'm stopping the Deprenyl today. It seems like the only way I'm going to get any help is if I'm completely freaked out and suicidal and end up in the ER again. It seems that's what they want. Fine.
Posted by Bittersweet on February 12, 2003, at 22:22:42
In reply to Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by wingedcat on February 12, 2003, at 17:25:41
> My primary doctor tells me that I need to see a psychiatrist for meds. But all the psychiatrists I call aren't taking new patients or else can't see me for weeks.
>
> I've been taking Deprenyl and it keeps me from being suicidal. I am more alert and ***I can finally have an orgasm***! But my anxiety is still very bad. Very very bad. I've had severe social anxiety since I was a kid and I am fed up with it. I can't go anywhere without being terrified. My new job starts Friday and I am very scared.
>
> I am slightly hypothyroid, despite tests which show this my primary doctor is reluctant to prescribe me Cytomel and ordered more blood tests. And then he's mad that I'm taking Deprenyl. Well, YOU'RE not helping me. I'm fine with not taking it if I start taking something else. You tell me I have to see a psychiatrist for help, but I can't find one.
>
> I'm stopping the Deprenyl today. It seems like the only way I'm going to get any help is if I'm completely freaked out and suicidal and end up in the ER again. It seems that's what they want. Fine.I have run into the same challenge when making appointments. I want to see someone right away, or ASAP, but the weeks or months I must wait seems impossible.
I am such a procrastinator, so that only adds on more time because it took me so long to make the call in the first place....sorry, I'm rambling.My suggestion: Make the appointment!!
A few weeks is really nothing, because if you don't, all that time will have passed anyway, and you're still no closer to seeing a doctor. Try and be patient. I know it is easier said than done, sorry :o)
Posted by jrbecker on February 12, 2003, at 22:37:38
In reply to Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by wingedcat on February 12, 2003, at 17:25:41
Whoa, sounds like you're in a bit of a jam. I know this sounds like a bad way to compensate for the deprenyl, but why don't you go on a nicotine patch instead for a while. It pretty much does the same thing biochemically. Hopefully this will at least get you through your first new days on the job. Maybe take it in combo with some magnesium/calcium to help you relax. It's quite typical to not be able to get an appt right away to see a pdoc for the first time. If you get desperate in the interim, you can always go to your local ER or health clinic. An attending psychiatrist will probably be able to give you a mild benzo or AD to last you until you get into see someone.
Too bad they're making you quit the deprenyl, but it sounds like it just makes you more edgy, especially since the anxiety (more than just the depression itself) can tend to reinforce suicidal ideation.
Good luck.
PS- Make sure you ask the psychiatrists who say they can't take you on to at least give you a couple of referrals. Doctors usually know other ones in the plan that are more actively taking on patients (and can probably see you sooner).
Posted by viridis on February 13, 2003, at 3:28:33
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by jrbecker on February 12, 2003, at 22:37:38
I'd go ahead and make appointments with multiple psychiatrists, and ask each that if there's an earlier opening, could they please try to get you in then. My pdoc says that psychiatrists probably have more last-minute cancellations than any other doctors, and he told me (after I'd been seeing him for a while) that he could always fit me in within a day if it was critical.
So if you're flexible, you might get lucky. Or at least, you'll be able to get in within a few weeks -- what do you have to lose?
Posted by Bill L on February 13, 2003, at 9:16:24
In reply to Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by wingedcat on February 12, 2003, at 17:25:41
Do you think that you need a psychiatrist or are you only going to one because your doctor won't help?
If you do not think that you need a psychiatrist, try a different internist who you might be able to see very soon. About 70% of antidepressants are prescribed by internists and other primary care docs. Only 30% by psychiatrists.
Posted by wingedcat on February 13, 2003, at 14:14:46
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by jrbecker on February 12, 2003, at 22:37:38
The nicotine patch is an interesting option. I just might try that, considering Wellbutrin worked for me for quite a while.
The deprenyl does make me more edgy, but considering it worked for me as far as anhedonia/mood went, I'll keep it in mind as a treatment option when it (most likely) gets approved in the near future. I am no longer open to using any reuptake inhibitor, both times (on Paxil and Wellbutrin) it was the numbness and inability to cry was what made me feel so suicidal after a while. Deprenyl didn't have that feeling and it was nice.
Thank you so much for your reply. I will make some more calls today.
Posted by wingedcat on February 13, 2003, at 14:16:51
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! » wingedcat, posted by Bittersweet on February 12, 2003, at 22:22:42
My suggestion: Make the appointment!!
A few weeks is really nothing, because if you don't, all that time will have passed anyway, and you're still no closer to seeing a doctor. Try and be patient. I know it is easier said than done, sorry :o)
---------That made me laugh. Thanks for your encouragement. I felt really frustrated last night but I've spent a decade without a psychiatrist and no anxiety meds, I'll get through a few more days :P~
Posted by wingedcat on February 13, 2003, at 14:33:33
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by viridis on February 13, 2003, at 3:28:33
> I'd go ahead and make appointments with multiple psychiatrists, and ask each that if there's an earlier opening, could they please try to get you in then. My pdoc says that psychiatrists probably have more last-minute cancellations than any other doctors, and he told me (after I'd been seeing him for a while) that he could always fit me in within a day if it was critical.
>
> So if you're flexible, you might get lucky. Or at least, you'll be able to get in within a few weeks -- what do you have to lose?
thank you, I wouldn't have thought of that, about the cancellations :)
Posted by wingedcat on February 13, 2003, at 14:36:40
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! , posted by Bill L on February 13, 2003, at 9:16:24
> Do you think that you need a psychiatrist or are you only going to one because your doctor won't help?
>
> If you do not think that you need a psychiatrist, try a different internist who you might be able to see very soon. About 70% of antidepressants are prescribed by internists and other primary care docs. Only 30% by psychiatrists.My HMO plan has partitioned psychiatric treatment off into a different section. I had to argue with the receptionist to even get an appointment at all because "we don't treat depression here." I'd prefer to just stay with primary doctor because I know him but I do think I need a psychiatrist.
Posted by viridis on February 14, 2003, at 1:49:57
In reply to Re: Can't find a psychiatrist, frustrated! » Bill L , posted by wingedcat on February 13, 2003, at 14:36:40
Go with your instincts -- if you feel that you need a psychiatrist, then push until you find a good one. The idea of an internist is very reasonable, but you know what you need, and although it may take some trial and error, nothing beats a good psychiatrist. Of course, there are also some bad ones (I've seen a few!) so if you don't connect with the first one you meet, don't give up -- you'll find someone who understands your problems if you're persistent.
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