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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 15 of 15. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ELA on January 2, 2002, at 10:53:41
mine is awful! never there and when she is she's not exactly supportive about my situation. The rest of the docs aren't that good either. What is it with people and illnesses (such as depression) that don't have a clear cut answer and need time and understanding?
Posted by Willow on January 2, 2002, at 13:28:42
In reply to Is there such thing as a sympathetic and nice GP?!, posted by ELA on January 2, 2002, at 10:53:41
Posted by stjames on January 2, 2002, at 16:50:28
In reply to Perhaps you could check out a psychologist? (nm), posted by Willow on January 2, 2002, at 13:28:42
Here here !
It seems to me you are asking a generalist to
also be a specalist. One does not take a BMW to a VW mechanic and expect them to know every thing about BMW's.
Posted by susan C on January 2, 2002, at 18:25:14
In reply to Re: Perhaps you could check out a psychologist?, posted by stjames on January 2, 2002, at 16:50:28
This thread got me thinking...why do some people choose to be a psychologist or a psychiatrist or for that matter, a neurologist? Why would you choose to go to one or the other?
In my mind it is like a flow chart...the General (as in knows a little about a lot and are kind of like smoke detectors in the hallway)is at the top, then you say, is my circumstance my thinking, or is it my physiology...but that doesn't make sense, cause i am sure psychologists take physiology..
Then there is the issue of whether or not the good doctor, no matter WHAT the specialty or generality has a sharp noogie.
Why are these areas separate?...it would seem to all be connected, in my mind anyway.
mouse playing with pennies and having no cents at all
Posted by Willow on January 2, 2002, at 18:44:59
In reply to Why does someone choose..., posted by susan C on January 2, 2002, at 18:25:14
Mouse you have given this too much thought! I prescribe that you spend an hour a week on a cute masseur's couch.
Thinking of your well-being!
Whistling Willow
Posted by MarthaM on January 2, 2002, at 21:20:00
In reply to because » susan C, posted by Willow on January 2, 2002, at 18:44:59
I've just always wondered why anyone would want to become a proctologist?
Don't mind me, strange mood tonight!
martham
> Mouse you have given this too much thought! I prescribe that you spend an hour a week on a cute masseur's couch.
>
> Thinking of your well-being!
>
> Whistling Willow
Posted by Mair on January 2, 2002, at 21:32:08
In reply to Re: Perhaps you could check out a psychologist?, posted by stjames on January 2, 2002, at 16:50:28
Maybe I'm misreading ELA's post, but I don't think it's suggesting that a GP supplant a psychologist. I used to have an internist who was great about my depression. She never tried to dismiss my physical complaints as being symptoms of depression. I always had a pdoc at the time, so I wasn't asking her to fill a role which was inappropriate for her, but she did recognize that my depression was a health issue.
Mair
Posted by Fi on January 3, 2002, at 4:16:51
In reply to Is there such thing as a sympathetic and nice GP?!, posted by ELA on January 2, 2002, at 10:53:41
ELA
Since you mention 'GP', I'm wondering if you are in the UK?
If so, its worth mentioning to our colleagues that getting to see a psychologist on our NHS is not easy- there are often waiting lists of many months, even if your GP agrees to a referral (you cant refer yourself on the NHS, and its the GP who makes the decision, not the patient). Tho it can be worth asking for a referral anyway, of course.
GPs really are the main provider/access to all community health services here. Lots of their patients will have psychological problems, tho of course they may not deal with them well. I've had one really great GP- she didnt have much time (the average GP appointment time is 8 minutes for anything in the UK), but she was sympathetic, well informed re medication and self help measures. The others varied from OK to appalling!
You can pay and refer yourself privately to a psychologist- if you can afford it. One way to find one is to contact the British Psychological Society (http://www.bps.org.uk/index.cfm- click on 'find a psychologist')
It would be worth considering changing to another GP practice, if there is another one locally? You dont need your current practice's 'permission' to swap, but the new one has to agree (you need to be in their area and for them to have space on their list).
Finding a better GP isnt easy. If you are in the UK, you may already know about Depression Alliance (http://www.depressionalliance.org/ or phone 0207 633 0557
) who have a network of local support groups. *If* there is one in your area, they will have some experience of the local GPs.(DA also have an email discussion list for members which I tried, but got a bit swamped by the dozens of emails).
If you are on chatting terms with any neighbours, you can ask them if they have a sympathetic GP (you dont have to say you have depression).
Apologies if you are not British!!
Good luck.
Fi
Posted by ELA on January 3, 2002, at 5:50:24
In reply to Re: Is there such thing as a sympathetic and nice GP?!, posted by Fi on January 3, 2002, at 4:16:51
> Fi
Thankyou for that. Yes I am in the UK and having worked for the NHS for several years I know exactly how difficult getting anything out of it can be at times! I had such a close brush with death when I had blood clots in my lungs that I am now scared. All the doctors I have seen think that it is all in my mind, I can't seem to make them understand that I am just worried and that is what's gettin me down. Oh well, I'm sure it will all come out in the wash eventually!
ELA
Posted by Fi on January 3, 2002, at 10:47:05
In reply to good advice Fi » Fi, posted by ELA on January 3, 2002, at 5:50:24
Hi again
Does your worry focus on getting blood clots in your lungs again? If so, another route to follow would be to get accurate info on how to recognise early symptoms *if* it happens again, and what to do (presumably call an ambulance?) And whether you are at any more risk than anyone else, and if so if there is any way of reducing the risk.
Best bet for this might be a consultation with the relevant consultant- whether you can swing this via work or need to go private...
Of course, info isnt always the solution to worry. You've been thru something very frightening and its normal to be preoccupied by it, as well as possibly set off into psychological problems.
But it might help.
Anyway, you're quite right to persist- the GP(s) arent doing their job properly to leave you like this. And even it something is 'all in the mind', it doesnt mean that its a problem to be ignored.
I'll get off my soapbox.
Look after yourself!
Fi
Posted by ELA on January 3, 2002, at 11:16:29
In reply to Re: good advice Fi » ELA, posted by Fi on January 3, 2002, at 10:47:05
My main worry is about getting more clots I think. It is unlikely according to all the medics but I have been having a lot of trouble with my medication and I'm currently at a high risk of getting more clots, hence the worry. My blood is clotting again and the original clot in my leg is still there so it's dangerous until the blood thins out. The docs have all been very quick to tell me what isn't wrong and what won't happen but they don't seem to be listening to my concerns over the situation in general.
I'm only 20, in the middle of uni and this thing has really shaken me up. I was sent away by a GP and an A&E department saying I just had a chest infection and it turned out to be several clots, pneumonia and then pleurisy. Rather a lot to deal with all at once at any age! The depression and inability to sleep has come afterwards but none of them seem to hear what I'm saying. I was scared by it all and I still am.
Anyway, I'll get off my soap box as well now I think! Thanks for your advice, it's nice to know that there are people out there who will listen.
ELA.
Posted by paxvox on January 4, 2002, at 12:48:07
In reply to Is there such thing as a sympathetic and nice GP?!, posted by ELA on January 2, 2002, at 10:53:41
I haven't read the other posts, so forgive me if I repeat what was said. Doctors are just like the rest of us. By this, I mean they run the line of personality types from friendly to overbearing to downright asses. Personally, my GP is GREAT, but I had to look around to find him. He is an excellent listener, and takes all the necessary time until the patient's questions have been answered. He even helps me when I have treatment issues with other docs, because I am HIS patient FIRST. It is an excellent relationship! So, try another, or a third or whatever. Make written or mental notes ow "what you want" from a doc, and see how he/she rates. It may take some time,but any relationship (and that's what it is) that is worth having is worth investing time in.
Pax
Posted by Krazy Kat on January 5, 2002, at 10:58:13
In reply to because » susan C, posted by Willow on January 2, 2002, at 18:44:59
> Mouse you have given this too much thought! I prescribe that you spend an hour a week on a cute masseur's couch.
>
> Thinking of your well-being!
>
> Whistling Willow
Posted by tina on January 7, 2002, at 9:07:50
In reply to Is there such thing as a sympathetic and nice GP?!, posted by ELA on January 2, 2002, at 10:53:41
no such thing in my experience.
sucks don't it?
> mine is awful! never there and when she is she's not exactly supportive about my situation. The rest of the docs aren't that good either. What is it with people and illnesses (such as depression) that don't have a clear cut answer and need time and understanding?
Posted by Fi on January 7, 2002, at 11:44:08
In reply to more good advice! » Fi, posted by ELA on January 3, 2002, at 11:16:29
You've certainly been having a really rough time. I do hope you track down a better GP..
Meanwhile, even if they wont give you info, you can protect yourself by going straight back to A&E if you get the same symptoms that you had before, and tell them that you have had clots/pneumonia and pleurisy.
And questions which are very factual are harder for them to brush off eg not 'I'm worried' but 'I know its unlikely to happen again,but what are the signs and symptoms which would show that it had?'. But easier said than done, of course.
You mentioned being at uni? If someone to help you work thru the very understandable distress would be useful, most unis have a free student counselling service.
Most times I've been depressed its been with no obvious trigger, which was difficult. I used to think it would be easier if there was a trigger, but then when there was (not as traumatic as yours- major building work on my flat), I realised it was worse as then you have to cope with the depression and the horrible situation!
Tho of course yours may be a completely normal reaction to a stressful situation.
Anyway, lots of luck and take care.
Fi
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